Centrum Stosunków Międzynarodowych - 01 October 2016: Syria talks ‘on life support’ amid intense Aleppo fighting

The US Department of State proclaimed that talks with Russia on Syria are “on life support […] but not flat-lined yet”, commenting on the lack of progress on bringing a halt to fighting in Aleppo. Both sided are trading accusations over recent fighting, with the US and Syrian opposition arguing that Russia and Damascus are conducting a ground offensive and massive bombardment in Aleppo, to which they reply with allegations of aiding terrorist groups. A ceasefire that had started on 12^th September broke down a week later after a flurry of violation accusations, including claims of blocking humanitarian aid to cities besieged by government forces and an accidental air strike by anti-ISIS coalition on a Syrian army base.

Since then, talk on renewing the ceasefire failed to bring about results, while government forces and Russian air force went on the offensive in Aleppo, tightening the siege and conducting massed air strikes on civilian targets. Since the resumption of fighting, over 400 people have been killed and 1700 have been wounded, while two largest hospitals have been put out of action.

The US reacted to Russian and Syrian government’s actions by threatening to suspend talks on Wednesday. In light of this the Friday’s “life support” announcement should be interpreted as an attempt to continue negotiations. In a recent conversation with Syrians and diplomats, US Secretary of State John Kerry argued that while he himself supports backing diplomatic activity with a threat of force, his view did not gain sufficient support in the US government.

Russian actions in Syria were criticised by the Foreign Minister of the UK Boris Johnson and EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini. Doctors Without Borders described the bombardment of Aleppo as a “bloodbath”. However, Russia and Damascus argue that they target “militants” and declare the willingness to continue talks on normalisation of the situation in Aleppo.