Syria&#39;s pro-Assad forces and militias under Iranian command captured about 90 per cent of the opposition-held areas of eastern Aleppo, The Daily Beast reports.

The rebels are withdrawing in defeat, as the last chance at receiving reinforcements and supplies seems to be about nil as pro-regime forces have cut off the supply lines, The Daily Beast reports.

Today has seen intense bombings of houses and apartment buildings, and the destruction is reported to be on such an enormous scale that the death toll for now cannot be calculated, and&nbsp;the neighbourhoods of Bustan al-Qasr, al-Kallasa, al-Farod and al-Salhin in the Old City, as well as Sheikh Saed, in the southern district, are all now under regime control, The Daily Beast reports.

The White Helmets, or&nbsp;Syrian Civil Defense, an internationally renowned team of first responders, said more than 90 bodies of people presumed to be still alive are under debris, and that its volunteer staff reported they could hear&nbsp;children trapped in the rubbles of their houses, The Daily Beast reports.

Opposition media have circulated unconfirmed reports that atrocities have already begun, such as the summary execution of civilians including women and children, The Daily Beast reports.&nbsp;

These reports could not be independetly verified by The Daily Beast or WION.

However, UNHCR spokesperson Rupert Colville said, &quot;In all, as of yesterday evening, we have received reports of pro-Government forces killing at least 82 civilians (including 11 women and 13 children) in four different neighbourhoods -- Bustan al-Qasr, al-Ferdous, al-Kallaseh, and al-Saleheen.&quot;

The official Syrian news agency SANA claimed that eight people were killed and 47 were injured in regime-held Aleppo after opposition fighters bombed the city. Most of the victims were women and children, according to the agency.

Reuters reported a military source as saying that the last rebel pocked could fall &quot;any moment&quot;.

Some Syrian residents and activists&nbsp;spent the day<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-activists-tweet-final-goodbyes-as-aleppo-offensive-nears-end-10097"> on social media saying goodbye</a>, warning that they were about to be killed.

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The Syrian army and its allies are in the &quot;Final stages&quot; of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse (WION)
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(WION)

The United Nations has reports 82 people were 'summarily shot dead' in recaptured neighbourhoods

Syria's pro-Assad forces and militias under Iranian command captured about 90 per cent of the opposition-held areas of eastern Aleppo, The Daily Beast reports. The rebels are withdrawing in defeat, as the last chance at receiving reinforcements and supplies seems to be about nil as pro-regime forces have cut off the supply lines, The Daily Beast reports. Today has seen intense bombings of houses and apartment buildings, and the destruction is reported to be on such an enormous scale that the death toll for now cannot be calculated, and the neighbourhoods of Bustan al-Qasr, al-Kallasa, al-Farod and al-Salhin in the Old City, as well as Sheikh Saed, in the southern district, are all now under regime control, The Daily Beast reports. The White Helmets, or Syrian Civil Defense, an internationally renowned team of first responders, said more than 90 bodies of people presumed to be still alive are under debris, and that its volunteer staff reported they could hear children trapped in the rubbles of their houses, The Daily Beast reports. Opposition media have circulated unconfirmed reports that atrocities have already begun, such as the summary execution of civilians including women and children, The Daily Beast reports. These reports could not be independetly verified by The Daily Beast or WION. However, UNHCR spokesperson Rupert Colville said, "In all, as of yesterday evening, we have received reports of pro-Government forces killing at least 82 civilians (including 11 women and 13 children) in four different neighbourhoods -- Bustan al-Qasr, al-Ferdous, al-Kallaseh, and al-Saleheen." The official Syrian news agency SANA claimed that eight people were killed and 47 were injured in regime-held Aleppo after opposition fighters bombed the city. Most of the victims were women and children, according to the agency. Reuters reported a military source as saying that the last rebel pocked could fall "any moment". Some Syrian residents and activists spent the day on social media saying goodbye, warning that they were about to be killed. The Syrian army and its allies are in the "Final stages" of recapturing Aleppo after a sudden advance that has pushed rebels to the brink of collapse (WION) × (WION)

Assad's forces seize Aleppo, The Daily Beast claims 'butchering' civilians

The US-led coalition has killed at least 50,000 Islamic State fighters since it began operation&nbsp;in Iraq and Syria in 2014,a senior military official said on Thursday.

The operation by a dozen or so members of the anti-IS coalition has used planes and drones, conducting about 16,000 strikes against jihadists in&nbsp;Iraq and Syria,news agency &nbsp;AFP reported. Two-thirds of these strikes have been in Iraq.

The coalition has also provided training and weapons to local forces fighting the IS.

&quot;I am not into morbid counts but that kind of volume matters, that kind of impact on the enemy,&quot; the official said, according to AFP, calling the 50,000 number a conservative estimate.

The official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the air campaign had been the &quot;most pristine&quot; ever in terms of avoiding civilian casualties.

He said almost all the bombs dropped till now have been &nbsp;smart weapons that can be steered to a precise target.

The coalition&rsquo;s count of civilians killed in the strikes is 173. Critics, however, say the real figure is far higher.

London-based collective of journalists and researchers, Airwars,say the number of likely civilian deaths from coalition strikes is 1,957 at a bare minimum, AFP reported.

The military official said the coalition had diminished IS&rsquo;s ranks to such a level that&nbsp;simultaneous attacks being waged on Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria have been possible.

Coalition spokesman Colonel John Dorrian had earlier said that in Mosul, IS was turning to adolescent fighters as its hardcore warriors got wiped out.

&quot;As this effort goes on with each passing day, Daesh(IS) has fewer fighters and fewer resources at their disposal,&quot; Dorrian said in a videocall, AFP reported.

He also said that &nbsp;jihadists seem to have run out of armoured suicide car bombs, and estimated &quot;many hundreds&quot; of fighters had been killed in Mosul.

