Syrian truce extended to northern city Aleppo

The United States said there had been 'an overall decrease in violence' in the northern city since the truce extension went into effect at 12.01am Damascus time on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON // The United States and Russia have persuaded Syria’s government and moderate rebels to extend the country’s fragile truce to the northern city of Aleppo.

The agreement was reached late on Tuesday and took effect at 12.01am on Wednesday Damascus time.

The US and Russia finalised a nationwide ceasefire in late February, but have struggled to make it stick. Secretary of state John Kerry expressed hope on Tuesday for a more sustainable arrangement.

Since Wednesday’s truce in Aleppo started, “we have seen an overall decrease in violence in these areas, even though there have been reports of continued fighting in some locations,” US state department spokesman Mark Toner said.

“It is critical that Russia redouble its efforts to influence the regime to abide fully,” he said, while “the United States will do its part with the opposition”.

Three people were killed on Wednesday in renewed shelling by Syrian rebels of government-held areas in Aleppo.

The violence in Syria’s largest city and once its key commercial centre has continued for almost two weeks despite intense diplomatic efforts to restore the ceasefire.

Nearly 300 people have been killed during this latest spate of violence in the city. Over the past two weeks, hospitals and civilian areas in the divided city have come under attack from government warplanes, as well as rebel shelling.

“Attacks directed against Syria’s civilian population can never be justified, and these must stop immediately,” Mr Toner said.

The deal on Aleppo follows reaffirmations earlier this week of truces in the Damascus suburbs and coastal Latakia province.

The cessation of hostilities, as diplomats call it, does not apply to ISIL or Jabhat Al Nusra.

The United Nations said the Syrian government had refused a request for aid access to rebel-held eastern Aleppo, warning that the area could soon be besieged.

“The horrific fighting and bombardment in recent days, especially in and around Aleppo, is creating new areas with endless suffering and no access for humanitarians,” Jan Egeland, who heads an international humanitarian task force for Syria, said in Geneva.

The UN Security Council also was due to meet later on Wednesday to discuss the escalation.

The diplomatic push aims to bring the ceasefire back from the brink and to restore hope for peace talks aimed at finally resolving a five-year war that has left more than 270,000 dead and forced millions from their homes.

France on Wednesday announced it would also host talks with the Saudi, Qatari, Turkish and Emirati foreign ministers next week.

The countries are all key backers of the Syrian opposition, and French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said the Monday meeting would focus on efforts to move deadlocked peace talks forward.

*Associated Press and Agence France-Presse