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Version 11 Version 12
Aleppo evacuations: first group of wounded leaving city's east – live Operation to evacuate people from Aleppo begins – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
3.03pm GMT
15:03
The ICRC has told Kareem Shaheen that more buses and ambulances are heading back to Aleppo.
Buses and ambulances are now heading back to east Aleppo for more evacuations, ICRC says. At this pace likely to take days.
As the evacuation is likely to take several days, we’re going to pause the liveblog for now. There will be more updates, analysis and commentary in our Syria section.
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2.53pm GMT2.53pm GMT
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Assad hails historical turning pointAssad hails historical turning point
Kareem ShaheenKareem Shaheen
Syria’s President Bashar Assad has hailed the fall of Aleppo as a historical turning point. In a video released by his office he says: “What is happening today is the writing of history.” Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad has hailed the fall of Aleppo as a historical turning point. In a video released by his office he says: “What is happening today is the writing of history.”
In philosophical and whimsical, message he talks about the fall of Aleppo in the context of the birth of Christ the fall of the USSR. The reclaiming of Aleppo will be something of similar historical significance, and a key turning point in the conflict, he says.In philosophical and whimsical, message he talks about the fall of Aleppo in the context of the birth of Christ the fall of the USSR. The reclaiming of Aleppo will be something of similar historical significance, and a key turning point in the conflict, he says.
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2.36pm GMT2.36pm GMT
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The UN’s Jan Egeland is critical of the international response to the crisis in Aleppo.The UN’s Jan Egeland is critical of the international response to the crisis in Aleppo.
For 3000 years #Aleppo gave so much to world civilisations. How come, when Aleppo's people needed us the most, we gave so little back?For 3000 years #Aleppo gave so much to world civilisations. How come, when Aleppo's people needed us the most, we gave so little back?
UN now working with parties on the ground to get these children out of the Aleppo crossfire. The window we have now we may never get again. https://t.co/lBzecG5jg4UN now working with parties on the ground to get these children out of the Aleppo crossfire. The window we have now we may never get again. https://t.co/lBzecG5jg4
2.32pm GMT2.32pm GMT
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Russia’s defence ministry says rebels have been driven out of all areas of Aleppo. It says it is winding up its military campaign after the last 3,000 rebels left the city, according to the news agency Tass.Russia’s defence ministry says rebels have been driven out of all areas of Aleppo. It says it is winding up its military campaign after the last 3,000 rebels left the city, according to the news agency Tass.
It also claimed it has not bombed Aleppo since 18 October. RIA Novosti says 108,000 civilians have moved to secure areas.It also claimed it has not bombed Aleppo since 18 October. RIA Novosti says 108,000 civilians have moved to secure areas.
2.22pm GMT2.22pm GMT
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Here’s a summary of the latest on the evacuation of eastern Aleppo.Here’s a summary of the latest on the evacuation of eastern Aleppo.
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2.03pm GMT2.03pm GMT
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A Syrian official has told Reuters that a second convoy of 15 buses could soon leave eastern Aleppo after the first convoy escorted 951 people.A Syrian official has told Reuters that a second convoy of 15 buses could soon leave eastern Aleppo after the first convoy escorted 951 people.
“The initial information is that the operation will continue today. Around 15 new buses are being prepared to evacuate the second group from the areas under the militants’ control,” its source said.“The initial information is that the operation will continue today. Around 15 new buses are being prepared to evacuate the second group from the areas under the militants’ control,” its source said.
Meanwhile, a Turkish official told the agency that 50,000 people are expected to evacuated in the next three days.Meanwhile, a Turkish official told the agency that 50,000 people are expected to evacuated in the next three days.
