Syria: Another Missile Fired, Says Nato

A short-range ballistic missile has been fired again inside Syria, following similar launches last week, a Nato official has said.

"We detected the launch of an unguided, short-range ballistic missile inside Syria yesterday (Wednesday). This follows similar launches on January 2 and 3," the official said, adding: "All missiles were fired from inside Syria and they landed in northern Syria. None hit Turkish territory."

While Nato said it could not provide further details on the type of missiles, it condemned the firing of them.

"The use of such indiscriminate weapons shows utter disregard for the lives of the Syrian people. It is reckless and we condemn it," the official said.

Fighting is still reported to be continuing, despite increasingly bad weather.

There has been four days of continuous rain, wind, hail and snowfall that weather officials in neighbouring Lebanon and Israel have called the worst winter storm for 20 years.

The terrible conditions have brought further misery to the 600,000 refugees already suffering by having to flee their country because of the war.

Tens of thousands of the refugees living in the Zaatari refugee camp are without shelter after storms destroyed their temporary shelters and turned much of the camp into a muddy swamp.

Camps in Turkey have been hit by a heavy snowfall.

And, in rebel-held areas of Syria, fuel and food are growing scarce, according to reports.

Residents in mainly rebel-held Aleppo are burning furniture and doors to stay warm, said Michal Przedalicki, an aid worker from the Czech charity People in Need working in northern Syria.

"Unfortunately, I think it is quite likely that people will die from the severe weather conditions. Already people have not been eating enough for several months, and that exposes their bodies to more disease and infection."