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Minister Ellwood statement on Syria ceasefire violations

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood comments on reports of violations of the ceasefire in Syria announced by Russia and Turkey on 29 December.

Minister Ellwood said:

We are concerned by reports of ceasefire violations and call on all parties to respect the ceasefire, particularly around the Wadi Barada area of Damascus, where civilians are facing ongoing shelling and airstrikes by the Asad regime and militias like Hezbollah. More than five million people across Damascus also remain without access to the central water supply.

It is vital that all guarantors of the ceasefire use their influence to ensure it is adhered to, and that all parties take greater steps to ensure humanitarian aid reaches all those in need across Syria.

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Published 9 January 2017