Russia, Syria to Implement “Humanitarian Pause” in Aleppo to Allow Passage to Civilians

MOSCOW- Russia and Syria will start carrying out a ‘humanitarian pause’ in Aleppo on Thursday, October 20, to allow passage to civilians and the withdrawal of gunmen from the city, Sergey Rudskoy, chief of the main operations directorate of Russia’s General Staff, told the media  on Monday, RT reported.

The Russian and Syrian forces will refrain from military activity in Aleppo starting from 8am till 4pm local time on Thursday, the official added, noting that Moscow is ready “to discuss any initiatives and proposals for a settlement in Aleppo.”

 “We understand that the coordination of all issues can a take long time. Therefore, we decided not to delay a decision and initiate a ‘humanitarian pause,’ primarily for the free passage of civilians, the evacuation of the sick and wounded, as well as the withdrawal of gunmen,” Rudskoy explained.

Mogherini: “Positive step”

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has called Russia’s announcement of a humanitarian pause a “positive step.”

It should now be determined whether eight hours would be enough to organize the delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo, she added.

The UN has also welcomed the humanitarian pause in Syria’s largest city, according to a representative of UN Secretary-General.

Rudskoy addressed “the leaders of illegal armed groups and [their] sponsors,” saying that they will be able to leave eastern Aleppo unhampered during the pause.

Two corridors – one running along the Castello Road and the other in the souq-market area in the south of the city – will be created for the withdrawal of the mgunmen, the official said.

Six more humanitarian corridors will be opened for the evacuation of civilians from Aleppo, he added.

According to officials, leaflets will be used to inform the population and the gunmen about the humanitarian pause.

“We call upon the leadership of the militants to defuse approaches to humanitarian corridors and to enable the population to evacuate northeastern Aleppo. All civilians who leave the city are guaranteed full security, medical and other assistance, as well as temporary shelter. In addition, the people will be provided with basic necessities,” Rudskoy said.

Meanwhile, Russia has no plans to begin a unilateral cessation of hostilities in Aleppo as it would “make no sense” in the current situation, Rudskoy stressed.

 Modern weaponry continue to be supplied to gunmen

“According to the information from several sources, the supply of modern weaponry, including US-made TOW anti-tank missile launchers, continues to the militants,” he said.

A “ceasefire” would only provide “another break for the terrorists, allow them to regroup and restore combat capability,” the official explained.

Public executions of residents attempting to leave Eastern Aleppo

Rudskoy went on to say “the situation in Aleppo remains extremely difficult. The militants of the Nusra Front terrorist group, understanding that they are doomed, have intensified shelling of residential areas in western Aleppo,”.

According to the official, the militants carry out public executions of those who attempt to leave the city’s eastern districts.

The West refuses to react to crimes committed by militants in Syria, ignoring reports of civilian casualties, the Russian General Staff said.

“These facts are ignored by the Western countries. They do not want to either record militants’ crimes, neither react to them,”  Rudskoy clarified.

H.M