Rebels in Aleppo propose ceasefire
BEIRUT: Staring a punishing and brutal defeat in the face, several Syrian rebel factions on Wednesday proposed a five-day cease-fire in the eastern part of the city of Aleppo so the wounded, sick and other civilians can be evacuated.
The proposal came as Syrian government troops and allied militiamen declared they have seized control of three-quarters of the enclave that the opposition controlled since 2012.
The cease-fire proposal was signed by the Aleppo command center, apparently a reference to the collection of factions fighting inside the eastern enclave. A rebel spokesman said al-Qaidalinked group Fatah al-Sham Front, which has a limited presence in the enclave, will abide by the proposal.
The offer made no mention of a rebel pullout from Aleppo, though the proposal said the fate of the city is to be negotiated after the humanitarian crisis eases.
The Syrian government and its ally Russia had previously rejected a cease-fire for the wartorn city, keeping up the military offensive that has forced rebel retreats and massive displacement of Aleppo civilians. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were meeting for talks on Syria in Germany. Earlier Wednesday, Syrian government troops and allied militiamen seized more ground in Aleppo’s ancient quarters, further widening their control over an enclave in the divided city. With the latest gains, the endgame for Aleppo, carved up between the government and the rebel side for the past four years, appears to draw closer. REUTERS