Russian Foreign Ministry: Over half of eastern Aleppo cleared of terrorists
MOSCOW. Dec 7 (Interfax) - More than 50% of eastern Aleppo districts are free of terrorists now, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told a briefing conference on Wednesday.
She recalled that on December 5, nine mortar shells exploded on the premises of the Russian mobile military hospital deployed in the city of Aleppo. Moscow vigorously condemned the act of aggression against the Russian hospital and its staff. "We hope that not only the perpetrators of this crime but also the paymasters will be subject to the most severe punishment," Zakharova said.
Zakharova emphasized that the army of the Syrian Arab Republic continues its attacks in eastern Aleppo. "More than a half of the area in this part of the city has been liberated from terrorists now," she said.
"The Syrian government continues to make consistent efforts in the pursuit of interaction with various political forces in order to achieve national reconciliation," she said.
At this point, efforts are being made to secure local truces in various districts, she added. "More than 700 former members of various illegal armed groups have been granted amnesty," Zakharova said.