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Aleppo evacuations: wounded loaded onto ambulances in city's east – live Aleppo evacuations: first group of wounded leaving city's east – live
(35 minutes later)
1.11pm GMT
13:11
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/tMN36BcV8Z
1.07pm GMT
13:07
Reuters has photographs of dozens of people, mostly men, preparing to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo.
1.01pm GMT
13:01
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/z6mb07qGO4
12.55pm GMT
12:55
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.
HAPPENING NOW: 20 buses & 13 ambulances crossing the frontline with civilians from east #Aleppo, some critically wounded. @SYRedCrescent
Updated
at 1.08pm GMT
12.53pm GMT
12:53
Activists in Aleppo say thousands of families are leaving the city as more buses and ambulances cross into government-held areas.
Thousands of families are leaving the city now with what they can carry with of their homes that they'll never come back to.#Aleppo pic.twitter.com/XWmtSQjXBt
13 ambulances and 20 buses carrying civilians and wounded leaving east aleppo now
12.42pm GMT
12:42
First wounded people leave eastern Aleppo.
The ICRC’s Robert Mardini has confirmed that the first group of 26 wounded people are being escorted out of eastern Aleppo.
First group of 26 wounded escorted by @ICRC_sy & @SARC_Aleppo are leaving now E #Aleppo on their way to western rural Aleppo.
Syrian state TV has showed footage of at least 10 ambulance and a long line of green buses leaving rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo.
first images coming from besieged #Aleppo #EvacuateAleppo الصور الأولى من تهجير أهالي #حلب pic.twitter.com/ZXkPFondak
12.35pm GMT12.35pm GMT
12:3512:35
Russia pledges peaceful evacuation of 1,000 people
Russia told a United Nations humanitarian taskforce meeting that the evacuation of more than 1,000 people from eastern Aleppo would be quick and peaceful, Egeland also said.Russia told a United Nations humanitarian taskforce meeting that the evacuation of more than 1,000 people from eastern Aleppo would be quick and peaceful, Egeland also said.
Reuters quoted him saying: “Today Russia detailed how the evacuation would take place in the taskforce and they confirmed that Russians would be monitoring and that this is a swift, unbureaucratric, non-intrusive evacuation and no harm will meet these who are evacuated.”Reuters quoted him saying: “Today Russia detailed how the evacuation would take place in the taskforce and they confirmed that Russians would be monitoring and that this is a swift, unbureaucratric, non-intrusive evacuation and no harm will meet these who are evacuated.”
Updated
at 12.45pm GMT
12.12pm GMT12.12pm GMT
12:1212:12
The UN’s Jan Egeland says there may be 30,000 people left in besieged pockets of Aleppo, after 50,000 people have fled.The UN’s Jan Egeland says there may be 30,000 people left in besieged pockets of Aleppo, after 50,000 people have fled.
Speaking to reporters he also said there were three parts to the evacuation, which the UN was monitoring but had not mediated. He said:Speaking to reporters he also said there were three parts to the evacuation, which the UN was monitoring but had not mediated. He said:
“It is a three pronged evacuation. It is medical evacuation of wounded and sick. It’s a evacuation of vulnerable civilians and it is evacuation of fighters. This is not an agreement mediated by the United Nations. It is an agreement that has been made in direct talks between the parties to this war. We were not part of it and we were only invited this morning to monitor.”“It is a three pronged evacuation. It is medical evacuation of wounded and sick. It’s a evacuation of vulnerable civilians and it is evacuation of fighters. This is not an agreement mediated by the United Nations. It is an agreement that has been made in direct talks between the parties to this war. We were not part of it and we were only invited this morning to monitor.”
12.06pm GMT12.06pm GMT
12:0612:06
Reports of wounded reaching countryside rowed back on
The ICRC and rebels are now saying that first wave of wounded has not left eastern Aleppo.The ICRC and rebels are now saying that first wave of wounded has not left eastern Aleppo.
