UN Security Council approves monitors to follow Aleppo evacuations

World Today

The U.N. Security Council votes unanimously to adopt a resolution concerning humanitarian aid in Syria at United Nations headquarters, Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Security Council on Monday approved the deployment of U.N. monitors to Aleppo as the evacuation of fighters and civilians from the last remaining opposition stronghold in the northern city resumed after days of delays.

CCTV America’s Liling Tan reports.

France said the monitors were needed to prevent “mass atrocities” from being committed by Syrian government forces, especially militias. But thousands have already been evacuated and the operation will likely be over before the observers arrive.

Another evacuation is underway in two rebel-besieged Shiite villages, where the sick and wounded were being allowed out until gunmen torched several buses being used for the operation on Sunday. That evacuation has since resumed.

The resolution adopted Monday morning calls for the United Nations and other institutions to monitor evacuations from eastern Aleppo and demands that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urgently consult Syria and other parties on security and arrangements for the immediate deployment of the monitors.

“France and Britain’s insistence on presenting and adopting such a resolution is just another part of the continued propaganda against Syria and its fight against terrorists. While we respect the Security Council resolutions, we are aware of the real purpose of their efforts which is to protect the terrorists,” said Syrian Ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Ja’afari.

France and Russia, who submitted rival draft resolutions, announced agreement on a text after more than three hours of closed-door consultations on Sunday.

The resolution also demands that all parties allow unconditional and immediate access for the U.N. and its partners to deliver humanitarian aid and medical care, and “respect and protect all civilians across Aleppo and throughout Syria.”

The evacuation of Aleppo began last week after Turkey and Russia brokered a cease-fire as government forces were closing in on the rebels’ last redoubt in the country’s largest city, but has been repeatedly delayed.

This story is by The Associated Press.