Syrian Rebels In Secret Talks With Russia To End The Fighting In Aleppo

Men inspect damage after an airstrike on Aleppo's rebel held al-Hallak neighbourhood, Syria June 2, 2016. REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail

The Guardian: Russians talk with Syrian rebels as eastern Aleppo runs out of food

Attempt made in Ankara to strike deal so that humanitarian aid can be delivered and aerial bombing campaign can be halted

Russian officials and rebel groups are holding talks in Turkey on the fate of eastern Aleppo as food reserves in the enclave dwindle to zero, opposition and diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

The negotiations have been under way in Ankara for a week. The deal on the table involves a ceasefire and an opening of corridors for delivering humanitarian aid in return for the departure from the city of extremists among the enclave’s defenders.

It is similar bargain that the UN envoy on the Syrian conflict, Staffan de Mistura, proposed in October. However, although the plight of eastern Aleppo is even more desperate now, the arrest or disappearance of hundreds of men stopped at regime checkpoints as they fled the area in the past week has undermined trust in Moscow’s guarantees of safe passage out of the city through government-controlled areas.

Read more ....

More News On Reports That Syrian Rebels Are In Secret Talks With Russia To End The Fighting In Aleppo

Syrian rebels in secret talks with Moscow to end Aleppo fighting -- Financial Times
Syrian rebel leaders in talks with Russian officials in attempt to end bloodshed in Aleppo -- The Telegraph
Syria rebels, Russia hold Aleppo talks in Ankara -- Middle East Online
Russian-rebel talks resume as Erdogan backs down on Assad -- Al-Monitor
Moscow & Syrian opposition in secret talks to stop Aleppo fighting – FT -- RT
Turkey, Russia see need for Aleppo truce but divisions remain -- Reuters
Russia vows to save Aleppo from 'terrorists' -- Al Jazeera