Equipo Nizkor - Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the resolutions by all parties to the Syrian conflict (June 2015).

United Nations
Security Council

S/2015/561 *

Distr.: General
23 July 2015
Original: English

Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014)

I. Introduction

1. The present report is the seventeenth submitted pursuant to paragraph 17 of Security Council resolution 2139 (2014), paragraph 10 of Council resolution 2165 (2014) and paragraph 5 of Council resolution 2191 (2014), in which the Council requested me to report, every 30 days, on the implementation of the resolutions by all parties to the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic.

2. The information contained herein is based on the data available to United Nations agencies on the ground, from the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and from open sources. Data from United Nations agencies and partners on their humanitarian deliveries have been reported for the period from 1 June to 30 June 2015, when available. More recent data have been included, when available.

II. Major developments

A. Political/military

3. Widespread fighting continued among the parties during the reporting period and further deepened the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian Arab Republic. Indiscriminate aerial bombings, including the use of barrel bombs, by Government forces and indiscriminate shelling by non-State armed groups and extremist and listed terrorist groups |1| left hundreds of civilians dead and injured and thousands more displaced. The conduct of hostilities by all parties continued to be characterized by widespread disregard for the rules of international humanitarian law and the parties' obligation to protect civilians. Fighting affecting civilians was particularly severe in the governorates of Damascus, Rif Dimashq, Aleppo, Idlib, Dar'a, Hasakah and Homs.

4. Government forces carried out near daily air strikes on several towns in Rif Dimashq, including in eastern and western Ghutah, causing dozens of civilian casualties, including women and children. For example, on 17 June, government forces carried out attacks with mortars and ground-to-ground missiles on the town of Duma in eastern Ghutah, reportedly killing at least 24 civilians, including 12 women and 4 children, and wounding at least 70. On 14 June, helicopters reportedly dropped barrel bombs on the town of Madaya, killing five civilians, including three women and a child. Early in July, fighting between government and allied forces and non-State armed groups escalated significantly in and around the town of Zabadani, including reported intense aerial bombardment with barrel bombs, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. As of mid-July, roads and entry points to Zabadani had been closed, halting the movement of goods and people, according to local reports.

5. In Damascus, non-State armed groups carried out numerous mortar attacks in densely populated civilian areas. On 17 June, 9 civilians, including 6 belonging to the same family, were reportedly killed and at least 10 others injured as a result of two mortar attacks on the Arnous roundabout area in the heart of a shopping area in Damascus city. On the same day, no fewer than 25 other mortar rounds hit neighbourhoods in Damascus, including Mezzeh 86, Maleki, Mazraa and the Abbasiyeen roundabout, Jahidh Garden, Badawi and Assad. On 28 June, several mortar rounds struck Sarujeh, a residential area in the old city of Damascus, killing 4 civilians and injuring some 15 others.

6. In the governorate of Aleppo, aerial attacks against eastern Aleppo city, controlled by non-State armed groups, caused scores of civilian casualties in June. According to information received by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), more than 200 barrel bombs were dropped in addition to some 248 missiles fired from aeroplanes. The attacks reportedly killed at least 257 civilians, including 34 women and 56 children. On 8 June, for example, at least 12 civilians were killed when a government helicopter reportedly dropped a barrel bomb on a residential building in the Tariq al-Bab neighbourhood of Aleppo city. On the same day, another barrel bomb dropped on a residential building in Jub al-Qubba killed a man and his three children. On 9 June, at least four civilians were reportedly killed when a barrel bomb hit the residential area of Dahrat Awwad village in rural Aleppo.

7. Meanwhile, attacks perpetrated by non-State armed groups in Aleppo continued to kill and maim civilians during the reporting period. For example, on 15 June, seven civilians, including at least two children, were reportedly killed when a dozen mortar shells fell on the government-controlled district of Sayf al-Dawla in Aleppo city. On 14 June, mortar attacks killed a civilian on Nile Street in a residential area of government-controlled Aleppo city. Meanwhile, on 8 June, mortar shells were fired on the besieged town of Zahrah, killing three children.

