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UN Warns Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolding in Syria

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - United Nation agencies warn a humanitarian catastrophe is
   unfolding in northwest Syria and many more civilians will be killed and
   injured, with infrastructure destroyed unless hostilities stop.

   The U.N. expressed alarm at the sharp escalation in fighting in
   southern and eastern Idlib and in western and southern Aleppo. It said
   airstrikes and ground-based missiles are being fired without regard for
   civilian life.

   The U.N. human rights office said scores of civilians are being killed
   and wounded and hundreds of thousands are being displaced. In the first
   five days of this month, the agency has verified that at least 49
   civilians, including 14 women and 17 children, have been killed. It
   noted at least 186 civilians were killed last month.

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