Obama urges Putin to end airstrikes against Syrian opposition

Obama allegedly made the request during a telephone call with the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin on Sunday, emphasising on the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Syria.

"In particular, President Obama emphasised the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria."

This comes just days following a "cessation of hostilities" agreement by world powers at the annual Munich security conference.

However, the deal was not signed by those involved in the war and is not deemed official.

Russia publicly declared its doubt towards the ceasefire on Saturday, saying it it more likely to fail than succeed.

It also suggested it will maintain its bombing campaign against the Islamic State group as well as al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra Front in Syria.

Russian airstrikes in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo have recently caused the largest mass exodus in the country since the start of the revolution.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of civilians have had to flee to nearby the Bab al-Salam crossing where refugees are being housed in "chicken coops."