10-hour “humanitarian pause” in Aleppo

Russian General Staff announced that there will be a “humanitarian pause” in Aleppo on November 4 between 9 am and 7 pm local time for allowing the civilians to leave the city. 

According to Sputnik News, General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the Russian General Staff, announced the pause:

“To avoid senseless victims, Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu decided to introduce a humanitarian pause in Aleppo from 9:00 a.m. To 7:00 p.m. On November 4 on behalf of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin. Syrian government also approved this decision.”

Russian Ministry of Defense introduced the first humanitarian pause on October 18, stopping the clashes for 8 hours. UN made a statement saying that 8 hours is not enough and there should be at least 12-hour pause for providing humanitarian aid.

The pause had been extended to 3 days.

Russian and Syrian army have suspended the air operations in order to allow civilians and armed opposition groups to leave the city.

Yesterday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov said in a statement that the suspension of air operations continues. However, he said that the pause could not be extended if the oppositions forces continue to attack.