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Fierce fighting halts Aleppo evacuation Fierce fighting halts Aleppo evacuation
(35 minutes later)
A deal to evacuate rebel fighters and civilians from eastern Aleppo appears to have stalled, with heavy shelling reported in the Syrian city.A deal to evacuate rebel fighters and civilians from eastern Aleppo appears to have stalled, with heavy shelling reported in the Syrian city.
A ceasefire was declared in Aleppo on Tuesday and buses brought in to ferry people out of the devastated enclave.A ceasefire was declared in Aleppo on Tuesday and buses brought in to ferry people out of the devastated enclave.
But fighting resumed on Wednesday. More than 40 people had been hurt in eastern Aleppo, a local rescue official said. But fighting resumed on Wednesday. Syrian activists also say air strikes over rebel-held territory have resumed.
The breakdown of the deal, brokered by Russia and Turkey, is being attributed to demands from the Syrian government.The breakdown of the deal, brokered by Russia and Turkey, is being attributed to demands from the Syrian government.
It is said to be seeking the evacuation of its own injured fighters and civilians from nearby towns encircled by opposition forces.It is said to be seeking the evacuation of its own injured fighters and civilians from nearby towns encircled by opposition forces.
Eastern Aleppo has been held by the rebels since 2012. But the rebels have been squeezed into ever smaller areas of the city in recent months by a major government offensive, backed by Russian air power. Eastern Aleppo has been held by the rebels since 2012. But they have been squeezed into ever smaller areas in recent months by a major government offensive, backed by Russian air power.
In recent days government troops have made sweeping gains, confining the rebels to a small pocket of the city.
Late on Tuesday, Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told an emergency session of the UN Security Council that "military actions in eastern Aleppo are over".Late on Tuesday, Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told an emergency session of the UN Security Council that "military actions in eastern Aleppo are over".
Under the evacuation deal, civilians and rebels from eastern Aleppo were to be evacuated to rebel-held areas in northern Syria. Under the evacuation deal, civilians and rebels from eastern Aleppo were to be allowed to go to rebel-held areas in northern Syria.
Evacuations had been due to start at 05:00 (03:00 GMT), but did not go ahead. Fresh shelling was reported several hours later.Evacuations had been due to start at 05:00 (03:00 GMT), but did not go ahead. Fresh shelling was reported several hours later.
"The clashes are violent and bombardment is very heavy... it seems as though everything (the ceasefire) is finished," Rami Abdulrahman, director of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group, said. "The clashes are violent and bombardment is very heavy... it seems as though everything (the ceasefire) is finished," Rami Abdulrahman, director of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitoring group, said.
The SOHR also said aircraft had resumed bombing in rebel-held areas.
Activists and civilians told the BBC parts of eastern Aleppo had been shelled. Ibrahim Abu-Laith, a spokesman for the White Helmets volunteer rescue group, said more than 40 people were injured.
Russia - Syria's ally - said the Syrian army resumed firing after the rebels broke the truce. Syrian TV reported rebel rocket fire on government-held parts of the city.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he expected "the rebels will stop their resistance in the next two to three days".
Turkey's foreign minister, meanwhile, said he was talking to Russia and Iran, which also backs the Syrian government, to try to preserve the deal.
"There is an agreement that needs to be implemented," he said, accusing the Syrian government of trying to block the deal.
Residents of besieged eastern Aleppo have faced weeks of bombardment and chronic food shortages. Medical facilities in the city have largely been reduced to rubble.
On Tuesday the UN said it had received reliable evidence of summary executions taking place, saying that in four areas 82 civilians were killed by pro-government forces, adding that many more may have died.
The UN and the US said the Syrian government as well as Russia and Iran were accountable for any atrocities committed in the city. Syria's government and Russia said the allegations were untrue.