Algeria
Egypt
Israel
Jordan
Lebanon
Libya
Morocco
Palestine *
Syria *
TunisiaSyria: EU strongly condemns escalation of violence in Aleppo and calls for immediate ceasefire
August 18, 2016
Share on 
The EU, through its High Representative for foreign affairs Federica Mogherini, has strongly condemned “the escalation of violence in Aleppo, the continuous bombardments and the sieges that have put the lives of hundreds of thousands of Syrians in further danger and is hindering the efforts of the international community both to provide humanitarian aid and to support a political solution to the conflict.”
“Recalling that the Syrian authorities have the primary responsibility for the protection of its people, the EU strongly condemns all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and the excessive and disproportionate attacks by the Syrian regime”, said a statement issued on Thursday 18 August.
The EU reiterated its conviction that a Syrian led political transition is the only way of putting an end to more than five years of conflict in Syria and stressed that it will continue to do all in its power to ensure the full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué and relevant UNSC Resolutions.
Therefore, the EU and its Member States call for:
– An immediate halt to the fighting in Aleppo to allow medical evacuations, deliveries of aid and repairing of essential water and electricity infrastructure;
– All parties to the conflict to restore the cessation of hostilities, ensure the lifting of all sieges and allow sustained, countrywide humanitarian access to those in need;
– All international actors to abide by the commitments of the ISSG meeting of 17 May 2016.
“There will be no peace in Syria without a genuine political transition which is inclusive and representative of all Syrians. Once this transition has begun, the EU and its Member States will be in a position to provide immediate support to Syria’s reconstruction and also to help the return of refugees and the internally displaced to their communities”, concluded the statement.
Read more
European Commission – Factsheet – The European Union and Syria
European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection – Syrian crisis factsheet
Countries covered:
-
Syria *
