Kerry hopes to salvage truce as new raids hit Aleppo

US Secretary of State John Kerry says envoys meeting in Geneva are getting closer to an understanding on salvaging the cessation of hostilities in Syria. He told reporters progress was being made on a plan to reduce the violence in the second city of Aleppo, which has threatened to sink the nine-week truce. But he […]

US Secretary of State John Kerry says envoys meeting in Geneva are getting closer to an understanding on salvaging the cessation of hostilities in Syria.
He told reporters progress was being made on a plan to reduce the violence in the second city of Aleppo, which has threatened to sink the nine-week truce.
But he accused the Syrian government of “blatantly violating” the agreement to halt hostilities and allow aid in.
About 250 people have reportedly been killed in Aleppo in the past nine days.
On Monday, fresh government air strikes and artillery attacks on rebel-held districts and suburbs of Aleppo left at least three dead, activists said.
Mr Kerry, speaking after a morning of talks in Geneva, said the conflict in Syria was “in many ways out of control and deeply disturbing”.
He said the cessation of hostilities had had “a profoundly positive effect” and saved many lives, but in recent weeks it had been “put to the test”.