The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Syria has strongly rejected claims of bias toward the Syrian regime.
The organization, which delivers medical aid and assistance across the country alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), had been accused by activists of not being independent, with some fearing the SARC is under the influence of the regime.
There were unverified claims on Monday that foreign journalists trapped in the Bab Amra district of Homs refused to leave with the SARC as they were concerned about its independence.
“Whatever activists say about the Red Cross not delivering medical supplies to Bab Amra is not the truth,” Saleh Dabbakeh, ICRC spokesperson in Damascus, said.
“We are subject to Syrian law and we don't do anything without the cooperation of the Syrian authorities,” he said.
"But at the same time we don't take orders from anyone, we are fiercely independent."
Last month the head of the SARC was shot dead while driving a clearly marked car, with the Syrian government and activists blaming each other for the attack.
Dabbakeh disputed claims that foreign journalists, including French writer Edith Bouvier, had been neglected.
“When the journalists went on the airwaves and said they wanted to get out, SARC ambulances went and waited on the front line. We sent a middle man in but no one came out,” he said.
On Monday three Syrian civilians were evacuated from the Bab Amra area but further operations were canceled on Tuesday as the fighting intensified.
Dabbakeh said a proposal for a daily two-hour ceasefire in Homs were still being negotiated.
“We have not received an official green light from the government but it is at least the beginning of the request. The rebels, from what we have heard, have said yes to the idea,” he said.
It is difficult to verify accounts of violence in Syria due to restrictions imposed on media, as well as the deteriorating security situation.
A source close to the ICRC outside Syria told Al-Akhbar on condition of anonymity that a number of contacts had raised concerns about the lack of trust anti-regime activists had in the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, but did not discuss specific cases.
Al-Akhbar
The organization, which delivers medical aid and assistance across the country alongside the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), had been accused by activists of not being independent, with some fearing the SARC is under the influence of the regime.
There were unverified claims on Monday that foreign journalists trapped in the Bab Amra district of Homs refused to leave with the SARC as they were concerned about its independence.
“Whatever activists say about the Red Cross not delivering medical supplies to Bab Amra is not the truth,” Saleh Dabbakeh, ICRC spokesperson in Damascus, said.
“We are subject to Syrian law and we don't do anything without the cooperation of the Syrian authorities,” he said.
"But at the same time we don't take orders from anyone, we are fiercely independent."
Last month the head of the SARC was shot dead while driving a clearly marked car, with the Syrian government and activists blaming each other for the attack.
Dabbakeh disputed claims that foreign journalists, including French writer Edith Bouvier, had been neglected.
“When the journalists went on the airwaves and said they wanted to get out, SARC ambulances went and waited on the front line. We sent a middle man in but no one came out,” he said.
On Monday three Syrian civilians were evacuated from the Bab Amra area but further operations were canceled on Tuesday as the fighting intensified.
Dabbakeh said a proposal for a daily two-hour ceasefire in Homs were still being negotiated.
“We have not received an official green light from the government but it is at least the beginning of the request. The rebels, from what we have heard, have said yes to the idea,” he said.
It is difficult to verify accounts of violence in Syria due to restrictions imposed on media, as well as the deteriorating security situation.
A source close to the ICRC outside Syria told Al-Akhbar on condition of anonymity that a number of contacts had raised concerns about the lack of trust anti-regime activists had in the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, but did not discuss specific cases.
Al-Akhbar
Uprooted Palestinian 
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