Syria war: Ghouta pounded as UN tussles over ceasefire

fallThe UN Security Council is struggling to agree a resolution seeking a ceasefire in Syria as a rebel-held area has been bombarded for a sixth day.

Russia wanted changes to a draft that calls for a 30-day calm to allow for aid deliveries and medical evacuations.

Western diplomats have accused Russia, Syria’s key ally, of stalling for time. France said failure to act may spell the end of the UN itself.

Activists say 426 people in the Eastern Ghouta have been killed this week.

Warplanes maintained the bombardment on Friday, witnesses said. Douma and Hamouriyeh were among areas hit.

Diplomats have announced that the UN Security Council will vote on the resolution in New York at 11:00 (16:00 GMT), but did not say whether a deal with Russia had been agreed.

Western powers suspect that Moscow wants to give Syria time to deal a final blow to rebel forces in the rebel-held enclave on the edge of Damascus.

The United States, the UK and France have called for the resolution to be approved without delay. UN special envoy Staffan de Mistura said a truce had to be followed by immediate, unhindered access to the Eastern Ghouta.

BBC

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*