The U.N. envoy for Syria says the United Nations and its humanitarian aid partners are strengthening their presence in government-controlled western Aleppo, hoping to “make a difference” in the city’s besieged, rebel-held east. De Mistura expressed concern about how those displaced people would be treated, which he said explains the increased U.N. presence in part. He added the enhanced presence also aims to “deter possible mishandling” of at least 27,000 people who have fled from eastern to western Aleppo or nearby Kurdish-held areas as Syrian forces and their Russian backers advance into rebel zones.
