MESOP NEWS “THE GREATES SHAME ON ALL THE WEST” : Concern for Civilians as East Aleppo on Verge of Falling

December 13 – by Scott Lucas – eaworldview – Pro-Assad forces are on the verge of capturing all opposition areas of Syria’s largest city Aleppo, with fears of death or detention for tens of thousands of civilians.

Advancing foreign fighters and elements of the Syrian army and paramilitaries, supported by intense shelling and bombing, took all but a few remaining districts on Monday. Areas occupied included Bustan al-Qasr, near the border with regime-held districts. Rebels were holding out in Sukkari, Mash’had, and Zebdia.Claims circulated of the execution of scores of civilians in districts such as Kalaseh and Bustan al-Qasr. Residents and activists spoke of widespread detention of fighting-age men, possibly conscripting them into the depleted Syrian military.

As the day unfolded, residents sent messages of despair or resignation, such as “Lina Shamy’s” filmed statement: “To everyone who can hear me, we are here exposed to a genocide”. Fatemah al-Abed, whose first-hand reports of life in east Aleppo under siege and bombardment have caught international attention, wrote: “Final message – people are dying since last night. I am very surprised I am tweeting right now & still alive.” A message on behalf of her 7-year-old daughter Bana said simply, “My dad is injured now. I am crying.”

Other civilians wrote:A man carries a child with an IV drip as they move deeper into remaining opposition areas:A man carries a child with an IV drip as he flees deeper into the remaining rebel-held areas of Aleppo

Russia Covers Strategy With Blame of US

As the Syrian military said final victory was hours away, Russia effectively confirming that it had promoted US-Russian discussions for a removal of rebels and civilians to buy time for military operations. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a news conference in Belgrade:    From December 3 when we met John Kerry in Rome they supported such a concept [of total rebel withdrawal and even gave us their approval on paper.    But after three days they revoked that agreement and returned to their old, dead-end position which comprises this: before the agreement on corridors there has to be a truce…As I understand, this would just mean the rebels would get a break.

Last weekend a US-Russian proposal was presented to the opposition for the withdrawal of rebels, families, and civilians; however, as pro-Assad forces renewed their advance, Moscow denied any agreement with Washington.

Lavrov covered his statement with the proclamation of a possible US conspiracy: he said the Islamic State’s capture of Palmyra from the Assad regime may have been “orchestrated, coordinated” by the US-led coalition “to give a break to those bandits that are in eastern Aleppo”.

US State Department spokesman John Kirby responded, “We’re deeply frustrated but not surprised by this lack of Russian and regime commitment to what should be a humane solution.”

UN officials, blocked for months by Russia and the Assad regime from providing any assistance to east Aleppo, expressed concerns. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said he was worried by reports about “atrocities”, while humanitarian advisor Jan Egeland tweeted:”Better to Die Than Live in Humiliation”

A nurse, whose father and brother were killed by sheling, said:

I cannot leave because I’m medical staff which means a terrorist in the eyes of the regime.    I cannot forgive. It is better that God takes my life than to live in humiliation under those who murdered most of my family and my neighbours, and destroyed my country and street and robbed my home.American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem, who has covered the Syrian conflict on the frontline for years, sent a final message: www.mesop.de