German government calls for cessation of hostilities in Syria
Published: Tuesday, Dec 3rd 2024, 23:50
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Switzerland has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in view of the escalation of violence in Syria. International humanitarian law must be respected, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday evening via Platform X.
The civilian population and humanitarian personnel must also be protected, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) continued. The FDFA also called for "safe and unhindered humanitarian access". A credible peace process is "more urgent than ever".
The civil war in Syria, which has been ongoing since 2011, has recently flared up again. In the middle of last week, an alliance of insurgents led by the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched an offensive in north-western Syria and took control of Aleppo, the country's second-largest city, at the weekend.
The front line has now shifted around 130 kilometers south of the city of Hama. Fierce fighting is reportedly taking place in the area surrounding the city. The Islamist alliance has captured at least ten villages and towns. Syria's armed forces reportedly increased their troop presence and responded with dozens of airstrikes on the Islamist rebels.
According to information from activists, at least 27 people were killed in fighting around the strategically important city on Tuesday, as reported by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is monitoring the war in the country with a network of informants.
The devastating war that has been going on for more than a decade has divided Syria. Bashar al-Assad's government most recently controlled around two thirds of the country with the help of its allies Russia and Iran.
©Keystone/SDA
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