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August 8, 2012

Syrian Gov’t Launches Long-Awaited Assault on Aleppo 
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Syrian government forces have launched a long-awaited ground assault on
the besieged city of Aleppo after weeks of clashes. Heavy fighting has
already broken out in the frontline district of Salaheddine, with
reports of many casualties. On Tuesday, the head of the U.N. Supervision
Mission in Syria, Babacar Gaye, said the fighting in Aleppo has forced
international observers to temporarily pull back.

Babacar Gaye: "I am extremely concerned about the continued violence in
Syria, in particular the significant deterioration in Aleppo and its
impact on the civilian population. In that regard, I urge the parties to
protect civilians and respect their obligations on the international
humanitarian law and I want to strongly stress that civilians must not
be subjected to shelling and use of heavy weapons."