Russia Says Government Offensive in Aleppo Suspended

Syrian government forces have halted their offensive on Aleppo to permit a civilian evacuation, said Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday, BBC News reported.

Nearly 8,000 people trapped in eastern Aleppo would be allowed out, said Lavrov. Government and allied forces have taken nearly 75 percent of eastern Aleppo in the past three weeks, seizing control of areas that had been controlled by rebels since 2012.

The U.S. cautiously welcomed the suspension in fighting, which has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced in recent weeks. Russian and U.S. military experts will meet in Geneva on Saturday to discuss an end to the violence in Aleppo, Lavrov added.

“Our approach to the situation has been to listen carefully to what the Russians say, but scrutinize their actions,” said Josh Earnest, White House spokesman.

Assad Denounces Lebanon’s Dissociation Policy

Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, criticized neighboring Lebanon’s policy of dissociating itself from regional conflicts, the Daily Star reported.

In an interview originally with the daily al-Watan newspaper, Assad said the October 31 election of Michel Aoun as president of Lebanon was a triumph for the country.

“[Aoun] is aware of the [impact] of terror risks surrounding Lebanon … in particular when this president knows that Lebanon cannot be dissociated from the fires flaring up [in the region] and [cannot] adopt the policy of no politics, or what is called the dissociation policy,” Assad said. “When Lebanon is strong, Syria will be at ease and stronger.”

Aoun has publicly supported the “war on terror” in Syria, and is a key ally of pro-Syrian government forces in Lebanon.

However, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Syria should be grateful for Lebanon’s dissociation policy, which is based on a 2012 agreement that distances Lebanon from regional and international conflicts.

“It’s in Assad’s interest in particular that Lebanon continue the policy of distancing itself because if Lebanon [were to take a stand], it could only be against him,” Geagea said.

Six years into the war in Syria, Lebanon remains divided by the conflict next door. The Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah is an important backer of the Syrian government, while its rivals provide support to some rebels fighting to oust Assad.

Turkish Operation Advances Toward al-Bab

Ten ISIS targets were destroyed by Turkish warplanes, with Turkish-backed rebels seizing control of a vital highway in northern Syria, a Turkish military statement said on Friday, Reuters reported.

The highway connecting Manbij to al-Bab was taken over by rebels, besieging extremists in al-Bab, the so-called Islamic State’s last significant stronghold in the northern Aleppo countryside.

Manbij was liberated from ISIS by Kurdish-led forces backed by the U.S. in August. Turkey launched its military operation in Syria nearly four months ago to push both jihadist and Kurdish forces back from its border. It views the Kurdish forces as an extension of PKK insurgents.

The Turkish operation, known as “Euphrates Shield,” will target Manbij after it takes control of al-Bab, said Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan. Advancing toward al-Bab could put Turkish-backed forces into confrontation with both Kurdish and Syrian government forces.

Recommended Reads:

• The Atlantic: Putin and Assad Are About to Achieve Their Biggest Victory in Syria
• Reuters: British Spy Chief Says Islamic State Plotting Attacks as Russia Makes ‘Desert’ of Syria
• The Associated Press: Assad Supporters See Domino Effect in Aleppo Government Win
• The Guardian: Aleppo’s Fall Won’t End the Syrian Conflict – It Will Signal a More Terrifying Stage
• BBC News: Syria Conflict: Russia Awards Medals to Dead and Wounded