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Syria war: Army makes rapid gains in rebel-held east Aleppo | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Syrian government forces have been making rapid advances into eastern Aleppo, forcing thousands of civilians to flee. | |
The Syrian army captured Jabal Badro on Sunday, a day after seizing Hanano district, and is making in-roads in other neighbourhoods. | |
Its aim is to divide the rebel-held east of the city in two. | |
Some reports said several thousand civilians were trying to escape, to government and other rebel-held areas. | |
Some 275,000 people are believed to remain in eastern Aleppo, where food and medical supplies have all but run out. | |
A post on the Twitter account of seven-year-old Bana Alabed by her mother Fatemah on Sunday said their home in eastern Aleppo was under "heavy bombardments". | |
It is hard to get a clear picture of how events are unfolding in eastern Aleppo, but it is being reported that: | |
The Syrian army said it had helped 1,500 people to flee to government-controlled western parts, while Russian news agencies said some 900 civilians - including 119 children - had left Jabal Badro alone before the troops moved in. | |
One man left Hanano on Saturday, telling Reuters news agency it was "because of the bombardment from the Syrian army during the advance, and the chlorine gas". | One man left Hanano on Saturday, telling Reuters news agency it was "because of the bombardment from the Syrian army during the advance, and the chlorine gas". |
He was waiting with his wife, mother and three children at a minibus stop, hoping to travel on to the west of the city. | He was waiting with his wife, mother and three children at a minibus stop, hoping to travel on to the west of the city. |
Analysis: By Sebastian Usher, BBC's Arab Affairs Editor | Analysis: By Sebastian Usher, BBC's Arab Affairs Editor |
This is the biggest blow so far to rebels in Aleppo. They seem to be losing ground quickly to pro-government forces attacking them from the east. | This is the biggest blow so far to rebels in Aleppo. They seem to be losing ground quickly to pro-government forces attacking them from the east. |
The loss of Hanano was a strategic victory for President Assad's forces - but also a symbolic one as it was the first district rebels seized in Aleppo in 2012. | The loss of Hanano was a strategic victory for President Assad's forces - but also a symbolic one as it was the first district rebels seized in Aleppo in 2012. |
The government's aim seems to be to cut the rebel-held area in two at its narrowest point. There is heavy fighting in the Sakhour district. If the rebels lose it, the army will have achieved this objective. | The government's aim seems to be to cut the rebel-held area in two at its narrowest point. There is heavy fighting in the Sakhour district. If the rebels lose it, the army will have achieved this objective. |
The fighting has set off a wave of civilians seeking refuge not only in other rebel areas, but also on the government side. | The fighting has set off a wave of civilians seeking refuge not only in other rebel areas, but also on the government side. |
The Syrian army's offensive to retake eastern Aleppo is now into its 13th day. | The Syrian army's offensive to retake eastern Aleppo is now into its 13th day. |
Around 219 civilians, including 27 children, have been killed in the assault so far, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. | Around 219 civilians, including 27 children, have been killed in the assault so far, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. |
Retaking all of Aleppo would be a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after five years of conflict. | Retaking all of Aleppo would be a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after five years of conflict. |
Once Syria's commercial and industrial hub, Aleppo has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. | Once Syria's commercial and industrial hub, Aleppo has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. |
In the past year, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes. | In the past year, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes. |
Russia says its air force is active in other parts of the country, but not operating over Aleppo. | Russia says its air force is active in other parts of the country, but not operating over Aleppo. |