This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38155936

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Aleppo battle: Shellfire kills civilians in rebel-held east Aleppo battle: Shellfire kills civilians in rebel-held east
(about 1 hour later)
Many civilians have been killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo as government forces intensify their assault on besieged, rebel-held districts.Many civilians have been killed in the Syrian city of Aleppo as government forces intensify their assault on besieged, rebel-held districts.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said at least 21 people died when government shell fire hit the Jubb al-Qubbeh area.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said at least 21 people died when government shell fire hit the Jubb al-Qubbeh area.
Eight others were reportedly killed by rockets that hit government-held areas.Eight others were reportedly killed by rockets that hit government-held areas.
Troops and militiamen have retaken more than a third of the rebel-held eastern half of Aleppo since the weekend.Troops and militiamen have retaken more than a third of the rebel-held eastern half of Aleppo since the weekend.
Tens of thousands civilians have been displaced by the fighting, and the UN is extremely concerned about the fate of those still inside besieged areas.Tens of thousands civilians have been displaced by the fighting, and the UN is extremely concerned about the fate of those still inside besieged areas.
Aleppo was Syria's largest city and its commercial and industrial hub before the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.Aleppo was Syria's largest city and its commercial and industrial hub before the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.
It has been divided in roughly two for the past four years, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east.It has been divided in roughly two for the past four years, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east.
But in the past 11 months, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed Shia Muslim militias and Russian air strikes.But in the past 11 months, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed Shia Muslim militias and Russian air strikes.
In early September they reinstated a siege of the east, trapping the 275,000 people living there, and launched an all-out assault later that month.In early September they reinstated a siege of the east, trapping the 275,000 people living there, and launched an all-out assault later that month.
On Wednesday, two days after the entire northern portion of the rebel enclave was recaptured, the government ground offensive and aerial bombardment continued.On Wednesday, two days after the entire northern portion of the rebel enclave was recaptured, the government ground offensive and aerial bombardment continued.
The Syrian Observatory, which monitors the civil war through a network of sources on the ground, reported that women and children were among the 21 people killed when shells struck rebel-held Jubb al-Qubbeh.The Syrian Observatory, which monitors the civil war through a network of sources on the ground, reported that women and children were among the 21 people killed when shells struck rebel-held Jubb al-Qubbeh.
Many people were still trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, it added.Many people were still trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings, it added.
The Syria Civil Defence, whose rescue workers are also known as the White Helmets, put the death toll at 45 and said a group of displaced civilians was hit.The Syria Civil Defence, whose rescue workers are also known as the White Helmets, put the death toll at 45 and said a group of displaced civilians was hit.
Syrian state media also reported that eight people, two of them children, had been killed in government-controlled districts by rebel rocket fire.Syrian state media also reported that eight people, two of them children, had been killed in government-controlled districts by rebel rocket fire.
Syrian and international aid agencies operating in those areas meanwhile tried to mobilise resources to help civilians crossing the frontlines in search of safety.Syrian and international aid agencies operating in those areas meanwhile tried to mobilise resources to help civilians crossing the frontlines in search of safety.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said about 20,000 had fled in the past four days, while the Syrian Observatory put the figure at more than 50,000.The International Committee of the Red Cross said about 20,000 had fled in the past four days, while the Syrian Observatory put the figure at more than 50,000.
The situation for the 250,000 people trapped in rebel-held areas continues to worsen, with food stocks practically finished and no functioning hospitals left. The situation for civilians trapped in rebel-held areas continues to worsen, with food stocks practically finished and no functioning hospitals left.
A spokeswoman for the UN's World Food Programme, Bettina Luescher, said civilians were enduring a "slow motion descent into hell".A spokeswoman for the UN's World Food Programme, Bettina Luescher, said civilians were enduring a "slow motion descent into hell".
The UN Security Council will meet to discuss their plight later on Wednesday.The UN Security Council will meet to discuss their plight later on Wednesday.
France, which backs the rebels, called for the session. Its permanent representative, Francois Delattre, said it could not "remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War Two".France, which backs the rebels, called for the session. Its permanent representative, Francois Delattre, said it could not "remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War Two".
But the BBC's Lyse Doucet in Damascus says the Syrian government and its allies are unlikely to heed calls to halt an offensive it describes as a campaign against terrorism.But the BBC's Lyse Doucet in Damascus says the Syrian government and its allies are unlikely to heed calls to halt an offensive it describes as a campaign against terrorism.
They are hoping to retake Aleppo before the inauguration in January of US President-elect Donald Trump, who they hope will see their campaign in the same way, our correspondent adds.They are hoping to retake Aleppo before the inauguration in January of US President-elect Donald Trump, who they hope will see their campaign in the same way, our correspondent adds.