ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian regime’s ongoing offensive into the city of Aleppo may jeopardize fragile peace talks which have just gotten off to a shaky start in Geneva and suspended without any conclusive result. Syrian forces are making gains with close Russian air support and may soon encircle the city and be able to strangle the opposition by cutting off their supply routes from Turkey. "A ceasefire for me is essential. In fact it is the test that shows the talks are successful," the UN's special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura explained to the BBC. Implementing a ceasefire is the first, and arguably more crucial, step towards implementing the planned solution to Syria's nearly five-year-old war. After a ceasefire is successfully implemented the negotiating parties are to organize a longer transition period which will establish a new government. However, a major opposition defeat in the key city of Aleppo may see them leave Geneva after having, over the weekend, agreed to participate despite the fact none of their former "preconditions," had been met, such as the lifting of regime sieges on opposition areas and the cessation of air strikes.
