Syrian forces’ offensive against the rebel-held parts of Aleppo continues

Syrian government forces and their allies are continuing their offensive against rebel-held parts of eastern Aleppo. Witnesses and monitors on December 9 reported shelling and air strikes against rebel enclaves, despite an announcement by Russia the previous day that the offensive had been halted to allow for the evacuation of civilians. Meanwhile in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed concern about a decision by the United States to ease restrictions on providing arms to antigovernment rebels in Syria. Peskov said Moscow fears U.S.-provided shoulder-launched antiaircraft missiles could end up in the hands of “terrorists” and “pose a serious threat” to countries in the region and beyond. Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced that Russian and U.S. military experts and diplomats will meet in Geneva on December 10 to evaluate the situation in Aleppo and try to reach agreements on the evacuation of civilians, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of antigovernment forces from the city. The UN estimates there are some 100,000 civilians still in the embattled city.