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1.51pm GMT1.51pm GMT
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Lord Michael Williams, former UN under secretary general and UN special coordinator for Lebanon, said events in Aleppo had left the authority of the UN “in tatters”.Lord Michael Williams, former UN under secretary general and UN special coordinator for Lebanon, said events in Aleppo had left the authority of the UN “in tatters”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme he said: “The pictures of the last several days from Aleppo, personally I found extraordinarily disturbing. They were all too redolent of the Nazi evacuation of the Jews from the Warsaw ghetto in the 1940s or Bosnia Serb evacuations of Muslim enclaves such as Srebrenica in 1995/96. To see this happening 20 years later on the eve of Christmas is deeply shocking. And is an indictment of the international system.”Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme he said: “The pictures of the last several days from Aleppo, personally I found extraordinarily disturbing. They were all too redolent of the Nazi evacuation of the Jews from the Warsaw ghetto in the 1940s or Bosnia Serb evacuations of Muslim enclaves such as Srebrenica in 1995/96. To see this happening 20 years later on the eve of Christmas is deeply shocking. And is an indictment of the international system.”
Williams, now a fellow at the Chatham House thinktank, said the crisis in Aleppo was also a “terrible indictment of Obama”:Williams, now a fellow at the Chatham House thinktank, said the crisis in Aleppo was also a “terrible indictment of Obama”:
He has done nothing. When grave crimes of humanity have occurred again. They [the US] alone could have made a military intervention. The ghosts of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya have haunted the war in Syria, but something might have been done, not so much in terms of a dramatic grand peace plan ... but an attempt to momentarily stabilise the situation around Aleppo and provide for the evacuation of women and children and the injured.”He has done nothing. When grave crimes of humanity have occurred again. They [the US] alone could have made a military intervention. The ghosts of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya have haunted the war in Syria, but something might have been done, not so much in terms of a dramatic grand peace plan ... but an attempt to momentarily stabilise the situation around Aleppo and provide for the evacuation of women and children and the injured.”
Lord Williams on @BBCWorldatOne:Events in #Aleppo today = “gross indictment of #Obama - he’s done nothing, absolutely nothing in #Syria." pic.twitter.com/bB4SSrw75bLord Williams on @BBCWorldatOne:Events in #Aleppo today = “gross indictment of #Obama - he’s done nothing, absolutely nothing in #Syria." pic.twitter.com/bB4SSrw75b
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1.32pm GMT1.32pm GMT
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951 leave eastern Aleppo951 leave eastern Aleppo
Almost a thousand people have left eastern Aleppo, according to a Syrian official.Almost a thousand people have left eastern Aleppo, according to a Syrian official.
The official told Reuters that 951 people left eastern Aleppo on Thursday in the first convoy to depart from the rebel enclave. The convoy included women, children and the wounded, the official said.The official told Reuters that 951 people left eastern Aleppo on Thursday in the first convoy to depart from the rebel enclave. The convoy included women, children and the wounded, the official said.
Syrian official: 951 people left eastern Aleppo in first convoy https://t.co/YmPoSv5z2oSyrian official: 951 people left eastern Aleppo in first convoy https://t.co/YmPoSv5z2o
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1.24pm GMT1.24pm GMT
13:2413:24
Kareem ShaheenKareem Shaheen
A teacher in east Aleppo, who is waiting to be evacuated, said there were mixed feelings among the residents, writes Kareem Shaheem.A teacher in east Aleppo, who is waiting to be evacuated, said there were mixed feelings among the residents, writes Kareem Shaheem.
He said some were angry that they are being forced to leave and others happy that they the violence will stop. He said some locals were burning their belongings in their homes so they aren’t looted by pro-regime forces when they enter the besieged districts.He said some were angry that they are being forced to leave and others happy that they the violence will stop. He said some locals were burning their belongings in their homes so they aren’t looted by pro-regime forces when they enter the besieged districts.
Syrian officials said the first convoy to leave eastern Aleppo took out women, children and the wounded.Syrian officials said the first convoy to leave eastern Aleppo took out women, children and the wounded.
