Secretary-General Creates Inquiry Board to Investigate Incident Involving United Nations-Syrian Arab Red Crescent Relief Convoy Near Aleppo

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

As earlier announced, the Secretary-General has established an internal and independent United Nations Headquarters Board of Inquiry into the incident that involved a United Nations—Syrian Arab Red Crescent relief operation to Urum al-Kubra (Big Orem), Syria, on 19 September.

The Board will be led by Lieutenant General Abhijit Guha and begin its work the week of 24 October.  It is to ascertain the facts of the incident and report to the Secretary-General upon the completion of its work.

The Secretary-General will review the report and decide what further steps to take.  He urges all parties concerned to extend their full cooperation to the Board.