Terrorists Blocking Civilians from Fleeing East Aleppo: UN
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Foreign-backed Takfiri militants are blocking civilians from fleeing the eastern part of Aleppo to government-held districts in the northwestern city, the United Nations human rights office said Friday.
"Some of the civilians who are attempting to flee are reportedly being blocked by armed opposition groups," rights office spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva, according to AFP.
The statement came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced earlier that Syrian military forces suspended “active” combat actions against Takfiri militants in eastern Aleppo to carry out an operation to evacuate thousands of civilians.
“Combat operations by the Syrian Army in eastern Aleppo have been suspended because the largest operation of evacuation of civilians from East Aleppo is being carried out – a column of about 8,000 people, it's a tremendous operation,” he said.
On Friday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that some 8,400 civilians have been evacuated from the militant-held districts of eastern Aleppo over the past 24 hours, adding that military specialists continue to sweep mines and explosives in war-ravaged areas.
In the meantime, Russian sappers continue mine and IED (improvised explosive device) removal activities in the districts, completely clearing an area of some 60,000 square meters.
Military specialists have also demined and restored Aleppo’s central water pumping station to a functional condition, as well as two power plants, two schools and two mosques.
At least 14 militants have laid down their arms and surrendered to the Syrian army, receiving amnesty in accordance with Syrian President Bashar Assad’s decree.
