France: Assad regime and its allies ‘feed terrorism’ in Syria

France’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, today accused the Syrian regime of President Bashar Al-Assad and their allies of failing to adhere to international and humanitarian law in Aleppo, adding that they were “feeding terrorism” in Syria.

The top diplomat reiterated Paris’ commitment to applying pressure on the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian backers in order to stop the indiscriminate bombing of civilians in besieged opposition-held eastern Aleppo and other districts.

Since Monday, three hospitals have been bombed, killing more than 30 civilians, including women and children.

Describing airstrikes against medical and civilian infrastructure as “unbearable”, Delattre said that “war crimes are being committed [in Syria].”

The UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution on Tuesday, denouncing all violations of international human rights law as well as the indiscriminate targeting of civilians, including the Assad regime’s use of barrel bombs.

Delattre added: “Make no mistake about it. Bombing Aleppo and its population is not fighting terrorism as the regime pretends…[Assad] and his allies are in reality feeding terrorism.”

Aleppo was Syria’s largest and most prosperous city before the war began in 2011, and its eastern districts have been subjected to an almost continuous siege by the Assad regime for months. Back by Russian airpower and Iran-backed Shia militias from Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan, Al-Assad has essentially trapped 300,000 civilians who cannot escape from airstrikes and shelling.