Russia: extra 'humanitarian pause' in Aleppo helps militants
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Russian military says extending breaks in the fighting in Aleppo would play into the hands of the militants.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said in a statement Thursday that the ministry had received a request from U.N. official Jan Egeland to extend the "humanitarian pause" in Aleppo.
Konashenkov criticized the U.N. for failing to make use of the 10-hour pause to deliver aid, despite being given advance notice. He added that extending the halts would only help the "terrorists" restore their capabilities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Russia has repeatedly introduced such breaks to allow both fighters and civilians to leave Aleppo's rebel-held eastern part. But militants have refused to leave, and during the last such halt on Friday they fired at one of humanitarian corridors, wounding two Russian servicemen.