Snapshot 27 May – 03 June
In Syria, the government military continued its offensive on opposition-controlled Qusayr, a strategic city in Homs province connecting the capital to the Mediterranean coast. Humanitarian agencies expressed alarm over the fate of thousands of civilians still trapped in the city. The UN estimates that over 6.8 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in Syria. While an estimated 5 million people are internally displaced, the number of Syrians registered or awaiting registration in host countries has surpassed 1.6 million.
Following fighting between the government forces and the Islamist group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria in May, UNHCR stated that at least 2,400 people have fled to Niger. Humanitarian agencies reportedly expect more displacement in the coming weeks as fighting is ongoing. On 31 May, President Goodluck Jonathan renewed his offer of amnesty to any Boko Haram’s member ready to surrender on the advice of a peace resolution committee he set up in April.
Sectarian and ethnic strife opposing Muslims and Buddhists in various parts of the country continues to plague Myanmar. On 29 May, fighting reignited in Lashio town in eastern Myanmar where a mosque and an orphanage were torched by mobs roaming the streets. According to OCHA, at least 1,400 people have been displaced by the recent clashes.
Iraq is facing widespread intersectarian strife and is plagued by daily terrorist attacks while the situation in the country is becoming increasingly volatile. According to the UNAMI figures released on 1 June, 1,045 civilians people were killed last month, significantly more than the already high 712 killed in April, making it the deadliest month since June 2008.
Last Updated: 03/06/2013 Next Update: 10/06/2013