“We have taken a decision not to waste time and to introduce ‘humanitarian pauses,’ mainly for the free passage of civilians, evacuation of the sick and wounded, and withdrawal of fighters,” said Sergei Rudskoi, a senior Russian military officer, in a press briefing.
Between 8:00am and 4:00pm on Thursday, “the Russian air force and the Syrian government troops will halt air strikes and firing from any other types of weapons,” he said.
The announcement comes on the same day that the European Council issued a statement that was “appalled by the deteriorating situation in Syria,” and described the bombardment of eastern rebel-held Aleppo as “clearly disproportionate.”
The deliberate targeting of civilians “may amount to war crimes,” the council said.
The council called for an immediate end of all military flights over Aleppo and the introduction of a ceasefire with unhindered access for humanitarian aid to all parts of the country.