&quot;It doesn&rsquo;t mean that it&rsquo;s not still an extraordinarily dangerous situation. They are not going to go quietly, but they are going to go.&quot;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

About 16,000 air strikes have been conducted by the US-led coalition against IS jihadists since late 2014

The US-led coalition has killed at least 50,000 Islamic State fighters since it began operation in Iraq and Syria in 2014,a senior military official said on Thursday. The operation by a dozen or so members of the anti-IS coalition has used planes and drones, conducting about 16,000 strikes against jihadists in Iraq and Syria,news agency AFP reported. Two-thirds of these strikes have been in Iraq. The coalition has also provided training and weapons to local forces fighting the IS. "I am not into morbid counts but that kind of volume matters, that kind of impact on the enemy," the official said, according to AFP, calling the 50,000 number a conservative estimate. The official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the air campaign had been the "most pristine" ever in terms of avoiding civilian casualties. He said almost all the bombs dropped till now have been smart weapons that can be steered to a precise target. The coalition’s count of civilians killed in the strikes is 173. Critics, however, say the real figure is far higher. London-based collective of journalists and researchers, Airwars,say the number of likely civilian deaths from coalition strikes is 1,957 at a bare minimum, AFP reported. The military official said the coalition had diminished IS’s ranks to such a level that simultaneous attacks being waged on Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria have been possible. Coalition spokesman Colonel John Dorrian had earlier said that in Mosul, IS was turning to adolescent fighters as its hardcore warriors got wiped out. "As this effort goes on with each passing day, Daesh(IS) has fewer fighters and fewer resources at their disposal," Dorrian said in a videocall, AFP reported. He also said that jihadists seem to have run out of armoured suicide car bombs, and estimated "many hundreds" of fighters had been killed in Mosul. "It doesn’t mean that it’s not still an extraordinarily dangerous situation. They are not going to go quietly, but they are going to go." (WION with inputs from AFP)

At least 50,000 Islamic State fighters killed in Iraq and Syria since 2014: US official

&nbsp;As many as 10,500 people have left eastern Aleppo in the last 24 hours, Russian Defence Ministry official Sergei Rudskoi said on Friday.

In comments broadcast on state television, Rudskoi said the Syrian army had taken 93 per cent of Aleppo and freed 52 blocks from opposition fighters. He said the Russian and Syrian air forces had not operated over the city since October 18.

(Reuters)

Russian Defence Ministry official Sergei Rudskoi said the Syrian army had taken 93 per cent of Aleppo

As many as 10,500 people have left eastern Aleppo in the last 24 hours, Russian Defence Ministry official Sergei Rudskoi said on Friday. In comments broadcast on state television, Rudskoi said the Syrian army had taken 93 per cent of Aleppo and freed 52 blocks from opposition fighters. He said the Russian and Syrian air forces had not operated over the city since October 18. (Reuters)

Russia says 10,500 people have left eastern Aleppo in last 24 hours

The Syrian army has suspended its attack on Syria&rsquo;s Aleppo to allow the evacuation of civilians, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.

&quot;I can tell you that today, combat operations by the Syrian army have been halted in eastern Aleppo because there is a large operation underway to evacuate civilians,&quot; he said in Hamburg, Germany,Russian news agencies reported.

&quot;There is going to be to a column of 8,000 evacuees&quot; travelling five kilometers (3 miles), Lavrov added, attending a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the announcement was &quot;an indication that something positive could happen&quot;, news agency AFP reported.

Lavrov also &nbsp;announced that US-Russia military and diplomatic discussions would take place in Geneva on Saturday &quot;to end the work... to define the means of resolving the problems of east Aleppo&quot;.

According to Lavrov, The discussions would involve studying plans to evacuate civilians and fighters wanting to leave.

Rebel fighters are struggling to their last strongholds in their control.

Lavrov&rsquo;s statement came after six countries including the US called for an immediate ceasefire citing a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo and called on Russia and Iran to use their influence on the Syrian regime to secure a truce.

&nbsp;

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(WION with inputs from AFP)

8,000 people are expected to leave as large operations underway to evacuate civilians

The Syrian army has suspended its attack on Syria’s Aleppo to allow the evacuation of civilians, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday. "I can tell you that today, combat operations by the Syrian army have been halted in eastern Aleppo because there is a large operation underway to evacuate civilians," he said in Hamburg, Germany,Russian news agencies reported. "There is going to be to a column of 8,000 evacuees" travelling five kilometers (3 miles), Lavrov added, attending a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the announcement was "an indication that something positive could happen", news agency AFP reported. Lavrov also announced that US-Russia military and diplomatic discussions would take place in Geneva on Saturday "to end the work... to define the means of resolving the problems of east Aleppo". According to Lavrov, The discussions would involve studying plans to evacuate civilians and fighters wanting to leave. Rebel fighters are struggling to their last strongholds in their control. Lavrov’s statement came after six countries including the US called for an immediate ceasefire citing a humanitarian catastrophe in Aleppo and called on Russia and Iran to use their influence on the Syrian regime to secure a truce. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Syrian air strikes on Aleppo halted: Russian foreign minister

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov failed to make progress on a Syria truce in talks in Germany early Thursday, an American official said.

Kerry and Lavrov met twice Thursday on the margins of a foreign ministers&#39; meeting of the 57-member Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said a US official.

Their meetings lasted 10 minutes each and &quot;no progress, no conclusion were reached on Aleppo&quot;, the devastated north Syrian city where Russia-backed regime troops are battling rebel forces, the official said.

However, leaving the talks with Lavrov in the northern German city of Hamburg, Kerry told Russian journalists that he remained hopeful and would continue to work for a solution.

Moscow launched an air war in support of Assad&#39;s forces last year, while Washington has supported rebel forces battling the regime.

On Wednesday the United States, Britain and France led a joint call for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach Aleppo, in an appeal backed by Canada, Germany and Italy.

Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on Tuesday that he would work for a relaunch of peace talks between the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition, with the help of Russia.

&quot;Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table ... and I am in favour of putting that to the test,&quot; Kerry said in Brussels.

Lavrov said in Hamburg on Wednesday, before a meeting with Kerry, that Russia backed a US proposal made on December 2 involving a rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, which Moscow has accused Washington of since backtracking on.

Kerry has denied any change of plans and Washington itself has accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire.

Kerry will on Saturday take part in a Paris meeting on Syria organised by his French, German and Qatari counterparts, the State Department said. 
 
(AFP)

The US, Britain and France earlier led a joint call for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach Aleppo

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov failed to make progress on a Syria truce in talks in Germany early Thursday, an American official said. Kerry and Lavrov met twice Thursday on the margins of a foreign ministers' meeting of the 57-member Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said a US official. Their meetings lasted 10 minutes each and "no progress, no conclusion were reached on Aleppo", the devastated north Syrian city where Russia-backed regime troops are battling rebel forces, the official said. However, leaving the talks with Lavrov in the northern German city of Hamburg, Kerry told Russian journalists that he remained hopeful and would continue to work for a solution. Moscow launched an air war in support of Assad's forces last year, while Washington has supported rebel forces battling the regime. On Wednesday the United States, Britain and France led a joint call for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid to reach Aleppo, in an appeal backed by Canada, Germany and Italy. Kerry said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels on Tuesday that he would work for a relaunch of peace talks between the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition, with the help of Russia. "Russia says Assad is ready to come to the table ... and I am in favour of putting that to the test," Kerry said in Brussels. Lavrov said in Hamburg on Wednesday, before a meeting with Kerry, that Russia backed a US proposal made on December 2 involving a rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, which Moscow has accused Washington of since backtracking on. Kerry has denied any change of plans and Washington itself has accused Moscow of stalling after Russia and China blocked a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a seven-day ceasefire. Kerry will on Saturday take part in a Paris meeting on Syria organised by his French, German and Qatari counterparts, the State Department said. (AFP)

US, Russia talks on Aleppo ceasefire deadlocked

Syria&rsquo;s army and allies pushed into rebel-held parts of Aleppo&#39;s Old City on Tuesday, a monitoring group said, looking closer than ever to achieving their most important victory of the five-year-old civil war by driving rebels out of their last urban stronghold.

