Baladi News – Homs (Mohammed al-Hameid)
Al-Waer negotiating committee issued a statement clarifying the recent events that took place in the besieged district, notably the arrest of four of its members by the regime in return for releasing al-Bir hospital checkpoint soldiers captured by the rebels. The committee also explained that its purpose of entering the negotiations was to mitigate the sufferings of the besieged civilians, but the regime sought to thwart it.
The committee held the UN, represented by the office of its special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, responsible for the hampered negotiations because it has disavowed its commitments as a supervisor and observer for the truce.
The statement was concluded by indicating that the district is open to all possibilities including the most disastrous ones because the regime gives no consideration to any ethics or international conventions.
On the other hand, several civil actors in the district issued a statement accusing the UN of disavowing its commitments to execute long-term projects and allow the entry of food as it promised before as well as turning a blind eye to the regime’s crimes. The statement called on the UN to assume its responsibilities and respond urgently to the anticipated disaster in the district that has been subject to a fierce military campaign by the regime against residential areas in order to force the civilians out in preparation for the resettlement of Shiite elements in their place.