US Denies Russian Claim That It Bombed Syrian City of Aleppo

Mr Kerry emphasised on Tuesday that United States officials “are not blind to what is happening” and said the Aleppo battle made it “much more hard to be able to come to the table and to be able to have a serious conversation”.

Brett McGurk, special envoy of US President Barack Obama, said Wednesday Russian airstrikes around Aleppo “directly promote” the rise of Daesh.

“Turkey has never closed its borders to Syrian refugees”, Davutoglu said, adding that his government wants from the worldwide community to understand that Russian Federation is backing the Syrian regime’s push to “cleanse all Syrians other than those loyal to the regime from the country”.

Ankara sees the Syrian Kurdish militia as a branch of the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party, which has carried out a string of deadly attacks in Turkey in the past months.

Medical aid group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Wednesday the healthcare system around the war-torn town of Azaz in Aleppo province was “close to collapse” due to the fighting.

But the US has staked its hopes for an end to the five-year civil war in Syria on the peace talks and Assad’s eventual departure, saying the American public has no appetite for a military solution. He said the Netherlands and Germany had offered to help the refugees on the Turkish side of the border.

Over the past few days, Turkey has been under pressure to take in thousands of refugees who have fled to the border gate at Oncupinar from Aleppo after pro-government forces, back by Russian Federation airstrikes, have gone on the offensive to regain parts of the city from rebel fighters. “Between 12 and 15 kilos of explosives and four belts that could be used for suicide attacks were found in two bags”, it said.

The timing of the ceasefire call is likely to be treated with suspicion, as it would allow bombing to continue for another three weeks, during which period the military of President Bashar al Assad could complete its capture of rebel-held Aleppo and consolidate its advance.

Turkey meanwhile is building up infrastructure near the its border with Syria, though its intent is unclear.

There was no information on the nationalities of those detained.

Anadolu said an investigation was underway. But the West says the majority of its strikes are targeting moderate groups that are opposed to Assad and the Islamic State.

Anadolu said an investigation was underway.

The official said the United States has concerns about some elements of the Russian proposal.

Doctors Without Borders said Tuesday that about 23,000 new arrivals fleeing the fighting in Aleppo were in urgent need of emergency shelter and support near Syria’s border with Turkey.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the operation had been completed and people successfully evacuated.

Madaya, which has been besieged by government forces and allied militiamen for months, gained worldwide attention after harrowing pictures emerged showing emaciated children and starving residents.