A rebel official said they would never abandon Aleppo, after reports that US and Russian diplomats were preparing to discuss the surrender and evacuation of insurgents from territory they have held for years.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said talks with the United States on a rebel withdrawal would begin in Geneva as soon as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

But sources familiar with the plans later told Reuters no talks would take place this week in the Swiss city.

The rebels, who controlled large parts of eastern Aleppo for nearly five years, have lost around two thirds of their territory in the city over the past two weeks.

Government forces entered rebel-held parts of the Old City late on Tuesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported.&nbsp;

A rebel official denied they had entered but said the army and its allies were trying to enter and battles continued.

A military source said troops were &quot;advancing in that direction&quot;.

The government now appears closer to victory in the city than at any point since 2012, the year after rebels took up arms to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad in a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world&#39;s worst refugee crisis.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it would now accept no truce in Aleppo, should any outside parties try to negotiate one. Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a week-long ceasefire. Moscow said rebels used such pauses in the past to reinforce.

Tens of thousands of civilians are still trapped in rebel-held districts of Aleppo, reduced to a few kilometres (miles) across. The United Nations, whose staff are restricted to government-controlled areas of the city, on Tuesday described &quot;a very disastrous situation in eastern Aleppo&quot;.

&quot;There has been heavy shelling on us, there are massacres (of civilians), there&#39;s no electricity and little internet access,&quot; said Abu Youssef, a resident of one of the areas still held by the fighters.

Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months. Moscow wants negotiations with Washington to facilitate such an evacuation.

But despite Lavrov&#39;s announcement of a meeting in Geneva, a US official said firm plans for talks had never been set, though Washington was still working to reopen negotiations.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not going to negotiate this publicly,&rdquo; the official said on condition of anonymity.

Rebels have told US officials they will not withdraw, and said there had been no more formal contact with Washington on the topic since last week.

&quot;The Americans asked if we wanted to leave or to stay ... we said this is our city, and we will defend it,&quot; Zakaria Malahifji, a Turkey-based official for the Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters on Tuesday.

The Cold War-era super powers have backed opposing sides in the war, but Russia has intervened far more openly and decisively, joining Iran as well as Iraqi and Lebanese Shi&#39;ite groups to back Assad.

Some of the groups fighting in eastern Aleppo have received support in a US-backed military aid programme to rebels deemed moderate by the West.&nbsp;

However, this has been minimal compared to massive Russian air support to aid Assad&#39;s government, which has turned the tide of the war in his favour over the past year.

The army said it had taken over areas to the east of the Old City including al-Shaar, Marja and Karm al-Qaterji, bringing them closer to cutting off another pocket of rebel control.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said al-Shaar and some other areas had been taken, but did not immediately confirm the takeover of all the areas announced by the army.&nbsp;

A Turkey-based rebel official denied al-Shaar had been taken but said fighting continued in the neighbourhood.

Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts.&nbsp;

The Observatory said a heavy Syrian and Russian aerial bombardment in the last three days in the mostly rebel-held Idlib province to the southwest had killed more than 100 people. &nbsp;

Winter is coming

The rebels&#39; loss of the eastern half of Aleppo, Syria&#39;s largest city before the war, would be the biggest victory of the conflict so far for Assad, securing his grip on all Syria&#39;s main cities.

It would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow&#39;s ally in September 2015 with air strikes, and for Shi&#39;ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad.

UN official Jens Laerke said: &quot;Winter is approaching, it&#39;s already getting very, very cold so that has come up as a priority need ... Food is running out, the little food that is available is being sold at extremely inflated prices.&quot;

While rebels have said they will not leave, one opposition official, who declined to be identified, conceded they may have no alternative for the sake of civilians who have been under siege for five months and faced relentless government assaults.

Insurgents, meanwhile, have fought back ferociously inside Aleppo. Some of the fighting took place on Monday within a kilometre (half a mile) of the ancient citadel, a large fortress built on a mound, and around the historic Old City.

With narrow alleyways, big mansions and covered markets, the ancient city of Aleppo became a UNESCO heritage site in 1986. Many historic buildings have been destroyed in the fighting.

Apart from their support for rebels fighting against Assad, Western countries are also taking part in a US-led air campaign against Islamic State, the Sunni Muslim militant group which broke away from other anti-Assad groups to proclaim a caliphate in territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.

Moscow says helping Assad is the best way to defeat Islamic State. Western countries say the group gains strength from the fury unleashed by Assad&#39;s military crackdown on his enemies.

France, a staunch backer of the anti-Assad opposition, will convene foreign ministers of like-minded countries in Paris on Saturday to try to come up with some form of strategy in the wake of the Aleppo onslaught, although few diplomats expect anything concrete to be achieved.

Western countries say that even if government forces take Aleppo, they will still not be able to end the conflict, as long as millions of Syrians see the government as a brutal enemy.

&quot;Aleppo falls, but the war goes on,&quot; said one US official.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The rebels have lost around two-thirds of their territory in the city over the past two weeks

