Syrian opposition and civil society members on Friday criticized what they viewed as Russian complicity in the bombardment of Aleppo, which has killed hope of reviving a ceasefire.
Assad regime’s jets have launched more than 150 airstrikes on eastern Aleppo in the last 24 hours, killing at least 90 civilians.
The latest raids on Friday, part of a new Assad regime’s offensive to recapture rebel-held parts of Aleppo, destroyed emergency service structures, as well as underground shelters used by civilians to hide from bombings.
Three centers for a volunteer rescue group known as the White Helmets were also hit in the raids, while at least 40 residential buildings were destroyed.
Asked about the Aleppo bombardment, Bassma Kodmani, a member of the opposition High Negotiations Committee, said it was a “demonstration of the implications of the failure of yesterday’s meeting.”
“We can only say that the world is watching passively at the death of the Syrian population in Aleppo and a new wave of refugees,” Kodmani told Reuters in New York.
“There’s every indication that they (Russia) entirely condone the massive attack now on Aleppo and … not only support it, they are part of it,” Kodmani said.
Kodmani said only a “credible threat of retaliation” would stop Assad’s warplanes.
3 of the 4 @SyriaCivilDef centers in Aleppo city targeted this morning. 60 air strikes in East Aleppo pic.twitter.com/g5seYilDbY
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) September 23, 2016
a whole family, a mother and her two kids, buried under the rubble of their house after Assad regime's airstrikes on #Aleppo#Syria pic.twitter.com/5G37ks96cB
— Middle East Observer (@MEOorg) September 23, 2016
More than 150 airstrikes on #Aleppo , 90 civilians killed by Assad regimehttps://t.co/6hZXkDoYd7
— Middle East Observer (@MEOorg) September 23, 2016
Russia and the United States on Sept. 9 agreed to a deal aimed at putting Syria’s peace process back on track. It included a nationwide truce, improved humanitarian aid access and the possibility of joint military operations against al Qaeda-lined Nusra Front and Islamic State.
The truce effectively collapsed after a week when an aid convoy was bombed on Monday, killing some 20 people, while non of its goals were reached.
“Kerry and Obama’s administration are going in circles … talking to the Russians, thinking that the Russians will have any solutions and can contribute to the ceasefire. It’s clear that the Russians will not do this,” Mutasem Alsyofi of the Syrian Civil Society Declaration Initiative told Reuters in New York.
“And I don’t know (how) someone keeps trying the same things and expecting different results,” he said.
“We have to stop the regime from being able to use aircraft against civilians. This is a main part of any future policy,” Seyoufi said.
Kodmani added: “I think if we say it’s a moment of truth, it’s a moment of truth for the international community, the United States, its allies, the U.N. And it’s a tragic moment for the population of Aleppo.”
Syrian state television reported late on Friday that the army had managed to advance and secure control over a road near Ramousah in southwest Aleppo, but this was denied by rebels. They said several attempts by the army to advance had failed.
Recovering full control of the rebels’ last significant urban area would be the most important victory of the war so far for Assad, strengthening his control over Syria’s most populous and strategically important regions.
The Syrian crisis began as a peaceful demonstration against the injustice in Syria. Assad regime used to fire power and violence against the civilians and led to armed resistance. 450.000 Syrians lost their lives in the past five years according to UN estimates, and more than 12 million have lost their homes.