8. In the governorate of Idlib, missiles fired by jets on 9 and 10 June hit the central market in the town of Janudiyah, west of Idlib city, and a residential area of Saraqib town, together reportedly killing more than 70 civilians, including women and children, and injuring 120. On 11 June, at least eight civilians were reportedly killed when government helicopters dropped barrel bombs on a residential area in the village of Marat al-Numan. Also during the reporting period, non-State armed groups stepped up their shelling of the government-controlled villages of Foah and Kefraya, leading to increased protection concerns for their 20,000 civilians.

9. Fierce fighting continued in Dar'a governorate in June, severely affecting civilians. On 15 and 16 June, civilians, including children, were killed when the villages of eastern Hrak, Atman and Mseifra came under aerial bombardment. Meanwhile, according to information received by OHCHR from local sources, the village of Neimeh was under constant shelling and aerial attack, including, for example, on 24 June, when two children were killed in a barrel-bomb attack. On 16 June, aerial bombing raids on the Sad neighbourhood of eastern Gharyeh town, which struck in the vicinity of a mosque, reportedly killed at least 24 people. On 11 June, a landmine along the road linking the town of Hrak and the village of Nahta killed five civilians. On 24 June, a child from the village of Sheikh Miskine died from critical injuries sustained when an unexploded remnant of war was set off.

10. In the governorate of Homs, government forces reportedly intensified aerial attacks on Rastan city, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. According to information received by OHCHR, Government forces dropped two bombs on Rastan on 11 June, killing three women and two children. On 18 June, at least nine bombs were dropped on several residential neighbourhoods in the city, killing a child and injuring civilians. Government forces also reportedly launched aerial attacks on Homs city, including on 13 June, when an aerial attack killed four women and three children, according to information received by OHCHR. Meanwhile, non-State armed groups from within Homs city launched attacks on residential areas. For example, on 3 June, an improvised explosive device exploded inside a bus on the main street of the Zahrah neighbourhood, and on 4 June, rockets landed on Ba'ath University and the Akrama neighbourhood. On 14 June, two improvised explosive device attacks on buses in Karm Alouze and Hadara Street injured some 30 people, according to open sources.

11. Notwithstanding the ongoing negotiations between government representatives and non-State armed groups in Waer, forces supporting the Government recently escalated their attacks on the district. For example, on 5 June, eight civilians, all from the same family, were reportedly killed in a rocket attack on the neighbourhood. The negotiation committee inside Waer requested the implementation of a ceasefire during Ramadan, which was allegedly rejected by the Government.

12. In Homs governorate, the situation in and around Tadmur (Palmyra), now under the control of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), remained tense, with ongoing aerial attacks targeting several areas, including the northern neighbourhoods of the city, the industrial area and rural areas situated along the road linking it with Homs city. Between 18 and 23 June, aerial attacks reportedly killed at least 20 people, including children, and injured more than 30. Unconfirmed reports also indicated that ISIL had planted landmines around the historical area of the city.

13. In an audio statement released on 23 June, the ISIL spokesperson, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, called upon ISIL followers to escalate offensives against Christians and Shi'ite and Sunni Muslims fighting with the coalition led by the United States of America in Iraq, the Syrian Arab Republic and Libya during Ramadan.

14. On 25 June, some 200 ISIL fighters entered Ayn al-Arab (Kobane), using three vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. Reports indicated that some ISIL units had set up sniper positions in tall buildings. According to information received by OHCHR, more than 300 civilians were killed as a result of the attack and hundreds of others were injured.

15. In the governorate of Hasakah, ISIL advanced into the southern areas of Hasakah city on 25 June, capturing two districts before being repelled by forces supporting the Government backed by Kurdish militias. Around 90,000 people were reportedly displaced to other parts of the city and to nearby villages as a result of the advance and subsequent fighting. An additional 30,000 people were reportedly displaced to the northern districts of Qamishly, Amuda, Ras al-Ain, Derbasia and Tal Tamer.

16. Displacement continued to occur elsewhere in the Syrian Arab Republic during the reporting period as a result of fighting and insecurity. In the governorate of Raqqa, thousands of civilians fled as fighting escalated between non-State armed groups and ISIL, including more than 19,000 from the Tel Abyad subdistrict and 25,700 from the Suluk subdistrict. Meanwhile, around 23 June, ISIL issued a 72-hour notice for Kurdish people living in Raqqa city to relocate to the area around Tadmur and Sukhneh. Some 11,000 Kurds were forced to move to Tadmur, while an additional 17,500 fled to Ain al Arab in Aleppo governorate and 15,500 to northern Raqqa governorate. In the southern Syrian Arab Republic, the eruption of fighting in Dar'a governorate, including an offensive by non-State armed groups on Dar'a city at the end of June, resulted in the displacement of more than 42,500 people.

