Civilians in 'crossfire' in battle for Aleppo
- 12 years ago
Amateur video posted to a social media website appears to show artillery pounding Syria's biggest city Aleppo.
But as the shells rain down, rebel fighters say troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been forced to retreat.
The fight for Syria's second city -- dubbed the "mother of all battles" by government authorities -- has quickly added to the country's already staggering death toll.
But a spokesperson for the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria said the greatest concern is the safety of civilians.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUSAN GOSHEH, UNMIS SPOKESPERSON, SAYING:
"The situation that concerns us the most is the situation of civilians. There are some civilians who are trapped in the crossfire. There are others who are seeking refuge and shelter in schools and hospitals and public buildings in safer neighbourhoods."
The battle for Aleppo has become a crucial test for both sides in the 17-month-old conflict.
Neither Assad's forces nor the Free Syrian Army can afford to lose if they hope to prevail in the wider struggle for control of Syria.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
But as the shells rain down, rebel fighters say troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been forced to retreat.
The fight for Syria's second city -- dubbed the "mother of all battles" by government authorities -- has quickly added to the country's already staggering death toll.
But a spokesperson for the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria said the greatest concern is the safety of civilians.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUSAN GOSHEH, UNMIS SPOKESPERSON, SAYING:
"The situation that concerns us the most is the situation of civilians. There are some civilians who are trapped in the crossfire. There are others who are seeking refuge and shelter in schools and hospitals and public buildings in safer neighbourhoods."
The battle for Aleppo has become a crucial test for both sides in the 17-month-old conflict.
Neither Assad's forces nor the Free Syrian Army can afford to lose if they hope to prevail in the wider struggle for control of Syria.
Travis Brecher, Reuters