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Briefing by Spokesperson for Secretary-General
The Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, told the Security Council today that the last seven days have seen an intensification of attacks across Syria. From airstrikes in Deir Ezzour, to airstrikes and ground attacks in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Idleb and Rural Damascus and other governorates, fighting has intensified despite a one-week lull when the cessation of hostilities was reinstated, albeit with violations on all sides.
The Secretary-General spoke today at the ceremony in honour of former Israeli President Shimon Peres, and said that throughout his tenure as Secretary-General, he had the privilege to benefit from Mr. Peres’s wisdom. He said that Mr. Peres was a constant source of optimism and hope, and inspiration, who was always a voice of calm and reason.
The UN Mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, today condemned the killing of at least 15 civilian men and the injuring of at least 13 others, including at least one boy, in an air strike conducted yesterday which targeted Da’esh, in the eastern district of Achin. Government sources report that Da’esh personnel also died in the attack.
Following demonstrations and tensions in Kaga Bandoro yesterday, the UN Mission in the Central Africa Republic (MINUSCA) reports that it is reinforcing its positions at key locations in the town and in Nana-Grébizi prefecture as part of its efforts to protect civilians and provide support to internal security forces.
Meanwhile, the Mission continues to monitor the situation in Koui in Ouham-Pendé prefecture following violence between anti-Balaka and armed elements on Tuesday, which apparently resulted in the death of at least seven people, including six civilians. The UN Mission reports that unidentified assailants fired upon peacekeepers at checkpoint near Koui yesterday, wounding one peacekeeper. Peacekeepers returned fire, driving away the attackers.
In Bria Haute-Kotto prefecture, ahead of next week’s General Assembly of Civil Society in the North-East, a UN Mission patrol yesterday briefly detained four ex-Séléka individuals, who were in violation of Bria’s weapons-free zone.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announced today that it is more than doubling its funding appeal to provide life-saving assistance for children in northeast Nigeria. The agency’s humanitarian appeal was increased from US$ 55 million to US$ 115 million to assist an additional 750,000 people who can now be reached across conflict-affected areas in the northeast of the country.
Dominica paid its regular budget dues in full today. This takes the total number on the Honour Roll to 126.
