UN monitoring delegation arrives in Syria

 A six-member UN monitoring delegation has arrived in Damascus in order to monitor the fragile ceasefire in Syria which was negotiated by Kofi Annan (UN Syria envoy) and the Arab League.

This is the first batch of monitors who have arrived at the war-torn nation and it is expected that 25 more will follow them in the coming days or even weeks.

By the end of the week, the UN Security Council is also expected to adopt a second resolution which aims to sanction a mission comprising of at least 250 monitors.

Despite the well-documented threats, the delegation is unarmed and there are fears for their safety as there are still reports of violence happening in cities. The government and the opposition both are blaming eachother for breaking ceasefire.

Activists claim neighbourhoods in the city of Homs and Idlib continue to be attacked and two people were killed by security forces in Hama.

At the refugee camps in Turkey, there is scepticism about President Bashar al-Assad’s commitment to the peace plan and little hope the UN monitors will be effective.

“Nothing will come out of this. Arab league envoys have already been there. Assad talked to them and stalled them. The Same thing will happen again. He will stall the UN monitors and lie to them like the others,” said one Syrian refugee at a Turkish camp.

There are around 25,000 Syrian refugees in Turkey and the camps are being upgraded to receive 10,000 more.

The UN Human Rights organisation (UNHRC) has begun sending aid to southern Turkey including tents and blankets.

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Posted by Taimoor Tariq on Apr 16 2012. Filed under Middle East. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry