Pause in Aleppo Bombings Comes Into Force in Syria

A planned 11-hour pause in airstrikes on terrorist positions came into effect early Thursday in the stricken Syrian city of Aleppo.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The ceasefire was due to start at 8:00 a.m. local time (5:00GMT) and last until 7:00 p.m. (16:00GMT). It was extended from eight hours to eleven on Wednesday after request from international organizations.

Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said on Tuesday that Russian and Syrian air forces had halted attacks around the besieged city in preparation to Thursday’s humanitarian pause.

Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, did not rule out extending the ceasefire in Aleppo, but stressed it had to be agreed on multilaterally.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Syria told Sputnik they were ready to bring in lifesaving aid and evacuate the sick and wounded from the eastern part of the city.

Heavy fighting continuing in and around Aleppo since Syrian government forces began a major offensive on the rebel-held eastern districts after the collapse of the ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States in early September.