The Liberation of Aleppo Can Damage the Political Settlement Process

• 12.06.2016, 20:02
•  Near East,  World

Reuters

Russia and China vetoed the draft resolution providing a ceasefire in Aleppo at UN Security Council. The resolution was initiated by New Zealand, Spain and Egypt. Russia stated that it voted against the document since Washington is preparing to exert pressure on the collaborators. Washington and its allies, however, believe that the reason for blocking ceasefire resolutions are the profitable positions of Russian and Syrian government forces in Aleppo which they want to maintain.

It should be noted that the main war scene in Syria remains Aleppo, where the government forces and their allies continue to hold quite successful operations against the rebels. Syrian troops have liberated 60 percent of Aleppo from the East within a week and continue to advance. Experts believe that further progress will be more difficult, because government troops have approached the well-fortified parts of the city, where rebels are not going to hand over the remaining territories under their control. In any case, experts have no doubt that Assad's troops with Russia's support will regain control of Aleppo. It will be just a matter of time.

The victory of the government troops in Aleppo has a negative impact on the political process on Syria's conflict. Thus, it became known that the US has withdrawn the proposals on militants' withdrawal from Eastern Aleppo, made during the meeting in Rome, a few days ago, between the Russian Foreign Minister and Secretary of State John Kerry. According to Lavrov, Washington has introduced a new document to Moscow, which he thinks is aimed at winning time for the fighters.

It is also noteworthy that the West, which was constantly talking about the humanitarian disaster in Syria, does not hesitate to give any help to the people after the liberation of the Eastern districts of Aleppo by Assad forces. This can be viewed as another manifestation of avoiding any encounter with Damascus.

Experts believe that the cooperation between Russia and the United States will get weaker as Assad shows more success in Aleppo.