Scores killed in Aleppo as diplomats strain to revive truce
Scores killed in Aleppo as diplomats strain to revive truce
Dozens of people have been killed and injured as Syrian government forces and rebels are continuing to fight intensely in the country’s largest city of Aleppo.
A partial truce to stop violence is in effect in Syria but it does not include Aleppo.
Rebels and forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been clashing with rockets and bombs across Aleppo and its outskirts for days now.
More than 250 people have been killed in less than two weeks in the conflict and up to 400,000 people are believed to still remain in rebel-held parts of Aleppo, according to reports from Al Jazeera news channel.
Scores killed in Aleppo as diplomats strain to revive truce
The escalating conflicts have dampened hopes that the UN-backed ceasefire agreement could have paved a way to end the conflict in the war-torn country.
The UN Security Council is to hold a meeting on the violence in Aleppo in response to an urgent request from Britain and France.
Conflict in Syria had erupted in 2011 after Assad squashed anti-government protests. Since then, violence in Syria has escalated into a multi-faceted war between the government and the opposition forces, leading to the deaths of over 270,000 people and displacing millions.
VIEWS SPLIT OVER ESCALATING VIOLENCE
With efforts to end the prolonged bloodshed, the US has called on all parties to restore the ceasefire.
Russia and the Syrian government have stressed the need to ensure Syria’s cessation of hostilities with the exception of fighting against terrorists groups that are not included in the truce.
The opposition forces meanwhile said that it will retaliate if the Syrian government continues to hit rebel-held areas in Aleppo.
Scores killed in Aleppo as diplomats strain to revive truce
The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, held talks with Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday – one day after he met with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva. De Mistura is expected to push for the truce to include Aleppo.
China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said China supports de Mistura’s efforts to mediate between the warring sides and calls for a political solution to end the conflict.
“China hopes all parties will cherish the ceasefire and create a favorable environment for a political solution. A political solution is the only practical way to end the conflict. It is also the best way to ensure the Syrian people’s fundamental interests and long-term peace in the region,” said Hong Lei, spokesperson of the ministry.
CCTV, Source
