Kerry: Russia's backing of Assad 'ill-advised'
The US has condemned Russia’s backing of Syrian President Bashar al Assad as “irresponsible and profoundly ill-advised” but vowed to keep up peace efforts in Syria.
Washington broke off talks with Moscow on Monday, accusing the Russians of failing to live up to their commitment to halt the fighting.
“I want to be clear that we are not giving up on the Syrian people and we are not abandoning the pursuit of peace,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said during a visit to Brussels.
“We will continue to pursue a meaningful, sustainable, enforceable cessation of hostilities throughout the country – and that includes the grounding of Syrian and Russian combat aircraft in designated areas.”
US suspends contact with Russia over Syria
The situation in Syria has deteriorated considerably since the collapse two weeks ago of the ceasefire brokered by the two powers.
Aleppo has been the focus of the fighting in recent months as Assad’s forces, backed by Russia, have struck and besieged rebel-held neighbourhoods in the east of the city.
The pounding by Russian and Syrian warplanes continued on Tuesday in areas where thousands of civilians are trapped.
Syria conflict: a timeline of events
The World Health Organisation said that between 23 September and 2 October, 342 people had been killed in eastern Aleppo, including 106 children, and 1,129 injured, including 261 children.
Those figures were based on reports from a handful of functioning health centres and the true figures were probably much higher, the UN agency said.
Syria’s state TV said that rebel shelling in Aleppo’s government-held areas on Tuesday had killed six people and wounded 47.
UN: Aleppo worse than slaughterhouse
And Russia said its embassy compound in Damascus has come under shelling from rebel groups. No one was hurt.
The UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, has denounced the unfolding “calamity” in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and once a thriving centre of trade and art.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Washington and Moscow to resume talks on a ceasefire.
Mr Ban said he would hold separate talks with American and Russian officials in Brussels and would urge them to work for a cessation of hostilities.
Kerry: Russia"s backing of Assad "ill-advised"
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