Syrian Ceasefire Deal Includes Aleppo Province
In an effort to end the human suffering in Syria, the United States of America and Russia agreed to extend a ceasefire in the war-hit country to Aleppo province. The ceasefire came into force on Wednesday.
The province of Aleppo has been tormented by the heaviest clashes between the Syrian army and rebels in recent days.
The agreement was spearheaded by the United States of America with the aim of de-escalating the violence in Syria, alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people, and to highlight a single nationwide cessation of hostilities covering all of Syria.
Mark C. Toner, US Department Deputy Spokesperson announced the agreement in Washington D.C , highlighting that an overall decrease of violence was cited following the declaration of the ceasefire.
The truce was also confirmed by the Syrian army, saying there would be a “regime of silence” in Aleppo for 48 hours.
Russia’s UN envoy, Vitaly Churkin, said that more than 90 percent of Syrian towns and provinces have supported the ceasefire since including Aleppo in the ceasefire deal.
US Urges All Parties to Abide with the Ceasefire
In his remarks in Washington DC, Mr. Toner urged both the Syrian regime and rebels to comply with the agreement which is crucial to end hostilities and violence in Syria.
“We expect all parties to the Cessation of Hostilities to abide fully by the renewed cessation in Aleppo and throughout the entire country.” – Mr. Toner
The US State Department is waiting for Russia as a co-chair of the International Syria Support Group to press for the Assad regime’s compliance with the ceasefire and in efforts to end the hostilities. US government officials called on Russia, one of the largest international supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, to pressure the Syrian President to end his onslaught of violence on Aleppo.
Aleppo Tormented by Heavy Clashes and Violence
The international community has witnessed the violence that was raging in Aleppo including Aleppo city where it became a hotspot in the Syrian conflict.
United Nations Humanitarian Affairs chief Stephen O’Brien told the UN Security Council that the killing of civilians in Aleppo “cannot and will not be forgotten.”
Earlier this week, a hospital in Aleppo city was hit by a rocket, killing three people and injuring more than a dozen.
Rights activists and rebels said at least 250 people were killed in the clashes in Aleppo in the past 10 days.
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