Aleppo now under control of Syrian Government, Russia says

Russia says its ally, the Syrian Government, is now in full control of the city of Aleppo and all military action there has stopped.

Key points:

• Russia says militants and their families are voluntarily evacuating Aleppo.
• Syrian forces retaking the city face accusations of killing civilians.
• United Nations raises concerns for humanitarian situation in city

Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, spoke near the end of an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, saying "according to the latest information that we received in the last hour, military actions in eastern Aleppo are over".

He says that as a result, "there is no issue of some cessation of hostilities, or some special humanitarian operation".

He added that "the Syrian Government has re-established control over eastern Aleppo".

Mr Churkin said earlier that "all militants" and members of their families, as well as those wounded in the fighting, "currently are going through agreed corridors in directions that they have chosen themselves voluntarily, including toward Idlib", a rebel stronghold.

The evacuation of the remaining rebels would mark a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad and return Syria's largest city to full government control for the first time since rebels seized the eastern half in 2012.

Photo: Syrian rebels said they reached a cease-fire deal with Moscow to evacuate civilians and fighters from eastern Aleppo (AP: SANA)

Fears for 'Aleppo massacre'

It comes as Syria's army and allied forces are being accused of killing civilians in their homes and others who are fleeing the intense fighting in eastern Aleppo.

Syrian rebel forces weakening

The loss of Aleppo is a major strategic defeat for the rebels, leaving Idlib province as their last stronghold, writes Matt Brown.

The office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner has gone public with reports that 82 civilians have been executed and activists in the rebel-held areas have told the ABC they fear worse is yet to come.

Opposition activist and civil defence worker, Ismail al Abdullah, who was sheltering in Aleppo's south, told the ABC he fears what will happen if the punishing air strikes and artillery concentrated on the frontline target the suburbs where rebels remain holed up.

"The bombings now are focused on the front lines of this small area so the streets are crowded with people who were living in the neighbourhoods that were taken by Assad's forces," he said.

"This small area is like, two kilometres square, and if any mortar falls in the streets there will be a big massacre because the people are crowded in these streets. All the buildings are full of people."

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UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Raad al Hussein has described what is happening in Aleppo as the "the wanton slaughter of men, women and children".

And, as much as they fear bombardment, activists like Ismail al Abdulah fear coming into contact with pro-Government forces even more.

"We are worried and we are scared more about if Assad's forces make advance on the ground," he said.

"If no one stops Assad's forces there will be a big massacre in Aleppo, 'Halab massacre', 'Aleppo massacre', if Assad's forces get close to us."

Photo: Supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad carry their national flags and gesture as they tour the streets in celebration of what they say is the Syrian army's victory against the rebels in Aleppo (Reuters: Omar Sanadiki)

Tens of thousands of civilians have made it past Government lines to relative safety.

But Rupert Coleville from the office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner says they are already receiving troubling reports of atrocities.

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"In all, as of yesterday [Monday] evening we have received reports of pro-Government forces killing at least 82 civilians, including 11 women and 13 children, in four different neighbourhoods," Mr Colville said.

The reports came from multiple reliable sources.

"Those were specific, specific individuals who were reported to us as having been killed. Obviously there could well be more, there could be many more, we simply don't know," he said.

"And one's fears have to be very high for those who still remain, from the bombardment as well as from any other kind of killings — being shot or detained or tortured."

The UN has called on the Syrian Government to allow in independent monitors to investigate these reports and stop any others from occurring, but there is almost no chance that will happen.

So far, with Russia blocking attempts to refer the conflict to the international criminal court, there is little chance anyone guilty of crimes against international law — on any side — will be brought to justice.

More on this story:

• Analysis: Idlib province remains the rebels' final stronghold with the fall of Aleppo
• Advancing Syrian forces shooting civilians in their homes, United Nations says
• Aleppo residents post final 'goodbye' messages as Syrian Government forces advance
• Syrian army claims it is in final stages of taking control of Aleppo as rebels retreat
• Syria activists say Islamic State has recaptured Palmyra as clashes in Aleppo continue
• Aleppo politician pleads for safe passage to let residents leave city 'in the name of humanity'
• Russia launches new offensive in Syria as Assad forces resume bombing Aleppo
• All eastern Aleppo hospitals out of service after heavy airstrikes, health directorate says

First posted December 14, 2016 06:52:49

Source : abc[dot]net[dot]au