This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/aleppo-latest-battle-un-syrian-army-forces-government-regime-kill-civilians-massacre-assad-russia-a7471416.html

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Aleppo: Pro-government forces kill at least 82 civilians while closing in on Syrian city, UN says Aleppo: Pro-government forces slaughter at least 82 civilians while closing in on Syrian city, UN says
(35 minutes later)
Syrian forces have killed at least 82 civilians in eastern Aleppo during their advance on rebel-held territory, the UN says. Militia forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have entered homes and killed at least 82 civilians in east Aleppo during their advance on rebel-held territory, the UN says.
More to follow Spokesperson for the UN's human rights office Rupert Colvile said that reliable sources had confirmed 82 non-combatants were shot in four different neighbourhoods overnight on Tuesday. The reports included 11 women and 13 children. 
There has been a "complete meltdown of humanity in Aleppo," he added. 
Around 100,000 civilians are still thought to be trapped by fighting in rebel areas. Videos reportedly taken inside the city show scenes of horrific destruction and human misery caused by intense bombing, as almost all medical and aid services have broken down.
Civilians and activists are afraid of detention or execution by Shia militias allied to the Syrian government and army troops if they are suspected of being members of the opposition, as has been the case in other places during the war. 
Jan Egeland, the UN’s humanitarian adviser on Syria, tweeted that the Russian and Syrian governments would be responsible for any such abuses.
“The Gov'ts of Syria & Russia are accountable for any and all atrocities that the victorious militias in Aleppo are now committing!,” he wrote.
Reports have already emerged of men from neighbourhoods recaptured by the regime disappearing. Their wherabouts are still unknown, the UN says. 
UN, US, Russian and Turkish talks to implement a ceasefire are ongoing but all efforts have so far failed. Rebels have also indicated they want a humanitarian ceasefire to evacuate those in need of medical assistance. 
The International Red Cross and several other NGOs issued renewed pleas on Tuesday for all sides in the conflict to "respect human life" and lay down their weapons. The Syrian government, so close to victory, is unlikely to heed the international community's calls.
Aleppo has been divided into a government-controlled west and rebel-controled east more than four years.
With rebel opposition relegated to tiny pockets, Mr Assad is set to gain control of the entire city in what will be his biggest victory yet in the almost-six-year-old civil war.