Update: ICRC and rebels now saying first wave of wounded hasn't left yet, ambulances still being loaded with wounded in east Aleppo.Update: ICRC and rebels now saying first wave of wounded hasn't left yet, ambulances still being loaded with wounded in east Aleppo.
update: Five green buses have crossed but doctor waiting for them tells me no one has arrived yet #aleppoupdate: Five green buses have crossed but doctor waiting for them tells me no one has arrived yet #aleppo
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.10pm GMT at 1.12pm GMT
12.01pm GMT12.01pm GMT
12:0112:01
Here’s a summary of what’s happened so far:Here’s a summary of what’s happened so far:
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.12pm GMTat 12.12pm GMT
11.42am GMT11.42am GMT
11:4211:42
Kareem ShaheenKareem Shaheen
Rebels have scrawled graffiti messages to pro-Assad forces before fleeing eastern Aleppo.Rebels have scrawled graffiti messages to pro-Assad forces before fleeing eastern Aleppo.
One said: “Under every destroyed building are families buried with their dreams by Assad and his allies.”One said: “Under every destroyed building are families buried with their dreams by Assad and his allies.”
Another says: “We will return, Aleppo. Our destroyed buildings are a witness of our resistance and your criminality”Another says: “We will return, Aleppo. Our destroyed buildings are a witness of our resistance and your criminality”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.54am GMTat 11.54am GMT
11.37am GMT11.37am GMT
11:3711:37
Saeed Kamali DehghanSaeed Kamali Dehghan
Iran has denied reports that it blocked a ceasefire plan in Aleppo earlier this week, suggesting that Turkey was spreading fake news, writes Saeed Kamali Dehghan.Iran has denied reports that it blocked a ceasefire plan in Aleppo earlier this week, suggesting that Turkey was spreading fake news, writes Saeed Kamali Dehghan.
“This is not true and is seen here as a media propaganda against Iran,” said Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Bahman Qasemi, according to the Fars news agency.“This is not true and is seen here as a media propaganda against Iran,” said Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Bahman Qasemi, according to the Fars news agency.
“Iran wants all countries involved in Syria to observe a ceasefire and prevent terrorists from re-arming. We have always been pursuing peace, stability and cleansing the country of terrorists in Syria.”“Iran wants all countries involved in Syria to observe a ceasefire and prevent terrorists from re-arming. We have always been pursuing peace, stability and cleansing the country of terrorists in Syria.”
Qasemi said Tehran was in touch with the government of Syria to establish a ceasefire and facilitate medical aid. “In a situation where Aleppo is close to be be fully liberated, how could Iran create problems and prevent this?” he asked.Qasemi said Tehran was in touch with the government of Syria to establish a ceasefire and facilitate medical aid. “In a situation where Aleppo is close to be be fully liberated, how could Iran create problems and prevent this?” he asked.
“Some countries in the region,” the spokesman said referring to Turkey without naming it, “are so infuriated that they have resorted to spread fake news about Iran [and its role in Syria].”“Some countries in the region,” the spokesman said referring to Turkey without naming it, “are so infuriated that they have resorted to spread fake news about Iran [and its role in Syria].”
11.31am GMT11.31am GMT
11:3111:31
First wave of wounded reach countryside, say rebels
Rebels in eastern Aleppo have told Kareen Shaheen that the first wave of wounded evacuees have made it to the opposition-controlled countryside west of Aleppo.Rebels in eastern Aleppo have told Kareen Shaheen that the first wave of wounded evacuees have made it to the opposition-controlled countryside west of Aleppo.
Rebels in east Aleppo say first wave of wounded evacuees have made it to the western aleppo countryside that is under opposition controlRebels in east Aleppo say first wave of wounded evacuees have made it to the western aleppo countryside that is under opposition control
The first group of civilians had been passed safely from eastern Aleppo to western countryside of #AleppoThe first group of civilians had been passed safely from eastern Aleppo to western countryside of #Aleppo
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.37am GMT at 1.11pm GMT
11.26am GMT11.26am GMT
11:2611:26
Here’s Syrian state media footage showing ambulances moving into rebel held eastern Aleppo.Here’s Syrian state media footage showing ambulances moving into rebel held eastern Aleppo.
11.24am GMT
11:24
Some 29 trucks and ambulances are heading to the besieged Shia villages of Fua and Kefraya as part of the ceasefire deal, Reuters reports.
A spokesperson for Noureddine al-Zinki, one of the armed opposition groups in Aleppo, said the deal would allow the evacuation of wounded people in Fua and Kefraya, two Shia villages in Idlib province that are besieged by rebels.
