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Conflict in Syria

Russia’s General Staff urges armed groups to halt Aleppo fighting

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered enacting a humanitarian pause in Syria’s Aleppo on November 4

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russia’s General Staff is calling on armed groups to stop fighting in Syria’s Aleppo and withdraw from the city with their arms via two corridors, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Wednesday.

"Taking into account that our American colleagues are incapable of separating the opposition from terrorists, we appeal to all the leaders of armed groups directly to stop combat actions and leave Aleppo with their arms," Gerasimov said.

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Terrorists hold Aleppo civilians hostage, demanding $300 per person ransom

To this aim, two corridors will be opened and all government forces and equipment will be withdrawn from there. One corridor is opened for heading towards the Syrian-Turkish border, and the second one to Idlib, he said. "The other six corridors will be aimed for the exit of civilians, evacuation of sick and wounded people," the general added.

Russia’s center for reconciliation of opposing sides and the Syrian government forces will ensure the safe exit of armed units and civilians from Aleppo, he said.

The terrorists failed to escape from the Syrian city of Aleppo despite all their efforts, he added.

"The militants’ efforts to break loose from the city have failed. The terrorists have suffered huge losses in manpower, weapons and equipment. They are unable to pull out of the city," he stated.

New humanitarian pause

According to Gerasimov, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered enacting a humanitarian pause in Syria’s Aleppo on November 4.

Read also

Gerasimov told reporters the humanitarian pause will last from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. "to avoid senseless victims."

"This decision has been coordinated with the Syrian leadership," he added.

Gerasimov said civilians and militants will be able to leave Aleppo via eight humanitarian corridors.

According to the Russian military, the armed groups continue firing at these corridors to prevent civilians from leaving Aleppo.

Russian and Syrian warplanes halted their airstrikes on Aleppo on October 18.

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