Russia and Syria temporarily 'de-escalate' tensions in Aleppo.

(Baonghean.vn) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on October 18 that Russian and Syrian air forces had ceased airstrikes in the Syrian city of Aleppo from 10:00 local time (14:00 on October 18 Hanoi time) ahead of the planned humanitarian ceasefire on October 20.

The city of Aleppo has been engulfed in violence since the conflict in Syria erupted in March 2011. Photo: AFP.

The previous day, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the cessation of airstrikes in Aleppo would take effect on October 20th, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time, to allow civilians and rebel forces to leave the city. Six humanitarian corridors would be opened to ensure the safe departure of civilians from the city, as well as to evacuate the sick and injured from eastern Aleppo.

Also on October 18, the Russian Defense Minister called on countries with “influence over armed groups in eastern Aleppo” to persuade the leaders of these groups to cease hostilities and leave the city.

According to Shoigu, this initiative could “contribute to the success” of the international military discussions scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, tomorrow, October 19th. These discussions aim to distinguish “terrorist elements” from the opposition in Syria. Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said that Türkiye, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have agreed to participate in these discussions.

The fierce offensive launched by Syrian government forces to regain control of Aleppo from rebel forces, with Russian support, has drawn widespread criticism. The US and Western countries have accused Moscow and Damascus of committing "war crimes" in Aleppo.

Lan Ha

(According to Dailymail)