“The terrorists use civilians as human shields. They set up mines and other explosive devices on the roads, which civilians use to try and escape. Thus, all those who try to leave the city are in mortal danger,” Balli said.
The representative also stressed that the SDF forces are working diligently to evacuate civilians from the territories where fierce battles are raging.
“By now, the SDF units have managed to save tens of thousands of civilians from the areas where the clashes are taking place and transfer them to safe areas which are under the control of civil councils. Here, the local residents are provided with everything necessary for life,” Balli concluded.
Earlier, it was reported that thousands of children who remain trapped in Raqqa are cut off from lifesaving assistance as their food supplies are quickly running out, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Syria, Fran Equiza said in a statement on Friday.
"According to reports UNICEF is receiving from inside Raqqa, several thousand children continue to be trapped in the city, caught in the direct line of fire," Equiza stated. "With no access for humanitarian agencies, the city is completely cut off from lifesaving assistance. Children and families have little or no safe water while food supplies are running out fast."
On Thursday, advisor to the UN special envoy for Syria on humanitarian issues, Jan Egeland, urged the conflicting parties to consider taking a humanitarian pause and allow civilians to escape from the Raqqa neighborhoods held by Daesh.
Raqqa has been controlled by Daesh since 2013. In June, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) supported by the US-led coalition began an operation to liberate the city from the terrorists.
The coalition's activities however, have not been authorized by President Bashar Assad’s government or the UN Security Council.