Syria’s army and allies pushed into rebel-held parts of Aleppo's Old City on Tuesday, a monitoring group said, looking closer than ever to achieving their most important victory of the five-year-old civil war by driving rebels out of their last urban stronghold. A rebel official said they would never abandon Aleppo, after reports that US and Russian diplomats were preparing to discuss the surrender and evacuation of insurgents from territory they have held for years. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said talks with the United States on a rebel withdrawal would begin in Geneva as soon as Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. But sources familiar with the plans later told Reuters no talks would take place this week in the Swiss city. The rebels, who controlled large parts of eastern Aleppo for nearly five years, have lost around two thirds of their territory in the city over the past two weeks. Government forces entered rebel-held parts of the Old City late on Tuesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported. A rebel official denied they had entered but said the army and its allies were trying to enter and battles continued. A military source said troops were "advancing in that direction". The government now appears closer to victory in the city than at any point since 2012, the year after rebels took up arms to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad in a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world's worst refugee crisis. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said it would now accept no truce in Aleppo, should any outside parties try to negotiate one. Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a week-long ceasefire. Moscow said rebels used such pauses in the past to reinforce. Tens of thousands of civilians are still trapped in rebel-held districts of Aleppo, reduced to a few kilometres (miles) across. The United Nations, whose staff are restricted to government-controlled areas of the city, on Tuesday described "a very disastrous situation in eastern Aleppo". "There has been heavy shelling on us, there are massacres (of civilians), there's no electricity and little internet access," said Abu Youssef, a resident of one of the areas still held by the fighters. Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months. Moscow wants negotiations with Washington to facilitate such an evacuation. But despite Lavrov's announcement of a meeting in Geneva, a US official said firm plans for talks had never been set, though Washington was still working to reopen negotiations. “We’re not going to negotiate this publicly,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Rebels have told US officials they will not withdraw, and said there had been no more formal contact with Washington on the topic since last week. "The Americans asked if we wanted to leave or to stay ... we said this is our city, and we will defend it," Zakaria Malahifji, a Turkey-based official for the Fastaqim rebel group, told Reuters on Tuesday. The Cold War-era super powers have backed opposing sides in the war, but Russia has intervened far more openly and decisively, joining Iran as well as Iraqi and Lebanese Shi'ite groups to back Assad. Some of the groups fighting in eastern Aleppo have received support in a US-backed military aid programme to rebels deemed moderate by the West. However, this has been minimal compared to massive Russian air support to aid Assad's government, which has turned the tide of the war in his favour over the past year. The army said it had taken over areas to the east of the Old City including al-Shaar, Marja and Karm al-Qaterji, bringing them closer to cutting off another pocket of rebel control. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said al-Shaar and some other areas had been taken, but did not immediately confirm the takeover of all the areas announced by the army. A Turkey-based rebel official denied al-Shaar had been taken but said fighting continued in the neighbourhood. Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts. The Observatory said a heavy Syrian and Russian aerial bombardment in the last three days in the mostly rebel-held Idlib province to the southwest had killed more than 100 people. Winter is coming The rebels' loss of the eastern half of Aleppo, Syria's largest city before the war, would be the biggest victory of the conflict so far for Assad, securing his grip on all Syria's main cities. It would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow's ally in September 2015 with air strikes, and for Shi'ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad. UN official Jens Laerke said: "Winter is approaching, it's already getting very, very cold so that has come up as a priority need ... Food is running out, the little food that is available is being sold at extremely inflated prices." While rebels have said they will not leave, one opposition official, who declined to be identified, conceded they may have no alternative for the sake of civilians who have been under siege for five months and faced relentless government assaults. Insurgents, meanwhile, have fought back ferociously inside Aleppo. Some of the fighting took place on Monday within a kilometre (half a mile) of the ancient citadel, a large fortress built on a mound, and around the historic Old City. With narrow alleyways, big mansions and covered markets, the ancient city of Aleppo became a UNESCO heritage site in 1986. Many historic buildings have been destroyed in the fighting. Apart from their support for rebels fighting against Assad, Western countries are also taking part in a US-led air campaign against Islamic State, the Sunni Muslim militant group which broke away from other anti-Assad groups to proclaim a caliphate in territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Moscow says helping Assad is the best way to defeat Islamic State. Western countries say the group gains strength from the fury unleashed by Assad's military crackdown on his enemies. France, a staunch backer of the anti-Assad opposition, will convene foreign ministers of like-minded countries in Paris on Saturday to try to come up with some form of strategy in the wake of the Aleppo onslaught, although few diplomats expect anything concrete to be achieved. Western countries say that even if government forces take Aleppo, they will still not be able to end the conflict, as long as millions of Syrians see the government as a brutal enemy. "Aleppo falls, but the war goes on," said one US official. (Reuters)

Syria: Troops enter Aleppo's old city, poised for war's biggest victory

Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called on Wednesday for an immediate five-day ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians and wounded, but gave no indication they were ready to withdraw as demanded by Damascus and Moscow.

The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria&#39;s most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year.

In a statement calling for the truce, the rebels made no mention of evacuating the several thousand fighters who are defending an ever shrinking area of eastern Aleppo.&nbsp;

Syria and Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have said they want rebels to leave Aleppo and will not consider a ceasefire unless that happens.

&quot;It&rsquo;s been a tragedy here for a long time, but I&rsquo;ve never seen this kind of pressure on the city - you can&rsquo;t rest for even five minutes, the bombardment is constant,&quot; a resident said.

&quot;Any movement in the streets and there is bombardment (on that area) immediately,&quot; said the east Aleppo resident contacted by Reuters, who declined to be identified.&nbsp;

Fear gripped the remaining residents as food and water supplies were cut off.

Retaking Aleppo would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow&#39;s ally in September 2015 with airstrikes, and for Shi&#39;ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad.

The Syrian government now appears closer to victory than at any point in the five years since protests against Assad evolved into an armed rebellion.&nbsp;

The war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world&#39;s worst refugee crisis.

Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts.&nbsp;

Army retakes old city

The Syrian army now controls all of the Old City of Aleppo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including the Umayyad Mosque, which had been held by rebels, the Observatory said.&nbsp;

Explosions and artillery fire could be heard on Syrian state television in districts around the citadel which overlooks the Old City as the army pressed its offensive. More neighbourhoods were expected to fall but rebels were fighting ferociously.

Rebels have lost control of about 75 per cent of their territory in eastern Aleppo in under 10 days, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, said.

The &quot;humanitarian initiative&quot; published by rebels called for the evacuation of around 500 critical medical cases. &nbsp;

The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a potential US-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to leave Aleppo safely was still on the agenda.&nbsp;

Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months.&nbsp;

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will meet US secretary of state John Kerry in Hamburg on Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported. Lavrov will also meet with German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the agencies reported.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The Rebels have lost control of about 75 per cent of their territory in eastern Aleppo in under 10 days

