Over 1.1 million Syrians homeless since recent escalation of hostilities: UN

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the United Nations and its partners continue humanitarian activities as the security situation allows, with some partners operating in a limited scope in the cities of Damascus, Tartous, Latakia, and Raqqa. The world body is closely monitoring the situation.

In Syria's northwest, the lack of flour and fuel has shuttered Aleppo bakeries, according to the office. There are limited vegetable supplies, and electricity outages are reported in some neighborhoods. Fuel prices remain high, as noted by Xinhua news agency. OCHA stated that hostilities near Tishreen Dam in the Aleppo governorate have extended electricity outages since Tuesday, affecting more than 400,000 people in areas such as Menbij and Kobani, disrupting access to water and other key services.

Despite these challenges, and as security allows, the United Nations and partners have provided food to more than 700,000 people in northwest Syria since the escalation of hostilities. In the northeast, however, humanitarian access and delivery remains challenging. Checkpoints are restricting movement in the cities of Raqqa, Tabqa, Hassakeh, and Derik, where reports of looting continue. More than 40,000 displaced people are staying in around 200 collective centers.

Humanitarian organizations are distributing food, hygiene kits, cash, and psychosocial support to both children and adults. On Thursday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the recent and extensive violations of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging parties to de-escalate violence throughout the country. His spokesperson noted that "the Secretary-General is particularly concerned over the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes on several locations in Syria" and stresses the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country.