The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution calling on both sides of the Syrian conflict to allow delivery of humanitarian aid. The resolution was supported by Russia and China, who have vetoed past resolutions. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed its passage.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “Profoundly shocking to me is that both sides are besieging civilians as a tactic of war. Some 200,000 people are under siege in government-controlled areas, and 45,000 in opposition-controlled areas. More broadly, this resolution highlights again the urgent need to end the conflict.”

On Sunday in Syria, Abu Khalid al-Suri, a rebel commander with close ties to the head al-Qaeda, was killed in a suicide attack carried out by a rival group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.