European Union’s reaction to escalation of fighting in Aleppo

On 9 December 2016, the High Representative released a declaration on behalf of the EU on the situation in Aleppo, Syria.

'Since the beginning of the offensive by the Syrian regime and its allies notably Russia, the intensity and scale of the aerial bombardment of eastern Aleppo have caused widespread civilian casualties and devastated large areas of the city, causing an appalling deterioration in the situation there. The EU reiterates its strong condemnation of such deliberate excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks against civilians, aid and healthcare personnel, and civilian infrastructures such as schools and hospitals'.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced alarm on the 12 December 2016 'over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians' in Aleppo.

EU Foreign Ministers discussed the deteriorating situation in Aleppo at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on the 12 December 2016.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Policies: Syria: Council response to the crisis http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/syria/

EU: EEAS: Statement, 12.12.16: Remarks by HR/VP Mogherini ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council's discussion on Syria https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/syria/16944/remarks-hrvp-mogherini-ahead-foreign-affairs-councils-discussion-syria_en

ESO: Background information: Europe must end its silence on Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/europe-must-end-its-silence-on-syria/

ESO: Background information: Statement by Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on the latest bombings in East Aleppo http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-commissioner-for-humanitarian-aid-and-crisis-management-christos-stylianides-on-the-latest-bombings-in-east-aleppo/

EUObserver, 12.12.16: EU drops talk of sanctions on Aleppo massacre https://euobserver.com/foreign/136244

BBC News, 13.12.16: Aleppo battle: UN chief warns of 'atrocities against civilians' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38297986

UK: Parliament: House of Commons: Library: Briefing Paper, No.7832 (12.12.16): Aleppo humanitarian situation http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7832

UN: UN News Centre: News Focus: Syria http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=146

UN: UN News Centre, News, 13.12.16: ‘It is past time for you to act’ to end carnage in Aleppo, UN chief tells emergency Security Council session http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55789#.WFBU4n3w-2E

UN: OHCHR: News, 13.12.16: Syria: Aleppo terror and slaughter must be halted – Zeid http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/media.aspx?IsMediaPage=true

Sputnik International, 13.12.16: Military Actions in Eastern Aleppo Come to an End, Syrian Gov't Regains Control https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612131048518751-eastern-aleppo-operation-finished/

Euro|Topics: Debates, December 2016: Can the world do nothing about Aleppo? / What comes after the battle for Aleppo? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/171229/can-the-world-do-nothing-about-aleppo

EurActiv: The Brief, 13.12.16: The Brief: Last days of Aleppo are grim backdrop to EU summit paralysis http://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/the-brief-last-days-of-aleppo-are-grim-backdrop-to-eu-summit-paralysis/

European Commission: DG Communication: STATEMENT/16/4383, 13.12.16: Statement by Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on the reported atrocities committed in Aleppo and need to protect civilians http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-16-4383_en.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 14.12.16: Battle for Aleppo: MEPs call for an immediate cessation of hostilities http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161209STO55335/

European Council: Statement, 15.12.16: Remarks by President Donald Tusk during his meeting with Brita Hagi Hasan, President of the local Council of Eastern Aleppo http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/12/15-tusk-meeting-hasan-aleppo/

ESO: Background information: The first Trump test: European policy and the Siege of Aleppo http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-first-trump-test-european-policy-and-the-siege-of-aleppo/

ICG: Commentary, 15.12.16: What Comes After the Bloody Battle for Aleppo? https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/syria/what-comes-after-bloody-battle-aleppo

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