UN Security Council Calls for Aid to Syrian 'Yarmouk' Camp

In the wake of clashes and the occupation of significant parts of the Palestinian Yarmouk camp in Syria by a group known as the 'Islamic State', the UN Security Council has called for the transfer of aid to save the lives of the camp's refugees. On Monday, April 6, 15 members of the UN Security Council demanded the 'rescue of civilians, the transfer of humanitarian aid, including what is necessary to save the lives' of Yarmouk refugees. Two days prior, news agencies reported from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a group based in London, that Islamist militants had engaged in clashes with rival fighters to control the Yarmouk camp and establish a base near Damascus. Reports indicate that members of the 'Islamic State' captured a large part of this Palestinian camp on Wednesday. Reports also suggest that armed individuals inside the camp are still engaged in battles with Islamist fighters. Dina Kawar, Jordan's representative to the United Nations, who holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, has told reporters that the Security Council is prepared to consider 'other measures for the necessary transfer of humanitarian aid'. However, she did not provide further details on what these 'other measures' might entail. Kawar expressed deep concern regarding the very serious situation of 18,000 Yarmouk refugees. According to AFP, Pierre Krähenbühl, the UN representative in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Palestinian Refugees, described the camp's situation in a report to the Security Council as 'worse than ever'. Krähenbühl urged countries with influence in Syria to use their leverage 'to save civilian lives and facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid.'