UN: Thousands fleeing Syrian offensive, kids dying in cold
(WorldNews Turkey)

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing a Russian-backed Syrian offensive are being squeezed into ever smaller areas near Turkey´s border `under horrendous conditions` in freezing temperatures that are killing babies and young children, the U.N. humanitarian chief said Wednesday. Mark Lowcock told the U.N. Security Council that `the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe` in northwest Idlib province, which is the last major rebel stronghold, has `overwhelmed` efforts to provide aid. He said nearly 900,000 people have been displaced since Dec. 1 when the government offensive began, more than 500,000 of them children. `Many are on foot or on the backs of trucks in...