Russia rejects UN plea to extend Aleppo ceasefires
Russia has rejected a UN request to prolong future humanitarian pauses in Syria’s battered city of Aleppo, saying such a move would enable the foreign-backed militants operating there to regain strength.
In a statement released on Thursday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said the UN Syria humanitarian advisor, Jan Egeland, had asked Moscow to make future Aleppo cessation of hostilities longer to allow in more aid supplies.
However, it is “counterproductive and against common sense” to extend the ceasefires “just for the sake of it, not to bring real help to peaceful civilians, but so that terrorists can better restore their battle worthiness,” the statement read.
Aleppo has been divided over the past four years between government forces in the west and terrorists in the east, making it a frontline battleground.
Backed by Russian air cover, the Syrian army launched operations to reunite the divided city in September.
Russia has introduced a series of unilateral truces in Aleppo to allow civilian and terrorists to leave the city’s eastern parts, including a 10-hour pause in fighting on November 4 and a three-day ceasefire in late October.
Konashenkov accused the UN of having failed to make use of the 10-hour pause to deliver aid to Aleppo residents despite receiving an advance notice.
He further noted that Russia had brought over 100,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the contested Syrian city in recent months “irrespective of any humanitarian pauses.”
“Those who really want to help the residents of Aleppo are helping them,” he concluded.
Also on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, criticized Western media for being silent about what is happening in Syria.
“They don’t cite any facts or evidence. Their objective is to whitewash the terrorists as much as possible and to show them off as ‘moderates’,” she added.
The diplomat further stressed that the Russian and Syrian jets have not conducted anti-terror airstrikes on the eastern districts of Aleppo since October 18.
Since March 2011, Syria has been hit by deadly militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies.
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