“I sincerely hope that, despite the differences, Russia and others on the SC who opposed the ceasefire last week could at least agree to these basic steps: Allow the UN to access eastern Aleppo so that they can provide eyes on the ground, get aid in to those who need it, and protect civilians,” Rycroft said.
The British diplomat added that all parties responsible for human-rights violations during Syria’s civil war should be held to account and that the conflict must be ended through a political settlement.
Later in Tuesday’s Council meeting, US Ambassador Samantha Power said observers in Aleppo should “oversee the safe evacuation of the people who wish to leave but who, justifiably, fear that if they try, they will be shot in the street or carted off to one of [President Bashar] Assad's gulags.”
The Security Council’s emergency session on Aleppo was assembled following reports of recently escalating violence against residents as the fight to retake the city winds down.
