SYRIAN CONFLICT
UN blames both sides in Aleppo for war crimes
Syria comes under fierce attack for targeting civilians and aid workers
Geneva — Both sides in the battle for Aleppo committed war crimes, including Syrian government aircraft that "deliberately" bombed and strafed a humanitarian convoy, killing 14 aid workers and halting relief operations, UN investigators said on Wednesday. Syrian and Russian forces conducted daily air strikes on rebel-held eastern Aleppo between July and its fall on December 22, killing hundreds and destroying hospitals, they said in their latest report. Orphanages, schools and homes were "all but obliterated", panel chairman Paulo Pinheiro told a news conference. Opposition groups shelled state-controlled western Aleppo, killing and injuring dozens, the report said. They prevented civilians from fleeing eastern Aleppo, using them as human shields — a war crime. "The scale of what happened in Aleppo is unprecedented in the Syrian conflict. Much of Aleppo, once Syria’s biggest city and its commercial and culture centre and a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World H...
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