Russia backs UN proposal on joint control over humanitarian aid supplies to Aleppo

MOSCOW, August 11. /TASS/. Russia supports UN proposal to establish joint control over humanitarian aid delivery to Syria’s Aleppo via Castello Road, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"We support the UN proposal to establish joint control over the delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo’s population via Castello Road," the ministry said. "Our military experts are discussing the issue with UN representatives and US colleagues."

"Attempts to distort information on the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo have recently become more frequent. Some Western media outlets, which claim to be objective and unbiased, are engaged in speculations based on unverified information received from dubious sources. They are pounding the Syrian militaries or the Russian Aerospace Forces, who are waging an anti-terrorism struggle in Syria, with accusations," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"Simultaneously, they are hyping up the humanitarian disaster theme. However, they are keeping the Russia-supervised large-scale humanitarian operation in Aleppo in the dark. The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria has delivered more than 50 tonnes of food, essentials and medical supplies as well as 93 tonnes of bottled water to Aleppo," the ministry went on to say.

All the seven humanitarian corridors, which civilians and militants who lay down arms, can use to leave the city are open 24 hours a day. "Ambulances are on duty nearby; field kitchens have been deployed; stocks of drinkable water and food are available. An additional corridor for armed militants is functioning near the Castello Road," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The road leading to Aleppo’s northern outskirt via the Castello trade center became operational on August 8.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Castello Road is also used for uninterrupted delivery of food, water, fuel, medical supplies and other essentials to the western and eastern parts of Aleppo.

"Relief convoys meant for the Aleppo population are formed near the Handrat populated locality to enable all the organizations concerned to send aid to the people of Aleppo," the ministry’s statement said.

All military hostilities in Aleppo will stop for three hours every day as of August 11 to allow humanitarian convoys into the Syrian city, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"As of today, humanitarian aid ‘windows’ will open from 10am to 01:00pm local time to guarantee the safe passage of relief convoys into Aleppo. All military hostilities, aviation and artillery strikes will be halted during that time," the ministry went on to say.

"We are ready for a constructive dialogue with all the sides interested in settling the Syrian crisis. We support the proposals by the UN to establish joint control over the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population of Aleppo along the Castello road," the Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

Moscow and Damascus launched a joint humanitarian operation in Aleppo on July 28.

"We are convinced there cannot be other ways of ending the internal conflict in Syrian society, except for a political one," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Russia firmly sticks to the principle of preserving Syrian sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. "We are calling on other countries to respect the borders and independence of Syria, which is a full-fledged United Nations member, and join efforts to destroy a terrorist international in the country’s territory," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

"Moscow hopes that regional and international partners will start rendering real assistance to Syria in overcoming sharp internal contradictions on the basis of the UN Charter principles and relevant UN Security Council resolution," the Russian Foreign Ministry concluded.