The Syrian Government of Bashar Al Assad is in total control of the Syrian city of Aleppo, media reports have confirmed. Aleppo was the biggest city in Syria before the war.
Government victory comes few days after victorious regime forces and their allies broke through rebel defences and launched an epic onslaught that culminated in a rebel withdrawal. Syrian government soldiers backed by Russian warplanes, Iranian advisers, Shiite fighters from Iran and Iraq, and Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon took over the last neighbourhood in East Aleppo, formerly a rebel stronghold.
On Tuesday, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin, interrupted a United Nations Security Council session to announce that all military operations in Aleppo have ceased now that the government is in control.
Churkin’s announcement was followed by a heated exchange with US Ambassador, Samantha Powers over accusations of war crimes.
“As to mass arrests, disappearances and bloody reprisals against so-called civilian activists, we have no such information,” Churkin told the council in in response to Power.
Responding to criticism of Russia’s role, Churkin told Power, “Remember your own country’s track record and then you can start speaking from the position of any moral supremacy.”
White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Tuesday called the situation in Aleppo “deeply troubling” and “deplorable” due to Assad and Russia’s involvement. At least two cease-fire deals worked out between the U.S. and Russia this year have broken down.