Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Syrian war updates March 4 , 2014 - Items of note from Russia Today and Syria Direct !


Aid to thousands of Syrians blocked as Al-Qaeda-linked rebels siege refugee camp

Published time: March 04, 2014 22:18
Edited time: March 04, 2014 23:18
Residents wait to receive food aid distributed by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the besieged al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus on January 31, 2014, in this handout picture made available to Reuters February 26, 2014 (Reuters)
Residents wait to receive food aid distributed by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the besieged al-Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus on January 31, 2014, in this handout picture made available to Reuters February 26, 2014 (Reuters)
Humanitarian aid for thousands of civilians trapped in a Palestinian-dominated area of the Syrian capital was halted as the district came under siege by Islamist rebels despite a long-negotiated truce.
The UN has voiced its concerns over the situation in the southern Damascus district of Yarmouk, where fighting erupted on Sunday. Around 20,000 people there are suffering from widespread starvation, malnutrition, and health problems, as they have been blocked from food, drinking water, and medical help for months now.
The UN "remains deeply concerned about the desperate humanitarian situation in Yarmouk, and the fact that increasing tensions and resort to armed force have disrupted its efforts to alleviate the desperate plight of civilians," UN spokesman in Damascus Chris Gunness said.
Speaking on behalf of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Gunness urged all parties to“immediately allow and facilitate the resumption of food distribution to civilians inside Yarmouk.”
On his Twitter account, Gunness said that “concerned parties” have reportedly held a ceasefire “for [the] last 48 hours” and continue “to negotiate ways to reduce tensions.”

No food distributions in despite Security Council's unanimous threat of further steps if non-compliance with resolution 2139

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