UN official expresses concern over children in Syria

UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui has expressed serious concern over the killing and maiming of children in Syria, particularly by Syrian Government forces. “Too many children have been killed already. I call upon all parties to the conflict in Syria to refrain from acts against the civilian population, including children, and to respect today’s call of the Secretary-General and the Arab League for a ceasefire, if not for the sake of Syrian children,” Zerrougui said a statement released Saturday. In the last few days, Syrian Government jets intensified airstrikes on residential areas, particularly in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, killing and injuring dozens of civilians, the statement added.