UN: Aleppo Risks Becoming Giant Graveyard

Rebel forces and civilians in Aleppo are surrounded and under siege from Syrian government troops, Russian airstrikes and Iranian-backed militias. Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city, is now at risk to become a “giant graveyard,” UN envoy Stephen O’Brien advised the UN Security Council during an emergency meeting. The civil war began with protests, associated with the Arab Spring, followed by a harsh crackdown by the autocratic government. Russia had promised to assist the West in combatting extremists like the Islamic State, but instead has targeted the rebels describing them as “terrorists.” The UN Refugee Agency is providing winter assistance to 4.6 million in the region. More than 6.5 million Syrians have been displaced since the fighting began in March 2011. I Am Syria estimates that the death toll from the civil war is at 450,000 including 50,000 children. The UN Security Council has held emergency meetings on the war, but vetos from Russia stymie response. – YaleGlobal