Syria's White Helmets 'out of fuel' in Eastern Aleppo

Syria's White Helmets 'out of fuel' in Eastern Aleppo
Latest statement from civilian rescue teams in embattled rebel-held areas says that humanitarian efforts are being stifled by regime bombing and a lack of resources.
2 min read
28 November, 2016
The White Helmets said that their teams are "fully out of fuel" [AFP]

Syria's White Helmets rescue teams have been unable to continue their rescue efforts in regime-besieged eastern Aleppo due to continued bombardment and a shortage of fuel, a statement from the organisation has said.

Continued regime bombardment has also put all of the eastern neighbourhoods' hospitals out of service, as well as having destroyed "more than half" of the White Helmets' equipment, the statement circulated on social media platforms on Monday added.

"At the time of writing this statement, 35 people are still stuck under the rubble because out teams have not been able to reach them since yesterday," the statement read. 

"Syria civil defence, having fully run out of its fuel reserve and lost equipment and vehicles used to rescue civilians [Sic]".





A video of released by the White Helmets also called for a "swift intervention by all humanitarian, medical and relief organisations to end the humanitarian disaster for civilians in besieged Aleppo".

Due to the months-long siege on Aleppo's east, international aid provisions have been exhausted and food stocks are running desperately low. The siege has continued as part of the Syrian regime's 'starve or surrender' tactic that has forced rebel forces out of other bastions of opposition resistance.

The United Nations has appealed for access to the east of the city multiple times, but such offers have been rejected by the regime.

If Syrian forces capture all of east Aleppo, President Bashar al-Assad's government will be in control of the country's four largest cities as well as the coastal region.

More than 400,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011.

The war has also displaced over half the country's population, with millions fleeing across Syria's border to become refugees.