Russia announces humanitarian operation in Syria's Aleppo

MOSCOW — Russia and the Syrian government said they will open humanitarian corridors in Syria's embattled city of Aleppo on Thursday and offer a way out for opposition fighters wanting to lay down their arms, even as Syrian forces took another district from rebels in the city.

The Russian announcement by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came as Syria's President Bashar Assad offered a general amnesty for rebels who give up their weapons and surrender to authorities over the next three months.

Rebels and residents of Aleppo said they were deeply skeptical of the offer, and there was no immediate sign of people massing to leave the besieged parts of the city.

Rights groups said opening safe passages to civilians trapped in eastern Aleppo city won't avert a catastrophe and does not give Syrian and Russian forces carte blanche to further blockade the opposition-controlled territory.

In a statement Thursday, the London-based Amnesty International said providing safe routes for those civilians wishing to leave is "no substitute for allowing impartial humanitarian relief for civilians who remain in opposition-held areas," many of whom will be skeptical about government and Russian promises.

"Providing safe routes for those civilians who wish to flee Aleppo city will not avert a humanitarian catastrophe," said Philip Luther, director of the Middle East and North Africa program for Amnesty.

Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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