Syrian rebels in besieged eastern Aleppo called on Wednesday for an immediate five-day ceasefire and the evacuation of civilians and wounded, but gave no indication they were ready to withdraw as demanded by Damascus and Moscow. The Syrian army and allied forces have made rapid gains against insurgents in the past two weeks and look closer than ever to restoring full control over Aleppo, Syria's most populous city before the war, and achieving their most important victory of the conflict now in its sixth year. In a statement calling for the truce, the rebels made no mention of evacuating the several thousand fighters who are defending an ever shrinking area of eastern Aleppo. Syria and Russia, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have said they want rebels to leave Aleppo and will not consider a ceasefire unless that happens. "It’s been a tragedy here for a long time, but I’ve never seen this kind of pressure on the city - you can’t rest for even five minutes, the bombardment is constant," a resident said. "Any movement in the streets and there is bombardment (on that area) immediately," said the east Aleppo resident contacted by Reuters, who declined to be identified. Fear gripped the remaining residents as food and water supplies were cut off. Retaking Aleppo would also be a success for President Vladimir Putin who intervened to save Moscow's ally in September 2015 with airstrikes, and for Shi'ite Iran, whose elite Islamic Republic Guard Corps has suffered casualties fighting for Assad. The Syrian government now appears closer to victory than at any point in the five years since protests against Assad evolved into an armed rebellion. The war in Syria has killed hundreds of thousands of people, made more than half of Syrians homeless and created the world's worst refugee crisis. Outside of Aleppo, the government and its allies are also putting severe pressure on remaining rebel redoubts. Army retakes old city The Syrian army now controls all of the Old City of Aleppo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site including the Umayyad Mosque, which had been held by rebels, the Observatory said. Explosions and artillery fire could be heard on Syrian state television in districts around the citadel which overlooks the Old City as the army pressed its offensive. More neighbourhoods were expected to fall but rebels were fighting ferociously. Rebels have lost control of about 75 per cent of their territory in eastern Aleppo in under 10 days, Director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdulrahman, said. The "humanitarian initiative" published by rebels called for the evacuation of around 500 critical medical cases. The Kremlin said on Wednesday that a potential US-Russia deal to allow Syrian rebels to leave Aleppo safely was still on the agenda. Damascus and Moscow have been calling on rebels to withdraw from the city, disarm and accept safe passage out, a procedure that has been carried out in other areas where rebels abandoned besieged territory in recent months. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will meet US secretary of state John Kerry in Hamburg on Wednesday, Russian news agencies reported. Lavrov will also meet with German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the agencies reported. (Reuters)

Rebels seek ceasefire with Syrian army closer to retaking Aleppo

Russian and US experts will meet in the coming days to determine the routes and timing for a total rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

&quot;During the Russian-American consultations the concrete route and timeframe for the withdrawal of all fighters from eastern Aleppo will be agreed upon,&quot; the Russian diplomat said, indicating that the talks in Geneva would likely start on Tuesday or Wednesday.

&quot;As soon as these routes and timeframes are agreed on, a ceasefire can come into effect,&quot; Lavrov said.&nbsp;

The discussions would be based on proposals made by US Secretary of State John Kerry in Rome on Friday, he said. &nbsp;

Russia&#39;s top diplomat also denounced a proposed UN resolution demanding a temporary ceasefire in Aleppo, calling it a &quot;provocative step&quot;.

The UN Security Council will on Monday vote on the resolution, drafted by Egypt, New Zealand and Spain, that calls for a truce of at least seven days.

&quot;Taking into account all aspects and the current development of the situation, the draft resolution -- coming against the backdrop of the Russian-American initiative -- is, for the most part, a provocative step that undermines Russian-American efforts,&quot; Lavrov told a press conference.

Despite concessions by those who drafted the text -- an early version demanded a 10-day truce -- it looks likely Moscow will use its veto to torpedo the measure.

The forces of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and their allies are continuing to advance on Aleppo&#39;s rebel-held districts, after taking control of some 60 percent of the city so far, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.&nbsp;

Since the start of the Syrian regime&#39;s latest offensive in eastern Aleppo on November 15, at least 311 civilians have been killed, 42 of them children, the Britain-based monitor says. At the same time, rebel fire has killed nearly 70 people in the city&#39;s government-held west.

Russia has been flying air raids in Syria since September 2015, intervening at the request of Assad, Moscow&#39;s longtime ally.

(AFP)

A ceasefire can come into effect once the outline for the total pullout is prepared by the two countries, the Russian foreign minister said

Russian and US experts will meet in the coming days to determine the routes and timing for a total rebel withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday. "During the Russian-American consultations the concrete route and timeframe for the withdrawal of all fighters from eastern Aleppo will be agreed upon," the Russian diplomat said, indicating that the talks in Geneva would likely start on Tuesday or Wednesday. "As soon as these routes and timeframes are agreed on, a ceasefire can come into effect," Lavrov said. The discussions would be based on proposals made by US Secretary of State John Kerry in Rome on Friday, he said. Russia's top diplomat also denounced a proposed UN resolution demanding a temporary ceasefire in Aleppo, calling it a "provocative step". The UN Security Council will on Monday vote on the resolution, drafted by Egypt, New Zealand and Spain, that calls for a truce of at least seven days. "Taking into account all aspects and the current development of the situation, the draft resolution -- coming against the backdrop of the Russian-American initiative -- is, for the most part, a provocative step that undermines Russian-American efforts," Lavrov told a press conference. Despite concessions by those who drafted the text -- an early version demanded a 10-day truce -- it looks likely Moscow will use its veto to torpedo the measure. The forces of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and their allies are continuing to advance on Aleppo's rebel-held districts, after taking control of some 60 percent of the city so far, according to the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. Since the start of the Syrian regime's latest offensive in eastern Aleppo on November 15, at least 311 civilians have been killed, 42 of them children, the Britain-based monitor says. At the same time, rebel fire has killed nearly 70 people in the city's government-held west. Russia has been flying air raids in Syria since September 2015, intervening at the request of Assad, Moscow's longtime ally. (AFP)

Russia, US to prepare timescale for rebel withdrawal from Aleppo

Syrian forces have recaptured half the former IS stronghold of east Aleppo, a monitor said on Friday.&nbsp;

President Bashar al-Assad&rsquo;s forces have made quick gains since their offensive against Aleppo began on November 15.

Rebels put up fierce resistance in the southeastern outskirts of the war-battered city, but government forces closed in on opposition territory from the east.

Meanwhile, around 2,000 people, including rebel families, evacuated the suburb of Tal near Damascus, as part of a deal between the Syrian government and the armed rebels, local media reports said.

Tens of thousands of civilians have also streamed out of Aleppo&rsquo;s east, and Russia has renewed its calls for humanitarian corridors to allow aid to enter and desperate residents to leave.

&quot;We have informed the UN in New York and Geneva that there is no longer a problem with the delivery of humanitarian cargo to eastern Aleppo,&quot; Russia&rsquo;s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Moscow has announced several humanitarian pauses in Aleppo to allow civilians to flee, but until the recent escalation, only a handful did so.

Regime forces on Friday &quot;consolidated their control&quot; over two eastern districts and were pushing further to squeeze the shrinking rebel enclave, said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman, AFP reported.

