Aleppo: 500 Dead, Countless Starving
Aleppo has been left distraught once again, by Russian and Syrian bombing raids which have left nearly 500 dead and over 2000 injured. For those who survive, life is grim and according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, food rations are expected to run out by the end of October
The airstrikes on eastern Aleppo that began on 22 September have been the most devastating of the war that has now lasted five years.
Of the 500 dead, more than a quarter are children. Ban Ki-Moon has described the situation as “horrific”. He believes that the second weapon of war being used against Aleppo is hunger.
The UN Secretary-General led a general assembly where the situation was deliberated.
Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin was reportedly “puzzled” by the statements at the meeting, which failed to mention the urgent need to combat terrorism in Syria.
By the end of the gathering it remained unclear what action the assembly would take to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Some diplomats have perceived the meeting as an attempt to press Russia and Syria to halt the bombing of Aleppo.
Later this week, however, Russia declared a temporary humanitarian halt in the assault on eastern Aleppo. Currently more than 250 000 civilians remain trapped, under almost non-stop siege since July.
