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Russia denies carrying out air strike on UN aid convoy near Aleppo labelled an 'attack on humanity' Russia denies carrying out air strike on UN aid convoy near Aleppo labelled an ‘attack on humanity’
(about 1 hour later)
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) has condemned an air strike that killed around 20 humanitarian volunteers and one staff member near Aleppo, calling the attack “totally unacceptable”.   The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) has condemned an air strike that killed around 20 humanitarian volunteers and one staff member near Aleppo, calling the attack “totally unacceptable”.  
The UN and Red Crescent convoy was delivering aid supplies to Uram al-Kubra, west of Aleppo city, when it was struck on Monday night.The UN and Red Crescent convoy was delivering aid supplies to Uram al-Kubra, west of Aleppo city, when it was struck on Monday night.
At least 18 of the 31 trucks in the convoy were hit in the strike, which was carried out by either Syrian or Russian forces.  Russia has denied that its planes carried out the strike, and Syria has denied deliberately targeting the convoy.  At least 18 of the 31 trucks in the convoy were hit in the strike, which was carried out by either Syrian or Russian forces. Russia has denied that its planes carried out the strike, and Syria has denied deliberately targeting the convoy. 
"Failing to respect and protect humanitarian workers and structures might have serious repercussions on ongoing humanitarian operations in the country, hence depriving millions of people from aid essential to their survival,” Peter Maurer, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President said in a statement on Tuesday.  “Failing to respect and protect humanitarian workers and structures might have serious repercussions on ongoing humanitarian operations in the country, hence depriving millions of people from aid essential to their survival,” Peter Maurer, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President said in a statement on Tuesday. 
“Today, the Red Cross and Red Crescent is in mourning." “Today, the Red Cross and Red Crescent is in mourning.”
The Russian Defence Ministry said in a media conference that intelligence services had looked at video from the scene, and did not see evidence of munitions hitting the convoy.  The Russian Defence Ministry said in a media conference that intelligence services had looked at drone footage from the incident, and did not see evidence of munitions hitting the convoy. 
"Everything shown in the video is the direct result of a fire which mysteriously began at the same time as a large scale rebel attack on Aleppo," Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said. “Everything shown in the video is the direct result of a fire which mysteriously began at the same time as a large scale rebel attack on Aleppo,” Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
The US made it clear on Monday night that it holds Moscow responsible for the deaths regardless, crushing hopes of further cooperation between the superpowers in the Syrian civil war.The US made it clear on Monday night that it holds Moscow responsible for the deaths regardless, crushing hopes of further cooperation between the superpowers in the Syrian civil war.
“We don’t know at this point whether it was the Russians or the regime. In either case, the Russians have the responsibility certainly to restrain – refrain from taking such action themselves, but they also have the responsibility to keep the regime from doing it,” a US State Department statement said. “We don’t know at this point whether it was the Russians or the regime. In either case, the Russians have the responsibility certainly to restrain – refrain from taking such action themselves, but they also have the responsibility to keep the regime from doing it,” a US State Department statement said.
A Red Crescent warehouse and health clinic were also seriously damaged, and aid supplies for thousands of people destroyed. A video from volunteer rescue group the Syrian Civil Defence, or the White Helmets, shows several vehicles and buildings on fire as ambulances arrive at the scene.   A Red Crescent warehouse and health clinic were also seriously damaged, and aid supplies for thousands of people were destroyed. A video from volunteer rescue group the Syrian Civil Defence, or the White Helmets, shows several vehicles and buildings on fire as ambulances arrive at the scene.  
The UN humanitarian aid agency has said all planned aid drops in Syria have been suspended in the wake of the attack.The UN humanitarian aid agency has said all planned aid drops in Syria have been suspended in the wake of the attack.
UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said all warring parties had received notification of the convoy, which was carrying aid for about 78,000 people, warning that if the volunteers and aid workers were deliberately targeted “it would amount to a war crime.”  UN humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien said all warring parties had received notification of the convoy, which was carrying aid for about 78,000 people, warning that if the volunteers and aid workers were deliberately targeted “it would amount to a war crime.” 
The attack comes as the seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian civil war expires. The truce between the Syrian opposition and government forces has already been severely tested by multiple violations, including President Bashar al-Assad's refusal to let aid enter Aleppo as per the terms of the deal. The attack comes as the seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian civil war expires. The truce between the Syrian opposition and government forces has already been severely tested by multiple violations, including President Bashar al-Assad’s refusal to let aid enter Aleppo as per the terms of the deal.
The Uram al-Kubra convoy was the first to be granted permission to proceed after six days of delays. The area has not recieved humanitarian supplies since July 2015.  The Uram al-Kubra convoy was the first to be granted permission to proceed after six days of delays. The area has not received humanitarian supplies since July 2015. 
Relations were already strained between the US, which backs some rebel groups in Syria, and Russia, an ally of the Syrian government, after a US coalition-led air strike near Isis territory killed at least 62 government soldiers on Saturday.Relations were already strained between the US, which backs some rebel groups in Syria, and Russia, an ally of the Syrian government, after a US coalition-led air strike near Isis territory killed at least 62 government soldiers on Saturday.
Earlier on Monday both the US and Russia had suggested the ceasefire, which technically ended at 11.59pm on Sunday and is supposed to renew every 48 hours, could still be salvaged. Earlier on Monday both the US and Russia had suggested the ceasefire, which technically ended at 11.59pm on Sunday and is supposed to renew every 48 hours, could still be salvaged. 
But late Monday night, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby called the convoy attack an “egregious violation” of the ceasefire and said the US will have to “reassess the future prospects for cooperation with Russia.”  But late Monday night, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby called the convoy attack an “egregious violation” of the ceasefire and said the US will have to “reassess the future prospects for cooperation with Russia”.
Elsewhere at least 20 civilians, including a one-year-old girl, were killed in fresh air strikes on rebel-held parts of Aleppo city and surrounding areas on Monday, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Russia said government positions in southwest Aleppo came under attack from militant groups, including a massive barrage of rockets. Elsewhere at least 20 civilians, including a one-year-old girl, were killed in fresh air strikes on rebel-held parts of Aleppo city and surrounding areas on Monday, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Russia said government positions in southwest Aleppo came under attack from militant groups, including a massive barrage of rockets. 
The week-old ceasefire had brought a brief respite to at least some parts the war-torn country. The week-old ceasefire had brought a brief respite to at least some parts the war-torn country. 
Its future will be at the top of the agenda of a meeting in New York on Tuesday of about 20 countries supporting opposing sides in the Syria conflict, including the US and Russia, that belong to the International Syria Support Group.  Its future is at the top of the agenda for the International Syria Support Group in New York, a group of 20 countries which support different sides in tee five-year-long conflict. Foreign Minister Boris Johnson said that all members backed continued efforts by the US and Russia to adhere to the original ceasefire deal, and that the group will meet again to discuss the matter further.  
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies