Russia urges 'humanitarian corridor' in eastern Ghouta

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Russia has said it will establish an evacuation corridor and implement a five-hour daily truce to allow people to leave Syria's eastern Ghouta, after a UN Security Council resolution demanding a nationwide 30-day ceasefire.

It appeared to make no mention, however, of allowing relief supplies to enter the territory, where 400,000 people are living under siege and bombardment.

Over the past week, Syria's army and its allies have subjected the rebel-held enclave near Damascus to one of the heaviest bombardments of the seven-year war, killing hundreds.

Syrian children receive treatment for a suspected chemical attack at a makeshift clinic in the rebel-held village of al-Shifuniyah in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of Damascus, February 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

On Sunday, health authorities there said several people had symptoms consistent with chlorine gas exposure. On Monday, rescue workers and a monitoring group said seven small children had been killed by air and artillery strikes in one town.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was cited by the RIA news agency as saying President Vladimir Putin had ordered a ceasefire in eastern Ghouta from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, and the creation of a "humanitarian corridor."

Guterres condemns 'hell on earth'

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged all parties involved in the Syria conflict to observe the minimum 30-day truce with immediate effect.

"It is high time to stop this hell on earth, in particular eastern Ghouta cannot wait," he said, referring to the rebel-held area that is the scene of fierce and deadly clashes.

This call was in keeping with UN Security Council Resolution 2401, which was adopted unanimously on Saturday, two weeks after tough negotiations on the escalating violence in Syria.

"Security Council resolutions are only meaningful if they are effectively implemented," Guterres said in his speech at the opening of the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Delegates unanimously agree the adoption of Resolution 2401 during an emergency UN Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, February 24, 2018. /VCG Photo‍

"I expect the resolution to be immediately implemented and sustained, particularly to ensure the immediate, safe, unimpeded and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid and services, the evacuation of the critically sick and the wounded and the alleviation of the suffering of the Syrian people."

The UN chief also reminded all parties of their absolute obligation to international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure at all times.

"Efforts to combat terrorism do not supersede these obligations," he said.

Iran: We are 'hopeful' about the implementation

The death of the innocent people is never welcomed by anybody, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi said on Monday in response to the mounting deaths in eastern Ghouta.

"We hope that this (truce) will pave the ground for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people," Qasemi said in his weekly press briefing.

"The implementation of the truce will hopefully reduce the violence in Syria."

France: Respect ceasefire proposal without delay

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that the resolution must be applied across the country, including in Afrin, where Turkey is attacking Kurdish militants.

Macron said during his phone call with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the 30-day ceasefire "involved all Syrian territory, including in Afrin, and must be put into effect everywhere and by everyone without delay".

(With input from agencies)