17. Civilian infrastructure continued to be affected during the reporting period. On 19 June, non-State armed actors in Wadi Barada, Rif Dimashq, cut the water supply to Damascus city after the arrest of civilians from Wadi Barada, Ein Figeh, at a government checkpoint on 11 June, in order to compel the Government to implement the local agreement earlier reached between the sides. Allegedly, the Government released eight detainees, prompting the resumption of some of the water supply. Negotiations were still continuing between the sides for the full resumption of the water supply. However, with the escalation of fighting in Zabadani, the water supply was again reduced in Damascus following additional cuts by non-State armed groups. Meanwhile, the availability of water per capita in the governorate of Idlib decreased significantly because a spike in fuel prices, caused by the limited availability of fuel and increased hostilities, diminished the capacity of water pumping stations.

18. In June, several cultural heritage sites in the Syrian Arab Republic were affected by the conflict. On 9 June, the Association for the Protection of Syrian Archaeology confirmed the bombing of the Busra citadel. On 15 June, the Marat al-Numan museum in Idlib was hit by a barrel bomb, causing damage to mosaics and artefacts. Moreover, ISIL destroyed two ancient Muslim mausoleums at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site of Palmyra on 20 June 2015. According to the Syrian Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums, ISIL also placed explosives inside the temples and monuments. On 16 June, the Association confirmed the destruction of the minaret of the Meshatiya mosque in Aleppo.

19. Direct meetings and negotiations resumed between the Government and the opposition in Muaddamiyah, Rif Dimashq, which led to an easing of access for humanitarian relief to the area, with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, in particular, able to deliver assistance in July. The main road to Muaddamiyah had been closed by government forces since 17 February. The United Nations inter-agency convoy to Muaddamiyah, approved by the Government on 17 June, is yet to proceed, awaiting security clearance.

20. On 2 July, my Special Envoy for Syria completed the initial phase of the Geneva consultations after holding more than 80 meetings with Syrian, regional and international parties, with a view to developing recommendations on the operationalization of the Geneva Communique. He then undertook a series of meetings in New York and international capitals with a view to preparing for his upcoming briefing to the Security Council.

B. Human rights

21. During the reporting period, OHCHR continued to receive allegations and to document cases of arbitrary arrests, detention, torture and death in custody inside government detention centres. For example, a human rights lawyer detained by the Military Security Branch with no charges since May 2013 reportedly died in Sidnaya prison on 20 June, according to local sources.

22. On 17 June, around 650 detainees, held in Hama central prison, began a hunger strike, following the issuance by the counter-terrorism court in Damascus in May and June of sentences against 60 detainees on the charge of "terrorism". Twenty detainees were reportedly sentenced to death, 25 detainees to 25 years in prison and 15 detainees to between 10 and 15 years in prison. According to information collected by OHCHR, the individuals sentenced were peaceful protesters arbitrarily detained and summarily tried in processes affording limited judicial guarantees. The detainees halted their hunger strike on 23 June after reportedly receiving assurances from the Syrian authorities that the sentences would be revisited in July.

23. On 10 June, some 20 Druze civilians were reportedly shot and killed by Nusrah Front elements in the village of Kalb Lawza in Idlib, following an altercation that took place when a Nusrah Front commander sought to take over the house of a pro-government Druze leader. Some members of the Druze community attempted to stop that takeover, after which the Nusrah Front elements fired at the crowd, leaving 20 dead, according to a number of sources. Nusrah Front leaders reportedly described the event as being an individual act that would be investigated.

24. On 28 June, in Dayr al-Zawr, ISIL reportedly executed a civilian and his wife in the Jaradiq area of Mayadin town in Dayr al -Zawr city for "witchcraft".