The inclusion of Fua and Kefraya was a concession to Iran, which had opposed the previous ceasefire deal negotiated by Turkish intelligence and the Russian military.
11.18am GMT
11:18
ICRC says its teams are safe
The ICRC’s Middle East director, Robert Mardini, says the evacuation is “well underway” and that Red Cross teams are “safe and doing all they can”.
Operation to evacuate wounded well underway in east #Aleppo. Our teams are safe and doing all they can on the ground. More updates to come.
11.01am GMT
11:01
There are unconfirmed reports that the first injured people have been driven out of eastern Aleppo.
Activist: more than one vehicle carrying 50 injured people with their families have left opp-controlled #Aleppo
First convoy of wounded evacuees just left Ramouseh junction in #Aleppo looks like #Assad & #Iran militias reined in at least for now #Syria
The Syrian Red Crescent confirms that the evacuation is underway.
#Breaking: @SYRedCrescent in cooperation with @ICRC started the #evacuation operation in East #Aleppo
10.46am GMT
10:46
Brita Hagi Hasan, mayor of eastern Aleppo, is to brief the European Council on the crisis in Aleppo, at a summit in Brussels today.
EU leaders are set to stop short of threatening any new sanctions against Russia over the violence in Aleppo, according to AFP.
Instead they have issued a draft statement which “strongly condemns” the assault by the “Syrian regime and its allies, notably Russia” and calls on them to allow aid in to Aleppo.
The statement obtained by AFP says “the EU is considering all available options.”
Hasan wants the EU to go much further. Buzz Feed’s Alberto Nardelli quotes him urging the EU to “breathe some life back into international law”.
'European Council has a choice today: breathe some life back into international law, or kill it definitively' - mayor of east Aleppo. #EUCO
President Tusk to meet #Aleppo @BritaHagihasan today at noon. https://t.co/qSyTSb06hR
10.27am GMT
10:27
The evacuation of 5,000 Syrian rebels and their family members from eastern Aleppo has begun, according to Russia’s TASS news agency citing the Russian defence ministry.
A Russian military official was quoted as saying the rebels and their families would be evacuated via a humanitarian corridor that was 21 kilometres (13.05 miles) in length.
The Red Cross confirms the start of a more modest operation to evacuate up to 250 wounded civilians.
First Aleppo convoy includes 10 ambulances to transport 200-250 wounded. Multiple rotations today. ICRC and Sarc will oversee entire op
Updated
at 10.29am GMT
10.22am GMT
10:22
ICRC confirms start of evacuation of 200 wounded civilians
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirms that an operation to evacuate 200 wounded civilians is underway.
#BREAKING: Operation to evacuate around 200 wounded, some critically, from east #Aleppo underway. We’re on the ground with @SYRedCrescent.
Updated
at 10.51am GMT
10.21am GMT
10:21
Green buses may have move into eastern Aleppo but activists have told Human Rights Watch that no one has yet been moved out.
Activists: still no movement of evacuees in #Aleppo
A long line of buses was shown on state television crossing to the rebel sector.
10.15am GMT
10:15
Ranj Alaaldin, a Middle East scholar at the London School of Economics, says ceasefires and humanitarian corridors are only temporary fixes to the plight of Syria’s civilians. In an opinion piece for the Guardian he writes:
Temporary fixes like ceasefires or humanitarian corridors only provide political cover for, and distract attention away from, further atrocities and human rights abuses. Calls for a no-fly zone have been dismissed in the past, as have other measures seen as having the potential to escalate the conflict; but we mustn’t forget that it is the west’s averseness to risk that the Assad regime and its backers in Moscow and Tehran thrive on. Where the international community disengages, dictators and armed gangs fill the vacuum.
10.12am GMT
10:12
More than 20 buses from government held areas of Aleppo have moved into rebel held areas, a witness told Reuters.
10.06am GMT
10:06
Here’s Russian military footage purporting to show green evacuation buses moving into eastern Aleppo.
CONFIRMEDEvacuation of 1st batch of E. #Aleppo civilians about to begin. At least 20 Green Buses moving into position at #Ramouseh Xing. pic.twitter.com/xqPwbNgzMb