UN warning as Syrian violence mounts

The UN food agency has warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in Syria’s last rebel stronghold.

The latest wave of fighting between rebel groups and government forces, which began ten days ago, is the most serious challenge to a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey last September.

Already, some 150,000 people have been displaced inside the enclave, which is home to three million people and spans most of Idlib province.

“The situation inside Idlib and northwest Syria is dire and should escalation in violence continue, more desperate families will be displaced,” said Marwa Awad, spokeswoman for the World Food Program in Syria.

The agency was already forced to suspend aid delivery in the last few days.

The rebel stronghold is the last pocket of anti- government opposition in the eight- year civil war. Multiple foreign powers have intervened in the conflict, with Russia and Iran backing the government.