25. OHCHR received credible allegations of human rights abuses by the Kurdish People's Protection Units against residents of Tal Abyad, including displacement, targeted killings, the looting of houses and the confiscation of private belongings. Local sources on the ground claimed that the Units had been displacing civilians by evicting them from their homes in Tal Abyad and preventing them from returning. In addition, residents of the villages of Zahle and Kara al-Sharf reported that the Units had displaced civilians and confiscated civilian property. Meanwhile, on 15 June, a young engineer from Daba village was reportedly shot and killed after refusing to leave his home.

26. On 23 June, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic presented its oral update to the Human Rights Council covering the period from 1 5 March to 15 June. In its update, the Commission reiterated its earlier findings that the main cause of civilian casualties, mass displacement and destruction was the deliberate targeting of civilians, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, attacks on civilian and protected objects, and the punitive imposition of sieges and blockades. While that update focused on violations committed during the conduct of hostilities, the Commission emphasized that mass violations concerning the treatment of civilians and hors de combat fighters continued to be received, including corroborated accounts of unlawful killing, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances and the taking of hostages. Centres of violence included government detention centres, prisons and checkpoints, ISIL-controlled territory and the northern and southern Syrian Arab Republic, where there were recent ground attacks by anti-government armed groups, sometimes operating in conjunction with the Nusrah Front.

C. Humanitarian response

27. During the reporting period, some 12.2 million people required humanitarian assistance in the Syrian Arab Republic, more than 5 million of whom were children. Around 7.6 million people had been internally displaced and more than 4 million people had fled the Syrian Arab Republic to neighbouring countries and North Africa.

28. United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners continued to reach millions of people in need in June through all modalities from within the Syrian Arab Republic and across borders, pursuant to resolutions 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014). The World Food Programme (WFP) delivered food assistance to 4.1 million people in 12 governorates. The World Health Organization (WHO) distributed medicines and supplies for more than 4 million treatments in 10 governorates. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reached more than 2.8 million people with water, sanitation, hygiene, health care, nutrition, education and protection support. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reached almost 180,000 people in 12 governorates with core relief items and protection services. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) supported its partners to deliver reproductive services and services relating to gender-based violence to 263,737 women in eight governorates. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations distributed agricultural supplies in support of 4,800 people. The International Organization for Migration reached 143,088 people with multisector assistance. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provided support to more than 280,000 Palestine refugees.

29. Cross-border deliveries continued during the reporting period. As at 30 June, the United Nations and its implementing partners had sent 140 shipments -- 94 from Turkey and 46 from Jordan -- to the Syrian Arab Republic under the terms of resolutions 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014). They included the food assistance equivalent for more than 3.4 million people; non-food items for some 1.4 million people; water and sanitation supplies for more than 900,000 people; and medical supplies for approximately 2.2 million treatments, in Aleppo, Latakia, Idlib, Dar'a, Quneitra and Hama governorates. In accordance with resolutions 2165 (2014) and 2191 (2014), the United Nations notified the Government in advance of each shipment, including details of content, destination district and number of beneficiaries. The increased insecurity in the northern Syrian Arab Republic nothwithstanding, there was no significant impact on United Nations cross-border operations from Turkey during the reporting period. However, recent fighting in Dar'a governorate in the southern Syrian Arab Republic prevented all United Nations shipments from passing through the Ramtha crossing from 24 June to 14 July. Cross-border shipments resumed from Ramtha on 15 July.

30. The United Nations Monitoring Mechanism continued its operations in Jordan and Turkey. In June, it monitored 15 United Nations humanitarian shipments, confirming the humanitarian nature of each and notifying the Syrian authorities after each shipment had crossed the border. The Mechanism continued to benefit from excellent cooperation with the Governments of Jordan and Turkey.

31. Using the Nusaybin-Qamishly crossing, with the consent of the Governments of Turkey and the Syrian Arab Republic, WFP completed the transportation of food rations sufficient for more than 176,000 people in June.

32. Four joint inter-agency convoys proceeded across conflict lines in June, one of which was only partially completed -- that of 1 June, to Bloudan in Rif Dimashq with food assistance for 5,000 people. Wheat flour was not allowed on the convoy. Furthermore, although facilitation letters from the Ministry of Health to move medical supplies had been received, medical supplies for nearly 20,000 people were removed by security forces during the loading phase. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent subsequently attempted to deliver the medical supplies on 4 June, but was stopped and turned back at a government checkpoint. On 4 June, an inter-agency convoy reached Kafr Hamra and Maret al-Artiq in Aleppo governorate with assistance for 60,000 people. On 23 June, an inter-agency convoy proceeded to eastern Aleppo, delivering food assistance for 50,000 people and medical kits sufficient for 80,000 people. An inter-agency convoy, reached Talbiseh in Homs governorate on 10 and 16 June, with food assistance for more than 92,000 people. Surgical items for more than 7,000 people were removed from the convoys by local security forces. As part of the convoy, food assistance was delivered to the nearby government-held areas of Mesherfeh and Mekhram, in support of 15,500 civilians in the area.

