Russia not mulling extension of Aleppo truce: Deputy FM

Russia says it is not considering any extension of a ceasefire in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo, where Moscow and Damascus had introduced a “humanitarian pause.”

“The question of renewing the humanitarian pause is not relevant now,” Sergei Ryabkov, the Russian deputy foreign minister, told Interfax news agency.

The unilateral ceasefire was aimed at permitting civilians and militants not affiliated to terrorist groups to leave the eastern areas of Aleppo. It expired on Saturday evening after a one-day extension on Friday.

Ryabkov also stressed, “Our opponents must ensure appropriate behavior by the anti-government groups that in particular sabotaged the medical evacuation that was intended during the humanitarian pause” in order for the truce to be extended again.

Russian and Syrian Air Force fighter jets had even stopped bombing the militant-held neighborhoods in Aleppo on Tuesday — two days ahead of the truce.

Russia said the militants prevented the residents of Aleppo from leaving the city through the eight humanitarian corridors that had been set up.

Ryabkov also censured the US-led coalition purportedly targeting the Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh in Syria because he said it was not “really exerting influence on the opposition, the rebels” and instead was slamming Damascus and Moscow.

“Over the last three days, what was needed did not happen,” he said.

SS