ICRC: 'Little regard' for Syrian civilians

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GENEVA, Switzerland, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The director of operations for the International Red Cross said there has been a general disregard for the safety of civilians during the Syrian civil war.

Pierre Krahenbuhl, director of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said nearly 20 months of conflict in Syria has caused massive destruction to the country's infrastructure, left thousands of civilians dead and sparked a widespread humanitarian crisis.

"Little regard is being paid to the plight of the population by the fighting parties," he said in a statement.

He said the situation for the general public in Syria is getting worse by the day.

Human Rights Watch said there was "compelling evidence" to suggest the Syrian military used cluster bombs in a weekend attack that left at least 11 children dead in a town near Damascus.

Mary Wareham, advocacy director for the arms division at Human Rights Watch, said witness accounts of the incident suggested there were no rebel bases or forces near the area. She called for international action to pressure the Syrian government on its use of weaponry.

"A much stronger response is needed to convince the Syrian government to stop using cluster bombs," she said in a statement.