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News by region: Middle East

Ban reiterates strong condemnation of ‘heinous’ crimes committed by ISIL in Sinjar

3 August – Marking the second anniversary of the seizure of Sinjar by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his profound sympathy to the families of the victims and the survivors as well as deep concern for safety of the people – particularly thousands of Yazidi women and children – still being held captive.

Syria: UN ‘deeply disturbed’ by reports of airstrikes on hospitals, other civilian infrastructure

2 August – Deeply disturbed by reports that five hospitals and a blood bank have been hit by airstrikes in Syria, the United Nations today reiterated its call on all parties to the conflict to end the destruction of medical facilities and other civilian infrastructure.

In Iraq, UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor urges help for children 'ripped from their homes'

2 August – Just back from crisis-riven northern Iraq, where he visited refugee camps for Iraqi and Syrian families and children, actor Ewan McGregor, an Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called for more action to save children suffering the devastating effects of brutal conflicts and crises.

Some 25,000 people displaced by military attacks in western Aleppo – UNICEF

1 August – About 25,000 people, including more than 12,000 children, have been displaced last night from a neighbourhood in western Aleppo City by intense military attacks initiated by armed opposition groups, a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) official in Syria said today, calling on the warring parties to do their utmost to protect all civilians.

Yemen: Focusing on local suppliers, UN agency reaches thousands more in need of food aid

1 August – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has recorded a nearly five-fold increase in the number to whom it has provided assistance in hard-to-reach areas across war-torn Yemen, through an innovative, locally driven voucher initiative.

Yemeni peace talks extended for another week – UN envoy

30 July – With all eyes on Yemeni peace negotiations, the United Nations envoy for the country announced today that the UN-supported talks under way in Kuwait have been extended for an additional week.

UN envoy cites urgent need to establish 48 hour pause for humanitarian access to Aleppo

29 July – As the humanitarian crisis reaches distressing levels in Syria, particularly in and around battle-torn Aleppo, the United Nations envoy for the country welcomed today initiatives aimed at assisting the civilian population trapped amid the fighting and, “under the right circumstances,” the implementation of humanitarian corridors.

UNICEF deplores ‘shocking’ attacks in northern Syria towns that leave scores of civilians dead

29 July – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has deplored recent shocking attacks in northern Syrian cities of Qamishli and Idlib, which killed more than 60 people including many children; reiterating that all parties to the conflict should respect international humanitarian law and protect children and civilians.

Proposed humanitarian corridors in Aleppo must be guaranteed by all sides, says UN relief chief

28 July – Amid reports that Aleppo is ‘de facto besieged,’ as the war-battered city is now almost completely encircled by Syrian troops, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today reiterated his demand for safe, regular and sustained access to the quarter of a million people trapped behind the front lines, and stressed that “all options must be considered.”

Turkey: In call with Foreign Minister, Ban seeks update on current probe into attempted coup

27 July – In a telephone call with the Turkish Foreign Minister today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sought an update on current investigations and measures to hold those responsible for the attempted coup to account, and reiterated his expectation that Turkey adhere to its international human rights obligations.