&quot;After the recent advances, the regime is comfortably in control of half of former rebel territory in the city&#39;s east,&quot; he said.

The loss of east Aleppo, which has been a rebel stronghold since 2012, would be the biggest-ever blow to Syria&rsquo;s opposition.

Earlier on Friday, anti-government fighters had been successful in rolling back regime gains in Sheikh Saeed on Aleppo&rsquo;s southeastern outskirts.

Sheikh Saeed borders the last remaining parts of Aleppo still in rebel hands.

Hundreds of fighters from Syria&rsquo;s elite Republican Guard and Fourth Division arrived in Aleppo on Friday in&nbsp;preparation for street-by-street fighting in these districts, the Observatory said.

It added that four civilians were killed in rebel rocket fire on government-held areas, bringing to 59 the civilian toll in the city&#39;s west.

More 300 civilians have been killed in east Aleppo since the offensive began, according to the Observatory.

Clashes rocked residential buildings in Aleppo&rsquo;s eastern fringes on Friday, as regime forces sought to secure the road towards the airport.

AFP reported ferocious clashes in the Tariq al-Bab district, where regime forces advanced Thursday.

US secretary of state John Kerry late on Friday said he had spoken to Lavrov about the situation in Aleppo.

&quot;We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian disaster that continues to unfold in Aleppo,&quot; he said.

&quot;It is absolutely vital that the killings be replaced by immediate moves of humanitarian goods.&quot;

Dozens of families trickled out on Friday, adding to the more than 50,000 people who have poured from east Aleppo into territory controlled by government forces or local Kurdish authorities, the Observatory said, AFP reported.

Among those fleeing are nearly 20,000 children, according to estimates by the UN&rsquo;s children&rsquo;s agency.

&quot;What is critical now is that we provide the immediate and sustained assistance that these children and their families desperately need,&quot; UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac told AFP.

&quot;It&rsquo;s a race against time, as winter is here and conditions are basic.&quot;

The conflict started in March 2011 with protests calling for Assad&rsquo;s ouster, and has since evolved into a highly globalised war that has killed more than 300,000 people.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The loss of east Aleppo, which has been a rebel stronghold since 2012, would be the biggest-ever blow to Syria?s opposition

Syrian forces have recaptured half the former IS stronghold of east Aleppo, a monitor said on Friday. President Bashar al-Assad’s forces have made quick gains since their offensive against Aleppo began on November 15. Rebels put up fierce resistance in the southeastern outskirts of the war-battered city, but government forces closed in on opposition territory from the east. Meanwhile, around 2,000 people, including rebel families, evacuated the suburb of Tal near Damascus, as part of a deal between the Syrian government and the armed rebels, local media reports said. Tens of thousands of civilians have also streamed out of Aleppo’s east, and Russia has renewed its calls for humanitarian corridors to allow aid to enter and desperate residents to leave. "We have informed the UN in New York and Geneva that there is no longer a problem with the delivery of humanitarian cargo to eastern Aleppo," Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said, AFP reported. Moscow has announced several humanitarian pauses in Aleppo to allow civilians to flee, but until the recent escalation, only a handful did so. Regime forces on Friday "consolidated their control" over two eastern districts and were pushing further to squeeze the shrinking rebel enclave, said Syrian Observatory for Human Rights head Rami Abdel Rahman, AFP reported. "After the recent advances, the regime is comfortably in control of half of former rebel territory in the city's east," he said. The loss of east Aleppo, which has been a rebel stronghold since 2012, would be the biggest-ever blow to Syria’s opposition. Earlier on Friday, anti-government fighters had been successful in rolling back regime gains in Sheikh Saeed on Aleppo’s southeastern outskirts. Sheikh Saeed borders the last remaining parts of Aleppo still in rebel hands. Hundreds of fighters from Syria’s elite Republican Guard and Fourth Division arrived in Aleppo on Friday in preparation for street-by-street fighting in these districts, the Observatory said. It added that four civilians were killed in rebel rocket fire on government-held areas, bringing to 59 the civilian toll in the city's west. More 300 civilians have been killed in east Aleppo since the offensive began, according to the Observatory. Clashes rocked residential buildings in Aleppo’s eastern fringes on Friday, as regime forces sought to secure the road towards the airport. AFP reported ferocious clashes in the Tariq al-Bab district, where regime forces advanced Thursday. US secretary of state John Kerry late on Friday said he had spoken to Lavrov about the situation in Aleppo. "We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian disaster that continues to unfold in Aleppo," he said. "It is absolutely vital that the killings be replaced by immediate moves of humanitarian goods." Dozens of families trickled out on Friday, adding to the more than 50,000 people who have poured from east Aleppo into territory controlled by government forces or local Kurdish authorities, the Observatory said, AFP reported. Among those fleeing are nearly 20,000 children, according to estimates by the UN’s children’s agency. "What is critical now is that we provide the immediate and sustained assistance that these children and their families desperately need," UNICEF spokesman Christophe Boulierac told AFP. "It’s a race against time, as winter is here and conditions are basic." The conflict started in March 2011 with protests calling for Assad’s ouster, and has since evolved into a highly globalised war that has killed more than 300,000 people. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Half of rebel-held Aleppo falls to Syrian forces

&quot;Russia has nothing to do with this. Neither does the Syrian Arab Republic or its airforce,&quot; Lavrov told reporters at a joint news conference after meeting his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in the Mediterranean resort town of Alanya.

Four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine others were wounded in an air strike on November 24 during a Turkish-backed rebel operation in northern Syria.

Lavrov also said that Russia was ready to speak with all parties in the Syrian conflict.

&quot;Never have we refused contacts with any of the opposition groups. Indeed, it was on our insistance that the clause about the necessity to hold dialogue with all key, political opposition groups was included in the resolution 2254 proposed by the international Syria Support Group,&quot; Lavrov said.

Both Turkey and Russia, two of the main backers of opposing sides in Syria&#39;s civil war, said they agreed on the need for a halt to fighting and the provision of aid in Aleppo but deep divisions remain between the two countries over the conflict.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey&#39;s stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was unchanged.

&quot;Our President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan&#39;s) position on (Syrian President Bashar) Assad is clear. We know that Assad is responsible of killing 600,000 people. Sometimes we might have different opinions. This is natural but we agree with Russia on need for ceasefire, humanitarian and political transition,&quot; Cavusoglu said.

Russia is the main backer of Assad, while Turkey supports the rebels fighting to oust him. The rebels have come under siege in eastern Aleppo after rapid advances by Syrian government forces in recent days, bringing them to the brink of a major defeat.

&quot;A ceasefire must be achieved in all of Syria, notably in Aleppo,&quot; Cavusoglu said adding Turkey was in agreement with Russia in broad terms on the need for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid and political transition.

