Russian military asks Putin to allow renewed strikes on militants in east Aleppo - Putin denies request

RT
Fri, 28 Oct 2016 18:05 UTC

© Ramil Sitdikov / Sputnik

Su-34 multifunctional strike bombers at the Hmeimim airbase in the Latakia Governorate of Syria

President Vladimir Putin has denied the Russian military's request to order a resumption of airstrikes in eastern Aleppo, his press secretary said. The military had asked permission to resume airstrikes due to the increased activity of militants.

"The Russian president considers it inappropriate at the present time to resume airstrikes in Aleppo," Dmitry Peskov told the press.

Earlier on Friday, Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy, head of operations in the Russian General Staff, said: "Due to the fact that there are still deaths among civilians and that the militants have resumed military activities against government forces, we've addressed Russia's commander-in-chief, asking permission for the resumption of airstrikes targeting illegal armed groups in eastern Aleppo,"

Earlier on Friday, militants "used the moratorium of Russian and Syrian combat flights" and attempted to break into eastern Aleppo, the General Staff representative said.

"The attack was carried out by three groups [of militants]... with support of 20 tanks and 15 APCs. All this was accompanied by heavy fire from rocket launchers and artillery," he said.

The offensive was repelled, with the terrorists losing six tanks and five armored personnel carriers, Rudskoy said.

During the last three days, the terrorists have shelled western Aleppo on 62 occasions, killing 43 people and injuring 76 more, Rudskoy said.

On Thursday, a school in the Hay al-Andalus district of the city came under fire, with 12 civilians, including three school children, losing their lives and 14 others receiving injuries.

Russian air forces in Syria have not carried out combat flights in eastern Aleppo for 10 days in order to facilitate humanitarian access to the city.

Russia's center for reconciliation in Syria is currently in talks "with representatives of the public authorities of eastern Aleppo and several armed groups on the evacuation of the civilian population and withdrawal of militants from areas under their control," Rudskoy said.

Comment: Further reading:

• American terrorists bomb schoolchildren in Aleppo, blame Russia
• Western backed "moderate" child-killers shell school in Aleppo, 6 children dead and over dozen injured [WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO]
• US-backed militants deploy 30 'moderate' suicide bombers, 2000 fighters to Aleppo

Update: Putin Declines Russian MoD's Request on Need to Restart Airstrikes in Aleppo

Russia reserves the right to use all means at its disposal to render the needed assistance to the Syrian armed forces in the fight against terrorists when needed, Peskov said.

"Russia reserves the right to use all means it has to provide support to the armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic when it is absolutely necessary to prevent provocative acts by terrorist groups."

Putin believes the humanitarian pause in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo needs to be extended, Peskov said.

"The president believes it is possible to extend the humanitarian pause to evacuate the wounded and for militants who want to leave to exit the city, and in order to enable our US partners to fulfill their promise and commitment to separate the so-called moderate opposition from terrorist groups."