UN warns of ‘giant graveyard’ as thousands flee Aleppo fighting

The UN’s aid chief warns that Aleppo risks becoming a “giant graveyard” after more than 50,000 people are reported to have fled intense fighting between government and rebel forces.

A Syrian government offensive to retake all of the divided city has battered Aleppo in recent days, with regime shelling on an opposition-controlled area reported to have killed at least 26 civilians.

Speaking to a special Security Council session by video-link from London, Stephen O’Brien, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, appeals for action to stop the fighting.

“For the sake of humanity we call on — we plead — with the parties and those with influence to do everything in their power to protect civilians and enable access to the besieged part of eastern Aleppo before it becomes one giant graveyard,” he says.

Syrian residents fleeing the eastern part of Aleppo sit on the side of the road after arriving at the Jabal Badro crossing point, which was recently retaken from rebel fighters by the regime forces, on November 30, 2016. (AFP/George Ourfalian)

— AFP