33. In addition to inter-agency convoys, United Nations agencies also conducted single-agency convoys across conflict lines during the reporting period. For example, WHO delivered medical assistance for more than 330,000 treatments to locations in the governorates of Rif Dimashq, Homs, Aleppo, Dayr al-Zawr (via airlift) and Hasakah. UNICEF provided water and sanitation assistance to around 50,000 people in June in the governorate of Homs.

34. Both international and Syrian non-governmental organizations continued to deliver multisector assistance in the Syrian Arab Republic in June, including through the provision of ongoing services. Non-governmental organizations reached more than 1.3 million people: some 850,000 people in Aleppo; more than 270,000 in Idlib; some 131,000 in Dar'a and more than 50,000 people in Hasakah governorate. |2|

D. Humanitarian access

35. The delivery of humanitarian assistance to many of the 12.2 million people in need of assistance in the Syrian Arab Republic remained extremely challenging in June owing to active conflict, insecurity and shifting front lines as well as deliberate obstructions and interference by the parties, including restrictions on movement and burdensome administrative procedures. In addition to the above-mentioned challenges, the level of funding for humanitarian activities continued to be outpaced by the scale of needs. The 2015 Syria Response Plan was only 26 per cent funded as at 15 July.

36. Continued intense conflict in several governorates hindered the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance and people's access to essential services during the reporting period. For example, active fighting in Dar'a city at the end of June hampered the delivery of assistance, including United Nations cross-border convoys through the Ramtha crossing. Insecurity and other access constraints in June prevented the delivery of food assistance to more than 1.2 million people in Rif Dimashq, rural Homs and rural Hama. In Idlib, WFP was unable to reach some 60,000 civilians in Ariha and Jisr al-Shughour, in addition to 20,000 people in the government-held towns of Foah and Kefraya, surrounded by non-State armed groups.

37. Deliberate interference and restrictions also continued to prevent aid delivery. WFP continued to suspend its food deliveries to 600,000 people in Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqa, where access had been impossible since May and November 2014, respectively, as a result of the difficulty of delivering humanitarian supplies through ISIL-controlled areas. Similarly, WFP was unable to reach 175,000 people in ISIL -controlled areas of rural Aleppo, owing to the inability to operate safely and independently. UNICEF continued to be unable to send water treatment supplies to Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqa governorates owing to the difficulty of delivering humanitarian supplies through ISIL-controlled areas. Meanwhile, in Idlib governorate, elements affiliated with the Nusrah Front seized the supplies of an international non-governmental organization in mid-June. It was also reported that the group returned a large portion of the goods while negotiations continued to recover the rest.

38. No major changes in the administrative procedures required by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic were reported in June. The current procedures continued to delay or limit the delivery of assistance by United Nations agencies.

39. As at 30 June, 53 United Nations visa requests (requests for new visas and renewals) remained pending: 24 within 15 working days and 29 exceeding the 15 working days limit. Since 1 January 2015, 558 visas (requests for new visas and renewals) have been submitted, of which 471 visas have been approved, including 91 in June. A total of 33 visas have been rejected, exclusive of the four United Nations staff who were declared persona non-grata in February. By comparison, 28 visa requests were rejected for the whole of 2014.

40. As at 30 June, 15 international non-governmental organizations had been approved by the Government to work in the Syrian Arab Republic. Such organizations continued to face administrative hurdles and restrictions that affected their ability to operate. They remained restricted in their ability to partner with national humanitarian organizations, open sub-offices, conduct missions, join inter-agency convoys and undertake independent needs assessments. Four international non-governmental organization visas were granted in June, and seven remained pending approval.

