UN Security Council urges aid access to embattled Syrian town

The UN Security Council on Friday called for humanitarian access to the embattled Syrian town of Qusayr. "The members of the Security Council express their grave concern about the humanitarian impact of the recent heavy fighting in Qusayr," said a press statement issued here by the 15-nation body. According to reports, the Syrian army on Wednesday scored a sweeping victory against the rebels by stripping them of the strategic central city of Qusayr, marking the biggest rebel stronghold to be taken by the government during the war. Since heavy fighting flared up three weeks ago, Qusayr is heavily damaged and rocked by warfare. In the press statement, the Security Council called upon all parties in Syria to do their utmost to protect civilians and avoid civilian casualties, recalling the primary responsibility of the Syrian government in this regard. "The members of the Security Council call upon the Syrian government to allow immediate, safe and unhindered access, in accordance with the UN guiding principles of humanitarian assistance, to relevant humanitarian, including UN, actors, to reach civilians in Qusayr, in urgent need of assistance, in particular medical assistance," said the statement. The Council members also emphasized that those responsible for violations of applicable international law will be held accountable. Qusayr has been witnessing furious battles between the government troops and the armed rebels who have been entrenching there since 18 months ago. The offensive, which was launched by the troops, aims to cut the rebels' main supply line in the central region of the country. Since March 2011, fighting between the Syrian government and opposition forces seeking to oust President Bashar Al-Assad has killed more than 70,000 people, and left 6.8 million people in need. In addition, the UN estimates that some 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country to escape conflict.