In the past 48 hours, four aid workers and at least seven civilians have been killed and 40 others injured while waiting in line for emergency assistance in Mosul, prompting the United Nations relief wing to denounce the actions in the strongest terms.

    "People waiting for aid are already vulnerable and need help. They should be protected, not attacked", Lise Grande, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq said in a statement today.

    According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the killings and injuries occurred on two separate occasions as a result of indiscriminate mortar fire.

    Grande emphasized that every party in the conflict has an obligation to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law. "The killing of civilians and aid workers violates every humanitarian principle", she said.

    "Our deepest condolences go to the families of the victims and our brave colleagues and we call on authorities to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice and account", she said.

Source: QNA