The United Nations humanitarian chief, Valerie Amos, is visiting Syria today for talks on delivering aid to areas besieged by ongoing fighting. On Monday, the head of the U.N. Supervision Mission in Syria, Babacar Gaye, said attacks from both sides of the Syrian conflict are causing a major civilian toll.

Babacar Gaye: “It is clear that violence is increasing in many parts of Syria. The indiscriminate use of heavy weapons by the government and targeted attacks by the opposition in urban centers are inflicting a heavy toll on innocent civilians. None of the parties has prioritized the needs of civilians.”