Turkish, Russian premiers discuss Aleppo crisis

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish and Russian premiers spoke over the phone about the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo late Thursday, according to a Turkish Prime Ministry source.

Binali Yildirim called on his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev to use Russia’s "influence" on its stakeholders in Aleppo, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Yildirim said the evacuation from Aleppo should be carried out without harming civilians.

He also informed Medvedev about the measures taken by Turkey regarding evacuation of civilians and enhancing the humanitarian situation.

Medvedev said Russia will continue to give support to the evacuation process and cease-fire in Aleppo.

He added both sides in Syria should be "encouraged" to reach a political solution.

The source said the premiers also discussed bilateral relations, particularly in the energy and trade sectors.

According to an agreement between the Assad regime and Syrian opposition groups, civilians evacuated from eastern Aleppo will continue to head towards Idlib, which is located near the border with Turkey.

On Thursday, the first group of people evacuated from Aleppo reached the opposition-controlled safe zone in Syria, according to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak.

Violence escalated in Aleppo city on Monday when Syrian regime forces advanced into opposition-held parts of eastern parts of the city following a five-month siege and persistent aerial bombardment.

Around 80,000 civilians are believed to have been trapped in these areas.

The Russian-backed regime had been trying to reestablish control over parts of Aleppo captured four years ago by armed opposition groups.

Syria has been locked in a devastating civil war since early 2011 when the regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests – which had erupted as part of the Arab Spring uprisings – with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people are believed to have been killed by the conflict and millions more displaced.