41. The number of national non-governmental organizations authorized to partner with the United Nations increased from 118 to 120 in June through 175 branches. Two of these were added by the Government in Sweida and Rif Dimashq governorates. Some governorates, including Rif Dimashq, Quneitra, Idlib, Dar'a and Raqqa, continued to have an insufficient number of national non-governmental organizations authorized to partner with the United Nations relative to the level of humanitarian need and response required.

42. During 2015, until the end of the reporting period, the United Nations submitted 81 requests to the Government for inter-agency convoys (including an airlift) to besieged, hard-to-reach and other areas located across conflict lines in the Syrian Arab Republic, including 4 requests that received no answer from the Government and were resubmitted by the United Nations as new requests, and

9 requests that were resubmitted because they had been put on hold. As at 15 July, 20 requests had been approved, in principle, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of which 9 had been completed and 1 partially completed. Altogether, the completed and partially completed convoys reached an estimated 500,000 people in need. The remaining 10 approved requests were at various stages of preparation. Of those, 2 could not proceed owing to the lack of agreement on the access route among the United Nations, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Government, while another 2 could not proceed owing to the lack of agreement by non-State armed groups. Forty-five requests were awaiting government approval: 33 requests submitted on 1 July and 12 old requests that remained valid. Three requests were put on hold owing to the prevailing security conditions.

43. Access to people living in hard-to-reach areas remained of critical concern. The list of hard-to-reach locations was updated to reflect recent developments in access as well as conflict dynamics and shifting front lines and control by parties. The overall number of people in need in 127 hard-to-reach locations (previously 131 locations) stood at approximately 4.6 million (previously 4.8 million) at the end of the reporting period. United Nations agencies and partners reached 32 of those locations (25 per cent) during the reporting period. United Nations agencies and partners reached 14 locations with food assistance and agricultural support for more than 334,000 people; 20 locations with health support for more than 200,000 medical treatments; 11 locations with water, sanitation and hygiene for 465,074 people; and 10 locations with core relief items for almost 135,000 people.

Besieged areas

44. Of the 4.6 million people living in hard-to-reach areas in the Syrian Arab Republic, 422,000 remained besieged: 167,500 besieged by government forces in eastern Ghutah and Darayya, 26,500 besieged by non-State armed groups in Nubul and Zahrah and 228,000 besieged by ISIL in the government-controlled western neighbourhoods of Dayr al -Zawr city.

45. In June in eastern Ghutah, some 163,500 people remained besieged by government forces, with no United Nations assistance reaching the eastern Ghutah area. UNFPA reached Duma through a cross line convoy with reproductive health services for 1,365 women. On 12 July, WHO received approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver a second shipment of 500 dialysis sessions to Duma.

46. In Darayya, Rif Dimashq, around 4,000 people remained besieged by government forces. People there have not been assisted by the United Nations since October 2012.

47. In Nubul and Zahrah, approximately 26,500 people remained besieged by non-State armed groups. No United Nations assistance reached the two areas in June.

48. In the government-controlled western neighbourhoods of Dayr al-Zawr city, some 228,000 people were besieged by ISIL. During the reporting period, 1,764 children were reached by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent with measles and other routine vaccinations in Dayr al -Zawr city, supported by UNICEF. WHO provided medical assistance sufficient for approximately 18,400 people through the airlift of 46,000 medical treatments and through the provision of 289 medical treatments through a local partner.

49. In June, the total number of people reached with health assistance represented 5 per cent of the besieged population. No other assistance, such as food, non-food or other relief items, were delivered to besieged areas during the reporting period.

50. While they were not categorized as besieged during the reporting period, UNRWA remained extremely concerned about the safety and humanitarian needs of thousands of civilians still trapped in Yarmouk, and the thousands more displaced to the surrounding areas of Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahm following events in Yarmouk on 1 April, when armed groups assumed control of most of the area. All UNRWA operations in Yarmouk remained suspended, with no missions possible during the reporting period. The most recent UNRWA mission inside Yarmouk was conducted on 28 March, and its last successful mission to the surrounding areas of Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahm was on 7 June, when 1,200 family food parcels were distributed. After having had regular access in May, UNRWA conducted only two cross-line missions during the reporting period to Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahm, on 3 and 7 June, delivering food parcels to 1,200 families and providing health consultations to 67 civilians. Two children under 5 years of age were diagnosed with malnutrition. On 8 June, UNRWA attempted a mission to the same area, but was turned back at a government-controlled checkpoint, with no explanation given for the obstruction of humanitarian assistance. Several demarches by UNRWA notwithstanding, the Syrian authorities have yet to authorize the resumption of humanitarian activities by UNRWA in Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahm.

