United Nations: The use of barrel bombs is unacceptable

The United Nations has stressed on the need to protect the Syrian civilians against aggression by the Syrian Assad forces saying the use of barrel bombs is unacceptable, and it is an obligation under international humanitarian law for any government, in all circumstances, to protect its civilians, UN acknowledged on June 18, 2015.

The UN Special Envoy to Syria stressed that the heavy bombings on Douma by Government forces on 16 June, which caused significant civilian casualties, calls for a strong condemnation. “No context justifies the indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas or the use of collective punishment by a government”, he said.

Additionally, the UN Special Envoy highlighted the dire humanitarian situation on the ground and called for greater access to besieged areas and conflict-affected communities, particularly in light of the month of Ramadan.