Russia’s UN Envoy: Al-Nusra Must Either Leave Aleppo or Be Defeated

According to Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorists must voluntarily leave eastern Aleppo or they would be annihilated after separation of terrorists and the ‘moderate’ opposition in the city.

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin (Photo: Reuters / Lucas Jackson)

If rebels in eastern Aleppo break from terrorists of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (previously known as the Al-Nusra Front) group, the latter must voluntarily leave the city or they would be annihilated, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, said. The official also added that the 8-hour ceasefire on October 20 can be extended, but only if various sides agree.

According to Churkin, the Russian side is ready to provide Jabhat Fateh al-Sham terrorists in eastern Aleppo an opportunity to leave the city safely if the so-called ‘moderate’ rebels agree to clearly distance themselves from the terrorist group. At the same time the Russia’s envoy to the UN noted that if the terrorists refuse to leave their positions in Aleppo, they should be ready to be wiped out.

“If they [‘moderate’ opposition] distance themselves, then we will offer Jabhat Al-Nusra two options to choose from: either they leave the city, and Steffan de Mistura, [UN special envoy for Syria], as you know, came out with a proposal regarding this some time ago, which has not been accepted by Jabhat Al-Nusra yet, or we will have to defeat them,” the TASS news agency quoted his words.

Churkin was referring to earlier proposal of de Mistura, who offered to personally accompany Al-Nusra terrorists on their way out from the city to other parts of Syria.

The diplomat noted that if the scenario works, it would mean the end of the Aleppo’s bloodshed on condition that all other ‘moderate’ opposition armed groups enter into ceasefire agreements with the Syrian government after the exit of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham from the city.

At the same time, on Monday, a draft resolution on Aleppo has been submitted to the UN Security Council by New Zealand. The immediate and complete end of attacks that can result in civilian casualties or affect civilian infrastructure was called for by the document. It also provides 48-hour pauses in fighting in order to ensure deliveries of humanitarian aid, as well as underscores the need to separate terrorist groups, recognized by the UN, and the ‘moderate’ opposition in Aleppo.

“It’s an interesting effort, we will definitely look into it,” Churkin noted.

According to Churkin, “the chances of this plan succeeding are quite reasonable if the so-called ‘moderates’ greatly outnumber Al-Nusra fighters.” He added that the ratio can be as high as 10 to 1 or even 12 to 1, if the UK’s Foreign Office has provided accurate estimates, claiming that there are somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000 ‘moderate’ rebels in Aleppo.