Alarmed by Reports Indicating Thousands Forced to Flee Violence in Northern Syria,

 

Secretary-General Warns Numbers May Rise if Islamic State Offensive Not Stopped

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is closely following the continuing offensive by the terrorist group ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) in the town of Ayn al-Arab in northern Syria.  He is alarmed by reports indicating that thousands of civilians have been forced to flee the violence.  This number may rise significantly if the ISIL offensive is not stopped.

The Secretary-General calls for an immediate end to the violence.  He welcomes the decision of the Turkish Government to allow some of those affected to cross the border into safety.

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For information media • not an official record