Syria Alert Issue XIV

On 30 October, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura presented the idea of ‘freeze’ zones where fighting would be stopped, to start with Aleppo. The Syrian regime and its key ally Russia indicated a willingness to support the UN proposal. Their support, however, fuels suspicion that the ‘freeze’ will only be used to consolidate territories and to regroup and rearm for further fighting. Taking into consideration previous local ceasefires and the urgent situation in Aleppo, this special edition of Syria Alert, prepared in cooperation with our Syrian partner Etana, addresses the question: Can de Mistura’s ‘freeze’ plan save Aleppo, and under what conditions?