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Syria lets aid reach Ghouta but blocks medical supplies, presses assault
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS MARCH 5, 2018 / 6:15 AM / UPDATED 9 MINUTES AGO
Syria lets aid reach Ghouta but blocks medical supplies, presses assault
Angus McDowall, Stephanie Nebehay
6 MIN READ
BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - Aid trucks reached Syria’s eastern Ghouta region on Monday for the first time since the start of one of the war’s deadliest assaults, but the government stripped some medical supplies from the convoy and pressed on with its air and ground assault.
The Russian-backed Syrian army has captured more than a third of the eastern Ghouta in recent days, threatening to slice the last major rebel-held area near the capital in two, despite Western accusations of violating a ceasefire.
The United Nations says 400,000 people are trapped inside the besieged enclave, and were already running out of food and medical supplies before the assault began with intense air strikes two weeks ago.
A senior U.N. official accompanying the convoy said he was“not happy” to hear loud shelling near the crossing point into eastern Ghouta despite an agreement that the aid would be delivered in safety.
“We need to be assured that we will be able to deliver the humanitarian assistance under good conditions,” Ali al-Za’tari told Reuters at the crossing point.
-snip-
Syria lets aid reach Ghouta but blocks medical supplies, presses assault
Angus McDowall, Stephanie Nebehay
6 MIN READ
BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - Aid trucks reached Syria’s eastern Ghouta region on Monday for the first time since the start of one of the war’s deadliest assaults, but the government stripped some medical supplies from the convoy and pressed on with its air and ground assault.
The Russian-backed Syrian army has captured more than a third of the eastern Ghouta in recent days, threatening to slice the last major rebel-held area near the capital in two, despite Western accusations of violating a ceasefire.
The United Nations says 400,000 people are trapped inside the besieged enclave, and were already running out of food and medical supplies before the assault began with intense air strikes two weeks ago.
A senior U.N. official accompanying the convoy said he was“not happy” to hear loud shelling near the crossing point into eastern Ghouta despite an agreement that the aid would be delivered in safety.
“We need to be assured that we will be able to deliver the humanitarian assistance under good conditions,” Ali al-Za’tari told Reuters at the crossing point.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria/syria-lets-aid-reach-ghouta-but-blocks-medical-supplies-presses-assault-idUSKBN1GH1HN