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Minister Ellwood statement on Syria

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood statement on reports of an agreement to allow civilians and opposition fighters to leave Syrian town of Daraya

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Mr Ellwood said:

The Asad regime and its backers must ensure the safe passage of civilians and fighters who choose to leave Daraya, and equally protect those who choose to stay, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

The citizens of Daraya were among the first to hold peaceful protests for a better Syria. They have been besieged for years, enduring terrible suffering under sustained regime airstrikes and cut off from humanitarian aid. We utterly condemn the appalling violence inflicted by the regime on this town. The UN must be granted immediate humanitarian access to Daraya and to all others in need in Syria.

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Published 26 August 2016