Denis Balibouse/Reuters
Stephen O’Brien, the United Nations’ under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, characterized the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo as a “living hell” as efforts to quell the fighting are proving to be futile. O’Brien wants both sides to commit to a ceasefire so that civilians who need medical care can be taken out of the city. “Indiscriminate bombing and shelling continues in a shocking and unrelenting manner, killing and maiming civilians, subjecting them to a level of savagery that no human should have to endure,” he said. The Syrian government said on Sunday it would stop bombing the eastern part of Aleppo if rebel fighters leave the area. “The Russian and Syrian military leaderships will guarantee safe passage for the fighters and will give them aid as necessary,” the Syrian government said in a statement.