US: Russia wants Aleppo siege until truce finalized

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – Russia has informed the U.S. that the Syrian regime attacks on Aleppo would continue “until any agreement would go into effect”, U.S. State Department said Monday.

“We're deeply frustrated, but we're not surprised by this lack of Russian and regime commitment, to what should be a humane solution to the current brutality,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said. “We remain gravely worried for the safety and wellbeing of the people that are now remaining in east Aleppo.”

Kirby told reporters that officials from the U.S., Russia, and the UN as well as other international organizations have met to finalize a deal that would allow a truce that would allow “the safe, voluntary departure of civilians and opposition members from East Aleppo”.

“However, rather than accepting the U.S. proposal for an immediate cessation, the Russians informed us that any cessation could not start for several days, meaning that the assault by the regime and its supporters on Aleppo would continue until any agreement would go into effect,” Kirby added.

The U.S. reportedly submitted the proposal to ensure the safe departure of people in Aleppo on Sunday.

An estimated 100,000 city residents remain under siege by the regime and its allies in some 8.6 square kilometers of eastern Aleppo.

Most of them have faced worsening food and water shortages since the Syrian regime captured Aleppo’s Bab al-Nairab district -- home to major water supply tank -- earlier this month.

Over the course of the last 27 days, some 990 civilians have been killed in eastern Aleppo in attacks by the Syrian regime and allied militias, local sources report.