Civilian Casualties and Displacement in Eastern Aleppo
Between January 16 and 18, hostilities in Manbij, Ain al-Arab, and villages near the Tishreen Dam in eastern Aleppo resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians and injuries to 14 others. The region was affected by shelling and other attacks, with damage to civilian infrastructure exacerbating the crisis.
Additionally, an improvised explosive device detonated inside a car in the main market of Manbij, causing further destruction, according to UN partners. The attacks have displaced residents and hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid, as reported by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) following a mission to the area.
UN Teams Assess the Situation
A recent UN mission visited the Manbij National Hospital and met with local authorities, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and non-governmental organizations to identify priority needs. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, shared these updates, highlighting the urgency of addressing the region’s challenges.
On the same day, OCHA and UNICEF conducted a monitoring mission to the Ain Al Bayda water station in eastern Aleppo, signaling the need for improved water and sanitation services in affected areas.
Rising Threats from Explosive Ordnance
In the first two weeks of January alone, UN partners recorded 69 explosive ordnance incidents across northeastern Syria, resulting in 45 deaths and 60 injuries. Farhan Haq reported that since late November, 134 new areas contaminated with explosive remnants of war have been identified in Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, Deir-ez-Zor, and Latakia.
With civilians continuing to move through or return to these contaminated zones, UN partners are calling for increased funding to support mine action programs, including risk education and emergency clearance operations.
Water and sanitation services in many displacement camps have also been suspended due to funding shortages, leaving more than 635,000 people in need. OCHA has appealed for additional financial resources to sustain these essential services.
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$770 Million Humanitarian Plan for Mali
In a separate crisis, the UN, in collaboration with Mali’s transitional authorities, launched a $770 million humanitarian response plan on January 23 in Bamako. This initiative aims to provide lifesaving assistance to 4.7 million people affected by conflict, displacement, health crises, and climate shocks.
Women and Children as Primary Focus
Nearly 80 percent of the aid will target women and children, who are among the most vulnerable groups requiring food, water, healthcare, and protection. Despite mobilizing $270 million last year—40 percent of its target—the UN and its partners were only able to assist 1.8 million people. Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator Khassim Diagne urged the international community to renew its commitment to addressing critical needs in the region.
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UN Experts Urge Thailand to Halt Uyghur Deportations
Independent UN human rights experts have called on Thailand to stop the deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China, citing concerns over the risk of torture and other inhumane treatment.
“The treatment of the Uyghur minority in China is well-documented,” stated the experts, who emphasized the prohibition on refoulement—an international law forbidding the return of individuals to countries where they face serious harm. They also called for urgent medical care for the Uyghurs, many of whom suffer from severe health conditions such as diabetes, kidney dysfunction, and paralysis.
Longstanding Detention
The detained Uyghurs are part of a group of approximately 350 individuals who entered Thailand irregularly in 2014. For over a decade, they have been held without access to legal representation, family contact, or visits from UN officials.
The UN experts insisted that the Uyghurs must not be sent back to China and should instead receive access to asylum procedures and humanitarian aid, including medical and psycho-social support. They also urged Thai authorities to uphold international human rights standards and ensure humane treatment of detainees.
Ensuring Dignity and Legal Access
Thai authorities were reminded of their obligation to treat all detainees with dignity, providing legal representation, medical care, and opportunities to communicate with family members. The plea highlights the urgent need for Thailand to comply with international human rights laws and protect the Uyghur detainees from harm.
It was noted that the UN’s Special Rapporteurs and independent rights experts do not receive salaries or operate under any governmental influence, ensuring their impartiality in addressing these critical human rights issues.
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