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1.21pm GMT1.21pm GMT
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The mayor of eastern Aleppo, Brita Hagi Hasan, says he fears 50,000 civilians in eastern Aleppo “are about to be victims of a general massacre”.The mayor of eastern Aleppo, Brita Hagi Hasan, says he fears 50,000 civilians in eastern Aleppo “are about to be victims of a general massacre”.
Speaking in Brussels at an EU summit he called for “a courageous position from the European Union, a position of sending of sending some forces to monitor the evacuation of civilians”.Speaking in Brussels at an EU summit he called for “a courageous position from the European Union, a position of sending of sending some forces to monitor the evacuation of civilians”.
“We never asked any country to go to war ... we only ask to save civilians and secure some corridors for their evacuation,” Hasan said.“We never asked any country to go to war ... we only ask to save civilians and secure some corridors for their evacuation,” Hasan said.
Speaking as civilians began to be escorted from the city, he said more than 800 wounded people in eastern Aleppo need evacuating urgently and over 5,000 others who are hurt should also leave.Speaking as civilians began to be escorted from the city, he said more than 800 wounded people in eastern Aleppo need evacuating urgently and over 5,000 others who are hurt should also leave.
Hasan was invited into the EU summit, and sat alongside the European council president Donald Tusk as he opened the meeting.Hasan was invited into the EU summit, and sat alongside the European council president Donald Tusk as he opened the meeting.
In private talks with Hasan, Tusk acknowledged that “the last thing your people in Aleppo need today is more words of sympathy”.In private talks with Hasan, Tusk acknowledged that “the last thing your people in Aleppo need today is more words of sympathy”.
“The only thing you need today is real and effective assistance,” a visibly emotional Tusk said.“The only thing you need today is real and effective assistance,” a visibly emotional Tusk said.
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1.11pm GMT1.11pm GMT
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New footage purports to show how scared Aleppo’s evacuees are of being hit in airstrikes. They run for cover as a jet passes low overhead.New footage purports to show how scared Aleppo’s evacuees are of being hit in airstrikes. They run for cover as a jet passes low overhead.
MUST WATCH As #Aleppo journo @PrimoAhmad on live update feed, loud jet noise causes panic in crowd, but cameraman shows steady hand pic.twitter.com/tMN36BcV8ZMUST WATCH As #Aleppo journo @PrimoAhmad on live update feed, loud jet noise causes panic in crowd, but cameraman shows steady hand pic.twitter.com/tMN36BcV8Z
1.07pm GMT1.07pm GMT
13:0713:07
Reuters has photographs of dozens of people, mostly men, preparing to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo.Reuters has photographs of dozens of people, mostly men, preparing to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo.
1.01pm GMT1.01pm GMT
13:0113:01
Al Jazeera has footage from activist/citizen journalist Zouhir al-Shimale of the first ambulances leaving eastern Aleppo with wounded civilians.Al Jazeera has footage from activist/citizen journalist Zouhir al-Shimale of the first ambulances leaving eastern Aleppo with wounded civilians.
This is what the start of evacuations looked like in East Aleppo. @ZouhirAlShimale was there when ambulances were loading the injured. pic.twitter.com/z6mb07qGO4This is what the start of evacuations looked like in East Aleppo. @ZouhirAlShimale was there when ambulances were loading the injured. pic.twitter.com/z6mb07qGO4
12.55pm GMT12.55pm GMT
12:5512:55
The ICRC has confirmed that 13 ambulances and 20 buses carrying civilians and the wounded have left the besieged east Aleppo. Some are critically wounded, it said.The ICRC has confirmed that 13 ambulances and 20 buses carrying civilians and the wounded have left the besieged east Aleppo. Some are critically wounded, it said.
HAPPENING NOW: 20 buses & 13 ambulances crossing the frontline with civilians from east #Aleppo, some critically wounded. @SYRedCrescentHAPPENING NOW: 20 buses & 13 ambulances crossing the frontline with civilians from east #Aleppo, some critically wounded. @SYRedCrescent
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