© UnknownMilitants surrendered to govt forces in Aleppo
Up to 50,000 civilians have been evacuated from eastern Aleppo over the past 48 hours, spokesperson for the Russian Defense Ministry Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov announced on Saturday.
"The Russian Center for Reconciliation, through humanitarian corridors near Karim El-Hun and Mahayar, has organized the evacuation of civilians from the eastern parts of Aleppo to the safe areas of the city," he said.
Konashenkov added that 1,217 militants surrendered to government forces and over 20,000 residents left eastern Aleppo in the first part of Saturday.
The Russian military also warned the "opposition" and their backers from "provocations":
"We are warning terrorists and so-called moderate opposition militants, and we are addressing their patrons, to not provoke the situation, to not open fire on civilians leaving though the humanitarian corridors," Konashenkov said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that there was a "continuous flow" of people fleeing the militant-held area of Aleppo to the government controlled part of the city.
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Update:
18K residents leave rebel-held parts of eastern Aleppo in past 24 hours - Russian military
Almost 18,000 residents have left the rebel-held parts of eastern Aleppo in the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria says.
"The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the warring parties continues to assist local people leaving the areas that remain under militant control in eastern part of Aleppo. In the past 24 hours, some 17,971 residents, including 7,542 children, left the militant-controlled area with the assistance of the Russian Center for Reconciliation," it said in a statement.
A total of 28 militants laid down their weapons and crossed into the western part of the city to surrender to Syrian government troops. In accordance with the Syrian president's decision, they were amnestied.
Russian Army bomb disposal specialists continue to demine areas of the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo that have been liberated from rebel forces.
"In the past 24 hours, they demined a total area of 8 hectares. In addition, 24 buildings have been cleared from explosive objects, including one bakery, two schools, two mosques, one power substation, and some 4.5km of roads," the Center for Reconciliation said.
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Konashenkov also addressed those who, over the past few months, have declared their readiness to send humanitarian aid to Aleppo.
"Representatives of the US, UK, France, Canada, the European Union, and international organizations: Over the past two days, nearly 50,000 civilians have been evacuated by the Russian Reconciliation Center from the eastern parts of Aleppo. They are in need of the humanitarian assistance you promised. It is time to check the validity of your intentions."
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