Syrian rebels on Wednesday (November 30) vowed to fight on in east Aleppo in the face of sudden government advances that have cut the city&#39;s opposition sector by a third.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the situation in Aleppo with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone for the third time in a week on Wednesday and agreed on the need for a ceasefire, sources in Erdogan&#39;s office said.

While remaining divided on Assad&#39;s future, Ankara and Moscow have been trying to find common ground on Syria since a rapprochement in August.

(Reuters)

Four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine wounded in an air strike on November 24 during a Turkish-backed rebel operation in northern Syria

"Russia has nothing to do with this. Neither does the Syrian Arab Republic or its airforce," Lavrov told reporters at a joint news conference after meeting his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in the Mediterranean resort town of Alanya. Four Turkish soldiers were killed and nine others were wounded in an air strike on November 24 during a Turkish-backed rebel operation in northern Syria. Lavrov also said that Russia was ready to speak with all parties in the Syrian conflict. "Never have we refused contacts with any of the opposition groups. Indeed, it was on our insistance that the clause about the necessity to hold dialogue with all key, political opposition groups was included in the resolution 2254 proposed by the international Syria Support Group," Lavrov said. Both Turkey and Russia, two of the main backers of opposing sides in Syria's civil war, said they agreed on the need for a halt to fighting and the provision of aid in Aleppo but deep divisions remain between the two countries over the conflict. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey's stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was unchanged. "Our President (Recep Tayyip Erdogan's) position on (Syrian President Bashar) Assad is clear. We know that Assad is responsible of killing 600,000 people. Sometimes we might have different opinions. This is natural but we agree with Russia on need for ceasefire, humanitarian and political transition," Cavusoglu said. Russia is the main backer of Assad, while Turkey supports the rebels fighting to oust him. The rebels have come under siege in eastern Aleppo after rapid advances by Syrian government forces in recent days, bringing them to the brink of a major defeat. "A ceasefire must be achieved in all of Syria, notably in Aleppo," Cavusoglu said adding Turkey was in agreement with Russia in broad terms on the need for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid and political transition. Syrian rebels on Wednesday (November 30) vowed to fight on in east Aleppo in the face of sudden government advances that have cut the city's opposition sector by a third. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the situation in Aleppo with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone for the third time in a week on Wednesday and agreed on the need for a ceasefire, sources in Erdogan's office said. While remaining divided on Assad's future, Ankara and Moscow have been trying to find common ground on Syria since a rapprochement in August. (Reuters)

Attack on Turkish soldiers not carried out by Russia or Syria, Lavrov says

The US department of Defence on Tuesday accepted that intelligence errors led to the US-led coalition air strike in Syria that killed Syrian regime troops in September.

There were &quot;errors in the development of intelligence, as well as missed opportunities for coalition members on duty to recognize and voice contrary evidence to decision makers,&quot; the US military&#39;s Central Command said in a statement following a six-week probe into the September 17 attack near Deir Ezzor, news agency AFP reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had reported the death of at least 90 government soldiers.

The Pentagon said it had only been able to conclusively count 15 deaths, but acknowledged the toll was possibly much higher.

Australian, Danish, British and American planes all took part in the air strike.&nbsp;

The inestogator of the case, Brigadier General Richard Coe, told reporters that weapons were employed by each of the four countries, dropping a total of 34 guided bombs and firing 380 rounds of 30-mm ammunition, reported AFP.

&quot;In this incident, we made an unintentional, regrettable error primarily based on human factors in several areas in the targeting process,&quot; Coe said.

The targets struck included &quot;defensive fighting positions,&quot; vehicles, tents, tunnels and people -- all of which were thought to be legitimate IS targets, he added.

The US-led coalition is focused on attacking the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and does not want to get involved in Syria&#39;s brutal civil war.

A key mistake was the identification of a Syrian vehicle thought to belong to IS jihadists which influenced further intel assessments.

The troops were not wearing recognizable military uniforms or carrying identifying flags, the Pentagon said.

The most important miscommunication happened when a phone call by the Russian forces to warn US was delayed by 27 minutes. A call from the Russian forces came in on a special hotline to tell the coalition that the strike was hitting Syrian governmeent forces.

The delay occured becuase the officer with whom the Russians normally spoke was not immediately available.

Almost half of the strikes had occurred during the delay. The strike was called off as soon as there was communication with the point of contact.

Additionally, the investigation found that an early assessment from an intelligence analyst that the target &quot;couldn&#39;t possibly&quot; be IS was overlooked, AFP said.

&quot;In my opinion, these were a number of people all doing their best to do a good job,&quot; Coe said. &quot;The decision to strike these targets was made in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement.&quot;

The strike was conducted by F-16 and FA-18 fighters, A-10 ground-attack craft and drones, AFP said.

The IS group has since January 2015 besieged the eastern city of Deir Ezzor where more than 200,000 people live. It controls more than 60 percent of the city, the capital of the province of the same name.

(With inputs from AFP)

Australian, Danish, British and American planes all took part in the air strike, which a monitoring group said killed at least 90 troops

The US department of Defence on Tuesday accepted that intelligence errors led to the US-led coalition air strike in Syria that killed Syrian regime troops in September. There were "errors in the development of intelligence, as well as missed opportunities for coalition members on duty to recognize and voice contrary evidence to decision makers," the US military's Central Command said in a statement following a six-week probe into the September 17 attack near Deir Ezzor, news agency AFP reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had reported the death of at least 90 government soldiers. The Pentagon said it had only been able to conclusively count 15 deaths, but acknowledged the toll was possibly much higher. Australian, Danish, British and American planes all took part in the air strike. The inestogator of the case, Brigadier General Richard Coe, told reporters that weapons were employed by each of the four countries, dropping a total of 34 guided bombs and firing 380 rounds of 30-mm ammunition, reported AFP. "In this incident, we made an unintentional, regrettable error primarily based on human factors in several areas in the targeting process," Coe said. The targets struck included "defensive fighting positions," vehicles, tents, tunnels and people -- all of which were thought to be legitimate IS targets, he added. The US-led coalition is focused on attacking the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq and does not want to get involved in Syria's brutal civil war. A key mistake was the identification of a Syrian vehicle thought to belong to IS jihadists which influenced further intel assessments. The troops were not wearing recognizable military uniforms or carrying identifying flags, the Pentagon said. The most important miscommunication happened when a phone call by the Russian forces to warn US was delayed by 27 minutes. A call from the Russian forces came in on a special hotline to tell the coalition that the strike was hitting Syrian governmeent forces. The delay occured becuase the officer with whom the Russians normally spoke was not immediately available. Almost half of the strikes had occurred during the delay. The strike was called off as soon as there was communication with the point of contact. Additionally, the investigation found that an early assessment from an intelligence analyst that the target "couldn't possibly" be IS was overlooked, AFP said. "In my opinion, these were a number of people all doing their best to do a good job," Coe said. "The decision to strike these targets was made in accordance with the law of armed conflict and the applicable rules of engagement." The strike was conducted by F-16 and FA-18 fighters, A-10 ground-attack craft and drones, AFP said. The IS group has since January 2015 besieged the eastern city of Deir Ezzor where more than 200,000 people live. It controls more than 60 percent of the city, the capital of the province of the same name. (With inputs from AFP)

US: Intelligence errors led to coalition strike on Syria forces

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Aleppo, diplomats said.

