Earlier in the day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow and Damascus had launched a joint large-scale humanitarian relief operation in Aleppo, establishing three corridors for civilians and one for militants wishing to lay down arms, and said that Moscow offered the international organizations working in Syria to join this operation.
“Any initiative that can give civilians respite from the hostilities — such as from the intense and indiscriminate fighting we have seen recently on all sides — and allows them to leave for safer areas can be positive. But humanitarian corridors need to be well-planned, and must be implemented with the consent of parties on all sides,” Krista Armstrong said, сommenting on the launch of joint large-scale humanitarian relief operation by Russian and Syrian governments to assist Aleppo.
"Fundamentally, civilians who chose to stay must remain protected from any attacks, and the parties to the conflict must allow humanitarian agencies to reach and assist them," Armstrong stressed.
"In addition, the parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians. All those who are sick or wounded have the right to be treated and cared for without discrimination, and the parties to the conflict must take all possible measures to evacuate them to appropriate medical facilities," she added.
