DAMASCUS- A total of 18 UN observers left Syria on Wednesday, with the rest of them expected to leave by next Friday.

Most of the mission's members have already left the unrest- ravaged country after their role has turned from observing a ceasefire into witnessing an ongoing escalation of violence.

Among the 18 observers who left Damascus on Wednesday, four of them were Chinese. All the nine Chinese members have left Syria as the mission officially expired on Sunday.

The UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) suspended its field trips in June, citing the escalating violence that hasn't even spared their convoys some attacks. Their mandate was extended in July for a final 30 days and a new head for the mission was also appointed.

However, there was no sign the violence was declining, which prompted the UN Security Council not to further extend the mission but only left a civilian office in Damascus to keep a foothold in case the situation gets better. (Xinhua)