UN Syria envoy urges end to 'siege-like' situation in Daraa
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said Syrian civilians living under a government siege in the southwestern city are suffering from shortages of fuel, food and medicine.
The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria on Thursday expressed concern over the “alarming situation” in Daraa, the birthplace of the Syrian revolution, where thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes in recent weeks.
“The near siege-like situation must end,” a statement from the office of UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said.
“Civilians are suffering with acute shortages of fuel, cooking gas, water, and bread. Medical assistance is in short supply to treat the injured,” the statement said.
The Syrian government since June 24 has blocked roads leading to and from Daraa al-Balad in an effort to pressure the neighborhood’s rebel fighters into surrendering their light weapons. The restrictions have choked off the flow of humanitarian supplies for the 40,000 people living in the former opposition stronghold. The prices of basic goods have soared under the siege.
