DHAKA: The UN has suspended all aid convoys in Syria after its Lorries were attacked by warplanes near Aleppo on Monday (September 20).

The convoy had received proper permits, and all warring parties - including Russia and the US - had been notified, a UN spokesman said.

BBC reported that, 18 of the 31 Lorries, containing wheat, winter clothes and medical supplies, were destroyed. The convoy was being unloaded at a Red Crescent warehouse when it came under attack.

A health clinic near the warehouse was also badly damaged.

A senior official of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was among a number of civilians killed.

The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Peter Maurer, has described the attack as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”.

The US has expressed ‘outrage’ over the attack, which took place in the town of Urum al-Kubra hours after the Syrian army declared a US-Russian brokered truce over.

Washington has said it will “reassess the future prospects for co-operation” with Russia - an ally of Syria’s government.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said the attacks were carried out by either Syrian or Russian aircraft.

It said the dead included Red Crescent volunteers and drivers.

The attack appeared to signal the collapse of the latest effort by the US, which backs the rebels and Russia to halt the violence in Syria, with the army there saying the deal was over.

“We do not know if it can be salvaged,” a senior US official told journalists on condition of anonymity.

“At this point the Russians have to demonstrate very quickly their seriousness of purpose because otherwise there will be nothing to extend and nothing to salvage.”

After the army announcement, activists said Aleppo and the surrounding area had been targeted.

The US and Russia are to hold further talks on the Syrian situation in New York on Tuesday (September 20), the state department said.

BDST: 1800 HRS, SEP 20, 2016
NJ/BD