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Syria crisis: Aid arrives in besieged Muadhamiya Syria crisis: Aid arrives in besieged towns
(about 4 hours later)
The first of several convoys carrying badly-needed aid to besieged areas of Syria has arrived at its destination. Convoys carrying urgently-needed aid have reached four besieged areas of Syria, the UN and aid agencies said.
Trucks have entered the rebel-held town of Muadhamiya, near the Syrian capital Damascus, the Red Crescent said. Trucks reached rebel-held Muadhamiya and Madaya, near Damascus, and pro-government northern villages of Foah and Kefraya on Wednesday. Another town, Zabadani, is also due to receive aid.
Aid is heading as well to Madaya and Zabadani, also near the capital, and to the pro-government northern villages of Foah and Kefraya.
The deliveries are part of an agreement that world powers hope will lead to a "cessation of hostilities" by Friday.
However, offensives by Syrian government forces and Kurdish militia fighters on rebel-held areas of the northern province of Aleppo have dimmed hopes for a truce.
Almost 500,000 people live in besieged areas in Syria, according to the UN.Almost 500,000 people live in besieged areas in Syria, according to the UN.
The deliveries are part of an agreement that world powers hope will lead to a "cessation of hostilities" by Friday.
However, offensives by Syrian government forces and Kurdish militia fighters on rebel-held areas of the northern province of Aleppo have dimmed hopes of a truce.
Some 100 trucks left Damascus earlier on Wednesday, carrying food, non-food items, medical equipment and medicine.Some 100 trucks left Damascus earlier on Wednesday, carrying food, non-food items, medical equipment and medicine.
They are intended to provide one month's worth of aid for more than 90,000 people, 30,000 in Muadhamiya alone, the UN said.They are intended to provide one month's worth of aid for more than 90,000 people, 30,000 in Muadhamiya alone, the UN said.
A spokesman for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent told the BBC many Syrians were desperate for basic supplies.A spokesman for the Syrian Arab Red Crescent told the BBC many Syrians were desperate for basic supplies.
"People in Kefraya and Foua, they need diesel to switch on the water pumps - without the diesel, they cannot dig for water, they need water, drinking water," Mouhannad al Assadi told the BBC."People in Kefraya and Foua, they need diesel to switch on the water pumps - without the diesel, they cannot dig for water, they need water, drinking water," Mouhannad al Assadi told the BBC.
Two more places - Kafr Batna and Deir al-Zour - are expected to receive aid later in the week.Two more places - Kafr Batna and Deir al-Zour - are expected to receive aid later in the week.
Humanitarian supplies reached some of the areas last month amid reports of people starving.Humanitarian supplies reached some of the areas last month amid reports of people starving.
On Tuesday, UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura said it was the "duty" of the Syrian government to allow aid to reach whoever needed it.On Tuesday, UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura said it was the "duty" of the Syrian government to allow aid to reach whoever needed it.
But a senior aide to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Mr de Mistura should focus on peace talks rather than on aid deliveries.But a senior aide to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Mr de Mistura should focus on peace talks rather than on aid deliveries.
"His mission now is to establish a list of terrorist groups, and a list of opposition groups who should dialogue with the Syrian government," Buthaina Shaaban told the AFP news agency."His mission now is to establish a list of terrorist groups, and a list of opposition groups who should dialogue with the Syrian government," Buthaina Shaaban told the AFP news agency.
Where the aid is goingWhere the aid is going
The UN named seven areas where it would deliver aid:The UN named seven areas where it would deliver aid:
Syria: The story of the conflictSyria: The story of the conflict
Medecins Sans Frontieres has said at least 25 people are now confirmed to have died when one of its hospitals in Syria was bombed on Monday - 14 more than it previously reported.Medecins Sans Frontieres has said at least 25 people are now confirmed to have died when one of its hospitals in Syria was bombed on Monday - 14 more than it previously reported.
The facility was among several hospitals in schools hit in strikes on Monday, killing up to 50 people, according to the UN.The facility was among several hospitals in schools hit in strikes on Monday, killing up to 50 people, according to the UN.
Russia, who is carrying out strikes in support of the Syrian army, has rejected accusations it was responsible. Russia, which is carrying out air strikes in support of the Syrian army, has rejected accusations it was responsible.
The nationwide "cessation of hostilities" is due to come into force on Friday.The nationwide "cessation of hostilities" is due to come into force on Friday.
The agreement, approved by the 17-member International Syria Support Group (ISSG), does not apply to the fight against Islamic State or al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate.The agreement, approved by the 17-member International Syria Support Group (ISSG), does not apply to the fight against Islamic State or al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate.