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Gunmen open fire on Syria aid convoy, no casualties reported
Help is on the way: In this Monday, Jan
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Help is on the way: In this Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 photo, aid workers stand near a convoy of vehicles loaded with food and other supplies organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, working alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations, makes it's way to the besieged town of Madaya, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Damascus, Syria. Madaya has been blockaded for months by government troops and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Opposition activists and aid groups have reported several deaths from starvation in recent weeks. (AP Photo) (24 kilometers) northwest of Damascus, Syria. Madaya has been blockaded for months by government troops and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Opposition activists and aid groups have reported several deaths from starvation in recent weeks. (AP Photo)
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span class="inline inline-center">Help is on the way: In this Monday, Jan. 11, 2016 photo, aid workers stand near a convoy of vehicles loaded with food and other supplies organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, working alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the United Nations, makes it's way to the besieged town of Madaya, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northwest of Damascus, Syria. Madaya has been blockaded for months by government troops and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Opposition activists and aid groups have reported several deaths from starvation in recent weeks. (AP Photo)
Syria's state news agency SANA says opposition gunmen have opened fire on aid vehicles in the besieged rebel-held town of Madaya, near the capital Damascus, but no casualties were reported.
A SARQ official said on Wednesday that the convoy, which included vehicles from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, was evacuating sick people from Madaya when it came under fire by unknown gunmen.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the operation had been completed and people successfully evacuated.
Madaya, which has been besieged by government and allied militiamen for months, gained international attention after harrowing pictures emerged showing emaciated children and starving residents.
SANA said the shooting occurred late Tuesday night delaying operations for several hours. (ags)
