500 Killed, Food to Run out by Month-End in Aleppo: UN Chief

As a result of the Syrian and Russian air raids, no UN aid convoy has entered Aleppo since July 7. ( Photo : AP )

The Russian and Syrian bombing raids in Aleppo have had horrific results with nearly 500 dead, while food rations are expected to run out by the end of the month, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

The air strikes on rebel-held eastern Aleppo since the Syrian government offensive was launched on September 22 have been the most intense of the five-year war, Ban told a special meeting of the General Assembly on Thursday.

“The results have been horrific,” he said.

Nearly 500 people have been killed and about 2,000 injured. More than a quarter of those killed are children.

No UN aid convoy has entered Aleppo since July 7 and food rations will run out by the end of October, Ban warned, saying hunger was being used as a weapon of war.

The meeting at the General Assembly was called by 72 countries led by Canada to try to break the deadlock after the UN Security Council failed to take action to end the bombings and revive peace efforts.