Free passage of medical supplies, personnel and equipment

51. WHO and its implementing partners dispatched medicine and medical supplies for more than 4 million treatments to local health authorities, non-governmental organizations and private medical facilities in 10 governorates from within the Syrian Arab Republic. Approximately 369,000 of those treatments were delivered cross-line in Aleppo, Hasakah, Dar'a, Dayr al-Zawr and Homs governorates as well as Rif Dimashq. WHO also airlifted 24,808 medical treatments from Damascus to Qamishly city. UNICEF delivered eight midwifery kits, 24 obstetric kits and 17 essential drug kits providing drugs for 172,800 patients across the Aleppo, Idlib and Lattakia governorates. Meanwhile, through the support of UNFPA and implementing partners, 21,433 women and 864 men residing in the governorates of Damascus, Rif Dimashq, Aleppo, Sweida, Dar'a and Homs benefited from the delivery of dignity kits.

52. Despite the delivery of a significant amount of medical assistance during the reporting period, access to medical supplies and equipment continued to be restricted to some areas as a result of insecurity and access constraints imposed by parties to the conflict. The security deterioration in many parts of the country and the additional displacement of thousands of civilians during the reporting period hampered the availability of health services, in particular in the governorates of Hasakah, Aleppo, Idlib, rural Hama, Dar'a and Rif Dimashq. Furthermore, the lack of a fuel supply into the northern Syrian Arab Republic in June reduced the provision of health services in the parts of the northern governorates of the country under the control of non-State armed groups, as many facilities reduced services to essential and urgent activities only. Meanwhile, despite approval from the local authorities, all surgical supplies were removed by security forces from two United Nations inter-agency convoys to Talbiseh and Tir Mallah, depriving the population of 7,254 surgical treatments.

53. WHO and health sector partners have developed a pilot one-month operational plan for delivery to hard-to-reach and besieged areas for 1.9 million people in 14 locations in five governorates: Aleppo, Damascus, Dar'a, Rif Dimashq and Idlib. In support of that plan, WHO made two requests in June, both of which remained unanswered. WHO also submitted a request to deliver the second shipment of dialysis sessions to Duma in Rif Dimashq, which was approved on 12 July. Separately, despite approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver medicine and medical supplies to curb the outbreak of myiasis in Duma in Rif Dimashq, the shipment was still pending approval since December 2014. A reminder was sent to the Ministry, which went unanswered.

54. The fourteenth national polio immunization campaign was carried out from 31 May to 4 June, targeting 2.9 million children under 5 years of age. Final coverage figures showed a total of 2.3 million children vaccinated (80 per cent of the target). Door-to-door immunization campaigns were restricted by ISIL in areas under its control (mainly in Raqqa and Dayr al-Zawr). An estimated 463,000 children under 5 years of age could not be vaccinated in those areas. Less than 10 per cent of children were vaccinated in Dayr al-Zawr city (22,592 of 263,508). Many districts in the governorates of Homs, Aleppo, Idlib, Dayr al-Zawr and Rif Dimashq were also unable to implement the immunization campaign owing to active fighting and insecurity.

55. Attacks on medical facilities, ambulances and medical personnel continued during the reporting period. In June, Physicians for Human Rights documented 14 attacks on 13 medical facilities, of which 12 were air strikes by government forces. Eight attacks occurred in Aleppo, three in Dar'a and one each in Damascus, Hasakah and Idlib governorates. In June, the organization documented the death of nine medical personnel, of whom at least six were targeted or killed in the line of duty. Five died from shelling and bombing, two from torture and two from shooting. Four deaths occurred in Aleppo, two in Dar'a and one each in Damascus, Raqqa and Hasakah governorates.

56. Since the beginning of the conflict, Physicians for Human Rights has documented 285 attacks on 213 separate medical facilities, disaggregated as follows: 255 facilities hit by government forces, 11 by non-State armed groups, 8 by ISIL and the Nusrah Front, 1 by anti-ISIL coalition forces and 10 by unknown forces. Aleppo and Idlib governorates experienced the highest number of attacks, with 76 and 45 attacks, respectively. In total, the organization has documented the death of 642 medical personnel, of whom 614 were killed by government forces, 8 by non-State armed groups, 8 by ISIL, 1 by Kurdish forces and 11 by unknown forces.

