Civilians fleeing attacks on rebel-held towns in southern Syria are being used as "pawns", the UN rights chief said, lamenting reported demands for payment at government checkpoints and jihadist's blocking movement.
With Russia's help, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army has battered Daraa province for over a week with air strikes, rocket fire and crude barrel bombs.
The bombardment has already forced more than 66,000 to flee their homes in search of safety, according to the UN, while others huddle in their basements to wait out the raids.
UN High Commissioner of Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein warned in a statement of the "grave risk that the intensified fighting will see many civilians trapped". He said many risked being caught between pro-government forces on one side and armed opposition groups and the Islamic State jihadists on the other. The rights chief condemned how "civilians in Syria continue to be used as pawns by the various parties".
Zeid said his office had received reports that "in the last few days, civilians at some government checkpoints in the southern-eastern and western parts of Daraa have only been allowed through to government-held areas in Daraa City and As Suwayda governorate for a fee."
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