Russia 'responsible' for Aleppo tragedy

Hundreds have demonstrated in Berlin blaming Moscow and its support of the Syrian government for the unfolding tragedy in Aleppo.

Condemnation of the Syrian president and his allies Russia and Iran, has intensified in capitals across Europe.

At a heated session of the UN Security Council Washington’s Ambassador Samantha Power criticised the vetoing of previous attempts at a ceasefire:

“It is your noose – three member states of the U.N. – contributing to a noose around civilians. It should shame you. Instead by all appearances it is emboldening you. You are plotting your next assault. Are you truly incapable of shame? Is there literally nothing that can shame you?”

“Immediate task at hand is to stop the carnage” in Aleppo – Ban Ki-moon to Security Council https://t.co/MByshliV7U #Syria https://t.co/4bNxFkyXBg— United Nations (@UN) December 13, 2016

In the UK, lawmakers were told they share some responsibility for the plight of civilians in Aleppo by opposing military intervention against the Assad regime in 2013.

Gave speech for the first time in 13 years today from the backbenches – on the tragedy of Aleppo & failure of West https://t.co/ONmeqpuwZ1— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) December 13, 2016

In August 2013, the UK parliament rejected the government’s case for possible intervention in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian regime forces.

MPs voted 285-272 against the UK joining President Barack Obama’s plan for US air strikes – which never came to pass because of political opposition in the US.

Today’s UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson lashed out at Russia during in an emergency debate about the conflict in Aleppo.

“I have information from Aleppo today, as I’m sure many the right honourable members do themselves, it is today the Russians, who are blocking the evacuation, not just of the injured but of the medical staff from leaving the zones which they themselves, the very zones which they themselves are attacking.”

More demonstrations organised by humanitarian agencies are planned for this week galvanised by reports of civilian killings.

Russia has insisted the allegations are untrue.

Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin says reports out of Aleppo of mass slaughter are ‘fake news.” Security Council gridlock in a nutshell.— Nick Bryant (@NickBryantNY) December 13, 2016