Zakharova: Syrian Army Gaining Control of Aleppo Eastern Quarters

MOSCOW- The Syrian army is gradually gaining control of eastern quarters in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

“The Syrian army is gradually seizing control of the eastern quarters of Aleppo. Overall, it has been able to drive out illegal armed formations from 14 residential areas,” the spokeswoman said, according to Itar Tass.

“We are noting the success of the Syrian authorities in the search for ways to cease the armed stand-off,” the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.

 Moscow is prepared for cooperation with humanitarian agencies over Syria, she went on.

“Unlike others, we do not intervene in the internal affairs of Syria,” Zakharova said. “We reaffirm our readiness to cooperate with humanitarian agencies over Syria. We are adamant humanitarian matters should not become a tool to conduct a policy of pressures and flirtation with terrorists.”

Most UN humanitarian aid goes areas controlled by foreign-backed terrorists

According to Zakharova, the issue of aid delivery in Syria is becoming highly politicized as most UN humanitarian aid goes to the areas occupied by foreign-backed militants.

She said only one percent of the UN aid supplies was being directed to the western city of Dayr al-Zawr, where at least 200,000 people trapped by the Daesh Takfiri terror group remain in desperate need of help.

She added that most UN aid was being sent to militant-held areas, including areas controlled by “Jabhat al-Nusra” terror group.

 West’s geopolitical plans fail

The diplomat stressed the calls of some politicians and officials to introduce new sanctions against Moscow come amid the failure of the West’s geopolitical plans in the Middle East.

The diplomat noted the success of Syrian authorities in searching for ways to end the armed standoff.

“The agreements are being prepared on peaceful settlement in Al-Tall, where a committee of 200 people is expected to be set up to maintain order,” Zakharova said. “Syria’s authorities have already unblocked the road between Damascus and At-Tall through which foodstuffs and medical supplies are to be sent.”

The more progress is made in Syria, the louder are the allegations of some Western politicians and officials against Moscow and Damascus and also their calls to introduce new sanctions against Russia and Syria, Zakharova stressed.

“It is evident for us that some individuals are deeply disappointed by the failure of their geopolitical plans in the Middle East. They try to bite head off directly or through mass media outlets,” she added.

H.M