UNICEF is extremely concerned for the safety and wellbeing of all children caught up in the escalating violence in the city of Aleppo in northern Syria.

The escalation of this conflict puts children in horrific circumstances and will have dire consequences for them for years to come.

Heavy fighting in densely populated areas in the west of the city has forced the displacement of 25,000 people. Families are sheltering in mosques, university campuses and public gardens.

In the east of the city, 300,000 people, a third of them children, have been trapped since early July.

We call on all parties to the conflict to grant us unhindered humanitarian access to children and families wherever they are located across the city.

UNICEF urges the warring parties in Syria to abide by their legal obligations to protect children and all civilians.