Despite establishing humanitarian corridors, Russian strikes on Aleppo continue
There are reports that fighting continues in Aleppo.
On Thursday, the Russian Armed Forces had to temporarily suspend military operations in Aleppo at 10:00 a.m. local time to allow humanitarian aid workers to bring in much-needed supplies. However, according to media reports, clashes are continuing.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on Wednesday that they will stop firing in the area of Aleppo every day for three hours to bring in humanitarian aid to the city. These humanitarian windows were planned to begin on Thursday and would take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. local time. However, according to Reuters, more than an hour after the beginning of this period, fighting continued in the area.
Mohammed Rasheed, a spokesman for one of the rebel groups, told Reuters that the ceasefire had not been upheld. Instead, he cited an “escalation in Russian warplanes” and said government forces had tried to advance on the Ramousah district of Aleppo.
A witness in Aleppo as well as another rebel official both corroborated Rasheed's claims, Reuters reported. It was also reported that in the evening on Wednesday, a Syrian military helicopter flying over Aleppo dropped four barrel bombs, one of which was filled with chlorine gas.
As a result, at least three people were killed.
Syrian Civil Defense, a volunteer organization based in Aleppo, reported on Thursday that 24 people were injured in the attack and three people – a mother and her two children – were killed.
The British nonprofit group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported the barrel bombing. It did not mention chlorine gas but said that several people were having trouble breathing after the bombing.
According to UN representatives, Russia expressed its willingness to discuss the extension of daily three-hour suspensions of hostilities in besieged Aleppo. They also reported that they are investigating reports that a bomb containing chlorine gas was used by the Syrian military in the area.
UN representatives stated that a three-hour pause in hostilities is insufficient. Instead, they are trying to negotiate a 48-hour ceasefire to deliver aid to some two million people trapped in the city.
In the interview with the Voice of America, Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said he is unable to confirm reports that a gas was used in the attack, but there is much evidence that it took place.
“We have a special UN [committee] and other organizations that are addressing that. But if it did take place, it is a war crime. And, as such, it would require everyone, all co-chairs and everyone else to address it immediately. I think the investigation is still taking place. But your point is well taken. That is a war crime,” he stressed.