U.N. Describes Desperate Humanitarian Situation Inside Syria, Urges Compliance with Resolution 2139

Valerie Amos, the U.N. chief for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council there were no words to accurately describe the brutality of the Syrian conflict, CNN reports.

“Every time we use a new figure in relation to the Syrian crisis, we say that it is unprecedented. We have run out of words to fully explain the brutality, violence and callous disregard for human life which is a hallmark of this crisis,” she said.

Amos highlighted Syrian government use of barrel bombs indensely populated areas and arbitrary detention and torture of citizens, kidnappings by armed opposition groups and the killing of civilians by using mortars and car bombs. She also cited the “mass victimization” of civilians, including rape, enslavement and torture by ISIS.

All parties involved in the conflict “continue to violate the most basic of laws with devastating consequences,” she said.

She described a particularly grim environment for Syria’s children who have been publicly crucified, beheaded and stoned to death. “This conflict is not only shattering Syria’s present, it is also destroying its future,” she added.

Amos urged the Security Council members to ensure that all parties in Syria comply with resolution 2139, which calls for the end of indiscriminate use of weapons, protection of children from violations, the end of sieges and unhindered humanitarian assistance.

Her speech comes days before the Security Council will review and possibly renew the resolution allowing humanitarian aid access to Syria without government consent.

Jabhat al-Nusra Captures Two Key Syrian Army Bases in Major Blow to Regime

Al-Qaida-linked militants captured two key Syrian army bases in Idlib province on Monday, in a major blow to the regime, AFP reports.

The fall of the two bases, Wadi Deif and Hamidiyeh, give the militants control over most of Idlib province.

“The gains also signaled another defeat for Western-backed rebels who were driven out of most of the northwestern province last month” by Jabhat al-Nusra, writes AFP.

The offensive was launched in coordination with the Islamist rebel groups Ahrar al-Sham and Jund al-Aqsa, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

“The nature of the operations has served to underline the renewed prominence of more Islamically minded forces in Idlib, with Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham having played the dominant role,” wrote Charles Lister of the Brookings Doha Center.

Recommended Reads:

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• AP: Lebanon Launches Plan to Cope with Syria Fallout
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• Reuters: European Union Backs U.N. Plan for Syrian Truce