The United Nations has suspended operations in Syria and begun withdrawing non-essential staff as the brutal civil conflict rages on.

Martin Nesirky, UN Secretary General spokesman, said, "Our colleagues in the Department of Safety and Security have said that the United Nations in Syria will pull out non-essential personnel with immediate effect."

The UN department is suspending its Syria missions indefinitely. It says it had to strike a balance between the work that needs to be done and the safety of the people who are trying to provide assistance.

The United Nations has more than a thousand staff in Syria and though that number will shortly be reduced, they will continue to monitor the situation as it changes and assess its programs accordingly.