State Department: Ceasefire in Syria includes Aleppo

The cessation of hostility agreement in Syria includes Aleppo, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby announced late Monday.

"I do want to make it clear that Aleppo was never not on the table. Aleppo was never not part of the cessation," Kirby told reporters, referring to the Syrian regime's insistence that the city is not included in the agreement that was reached last February under US-Russian sponsorship.

"The cessation of hostilities when agreed to was nationwide and when we say "nationwide," we mean nationwide. Now, we knew that there were going to be violations even on day one, but we’ve been up here talking about the situation in Aleppo now for some – a matter of weeks. It’s obviously of deep concern. And so, obviously, we’re going to stay focused on that." he added.

Kirby said that US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke with Russian Foreign, Minister Lavrov, over the phone and talked predominately about the cessation. Talks between the two leaders touched on the need to continue a sustained, unimpeded avenue of delivery of humanitarian assistance to so many areas in need, he added.

"They did talk about the potential for another ISSG meeting sometime in the near future. " he further said .

Source: Petra