Nearly 8,500 Civilians Leave Militant-Held Areas of Eastern Aleppo

According to the Russian centre for reconciliation, some 8,461 civilians, including 2,934 children, left militant-held districts of eastern Aleppo over the past 24 hours.

Some 8,461 civilians, including 2,934 children, left militant-held districts of eastern Aleppo over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry reported. According to reports, people are evacuated with assistance of the Russian centre for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria.

A day earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the Syrian Army has suspended military operations in the eastern part of Aleppo in order to allow to organize evacuation of civilians. He also noted that a column of approximately 8,000 people was going to leave the city.

The Russian centre for reconciliation also announced that 14 militants laid down their arms and came to the western part of the city, to Syrian troops. In accordance with the decision of the Syrian President all of them were amnestied.

Meanwhile, Russian military of the International Mine Action Center continue to demine liberated areas in the eastern part of Aleppo. According to the latest data, the Syrian government forces took control of 75% of the eastern Aleppo, which was under authority of rebels for four years.

Western media reported that Washington checks Moscow’s statement on cessation of fighting in Aleppo, and that witnesses in the city give contradictory evidence.

A BBC correspondent in Aleppo said that it seems that the main hostilities have become less active, however, have not stopped completely. According to an AFP correspondent, the situation is calmer, even shooting from small arms has become less active. As Washington Post reported, some residents of eastern Aleppo say that suddenly it has become quiet, while others claim that shooting continues.