War in Syria, crisis in Aleppo: Italians evacuated, UN in action.

Following the entry into Aleppo of the radical movement Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), the United Nations has launched an evacuation towards Damascus. A first group of cars, with some Italians on board, arrived in the city, while others buses made available to the UN I am waiting to leave with a convoy which should be joined by some compatriots with private cars. The Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani was able to speak with one of the Italians who left Aleppo and who was welcomed in Damascus in the facilities of our diplomatic headquarters from Ambassador Ravagnan.

A limited number of religious people have decided to stay in Aleppo, counting on the good relationships established by the Franciscans with all the communities. The ambassador Stefano Ravagnan is in constant contact with them and with the bishop of Aleppo.

The minister is closely following the developments of the crisis and the Italian Embassy in Damascus is in constant contact with compatriots – mostly dual citizens – to facilitate their safe departure from the city. The Crisis Unit of the Farnesina, activated promptly, is following the evolution of the situation and monitoring the convoy.

After the Russian air raid in Aleppo which hit the Terra Sancta College causing material damage, Minister Tajani asked the Italian Ambassador to Cecilia Piccioni Fly to take a step towards the Russian authorities. The Ambassador was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for a previously scheduled meeting with the request for Strengthen procedures to prevent new military attacks from mistakenly hitting other religious institutions or civilian installations in Aleppo and the region where fighting is taking place.

The upsurge in violence in Aleppo has caused the evacuation of approximately 10 thousand people, who join the hundreds of thousands who have arrived in Syria in recent weeks, returning from Lebanon after the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah.