Syrian forces and rebels clash in northern Aleppo
Syrian forces and rebels clash in northern Aleppo
Despite a ceasefire, clashes continued in northern Aleppo on Monday ahead of a world powers meeting in Paris to discuss a political solution to the Syria war.
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Syrian forces airstrikes have hit several areas in Aleppo despite the ceasefire [AFP]
Fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels in the northern city of Aleppo intensified on Monday, as air raids struck rebel-held areas and shelling hit government-controlled parts of the city hours before a ceasefire was set to expire.
Syrian forces airstrikes hit several areas in Aleppo, including the neighbourhood of Rashideen after opposition fighters shelled the government-held neighbourhood of Midan, killing a child, according to state media reports.
The violence came hours before a five-day ceasefire was to expire just after midnight.
Air raids were reported on the town of Khan Touman, southern Aleppo, which was captured on Friday by militant groups, including al-Qaeda-affiliate al-Nusra Front, in a battle that left at least 13 members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards force killed as well as pro-government fighters.
Last week, Russia and the United States reached an agreement to extend Syria's ceasefire to Aleppo, where several days of fighting killed 286 civilians, including 57 children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, Russia and the US urged the Syrian government and opposition groups on Monday to adhere to a revived ceasefire and let humanitarian aid to flow to critical areas.
Both states agreed to step up efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict and extend the truce across the whole country.
"The Russian Federation and the United States are determined to redouble efforts to reach a political settlement of the Syrian conflict," said a joint US-Russian statement.
Russia, Assad's close ally, said it will work with the Syrian government to minimise flights over civilian areas, where opposition groups claim Syrian military has violated the ceasefire.
Moscow, which has taken a leading role in the bombing of rebel-held areas across Aleppo, said it is committed to resuming peace talks to end Syria's civil war.
The comments came as leaders of nations supporting the Syrian opposition gathered in Paris to meet with the coalition head, Riad Hijab, in a bid to keep the ceasefire alive and relaunch peace talks.
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Agencies contributed to this report
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