Hostilities in Syria's Aleppo trigger civilian casualties, displacements: UN humanitarians

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Two days of deadly hostilities in Aleppo, Syria have led to civilian casualties and thousands of displacements, UN humanitarians said Thursday.

Authorities reported that at least five civilians, including two women and a child, were killed and dozens more were injured.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the renewed hostilities in Syria's second-largest city also resulted in damage to health facilities and other critical infrastructure.

The office said that several health facilities, including Zahi Azarak, Ibn Rished and Othman hospitals, were affected, with some reportedly halting operations in the wake of the damage.

"Movement restrictions have been imposed on key roads," OCHA said. "Since yesterday (Wednesday) morning, thousands of families have fled their homes, with many seeking shelter with host communities in Aleppo city and the district of Afrin."

The office said local authorities reported that schools, universities and government institutions had halted activities, and that Aleppo International Airport had suspended operations. However, the authorities announced the opening of two humanitarian corridors through Awared and Zuhour for civilians to evacuate.

"The UN and its humanitarian partners are mobilizing resources to respond to the growing displacement," OCHA said.

Fighting centered on the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, signaling a deepening rift between the Damascus authorities and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. ■