Military escalation in Syria will worsen civilians' plight-ICRC

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UNICEF USA News ‏@UNICEFUSAnews 4m
"Military escalation in #Syria will worsen civilians' plight-ICRC" http://uncf.us/1cnScxd via @Reuters


Aug 29 (Reuters) - Any escalation of the Syrian crisis following an apparent chemical weapons attack will aggravate civilian suffering, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Thursday.

Areas plagued by heavy fighting, including the countryside around Damascus, eastern Aleppo and Deir Ezzor province, are already reeling from breakdowns of services such as water, electricity and garbage collection, it said in a statement.

The ICRC, an independent humanitarian agency, said it was appalled by reports of a poison gas attack on Aug. 21 and urged warring parties to respect the absolute ban on chemical weapons use under international law.

There are acute shortages of medical supplies, food and water in several areas in Syria cut off from aid supplies for months, according to the ICRC, which called for unconditional access to deliver relief supplies.


read: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/29/syria-crisis-redcross-idUSL6N0GU2OU20130829

[NuclearDem]

1. But at least we'll stop Assad from gassing people!

Screw long-term consequences!

[HooptieWagon]

2. I agree.

Our moral obligation is to not escalate the war, resulting in even more civilian deaths. Yes, that may mean temporarily sitting on our hands when attrocities occur. Assad will eventually face judgement of the Syrian people and/or the ICC. In the meantime, we should do our best to facilitate talks, and to aid civilian refugees and victims.

[bunnies]

3. KnR.