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03/28/2024 09:21:28 pm

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Aleppo: Ceasefire Announced in the Besieged Syrian City to Evacuate Civilians

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

(Photo : Getty Images) President Assad's government is waging a remorseless campaign to retake the city of Aleppo.

Syrian rebels have confirmed that a ceasefire has been agreed in the country to allow civilians and remaining rebel fighters trapped in the besieged city of Aleppo to evacuate.

According to sources, five buses are expected to enter into the eastern section of the city on Wednesday around 5 a.m. to pick up the survivors. It is not clear what weapons fighters will be allowed to take with them.

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"My brothers, cease fire in all neighborhoods of besieged Aleppo city, total ceasefire but all units be prepared in case of any breach of the ceasefire," a statement from Alfarouq, the leader Ahrar al-Sham rebel group read.

Alfarouq, who negotiated on the ceasefire, added that the ceasefire is just the beginning and that it could fail. "So cease fire, but stay on high alert. God bless you."

The Syrian government is yet to confirm the ceasefire. 

Meanwhile, President Bashar al-Assad's government has been waging a vicious war in a bid to recapture Aleppo, which used to be the country's biggest city but is now in ruins.

However, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations insisted that the buses are just for the fighters not civilians.

"Now it's (Aleppo) going to be under the control of the Syrian government. There is no need for the remaining civilians to leave. Humanitarian arrangements have been put in place," said envoy Vitaly Churkin.

Russia later announced that all military action in eastern Aleppo had ceased and that Syrian authorities are now in control of the city.

David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee, however, felt that the latest developments are too late, saying "Eastern Aleppo has become a bloody grave for thousands of innocent civilians."

Thousands of civilians were massacred in the final battle for Aleppo, in what was described as a "complete meltdown of humanity" by the United Nations. There were accounts of children and women getting burned alive, with some families opting for suicide instead of surrender.

According to the UN Human Rights office, pro-government forces killed at least 82 people as they tightened their control over the city.

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