(Zaman Al Wasl)- The Kremlin said Tuesday that the operation of an evacuation route that Russia helped open from besieged eastern Ghouta suburbs would depend on rebel forces whom it accused of holding civilians there hostage and of sabotaging the escape route.
Russia, which backs the regime, ordered a daily truce from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m and the creation of a "humanitarian corridor" to let civilians leave the area, the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a conference call with reporters Tuesday that Russia regretted the situation unfolding in Ghouta and said Moscow would continue to work to try to help civilians leave the area despite what he called "provocations" from rebels.
The Council of Damascus Suburbs, an opposition body affiliated to the Interim Government, said Russia seeks to deport the people of Ghouta by implementing forced displacement, paving the road for Iran to expand its power in the capital and its countryside.
Syria regime rocket fire killed a civilian in the Eastern Ghouta rebel enclave Tuesday, a monitor said, the first
casualty since a fragile humanitarian "pause" announced by Russia took effect.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said the victim was a boy in the town of Jisreen, where seven people were also wounded. (With Agencies)
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