Aleppo Armenian districts relatively safe, clashes continue elsewhere

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian districts of Aleppo have not been shelled during the last days, but clashes continue on the outskirts of the city. The situation is relatively calm in the Armenian districts, Arevelk reports.

After the key road connecting Aleppo with the outer world was liberated, the situation has notably improved: food prices have fallen, in particular, the paper says.

The Armenian districts, however, still face electricity and water problem, with people having to pay some 1000 Syrian pounds (apx $5,3) for just 1 amp of electricity.

Anti-government protests developed into a civil war that four years on has grown to a stalemate, with the Assad government, Islamic State, an array of Syrian rebels and Kurdish fighters all holding territory.

More than 250,000 Syrians have been killed and a million injured. Some 11 million others have been forced from their homes, of whom four million have fled abroad - including growing numbers who are making the dangerous journey to Europe.

Iran, Russia and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement are propping up the Alawite-led Assad government, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar back the more moderate Sunni-dominated opposition, along with the U.S., UK and France. Hezbollah and Iran have pro-Assad forces on the ground, while a Western-led coalition and Russia are carrying out air strikes.