UN chief alarmed by reports of atrocities in Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria: United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon expressed alarm over reports of atrocities against civilians on Monday, as the battle for Aleppo entered its final phase with Syrian government forces on the verge of retaking rebel-held areas of the city.

“The secretary-general is alarmed over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children, in recent hours in Aleppo,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. “While stressing that the United Nations is not able to independently verify these reports, the secretary-general is conveying his grave concern to the relevant parties.”