Syria: UN special envoy deeply concerned over ‘unprecedented’ assault on Zabadani

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has expressed deep concern at the plight of civilians in Zabadani, in the wake of credible reports that overnight, a large number of barrel bombs were dropped on the north-western city.

According to UN spokesperson Vannina Maestracci, in a statement issued last night, Mr. de Mistura asserted that the bombs had caused “unprecedented levels of destruction and many deaths among the civilian population,” in the town, which is near the border between Syria and Lebanon.

Armed opposition forces known as the “Army of Conquest” retaliated by firing rockets and heavy mortar shells on two villages near Idlib, Al Foua and Kefraya, where a substantial number of civilians were trapped.

“In both cases, civilians are tragically caught in the middle of the fighting,” Mr. de Mistura said.

The Special Envoy called on all parties to uphold the principle of protecting civilians and once again called on the Syrian Government “to halt the use of crude and indiscriminate weapons, such as barrel bombs, on its own cities.”