US suspends Syria talks with Russia

04 October 2016

Washington has blamed Russia and Syrian regime for attacks on civilians

The US has suspended talks with Russia over Syria as it accuses Moscow of failing to live up to its commitments agreed in August.

Washington has blamed Russia and the Syrian government of continuing to attack civilian targets, following the collapse of the ceasefire that was agreed in August.

In a statement, state department spokesman John Kirby said: “The US is suspending its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the cessation of hostilities.”

The US also said it would withdraw personnel “that had been dispatched in anticipation of the possible establishment of the Joint (US-Russian) Implementation Centre”.

The northern city of Aleppo has come under heavy bombardment since the end of the ceasefire, with rights groups claiming that hospitals and vital humanitarian routes continue to be targeted.

Estimates from the UK’s IHS Conflict Monitor suggest there are up to 250,000 people trapped in eastern Aleppo.

Violence in Syria began in 2011. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people have died in the conflict.

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