Safety and security of staff and premises

57. On 16 June, an UNRWA school, which had not been in use for several months, was destroyed by a large explosion in the Khan Eshieh camp, to the southwest of Damascus. An adjacent UNRWA community centre was also damaged by debris from the explosion.

58. On 16 June, rockets and mortars struck various neighbourhoods in Damascus city centre, in close proximity to the Four Seasons Hotel where United Nations staff reside. No United Nations staff were injured.

59. On 9 June, a suicide attack in Qahtaniah, between the Newroz refugee camp and Qamishly in Hasakah governorate, occurred during a UNHCR field mission to the camp. As a result, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security requested the mission to return to Qamishly earlier than planned.

60. On 6 June, five mortars landed in Jaramanah city in Rif Dimashq, leaving 2 civilians dead and 15 injured. That attack directly affected the distribution of core relief items, given that the UNHCR implementing partner, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, had to postpone distribution to avoid any further risk to staff and beneficiaries.

61. A total of 32 United Nations staff members, 28 of whom are UNRWA staff, continued to be detained or missing. The total number of humanitarian workers killed in the conflict since March 2011 is 77: 17 United Nations staff members, 45 Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff members and volunteers, 8 volunteers and staff members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and 7 staff members of international non-governmental organizations. Of the 77, 10 have been killed since 1 January 2015.

III. Observations

62. There are few words left to convey the suffering being endured by Syrians, now five years into the conflict. In addition to the ongoing civilian deaths and injuries, the destruction of property and cultural heritage and the displacement of tens of thousands of people, many Syrians are also facing severe water and fuel shortages, causing increased levels of disease and hardship, in particular in hard-to-reach areas.

63. The conduct of hostilities continues to be characterized by a prevailing disrespect for the fundamental rules of international humanitarian law. All parties to the conflict are failing to uphold their obligation to protect civilians. As in previous months, the fight for territory and resources is being undertaken through indiscriminate attacks on residential areas, including through the use of barrel bombs, killing hundreds of civilians, including dozens of children, while also leaving dangerous explosive remnants of war, which will remain a threat until they are removed. Tens of thousands of people were forced from their homes in search of safety in June, adding to the 11 million displaced since the start of the conflict. The execution and torture of men, women and children shows no sign of abating. Hospitals and medical staff continued to come under attack. What was inconceivable five years ago has become the norm for Syrian families and communities, and it must stop.

64. United Nations organizations and non-governmental organization partners, both Syrian and international, continue to strive to reach those who require assistance. Despite the extremely challenging operating environment, they have provided assistance to millions of people every month. This has been achieved from inside the Syrian Arab Republic across conflict lines and from across borders. There remain, however, more than 12 million people who need assistance, and we are not reaching enough of them. Insecurity, fighting and deliberate operational obstructions continue to constrain the delivery of assistance, and surgical items are still being removed from convoys.

65. I wish to highlight in particular, once again, the deplorable conditions faced by some 4.6 million people in extremely hard-to-reach areas, including 422,000 civilians who remain besieged by parties to the conflict. Together with many others, I have repeatedly called for an end to the deplorable and illegal practice of besieging civilians and rendering entire communities outside the range of humanitarian assistance. Civilians must be free to move and to receive help.

66. In the coming days, I will join my Special Envoy for Syria in briefing the Security Council regarding United Nations recommendations on the political track. I will defer my comments on the political process until then, other than to highlight that the contents of the present report once again bear unflinching witness to the urgent need to find a settlement to this ruinous conflict.

Notes:

* Reissued for technical reasons on 27 July 2015. [Back]

1. On 30 May 2013, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Nusrah Front were designated terrorist groups by the Security Council in accordance with resolution 1267 (1999). The two groups operate in the Syrian Arab Republic. [Back]

2. The figures are based on available data from non-governmental organization partners. They represent a snapshot of the overall non-governmental organization response rather than a complete picture. [Back]

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23Jul15

Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the resolutions by all parties to the Syrian conflict (June 2015)