Israeli bombing of Syria disrupting humanitarian efforts, spreading fear: UN

The UN's humanitarian coordinator in Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, has expressed alarm over the impact of Israeli air strikes on humanitarian operations and the growing atmosphere of fear among civilians.

In an exclusive interview with UN News, Abdelmoula outlined the deteriorating security situation in Syria and the challenges it poses for aid efforts.

• "In the northeast, there is ongoing conflict between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the so-called Syrian National Army, as well as battles involving HTS Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and the SDF in areas around Deir Ezzor. In the northwest, similar clashes persist," Abdelmoula said.

• He also noted that HTS forces now maintained order in areas they had taken over, replacing police from the previous regime. Despite the visible presence of armed groups, he acknowledged a fragile semblance of peace in some areas.

• Abdelmoula criticised Israel’s air strikes for creating barriers to humanitarian work. "While the UN and its assets may not have been direct targets, these raids prevent us from conducting normal humanitarian operations due to fears of being caught at the wrong time in the wrong place," he said, adding that the strikes had caused civilian casualties in the past.

• He underscored the need for the Israeli military to adhere to international humanitarian law, urging them to avoid actions that harmed civilians and disrupted aid delivery in an already volatile region