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Egypt voices concern over situation in Syria's Eastern Ghouta

Xinhua,February 22, 2018 Adjust font size:

CAIRO, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Egypt expressed on Wednesday its deep concern over the latest developments in Syria's Eastern Ghouta and the consequences on the humanitarian conditions in the region.

In an official statement, Egyptian foreign ministry said there is an immediate and urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire to deliver aid and to evacuate the wounded to avoid a real humanitarian disaster.

Cairo renewed condemnation of shelling civilian areas in Ghouta, Damascus and all over Syria.

"Egypt continues its endeavors and contacts with all parties to find a way out of the dire humanitarian situation in the war-torn region," the statement said.

The recent violence in Eastern Ghouta raised regional and international concerns about the innocent civilians besieged in the enclave.

Eastern Ghouta is part of the Syrian "de-escalation" zones included in a deal reached last May in Astana, Kazakhstan between the Syrian government and rebel groups.

The de-escalation deals were signed later in Cairo in July and August 2017.

Meanwhile, the ministry said Egypt's contacts with all parties come within the framework of the Egyptian vision which is based on seeking to reach a ceasefire that would help resume political negotiations leading to a settlement to the Syrian crisis.

A political settlement is the only option to solve the crisis and achieve peace and stability in Syria, it reaffirmed.

Syria has for years been suffering instability due to confrontations between pro-government forces and armed rebels and terrorists from the declining Islamic State (IS) militant group.

The forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are backed by Russia, Iran and Shiite militias loyal to Iran including Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Russian troops in Syria have been launching bombing raids in support of the government forces, while a U.S.-led international anti-terror coalition has been launching airstrikes against IS targets in the conflict-stricken country.

Since its eruption in March 2011, the Syrian crisis has claimed the lives of about half a million people and displaced and wounded over 14 million. Enditem

 

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