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Syria conflict: Government 'to allow aid to besieged towns' Syria conflict: Government 'to allow aid to besieged towns'
(about 1 hour later)
Syria says it has approved the delivery of humanitarian aid to at least 11 besieged areas in the country.Syria says it has approved the delivery of humanitarian aid to at least 11 besieged areas in the country.
In a statement, the Syrian Mission to the United Nations named 36 areas to receive aid in June, and asked the UN and the Red Cross to send the convoys.In a statement, the Syrian Mission to the United Nations named 36 areas to receive aid in June, and asked the UN and the Red Cross to send the convoys.
This comes as the UN Security Council is due to discuss plans for aid to be air-dropped to areas under siege.This comes as the UN Security Council is due to discuss plans for aid to be air-dropped to areas under siege.
Meanwhile, air strikes in and around the northern city of Aleppo have reportedly killed 31 civilians.Meanwhile, air strikes in and around the northern city of Aleppo have reportedly killed 31 civilians.
The Syrian Civil Defence force, whose volunteer emergency response workers are known as the "white helmets", said one of the Syrian air strikes hit a bus, killing 10 people, AFP news agency reported.The Syrian Civil Defence force, whose volunteer emergency response workers are known as the "white helmets", said one of the Syrian air strikes hit a bus, killing 10 people, AFP news agency reported.
The vehicle was travelling on a road used by rebels as a supply route out of the city.The vehicle was travelling on a road used by rebels as a supply route out of the city.
School supplies and milk
Western powers have been frustrated by the Syrian government's reluctance to allow desperately needed aid into rebel-held areas.Western powers have been frustrated by the Syrian government's reluctance to allow desperately needed aid into rebel-held areas.
The UN has 19 areas designated as "besieged", and in at least 11 of them the Syrian government said aid convoys would be allowed in.The UN has 19 areas designated as "besieged", and in at least 11 of them the Syrian government said aid convoys would be allowed in.
They included Kafr Batna, Saqba, Hammura, Jisrein, Zabadin, East Harasta, Zamalka, Madaya, Foua, Kefraya and Yarmouk.They included Kafr Batna, Saqba, Hammura, Jisrein, Zabadin, East Harasta, Zamalka, Madaya, Foua, Kefraya and Yarmouk.
It also said eight other towns were approved to receive medical assistance, school supplies and milk for children, including Daraya and Douma, also under siege.It also said eight other towns were approved to receive medical assistance, school supplies and milk for children, including Daraya and Douma, also under siege.
The Syrian opposition has warned the government may open the door just enough to alleviate international pressure before restricting access again.The Syrian opposition has warned the government may open the door just enough to alleviate international pressure before restricting access again.
'Not imminent''Not imminent'
The UN Security Council is expected to discuss plans later to begin air drops of humanitarian aid to areas under siege, following calls by the US, UK and France.The UN Security Council is expected to discuss plans later to begin air drops of humanitarian aid to areas under siege, following calls by the US, UK and France.
The UN deputy special envoy for Syria, Ramzi Essedine Ramzi, said the process that would lead to air drops had already started.The UN deputy special envoy for Syria, Ramzi Essedine Ramzi, said the process that would lead to air drops had already started.
But a senior UN official warned on Thursday that air operations were "not imminent".But a senior UN official warned on Thursday that air operations were "not imminent".
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said it had already drawn up a plan to carry out air drops to besieged areas, but that it would need Syrian government approval and funding for the operation.The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) said it had already drawn up a plan to carry out air drops to besieged areas, but that it would need Syrian government approval and funding for the operation.
Air delivery: 'Challenging'Air delivery: 'Challenging'
In February, the WFP carried out a 21-pallet air drop of aid to a government-held area of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria, which ended in failure. Of the 21 pallets, 10 were unaccounted for, seven landed in no-man's land and four were damaged.In February, the WFP carried out a 21-pallet air drop of aid to a government-held area of Deir al-Zour in eastern Syria, which ended in failure. Of the 21 pallets, 10 were unaccounted for, seven landed in no-man's land and four were damaged.
But it has since carried out 44 air drops over the city, delivering mainly rice, chickpeas and beans to meet the immediate needs of around 100,000 residents.But it has since carried out 44 air drops over the city, delivering mainly rice, chickpeas and beans to meet the immediate needs of around 100,000 residents.
The WFP has identified some 592,700 people in 19 besieged areas of Syria that may need to receive aid by air.The WFP has identified some 592,700 people in 19 besieged areas of Syria that may need to receive aid by air.
But the operating conditions are challenging, the WFP says. Many besieged locations are in built-up, urban areas with no suitable space for a drop zone. High-altitude drops are not possible in those areas because of the risk of harming people on the ground.But the operating conditions are challenging, the WFP says. Many besieged locations are in built-up, urban areas with no suitable space for a drop zone. High-altitude drops are not possible in those areas because of the risk of harming people on the ground.
The UN food agency says airdrops are always a last resort as access by land is more efficient.The UN food agency says airdrops are always a last resort as access by land is more efficient.
Meanwhile, aircraft from the US-led coalition fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria dropped ammunition to rebels in the town of Marea, in Aleppo province, the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.Meanwhile, aircraft from the US-led coalition fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria dropped ammunition to rebels in the town of Marea, in Aleppo province, the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
It was not clear if weapons were also delivered.It was not clear if weapons were also delivered.
Rebels are fighting IS militants, who cut off supply routes between Marea and Azaz, both under rebel control, near the Turkish border.Rebels are fighting IS militants, who cut off supply routes between Marea and Azaz, both under rebel control, near the Turkish border.
The area between the city of Aleppo and the Turkish border is split between IS, rebel and government-controlled zones.The area between the city of Aleppo and the Turkish border is split between IS, rebel and government-controlled zones.
The US is also supporting an offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up by Kurdish and Arab fighters, against IS-held Manbij.The US is also supporting an offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), made up by Kurdish and Arab fighters, against IS-held Manbij.