International News

MOSCOW, (APP/AFP) – Russia said on Thursday it
had launched a “large-scale humanitarian operation” together with
the Syrian government around the battered city of Aleppo to open humanitarian corridors for civilians and fleeing fighters.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told Russian news agencies
that three humanitarian corridors were being opened “to aid civilians
held hostage by terrorists and for fighters wishing to lay down their
arms” and one more corridor to the north of the city for rebels to
flee with their weapons.
Opposition neighbourhoods of Aleppo have been effectively
besieged by regime forces backed up by Russian air power since
July 7, when government troops advanced to within firing range
of the sole remaining supply route into the east.
“We repeatedly urged the opposing sides to move towards
peace but every time the rebels broke the truce by firing at
civilian areas and attacking government troops. As a result a
difficult humanitarian situation developed in the city of
Aleppo and around,” Shoigu said.