AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL has released satellite images showing the increased use of heavy weaponry in and around Syria’s second city, Aleppo.
Images of Anadan, a small town north of Aleppo, taken on 31 July shows around 600 probably impact craters caused by heavy artillery.
Warning of the “devastating consequences for civilians” of turning Aleppo into a battleground, Amnesty International Ireland director Colm O’Gorman called on both sides in the conflict to adhere to international humanitarian law forbidding the use of weapons and tactics which fail to distinguish civilian areas.
“The use of heavy weaponry by both sides could result in extremely high civilian casualties,” he said.
Amnesty International is calling on the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court, saying that both pro- and anti-government fighters committing war crimes must be brought to justice.
Meanwhile, UNICEF Ireland says children are bearing the brunt of the escalating violence in Syria. The organisation is providing assistance to families who have fled the fighting and are seeking refuge schools, mosques and other public buildings in the Syrian capital Damascus.
UNICEF and its partners assisted around 94,000 people – around 90 per cent of whom were children and adolescents – last month.
“As the eyes of the world focus on the mounting violence in Syria, we must not overlook the fact that while children are not responsible for this tragedy, they’re paying a terrible price,” said UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power.
“Children are losing their lives, losing their homes, losing their parents and losing their schooling. UNICEF supports people of conscience everywhere calling on all parties to do everything in their power to protect the innocents.”
Around 130,000 Syrians have crossed the borders into Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq and registered with refugee camps. According to the latest UNHCR figures, at least 3,000 more are awaiting registration.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say