The humanitarian crisis intensifies with the regime's air strikes in southern Syria



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Fadi Masalmeh must make decisions that a nurse should never have to make.

While Southern Syria is hit by air strikes, "We can not help the wounded and we have to choose the life we ​​can save and the one we can not save," Masalmeh told NBC News by voicemail Friday. "I saw people dying in front of me and I could not do anything for them."

The United Nations estimates that at least 46 civilians have been killed and many more injured since June 17 when the government launched sustained artillery and aerial bombardments. At least 160,000 people were displaced, according to the report. 39; UN.

Syrian government forces backed by Russian air power launched attacks against southwestern rebels. months after defeating the remaining pockets of insurgents remaining near the cities of Damascus and Homs.

President Bashar al-Assad aims to restore control of a strategically vital part of the country at the borders with Israel-occupied Jordan and the Golan Heights, building on the momentum of his army elsewhere in the seven-year conflict.

Assad supports the offensive despite warnings from the United States, seeking to maintain a "de-escalation" agreement Washington warned Assad of grave repercussions, but no sign of action has been made to prevent it.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump discuss in detail this war-torn country when he met in July

& # 39; GHOST CITY & # 39;

Masalmeh's wife and four children are among the thousands who fled to the Jordanian border because of the escalating conflict. He stayed behind, continuing to work at the hospital near the center of the conflict.

"Everyone is running for his life," says Masalmeh.

"There is no life here in Deraa Jordan, which already hosts more than 650,000 registered Syrian refugees, has declared that it will no longer open the border. [19659004] The country facilitated talks between rebel factions and Moscow on an agreement that would end violence in return for the return of state rule in the Deraa region.

Russia supported the air strikes in the region. army since its entry into the war in 2015 and played a role in capitulation agreements: SYRIA-CONFLICT

Syrians displaced by shelling by government forces in the southern province of Daraa , ride in a truck near the city of Shayyah. Motaz Alhashesh, who lives in Tal Shihab north of the city of Deraa, told NBC News that the continuous bombings in the area have been the most violent seen since the beginning of the war. "The planes bomb 24 hours a day, without stopping," said the 30-year-old. "I believe the regime will continue the military operation until we are all killed or (have) been displaced."

Alhashesh, who works for a local humanitarian organization, said the international community has abandoned the region and the government is taking advantage of it by pursuing a "brutal military operation against the people."

"Leaving is probably the only way to stay alive and save our families," he said. According to the UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs, the majority of civilians fleeing the area have headed for the Jordanian border and many have been stranded in a desert area with limited access to humanitarian aid.

including hospitals, between June 24 and 27, said the UN. Houses and civilian infrastructure were destroyed in several cities of the province.

Supplies have been delivered to newly displaced people and Jordanian border convoys remain open, but the UN said two planned convoys have been postponed this week for security reasons.

The World Food Program (WFP) said the fighting had disrupted the delivery of convoys to the region, with the final delivery being made on Wednesday.

Dina El-Kassaby, Regional Communications Officer for WFP, told NBC News »

" We are ready to help anyone who desperately needs it, but the numbers continue to increase, " she said. "Many of these displaced people have already been displaced several times, and they are bottoming out."

While WFP prioritizes nutritional needs, especially children, El-Kassaby said that others "people tell us that they shelter at the same time". In the open air, under trees or in overcrowded makeshift shelters, and those lucky enough to find a tent share with four or five other families. "The Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement on Friday that they had distributed food, including 300 tents, food, medicine and clothing to people who had taken refuge in the Golan region. near the Israeli border, described by Israelis as "living in poor conditions" and "often lacking access to water, electricity, food sources or water supplies". Other basic necessities. "

But crossing Israel is not an option.Israeli forces do not allow Syrians to enter the country, although it remains committed to distributing more

Israel has refused to accept refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria, a country with which it remains officially in a state of war.Israel also accuses Iran of parking bases. military and personnel in Syria to serve as ram launch of attacks against Israel.

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