2012-10-31 10:50:39

Syria: airstrikes, ground fighting continue around key town


(Vatican Radio) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Syrian warplanes struck Maarat al-Numan, a strategic, rebel-held town on the Damascus-Aleppo highway. The observers also say the Syrian army and rebels fought in a Palestinian refugee camp near Damascus. Also Tuesday, Syrian state television blamed the assassination of air force General Abdullah Mahmoud al-Khalidi on those it calls terrorists. Heavy fighting around the Syrian city of Homs has prevented United Nations aid mission from delivering food and other relief items to families trapped in the city. The mission was to deliver 155 tons of food for about 16,500 people and non food items such as mattresses blankets and hygiene kits. "All parties on the ground contacted in advance of the mission expressed in principle willingness to allow aid through the front lines. However immediate delivery was prevented by active conflict and logistical complications such as lack of safe location to off load the goods," said Jens Laerke the spokesperson for United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. UN agencies heavy fighting in parts of Homs City is preventing thousands of people from receiving humanitarian assistance. Listen to this report from regional correspondent Nathan Morley: RealAudioMP3








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