UN Secretary-General Warns of 'Crimes Against Civilians' in Aleppo

Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned on Monday about reports of 'crimes against a large number of civilians, including women and children' in eastern Aleppo. A UN humanitarian official in Syria also stated that the Russian and Syrian governments must be held accountable for the potential 'crimes' in Aleppo. According to Reuters, Syrian government forces, after a significant advance in eastern Aleppo, claim they are on the verge of declaring final victory, having inflicted heavy losses on the rebels. Meanwhile, media outlets have reported, citing residents and Syrian activists, allegations of executions of civilians in eastern Aleppo. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Ban Ki-moon, stated on Monday that the Secretary-General has conveyed his serious concerns regarding the reports from Aleppo to the involved parties and has asked his special envoy for Syria to discuss this matter immediately with the parties involved. Dujarric added that while the UN is not independently able to verify these reports, the Secretary-General is communicating his serious concerns to the relevant parties. Earlier, Jan Egeland, a UN advisor on humanitarian aid in Syria, stated on Monday that Russia and Syria are responsible for any crimes committed by the pro-Assad militants in Aleppo. Egeland tweeted: 'The Syrian government and Russia are accountable for any crimes (minor or major) being committed by the victorious militants in Aleppo.' Reports have previously indicated that Syrian government forces have managed to reclaim 95% of Aleppo from the anti-Assad rebels, who have retreated from six other areas in the eastern part of the city. According to Reuters, the 'White Helmets' group, which conducts relief work in eastern Aleppo, along with three other aid groups present in the area, have called on the international community to secure safe passage for 100,000 people to exit the city through routes controlled by government forces. They stated: 'If we stay, we have to worry for our lives. Women will likely be taken to camps, but men disappear, and anyone known to have supported civilians will be executed.' Reuters reports that Syrian activists and two residents of rebel-controlled areas have stated that pro-government militants have executed at least 79 civilians in the neighborhoods of Firdous and Salehiyah. Civil defense forces in the area have reported that dozens remain buried under the rubble of bombings, some of whom may still be alive, but no one is able to assist them. Syrian government forces, along with their allies, have commenced operations to reclaim Aleppo. Before the war, Aleppo was considered Syria's largest city and most important economic center. Since 2012, parts of eastern Aleppo have been under the control of anti-Assad rebels.