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Syria conflict: Powers divided over ceasefire Syria conflict: Powers divided over ceasefire
(about 1 hour later)
A US push for an immediate ceasefire in Syria has run into Russian opposition ahead of talks aimed at reviving peace negotiations on the conflict. A US push for an immediate ceasefire in Syria has run into Russian opposition ahead of talks aimed at reviving stalled peace negotiations.
Russia proposed a 1 March ceasefire, but the US believes Moscow is giving itself and the Syrian regime three weeks to crush rebels, reports quoting Western officials said. Russia is reported to have proposed starting the ceasefire on 1 March, but the US believes Moscow is giving itself and the Syrian government three weeks to crush rebel forces.
World powers are meeting in Munich later for talks on the Syria conflict.World powers are meeting in Munich later for talks on the Syria conflict.
Discussions come amid fresh warnings of a worsening humanitarian situation.Discussions come amid fresh warnings of a worsening humanitarian situation.
A surge in fighting in Syria's Aleppo province has displaced about 50,000 people, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned - adding that supply routes for aid had been cut, putting civilians under "enormous pressure". A surge in fighting in Syria's northern Aleppo province has displaced about 50,000 people, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned - adding that supply routes for aid have been cut, putting civilians under "enormous pressure".
Meanwhile, Kurdish fighters, reportedly backed by Russian air strikes, have driven Islamist insurgents from a former Syrian military air base north of Aleppo, monitors said.
Russian aircraft had carried out at least 30 raids against the remnants of the Islamist force and Kurdish militia had captured most of the Menagh base, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Reports quoting the Russia defence ministry say Russian planes have carried out 510 military sorties in Syria in the last week.
Russia says its strikes target what it calls terrorists, but Western powers say they have been used against mainstream opposition groups fighting the Syrian government.
How Putin is succeeding in SyriaHow Putin is succeeding in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used a live television address to warn on Thursday that refugee numbers could increase to 600,000 if air strikes continue. Displaced Syrians struggle to survive
Attacking the mounting pressure on Turkey to open its border with Syria, he said Turkey would be patient up to a point, but then would be forced to take action. Syria: The story of the conflict
Kurdish fighters, reportedly backed by Russian air strikes, have meanwhile driven Islamist rebels from a former Syrian military air base north of Aleppo.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said Russian aircraft had carried out at least 30 raids against the remnants of the rebel force at Menagh, allowing Kurds to take full control overnight.
Reports quoting the Russian defence ministry say its planes have carried out 510 military sorties in Syria in the last week.
Russia says they are targeting only "terrorists", but Western powers say they have mostly hit mainstream opposition groups and civilians.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used a live television address to warn on Thursday that refugee numbers could increase to 600,000 if the strikes continue.
Attacking the mounting pressure on Turkey to allow in 30,000 Syrians displaced by the fighting around Aleppo who are stranded at its border, he said Turkey would be patient up to a point, but then would be forced to take action.
'Trying to destroy opposition''Trying to destroy opposition'
US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to push for an immediate ceasefire and access for aid workers in Aleppo when Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia, Iran and other powers meet in Munich later.US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to push for an immediate ceasefire and access for aid workers in Aleppo when Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia, Iran and other powers meet in Munich later.
But Syrian officials have indicated no plans to ease up the battle to return Aleppo to state control.But Syrian officials have indicated no plans to ease up the battle to return Aleppo to state control.
And Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin said his country was not about to be "apologetic" for its actions, accusing other Security Council members of exploiting the humanitarian situation for their own political gain. And Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin said his country was not about to be "apologetic" for its actions, accusing other UN Security Council members of exploiting the humanitarian situation for their own political gain.
Western officials suggest Washington has concerns about Russia's ceasefire proposal and that no agreement has been reached.Western officials suggest Washington has concerns about Russia's ceasefire proposal and that no agreement has been reached.
French UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said on Wednesday night: "The (Syrian) regime and its allies cannot pretend they are extending a hand to the opposition while with their other hand they are trying to destroy them." France's permanent representative to the UN, Francois Delattre, said on Wednesday night: "The [Syrian] regime and its allies cannot pretend they are extending a hand to the opposition while with their other hand they are trying to destroy them."
Thinly-stretched camps Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has warned that the arrival of thousands of displaced people in Azaz, near the Bab al-Salam crossing on the Turkish border, has left health systems "close to collapse".
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has warned that fighting in Azaz, near the Turkish border, has left health systems "close to collapse". People have been forced to seek shelter in already thinly-stretched camps, according to the international medical organisation.
New arrivals from the fighting have been forced to seek shelter in already thinly-stretched refugee camps, according to the charity. Up to 300,000 people could be cut off from aid if Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias encircle rebel-held eastern Aleppo, the UN has said.
Turkey is under pressure to open its border to an estimated 30,000 people fleeing the Aleppo fighting.
Turkey, which has already taken in more than 2.5 million Syrian refugees over the past five years, said on Tuesday that it had allowed 10,000 people to cross in a "controlled fashion". The UN refugee agency has not confirmed the assertion.
Up to 300,000 could be cut off from aid if the offensive by Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias encircles rebel-held eastern Aleppo, the UN has said.