News / Syria

Syria opens 3 humanitarian corridors for civilians from militant-held areas in Aleppo, Idlib

Monday, 13 January 2020 4:47 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 13 January 2020 6:03 PM ]

This picture shows a humanitarian corridor set up by the Syrian government on January 13, 2020 for civilians from areas controlled by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants in the northwestern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib to leave and move to government-held territory. (Photo by SANA)

Syrian authorities have opened three humanitarian corridors for civilians from areas controlled by foreign-sponsored militants in the northwestern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib to leave and move to government-controlled parts of the country.

Syria’s official news agency SANA reported on Monday that the corridors were set up in the town of Abu al-Duhur, located about 45 kilometers (27 miles) south of Aleppo, al-Hadher village in the Mount Simeon district of Aleppo province as well as Hobait town in the Ma'arrat al-Nu'man district of Idlib province.

The report added that local officials and army units have made preparations “to evacuate civilians who want to leave areas controlled by terrorists,” namely buses, ambulances and food supplies.

This picture shows ambulances at a humanitarian corridor set up by the Syrian government on January 13, 2020 for civilians from areas controlled by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants in the northwestern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib to leave and move to government-held territory. (Photo by SANA)

Later in the day, SANA reported that dozens of civilians from the last remaining militant-held regions in the countryside of Aleppo province crossed the al-Hadher humanitarian corridor into government-controlled territory.

They underwent medical checks, and are expected to be transferred to their hometowns across the country within the next few days.

Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Friday that Ankara had agreed with Moscow that a ceasefire will be implemented in Syria's Idlib.

The announcement came a day after a Russian defense ministry official said a ceasefire had already been implemented there in line with agreements with Turkey.

Civilians receive medical checks at a humanitarian corridor set up by the Syrian government on January 13, 2020 for civilians from areas controlled by foreign-sponsored militants in the provinces of Aleppo and Idlib to leave and move to government-held territory. (Photo by SANA)

“According to the agreements with the Turkish side, the ceasefire regime was introduced in the Idlib de-escalation zone starting from 14:00 Moscow time (11:00 GMT) on January 9, 2020,” Russian Major General Yury Borenkov was quoted as saying then.

The ceasefire eventually came into effect on Sunday.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said attacks by air and land would halt at one minute past midnight on January 12 under the agreement.

Turkey had earlier requested Russia to declare a ceasefire in Idlib, and sent a delegation to Moscow in December last year to discuss the issue.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

Syria Takfiri militants Middle East Idlib Aleppo Syrian troops Syrian military Syrian soldiers Takfiri terrorist groups ceasefire humanitarian aid civilians humanitarian corridor