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Aleppo: Pro-government forces slaughter 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
(about 2 hours later)
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. As Aleppo enters the final hours of battle, concerns for civilians' safety are more pressing than ever, the UN has said, as militia forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are reported to have entered homes and killed at least 82 civilians during their advance on rebel-held territory. 
Spokesperson for the UN's human rights office Rupert Colville 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. Spokesperson for the UN's human rights office Rupert Colville 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 said. "Yesterday evening, we received further deeply disturbing reports that numerous bodies were lying on the streets," he added. "Yesterday evening, we received further deeply disturbing reports that numerous bodies were lying on the streets," he told reporters in Geneva. "The residents were unable to retrieve them due to the intense bombardment and their fear of being shot on sight."
"The residents were unable to retrieve them due to the intense bombardment and their fear of being shot on sight." There has been a "complete meltdown of humanity in Aleppo," UN spokesperson Jens Laerke added.
An activist still in the city also said that snipers had shot at those on the streets on Monday night. An activist still in the city also said that snipers had shot at those on the streets on Monday night. The Syrian military has denied the claims, calling them a "desparate attempt" to garner international sympathy. 
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. Exact figures are difficult to verify, but 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. Approximately 100 children were trapped in a building under fire and separated from remaining family members, a doctor told Unicef, and scores of bodies remained trapped under rubble. 
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.  For those left alive, what comes after the city falls may be even worse. 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.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.“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. 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. 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.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-controlled east more than four years.Aleppo has been divided into a government-controlled west and rebel-controlled east more than four years.
With rebel opposition relegated to tiny pockets, Mr Assad is set to recapture the entire city in what will be his biggest victory yet in the almost-six-year-old civil war. With rebel opposition relegated to tiny pockets, Mr Assad is set to recapture the entire city in what will be his biggest victory yet in the almost-six-year-old civil war.