The UN observer mission in Syria was suspended on Saturday. Mission chief Major General Robert Mood announced the decision, citing increasing violence against the observer teams.
He said: “In this high risk situation, UNSMIS is suspending its operations. UN obververs will not be conducting patrols and will stay in their locations until further notice. Engagement with the parties will be restricted. This suspension will be reviewed on a daily basis. Operations will resume when we see the situation fit for us to carry out our mandated activities.”
The announcement came as members of Syria's opposition groups were concluding their latest meeting in Turkey. For two days, Syrian opposition groups have met in Istanbul in a fresh attempt to settle their differences and reach a consensus for a post-Assad Syria. But discussions failed to yield a statement, or indeed any sense of unity.
