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Fight against Islamic state

UN official calls for help to besieged Syria’s Kobane residents

"If we don't act now this will be another tragedy for the Syrian people and a stain on the conscience of humanity,” she said

UNITED NATIONS, October 11. /TASS/.

U.N. Under-Secretary General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos called on the international community on Friday to help residents of the besieged Syrian town of Kobane (Ayn al Arab).

“I call on those in a position to help, to do so immediately. Violations of international human rights and humanitarian law must stop. If we don't act now this will be another tragedy for the Syrian people and a stain on the conscience of humanity,” she said.

“I am extremely concerned about the people who remain trapped in Kobane/Ayn al-Arab on the Syrian border with Turkey. The information is not clear but reports indicate that there may be people in the city who are unable to leave,” Amos said.

“There are also reported to be several thousand people outside the town along the Turkish border. ISIL has shown no mercy to those in towns they have taken. We need to get to people and give them help now,” she said.

According to media reports, militants of the Islamic State succeeded in seizing almost half of the town despite massive air strikes by the U.S.-led anti-terrorist coalition.

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said over 12,000 people might be killed if Kobane was seized. Extremists take control of 400 kilometres of the border with Turkey, he added.

Up to 700 people, mainly elderly, are still trapped in the Syrian town, the envoy said.

From 10,000 to 13,000 people have left the town and stay between Kobane and the Turkish border, de Mistura said.

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