October 23, 2026 05:25 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Amid reports of new attack on Yarmouk camp, UN agency urges Syria to halt military operations in civilian areas
Syria, May 3 (IBNS): After a reported overnight attack on Yarmouk refugee camp, the United Nations relief agency assisting Palestinians across the Middle East has called on the Syrian Government to refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas, 'including airborne weapons, whose indiscriminate effects expose civilians to imminent danger and suffering.'
In a press release, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it is increasingly alarmed about the safety of civilians in Yarmouk, amid reports overnight of armed clashes, the use of heavy weapons and air strikes.
“Civilians in the camp went through a night of extreme trauma and distress,” said the agency, calling on Syrian authorities to refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas. UNRWA said it will closely monitor reports of civilian fatalities and casualties.
“Our concerns have been heightened because these events follow an earlier night of heavy armed attacks on 27 April, which were condemned by the UN Secretary General,” said the release, recalling UN chief Ban Ki-moon's strong condemnation of the shelling and aerial bombardment of Yarmouk camp on April 28 despite assurances from the Syrian Government that the camp would not be attacked while civilians remained inside.
The Secretary-General, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, said that thousands of civilians in the camp were besieged by terrorist and other armed groups on the inside, and Government forces on the outside.
He called on the Syrian Government to immediately end any military operation that could endanger the lives of civilians and urged “all parties to stop the violence so as to grant secure and sustained humanitarian access to civilians inside the camp.”
Echoing that call, UNRWA said that with families facing unspeakable suffering, it was strongly appealing for respect for civilian life and an end to any actions that might further jeopardize the safety of civilians.
Since the upsurge of violence following the entry of particular armed groups into Yarmouk on April 1, civilians have faced increased threats and trauma on an epic scale. Thousands have fled the camp and escalating violence to neighbouring areas of Damascus where UNRWA teams have been providing critical humanitarian assistance to them.
UNRWA has repeatedly expressed strong concern for the security of civilians and has demanded access to those civilians, both Palestinian refugees and displaced Syrians, who remain inside Yarmouk.
“We again demand that all armed actors protect civilians in accordance with their obligations under international law and we urge all those with influence over the relevant parties, including armed groups in the camp, to demand that they fully comply with their obligations in relation to the protection of all civilians,” declared the agency.
#Amid reports of new attack on Yarmouk camp
# UN agency urges Syria to halt military operations in civilian areas
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Eiffel Tower women staff row: BAPS monk blames ‘miscommunication’, denies delegation's role
Fri, Oct 23 2026
Dammam airport attack: Indian killed, two compatriots injured as Saudi Arabia faces fresh strikes
Thu, Oct 22 2026
‘Among others’: Macron takes swipe at Trump over France unrest, calls foreign leaders’ remarks ‘stupid’
Thu, Oct 22 2026
Australian MP Helen Haines has both legs amputated after car attack described as political violence
Wed, Oct 21 2026
Meloni makes Italian parents liable for children's vandalism after Milan riots: ‘Demonstrating is a right, devastating our cities is not’
Wed, Oct 21 2026
Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal: Europe hit by wave of protests as energy costs soar, housing crisis deepens
Tue, Oct 20 2026
India–New Zealand free trade agreement takes effect on October 20
Mon, Oct 19 2026