ALEPPO, Syria: A 10-hour Russian-declared ceasefire for opposition-held areas of Syria’s second city Aleppo began on Friday morning with the goal of encouraging civilians and surrendering rebels to leave. Civilians inside besieged east Aleppo expressed fear of crossing into government-held territory, though Moscow and Damascus accused rebels of preventing people who wanted to leave from evacuating. Rebel forces have rejected the Russian initiative, describing it as an attempt to alleviate international pressure. More than 250,000 people remain in east Aleppo, which has been besieged by government forces since July. And last week, rebel forces began a bid to break the siege on eastern Aleppo.

Source: Manila Times November 04, 2016 08:14 UTC