The US Ambassador to the United Nations has accused the Syrian regime, Russia and Iran of carrying out barbaric “crimes” in Aleppo.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Samantha Power said: “To the Assad regime, Russia and Iran, your forces and proxies are carrying out these crimes, your barrel bombs and mortars and air strikes have allowed the militia in Aleppo to encircle tens of thousands of civilians in your ever-tightening noose.
“It is your noose. Three member states of the UN contributing to a noose around civilians. It should shame you.
“Instead, by all appearances it is emboldening you. You are plotting your next assault.”
She added: “Are you truly incapable of shame? Is there literally nothing that can shame you?
“Is there no act of barbarism against civilians, no execution of a child that gets under your skin? That just creeps you out a little bit? It there nothing you will not lie about, or justify?”
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the emergency meeting he had received “credible reports” of civilians killed by pro-government forces as they swept into the last rebel areas in Aleppo.
The head of the UN’s human rights office, Rupert Colville, had previously said that six different sources had confirmed 82 non-combatants were shot in four different neighborhoods overnight on Monday.
A building with more than 100 children trapped inside was also allegedly attacked by pro-regime forces.
