Syrian government forces have launched a long-awaited ground assault on the besieged city of Aleppo after weeks of clashes. Heavy fighting has already broken out in the frontline district of Salaheddine, with reports of many casualties. On Tuesday, the head of the U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria, Babacar Gaye, said the fighting in Aleppo has forced international observers to pull back temporarily.
Babacar Gaye: “I am extremely concerned about the continued violence in Syria, in particular the significant deterioration in Aleppo and its impacts on the civilian population. In that regard, I urge the parties to protect civilians and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. And I want to strongly stress that civilians must not be subjected to shelling and use of heavy weapons.”