Russia's President Vladimir Putin has ordered what he's called a "humanitarian pause" in Syria's eastern Ghouta, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire.<br />The rebel-held area has faced intense bombardment by pro-government forces for more than a week. <br />Ro Aram reports. <br /> President Putin has called for the shelling to stop for five hours every day - from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m - starting Tuesday to allow civilians to leave and for humanitarian aid to come in. <br />Time will tell if there will be a complete stop in hostilities, with nations including the U.S. calling for an immediate end, but for now it's only temporary.<br />The Russian military has also said the Syrian government has arranged what it called a "humanitarian corridor" to allow, in theory, a safe exit for residents. <br /> But, the move is not the 30-day ceasefire resolution passed by the UN Security Council on Saturday.<br />Russia, a key Syrian ally, did vote for it, but only after it was weakened by provisions, including the exclusion of operations against Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked militants.<br />Airstrikes and artillery fire from pro-Syrian forces continued despite the passage of the resolution and a few dozen civilians are reported to have been killed in the past couple of days.<br /> There have also been reports of a suspected chlorine attack in eastern Ghouta on Sunday, with the White House again pointing the finger at the Syrian government.<br />Russia's foreign minister rejected such reports as a "hoax."<br /> Syria has been accused of using chemical weapons on civilians in the past - allegations the Assad regime denies. <br />Ro Aram, Arirang News. <br />
