- Title: Syrian families leave eastern Aleppo, receive shelter in west of city - government
- Date: 7th October 2016
- Summary: ALEPPO, SYRIA (OCTOBER 7, 2016) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) AMBULANCE AND CIVILIANS FROM EASTERN ALEPPO WHO HAVE MOVED TO WEST OF CITY VARIOUS OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS OUTSIDE THE TEMPORARY SHELTER IN WEST ALEPPO PEOPLE INSIDE THE TEMPORARY SHELTER OFFICIAL FROM ALEPPO PROVINCE, ABDUL GHANI KASSAB, TALKING WITH CIVILIANS INSIDE THE TEMPORARY SHELTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OFFICIAL FROM ALEPPO PROVINCE, ABDUL GHANI KASSAB, SAYING: "This morning, our heroes from the Syrian army were able to open a gap towards eastern Aleppo and a number of citizens were able to get out of these neighbourhoods. Of course, as they were leaving they were targeted by rebels and some injuries were recorded among them. They were treated and moved to the hospital. Then they were moved back to the shelter. The rest of them were moved to the Jibrin temporary shelter. This shelter is well equipped. It includes all services from education to health as well as offering a complete relief programme. We are ready to receive all those willing to leave for the areas of the State." PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE SHELTER PEOPLE UNLOADING BOXES OF AID FROM FLAT BED TRUCK YOUNG GIRL SMILING AT CAMERA GROUP OF WOMEN TALKING TO ABDUL HAMID NASSER, OFFICIAL IN THE CIVIL ORGANISATIONS IN ALEPPO PEOPLE NEAR BUS OUTSIDE SHELTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OFFICIAL IN THE CIVIL ORGANISATIONS IN ALEPPO, ABDUL HAMID NASSER, SAYING: "We have given them all essential services, a hot meal and bread, in addition to mattresses and blankets as well as sanitation and first aid baskets. Also they were medically examined - there is a doctor present. One of the women was injured and she was treated." VARIOUS OF WOMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR / PEOPLE IN THE SHELTER
- Embargoed: 22nd October 2016 19:14
- Keywords: Aleppo east west Syria Bashar al-Assad
- Location: ALEPPO, SYRIA
- City: ALEPPO, SYRIA
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA001530CNYF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
QUALITY AS INCOMING
Tens of civilians from rebel-held areas of eastern Aleppo moved across to the government-controlled part of the city on Friday (October 7), officials said.
An official from Aleppo Province said the movement of the families, mostly women and children, was made possible after government forces managed to create a gap for them to travel through.
A quarter of a million civilians still live in Aleppo's opposition-controlled eastern neighbourhoods, effectively under siege since the army, aided by Iranian-backed militias, cut off the last road into rebel districts in early July.
Local government officials said those who had crossed over on Friday had been given food, shelter and medical assistance.
"We are ready to receive all those willing to leave for the areas of the State," said Abdul Ghani Kassab, an Aleppo Province official.
Also on Friday, Russia said it was ready to call on the Syrian government to allow fighters from the Islamist Nusra Front to leave the city with their weapons.
However, rebels have told Reuters they do not trust Assad, and have said they believe such an agreement would be aimed at purging Sunni Muslims from eastern Aleppo.
The offer follows two weeks of the heaviest bombardment of the 5-1/2-year civil war, which has killed hundreds of people trapped inside Aleppo's eastern sector and torpedoed a U.S.-backed peace initiative.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wants to take full control of Aleppo, pre-war Syria's most populous city, which has been divided between rebel and government-held areas.
Seizing full control would be the biggest victory for Assad in five years of fighting, and demonstrate the dramatic shift of fortunes in his favour since Moscow joined the war on his side last year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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