A prominent Russian army general has blamed President Vladimir Putin’s “humanitarian ceasefire” in Aleppo for the Islamic State’s recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra on Sunday.
“I understand it is necessary to ensure the safety of the population…” said Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, the former head of Russia’s General Staff. “But when these pauses last three weeks, and these militants – who are up to their elbows in blood – can restore their strength and are allowed to keep their personal weapons – well, that I don’t understand.”
