The Syrian crisis has grown into a full-scale civil war, according to the U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladous.

His statement was the first time a UN official has termed the conflict as a civil war. It comes as the Syrian army deploys tanks, artillery and attack helicopters in its attempts to recapture large areas of urban territory. Last week, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross stopped short of saying it was a full-scale civil war.

Preferring instead to describe the fighting as a localized civil war. An ICRC declaration of an "internal armed conflict," would have legal implications in terms of war crimes. Ladsous’ declaration may not have any legal standing. But it could carry political weight, with some members of the U.N. Security Council less likely to renew the U.N. observer mission’s mandate next month.