FM statement: Preventing water Access to Aleppo residents as a collective punishment, to be added to crimes committed by terrorist groups
DAMASCUS,(ST)_ In two letters extended to the President of the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary -General, the Ministry of |Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said yesterday that ” since nine days, the city of Aleppo has been subjected to collective punishment and unethical siege imposed by armed terrorist groups as a result of full commuting of water, including clean and potable waters off three million residents as a punishment for their rejection of the existence of armed terrorist groups in their city and the crimes committed by these terrorist groups against the civilians.”
“Terrorists prevented water pumping through Suleiman al-Halabi water station which is the main source of drinking water in Aleppo city, which led to the cutting off water for the city ‘s entire neighborhoods for the 9th running day and the diversion of water to Kwaik river to deprive citizens from clean water, “the statement read, pointing out the resulting of ” a major crisis impeding people’s access to water, forcing them to seek waters from all available sources, including rivers and other sources of non-potable water, thereby risking lives of civilians of the spread of diseases and epidemics. “
The ministry explained that the Syrian government and the city authorities are making great efforts to compensate for part of the water needs, which are unsustainable in view of the large volume of water needed for such a big city of Aleppo.
The ministry continued that “preventing water access for residents of Aleppo as a collective punishment is to be added to the crimes committed by the armed groups against the people of the city, crimes targeted them continuously over the past few months, either through mortar shells or random rocket-propelled grenades, leaving dozens of martyrs and hundreds of wounded and injured or cut the supply routes to the city to prevent the delivery of food and medical needs, as well as cutting off water and electricity for the entire city frequently and for long periods. “
“The insistence of some UN parties to ignore the responsibility of terrorism for the creation and aggravation of humanitarian needs and dealing selectively and politically motivated with the humanitarian situation in Syria, all violate neutrality and impartiality principles that should govern the work of these agencies and encourage armed terrorist groups to continue its crimes, thanks to the direct support and political cover they receive from states involved the shedding the Syrian blood. “
The Ministry concluded by saying that ” the Syrian Government while bringing these facts at the disposal of the UN Security Council looks forward to the UN SC issuance of serious condemnation for this crime and for taking immediate action to put pressure on countries supporting terrorists in Syria to stop their crimes against the population of the city of Aleppo and against Syrian citizens who are targeted by terrorism and its supporters on a daily basis “.
T. Fateh