The Syrian civil war seems to take a surprisingly unexpected turn as the rebel leadership is calling for a five-day truce and keep both fighting forces at bay to allow civilians to evacuate to safer sanctuary.
This was the response of the Syrian rebel faction as they withdrew from their stronghold in east Aleppo. They agree that civilians need to be evacuated and be free from the dangers of the ongoing civil war that resulted to dozens of casualties every day.
This is also in response to calls from different countries in the West, including the United Nations for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians trapped in the crossfire. According to reports, food and medical supplies are depleted in rebel-held areas in parts of Aleppo.
Syrian regime troops and militia forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have surrounded the areas and are closing in to regain control of the last remaining rebel strongholds. In effect, the operations prevented the transport of food and medical supplies to get into the war-torn areas.
There are thousands of civilians still trapped in rebel-held territories and are imploring for help to let the aid get to them as food is already becoming a very scarce commodity and that medical supplies need to get in to treat the thousands that are wounded and awaiting vital treatment. Hospitals and make-shift medical bays are already full.
President Assad, on the other hand, said that they will soon be able to take back control of Aleppo, with only a few remaining pockets of resistance from the rebel forces. He expressed high hopes that this 'huge step' that may see the end of the five-year long Syrian civil war.
"Terrorists are present elsewhere. Even if we finish with Aleppo, we will continue our war against them," Assad was quoted saying to a Syrian newspaper. He also said that even if they take full control of the territories, they still face a war with terror they could not ignore.
Aleppo is the second largest city in Syria and is considered as the financial and industrial center in the country. Back in 18th century BC, it became the capital of the kingdom of Yamkhad. It was conquered by the Hittites and served as a key trading center for merchants travelling though the Mediterranean and the East.
It was later conquered by Arab Muslims under Umayyad Caliph Sulaiman where constructed the Great Mosque. It had its share of wars and different rulers until it became a city of with a massive cultural diversity.
