Dutch FM.: Attack on aid convoy in Syria was a war crime

Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs "strongly" condemns a bombing attack on an aid convoy in the Syrian province of Aleppo. According to him, the bombing "resembles a war crime", he said from New York on Tuesday, where he is attending the UN General Assembly, the Telegraaf reports.

"A glimmer of hoe was abruptly broken by this terrible violence", Koenders said. He added that the Netherlands agrees with the United Nations' demand for an independent investigation into the attack.

For the first time since the cease-fire in Syria was signed last week, help was heading to the people who so desperately need it, Koenders said. "It is unacceptable and a gross violation of international humanitarian law if aid workers are made explicit targets", he said. "Aid workers and UN officials put their own lives at risk, but seem to have been declared fair game in Syria."

According to the Volkskrant, the attack hit a convoy of the local Red Cross. It consisted of 31 trucks that were taking grain, winter clothes and medicine to Aleppo. At least 18 of the trucks were hit. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 12 people were killed. But the Red Cross could only confirm one death - the director of that branch of the aid organization.

The United Nations temporarily halted all aid missions to the war torn country, as it is no longer considered safe enough for their aid workers.