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Syria ceasefire: Aid still not reaching besieged areas Syria ceasefire: Aid still not reaching besieged areas
(about 1 hour later)
UN trucks with a month's worth of food for 40,000 people remain stuck at the Turkish border, two days after a ceasefire came into effect in Syria. UN lorries with a month's worth of food for 40,000 people remain stuck at the Turkish border, two days after a ceasefire came into effect in Syria.
Getting aid to besieged Syrians in areas like eastern Aleppo was the first priority of the temporary truce.Getting aid to besieged Syrians in areas like eastern Aleppo was the first priority of the temporary truce.
But disagreements between warring sides and concerns about safety are delaying emergency deliveries, the UN says.But disagreements between warring sides and concerns about safety are delaying emergency deliveries, the UN says.
Criticism has also been levelled at the Syrian government for trying to control aid flows.Criticism has also been levelled at the Syrian government for trying to control aid flows.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad says it will only allow aid coordinated through itself and the UN to reach Aleppo.The government of President Bashar al-Assad says it will only allow aid coordinated through itself and the UN to reach Aleppo.
It has raised particular concern about aid coming from Turkey, which supports anti-government rebels.It has raised particular concern about aid coming from Turkey, which supports anti-government rebels.
Some 250,000 people remain trapped in rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Protests have been held against the UN as the area waits for aid. Some 250,000 people remain trapped in rebel-held eastern Aleppo. Protests have been held against the UN as the area waits for aid but people are enjoying the temporary calm, residents say.
In government-held western Aleppo, meanwhile, residents have been enjoying the ceasefire's calm. Before the ceasefire, the area was regularly targeted with rebel rocket fire. "The streets were always empty before," Free Syrian Army fighter Abo Haitham told Reuters news agency.
"But now people are coming and going, children are playing in the playground. But the downside is that the markets are empty."
In government-held western Aleppo, pictures show young people relaxing outside. Before the ceasefire, the area was regularly targeted with rebel rocket fire.
Residents of eastern Aleppo are reported to be in desperate need of fuel, flour, wheat, baby milk and medicines.Residents of eastern Aleppo are reported to be in desperate need of fuel, flour, wheat, baby milk and medicines.
Two convoys of trucks carrying aid crossed into Syria about 40km (25 miles) west of Aleppo on Tuesday but were not allowed to go much further, Reuters news agency reports. Two convoys of lorries carrying aid crossed into Syria about 40km (25 miles) west of Aleppo on Tuesday but were not allowed to go much further, Reuters news agency reports.
One issue holding back aid deliveries is that al-Qaeda affiliates operate in the area, which may mean the main route into Aleppo is not yet safe, the BBC's James Longman in Beirut says.One issue holding back aid deliveries is that al-Qaeda affiliates operate in the area, which may mean the main route into Aleppo is not yet safe, the BBC's James Longman in Beirut says.
Lorries carrying Russian aid, however, have reached government-held areas of Homs province.
The Syrian truceThe Syrian truce
How will the new Syria truce work?How will the new Syria truce work?
On Tuesday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said if the truce held, aid deliveries "should be taking place very, very soon".On Tuesday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said if the truce held, aid deliveries "should be taking place very, very soon".
But he said the UN was still waiting for authorisation from the Syrian government.But he said the UN was still waiting for authorisation from the Syrian government.
Since the truce came into effect at sunset on Monday, accusations have been made against both rebels and government forces for sporadically violating it. Since the truce came into effect on Monday, accusations have been made against both rebels and government forces for sporadically violating it.
But it appears to have largely held.But it appears to have largely held.
The deal, described by Mr Kerry as the "last chance to save a united Syria", was struck on Friday in Geneva after months of talks between Russia and the US. It requires both sides to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid.The deal, described by Mr Kerry as the "last chance to save a united Syria", was struck on Friday in Geneva after months of talks between Russia and the US. It requires both sides to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
The Russian military says its warplanes, acting under the terms of the ceasefire, killed 250 fighters from so-called Islamic State north of Palmyra on Tuesday. The fighters were reportedly planning an attack. The report could not be independently verified.
The number of deaths recorded since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011 recently rose above 300,000, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group.The number of deaths recorded since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011 recently rose above 300,000, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group.
However, it said it estimated the full death toll to be about 430,000.However, it said it estimated the full death toll to be about 430,000.
More than 4.8 million people have fled abroad, and an estimated 6.5 million others have been displaced within the country, the UN says.More than 4.8 million people have fled abroad, and an estimated 6.5 million others have been displaced within the country, the UN says.
Areas of control around AleppoAreas of control around Aleppo
If the truce holds...If the truce holds...
Jihadist groups like so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham face the joint might of the Russian and US air forcesJihadist groups like so-called Islamic State and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham face the joint might of the Russian and US air forces
Moderate rebels and civilians in the areas they hold will no longer face the threat of indiscriminate air strikes such as barrel-bombing although the Syrian air force will not be grounded completely; aid deliveries will be allowed to areas currently under siegeModerate rebels and civilians in the areas they hold will no longer face the threat of indiscriminate air strikes such as barrel-bombing although the Syrian air force will not be grounded completely; aid deliveries will be allowed to areas currently under siege
President Assad will be in a stronger position as the US and Russia engage two of his most effective military opponents while moderate rebels observe the truce with his forcesPresident Assad will be in a stronger position as the US and Russia engage two of his most effective military opponents while moderate rebels observe the truce with his forces
Syria's history of failed dealsSyria's history of failed deals
February 2012: Syrian government "categorically rejects" an Arab League plan calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping missionFebruary 2012: Syrian government "categorically rejects" an Arab League plan calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission
June 2012/January 2014/January 2016: Three failed UN-sponsored peace conferences in GenevaJune 2012/January 2014/January 2016: Three failed UN-sponsored peace conferences in Geneva
September 2013: Kerry and Lavrov negotiate a deal to strip the Syrian government of its chemical weapons in return for the US backing away from air strikes. Since then, the government has again and repeatedly been accused of using toxic chemicals against rebel-held areasSeptember 2013: Kerry and Lavrov negotiate a deal to strip the Syrian government of its chemical weapons in return for the US backing away from air strikes. Since then, the government has again and repeatedly been accused of using toxic chemicals against rebel-held areas
February 2016: World powers agree in Munich on a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" in Syria excluding jihadist groups. There is no agreement on any joint US-Russian operations. The "pause" quickly unravels as Assad promises to regain control of the whole countryFebruary 2016: World powers agree in Munich on a nationwide "cessation of hostilities" in Syria excluding jihadist groups. There is no agreement on any joint US-Russian operations. The "pause" quickly unravels as Assad promises to regain control of the whole country
March 2016: President Vladimir Putin declares "mission accomplished" in Syria and orders removal of "main part" of Russia's air army in Syria. Russian air strikes have continued ever sinceMarch 2016: President Vladimir Putin declares "mission accomplished" in Syria and orders removal of "main part" of Russia's air army in Syria. Russian air strikes have continued ever since