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UN Warns of Bloodbath in Syria's Idlib

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - U.N. agencies report around three million civilians are
   trapped in Idlib, unable to escape to other countries because borders
   with Syria have been closed. As a consequence, they say most of the
   displaced are moving into increasingly crowded areas toward the border
   between Idlib and Turkey.

   Spokesman for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
   Jens Laerke says about one-third or 330,000 of the displaced have fled
   to nearby areas in northern Aleppo, which also are under fire.

   "The frontlines and relentless violence continue to move closer to
   these areas, which are packed with displaced people, with bombardments
   increasingly affecting displacement sites and their vicinity. We call
   for an immediate cease-fire to prevent further suffering and what we
   fear may end in a bloodbath," Laerke said.

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