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Idea of east Aleppo autonomy absurd, outrageous: Analyst

Sunday, 20 November 2016 5:55 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 20 November 2016 5:57 PM ]

Members of Syrian pro-government forces walk around in Aleppo's western district of Dahiyet al-Assad, after they retook the area from terrorists on November 12, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem has strongly dismissed a United Nations proposal concerning the establishment of an autonomous region run by foreign-backed Takfiri militants in the eastern part of the strategically northwestern city of Aleppo.

Stephen Lendman, an author and journalist, believes the idea of establishing an autonomous region in eastern Aleppo is “absurd” and “outrageous,” adding that it should be slapped down.

He also argued that UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is a “pro-Western” agent pretending to be neutral.

“There is no unbiased nature to his [De Mistura's] activities and the idea that he wants Aleppo separated into two parts with terrorists, who are terrorizing the people of Aleppo, [aims] to give them a base in eastern Aleppo, so they could be rearmed, ... replenish their ranks, [and] ... launch attacks on Aleppo on the part of Syria,” he said.

Lendman also praised Muallem for disagreeing with De Mistura’s proposal in a diplomatic way.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the analyst expressed hope that US President-elect Donald Trump goes for more peace and less war in the Middle East.

He further opined that Trump is not looking to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, because he sees terrorism as a threat.

Aleppo, once Syria’s second largest city, has been the scene of fighting between Syrian forces and terrorists. It has been divided over the past four years between Damascus forces in the west and terrorists in the east, making it a frontline battleground.

Backed by Russian air cover, the Syrian army in September launched operations to reunite the divided northwestern city.

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