UN: Fighting parties in Syria take advantage of Corona to attack civilians

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet accused on Friday parties fighting in Syria, including ISIS mercenaries of exploiting the new coronavirus pandemic to launch attacks on civilians.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet accused on Friday parties fighting in Syria, including ISIS mercenaries of exploiting the new coronavirus pandemic to launch attacks on civilians.

“Many warring parties in Syria, including ISIS, take advantage of the world’s focus on the Covid-19 pandemic to regroup and engage in violence against the population,” Bachelet said in a statement, calling it a “time bomb that cannot be ignored.”

“Countless families have been shocked and cities, villages and homes were destroyed,” Bachelet said, and she joined the voice of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to call for a ceasefire.

“I call on all those who continue to fight, kill and push the exhausted and besieged Syrians to flee, to withdraw and to give peace a chance,” she said.

Since 9 October 2019, mercenary groups have continued to attack areas of northeast Syria.