Turkey condemns attack on UN aid convoy heading to Homs

ANKARA

Aid teams evacuated hundreds of exhausted civilians from besieged districts of the city of Homs. AFP Photo

Turkey has strongly condemned an attack by alleged Syrian government forces against a U.N. aid convoy in Homs on Feb. 8.

“It has not been surprising that the regime has intensified its attacks targeting Homs by disregarding the cease-fire that is necessary for delivering humanitarian assistance safely to the civilian population and in this vein, has once again not fulfilled its commitments to the international community, particularly the United Nations, and its obligations arising from international law. This attack constitutes a challenge to the international community just before the start of the second round of talks in Geneva on Feb. 10, 2014,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a written statement released Feb. 10.

“[It is] unacceptable and inexplicable to remain indifferent to this attitude displayed by the regime, making a mockery of the international community and universal values, as well as its condemning the people of Syria to starvation, thirst and epidemics,” the ministry said.

“We call on the U.N. Security Council to take strong, compelling and resolute steps that would alleviate the sufferings emanating from the humanitarian disaster in Syria without delay,” said the statement.