White House Repeats Allegations against Syria, Russia

“After repeatedly delaying the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2401, which demanded a 30-day cessation of hostilities across Syria, Russia has gone on to ignore its terms and to kill innocent civilians under the false auspices of counterterrorism operations,” the White House said in a statement on Sunday.

“This is the same combination of lies and indiscriminate force that Russia and the Syrian regime used to isolate and destroy Aleppo in 2016, where thousands of civilians were killed,” it said, according to The Hill.

“The civilized world must not tolerate the Assad regime’s continued use of chemical weapons,” the US statement said, referring to recent reports that the Assad government has used chemical weapons against the rebel-held areas. The Syrian government has vehemently denied the allegations.

Russia has accused the rebels of preventing civilians from leaving. The rebels claim the humanitarian corridor is part of government efforts to forcibly displace the population.

Eastern Ghouta has been besieged by government forces since 2013. The last aid delivery to Ghouta was on Feb. 14, when help was sent to around 7,000 people in Nashabiyah, now under government control.

In a statement Sunday, the UN said it plans to deliver aid to Douma, the largest town in eastern Ghouta, with its partners on the ground. An aid convoy consisting of 46 truckloads will be allowed on Monday with health and nutrition supplies and food for 27,500. The convoy will be led by Ali al-Za’tari, the UN resident humanitarian coordinator in Syria.

“We hope that the convoy may proceed as planned and will be followed by other convoys,” al-Za’tari said.