Statement by Federico Jachetti, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) Syria Country Office Director on ongoing violence in Syrian villages and cities:
“We are extremely worried about the thousands of civilians caught in the ongoing hostilities, particularly in Syria’s coastal region. The escalation serves as a grim reminder that the situation in the country remains fragile, and violence still exists. There have been reports of scores of civilians killed, allegations of summary killings, widespread displacement and thousands more left trapped in their homes as fighting rages around them.
“All of Syria’s communities must be protected. We call on all parties to fully abide by their fundamental obligation to protect civilians and prioritise their ability to flee safely and access essential services including water, food markets, electricity and medical care. Any targeting of civilians and civilian facilities such as hospitals violates International Humanitarian Law and must be prevented. There must be full accountability for any such violence.
“Syrian families across the country are yearning for a respite after long years of uncertainty and fear. This violence risks reversing any stability that families across the country might have begun to feel.
“NRC continues to provide much-needed relief across Syria. We urge for an immediate de-escalation so that recently displaced families can go back home and essential aid reaches those who urgently need it. All Syrians deserve the chance to recover and rebuild, and that cannot happen without peace.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media advisor: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147
“We are extremely worried about the thousands of civilians caught in the ongoing hostilities, particularly in Syria’s coastal region. The escalation serves as a grim reminder that the situation in the country remains fragile, and violence still exists. There have been reports of scores of civilians killed, allegations of summary killings, widespread displacement and thousands more left trapped in their homes as fighting rages around them.
“All of Syria’s communities must be protected. We call on all parties to fully abide by their fundamental obligation to protect civilians and prioritise their ability to flee safely and access essential services including water, food markets, electricity and medical care. Any targeting of civilians and civilian facilities such as hospitals violates International Humanitarian Law and must be prevented. There must be full accountability for any such violence.
“Syrian families across the country are yearning for a respite after long years of uncertainty and fear. This violence risks reversing any stability that families across the country might have begun to feel.
“NRC continues to provide much-needed relief across Syria. We urge for an immediate de-escalation so that recently displaced families can go back home and essential aid reaches those who urgently need it. All Syrians deserve the chance to recover and rebuild, and that cannot happen without peace.”
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
- NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
- Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media advisor: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147