Syrian soldiers are seen inside the Tabqa airbase in the Tabqa city of Raqqa province in northern Syria on Oct. 16, 2019. (Str/Xinhua)
Close to 180,000 people have now been displaced since Turkey launched its military operation in northeast Syria on Oct. 9. About 80,000 of those people are children.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- While a cease-fire in northeast Syria has resulted in an overall reduction of hostilities, fighting continues to impact civilians in some areas in the region, said the United Nations on Monday.
"From what we have been able to observe, (from what) our partners have been able to observe, there has been less violence since the cease-fire has been put in place," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
"That being said, people continue to be on the move (to flee fighting)," he told a daily press briefing.
The displaced either go to their relatives' homes or live in make-shift settlements, he said.
The Turkish forces are seen in Tal Abyad in northern Syria, Oct. 18, 2019. (Xinhua)
Close to 180,000 people have now been displaced since Turkey launched its military operation in northeast Syria on Oct. 9, and about 80,000 of those people are children, said Dujarric.
As a result of pressure from the United States, Turkey on Thursday announced a five-day truce.
Despite security and access challenges, the United Nations and humanitarian partners are scaling up their life-saving assistance with efforts to provide essential services such as health and water, said Dujarric.
Deliveries of food are estimated to have reached about 580,000 people in Raqqa and Hasakah governorates in October alone.
A man receives medical treatment at a hospital after getting wounded by the Turkish shelling in Qamishli, Syria, on Oct. 12, 2019. (Xinhua)
After being impacted by bombardments some 10 days ago, the Allouk water station is again providing more than 400,000 people with water in Hasakah. Two missions to the water station were conducted to facilitate the necessary repairs, he said.
The United Nations continues to reiterate the need for all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with international humanitarian law. The United Nations further calls on all parties to ensure safe, sustained and unimpeded access to everyone in need, he said. ■
