BRUSSELS. March 24 (Interfax) - The Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE SMM) has observed intensification of fighting in and around the village of Shyrokyne (20 kilometers from Mariupol) in the Donetsk region, the SMM said in a statement on Monday.
The rise in hostilities has led to an increase in the number of those killed and injured and more infrastructure damage, the statement said.
OSCE SMM chief Ertugrul Apakan has renewed his" call on all sides to stop fighting, respect all provisions of the Minsk package, and allow for the provision of humanitarian aid and access of the OSCE monitors to Shyrokyne."
"Both sides in this area continue to violate numerous provisions of the Minsk agreements, including those related to cessation of fire, prohibition of attacking moves, withdrawal of heavy weapons," Apakan said.
He urged all sides "to exercise maximum restraint as the civilian population is the main victim of these violations."
For his part, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ivica Dacic, expressed his concern over the ongoing hostilities in Shorokyne. He described as "unacceptable" the escalation of hostilities east of Mariupol and urged all sides to abide by the Minsk agreements.
"The OSCE will continue to do its utmost to help lower the tensions and promote normalization of the situation," he said in a statement.