Russian Airstrikes Have Created 100,000 New Refugees: EU's Tusk

By Felicity Capon

Russian airstrikes in Aleppo have created a fresh wave of 100,000 Syrian refugees, according to the president of the European Council, Donald Tusk who also warned that Europe is undergoing "truly extraordinary times that require extraordinary measures, extraordinary sacrifices, and extraordinary solidarity" as a result of the continent's refugee crisis.

Tusk made the comments as he addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday. He described Europe's refugee crisis as one of the biggest challenges the continent has seen for decades, warning that it has "the potential to destroy achievements such as border-free travel between Schengen countries" as well as the "potential to create tectonic changes in the European political landscape".

Tusk said that the situation will worsen as a result of Russia's decision to launch airstrikes against ground targets in Syria, which began at the end of September. The majority of the strikes have been in areas held by groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, including fighters backed by Washington and its allies, rather than those occupied by the militant group ISIS. Russia's involvement has been heavily condemned by NATO, who have called on the country to stop its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians.

"Unfortunately, the situation will get even worse as I warned this chamber in my last intervention," Tusk told the parliament. "I mean, for example, the new wave of refugees from Aleppo and the regions of Russian bombing attacks in Syria, which has created more than 100,000 new refugees."

Fighting in Syria has displaced at least 120,000 people this month alone according to the latest report from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The U.N. estimates that most of those fleeing their homes are from the Syrian governorates of Aleppo, Hama and Idlib, and that while many have stayed within these areas, some people have fled to refugee camps near the Turkish border.

In Europe, the crisis shows no sign of abating, as refugees continue to flow into the continent. Despite deteriorating weather conditions, the International Organisation for Migration estimates that more than 9,000 migrants a day crossed into Greece last week, the highest figures since the beginning of the year. The island of Chios, which was only receiving around 300 migrants a day during the peak summer period, last week saw numbers rise to some 2,000 every day.

According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, thousands of Syrians are likely to head towards already overcrowded displacement settlements on the Turkish border. "Our staff on the ground are expecting thousands of families to reach already overstretched areas where displaced Syrians are in dire need of food, water and shelter," said NRC Secretary General Jan Egeland, in a press statement released this week.

"This is the direct result of the warring parties' intensification of military attacks. Innocent women, children and elderly Syrians are being killed or forced to flee yet again because of the fighting. Our staff and partners fear that many more thousands will be displaced and we will be unable to meet the enormous needs."

During his speech Tusk also advocated protecting Europe's external borders while at the same time urging countries to show solidarity and openness. He spoke about the need to stop illegal crossings, register all asylum-seekers, and organize appropriate reception facilities.

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