The meeting will begin immediately following a Security Council session on the adoption of a resolution reinforcing sanctions against North Korea, which is scheduled to begin at 1400 GMT.

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The 15 ambassadors of the Security Council will get a videoconference briefing on the situation in Aleppo by a UN official in charge of humanitarian operations and the UN mediator in Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

In east Aleppo, thousands of civilians have fled the fighting and bombings as the Syrian government forces advanced against parts of the rebel-held areas.

The UN condemned on Tuesday the &quot;descent into hell&quot; being endured by civilians.

Up to 20,000 people have fled the regime offensive in the past 72 hours, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

&quot;France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War II,&quot; said France&#39;s UN ambassador Francois Delattre on Tuesday.

He and his British counterpart Matthew Rycroft earlier in the day were pushing for the emergency council meeting on providing humanitarian relief to the besieged Syrian city.

East Aleppo has been under government siege for more than four months, with international aid stocks exhausted and food supplies running low.

Rycroft said the council would discuss plans for the UN to deliver much-needed food and medicine into Aleppo and evacuate the sick and wounded.

&quot;Russia complained that the opposition had not agreed to this plan. Now they have, so I call on Russia to make sure the Syrian regime agrees,&quot; Rycroft said.

&quot;The future of Aleppo is in the hands of the regime and Russia, and we urge the regime and Russia to stop the bombing and let the aid go through.&quot;

(AFP)

The 15 ambassadors of the council will get a video briefing on the crisis in the beleaguered Syrian city

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Aleppo, diplomats said. The meeting will begin immediately following a Security Council session on the adoption of a resolution reinforcing sanctions against North Korea, which is scheduled to begin at 1400 GMT. The UN condemned on Tuesday the 'descent into hell' Aleppo's citizens are being made to live through × The 15 ambassadors of the Security Council will get a videoconference briefing on the situation in Aleppo by a UN official in charge of humanitarian operations and the UN mediator in Syria, Staffan de Mistura. In east Aleppo, thousands of civilians have fled the fighting and bombings as the Syrian government forces advanced against parts of the rebel-held areas. The UN condemned on Tuesday the "descent into hell" being endured by civilians. Up to 20,000 people have fled the regime offensive in the past 72 hours, the International Committee of the Red Cross said. "France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War II," said France's UN ambassador Francois Delattre on Tuesday. He and his British counterpart Matthew Rycroft earlier in the day were pushing for the emergency council meeting on providing humanitarian relief to the besieged Syrian city. East Aleppo has been under government siege for more than four months, with international aid stocks exhausted and food supplies running low. Rycroft said the council would discuss plans for the UN to deliver much-needed food and medicine into Aleppo and evacuate the sick and wounded. "Russia complained that the opposition had not agreed to this plan. Now they have, so I call on Russia to make sure the Syrian regime agrees," Rycroft said. "The future of Aleppo is in the hands of the regime and Russia, and we urge the regime and Russia to stop the bombing and let the aid go through." (AFP)

UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting on Aleppo

Nearly 10,000 civilians have fled battered eastern Aleppo towards government-held districts and the Kurdish-controlled neighbourhood of Sheikh Maksoud, a monitoring group said Sunday.

&quot;Nearly 10,000 civilians have fled east Aleppo since the night of Saturday to Sunday,&quot; the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. &quot;At least 6,000 of them went to the neighbourhood of Sheikh Maksoud, the rest went to government zones of Aleppo.&quot;

Government forces retook six rebel-held districts of eastern Aleppo over the weekend, forcing huge numbers of civilians to flee as they pressed their offensive Sunday to retake Syria&#39;s second city.

On Sunday, the 13th day of the operation, they took control of the adjacent neighbourhoods of Jabal Badra, Baadeeen Inzarat, Al-Sakan, al-Shaabi and Ain al-Tall, according to the Observatory.

Government forces are now &quot;in control of most of the northern part&quot; of Aleppo, according to the monitoring group.

Around 250,000 civilians besieged for months in the east have faced serious food and fuel shortages. Once a commercial and industrial hub, Aleppo has seen some of the worst fighting in Syria&#39;s nearly six-year war.

(AFP)

This mass exodus is just since this past Saturday night, as

Nearly 10,000 civilians have fled battered eastern Aleppo towards government-held districts and the Kurdish-controlled neighbourhood of Sheikh Maksoud, a monitoring group said Sunday. "Nearly 10,000 civilians have fled east Aleppo since the night of Saturday to Sunday," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "At least 6,000 of them went to the neighbourhood of Sheikh Maksoud, the rest went to government zones of Aleppo." Government forces retook six rebel-held districts of eastern Aleppo over the weekend, forcing huge numbers of civilians to flee as they pressed their offensive Sunday to retake Syria's second city. On Sunday, the 13th day of the operation, they took control of the adjacent neighbourhoods of Jabal Badra, Baadeeen Inzarat, Al-Sakan, al-Shaabi and Ain al-Tall, according to the Observatory. Government forces are now "in control of most of the northern part" of Aleppo, according to the monitoring group. Around 250,000 civilians besieged for months in the east have faced serious food and fuel shortages. Once a commercial and industrial hub, Aleppo has seen some of the worst fighting in Syria's nearly six-year war. (AFP)

Nearly 10,000 civilians flee east Aleppo: Monitor

Syrian regime forces took control of six rebel-held districts in eastern Aleppo over the weekend as they advanced their offensive to recapture Syria&#39;s second city.

Their wins included Masaken Hanano, the largest rebel-held district in eastern Aleppo.

Syrian forces also took control of Jabal Badra and Baadeeen and took three other districts on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The monitor said that Inzarat, Al-Sakan al-Shaabi and Ain al-Tall have been taken over by government forces and the army has made large forays into Sakhur and nearby Haidariya.

It said government forces are &quot;in control of most of the northern part&quot; of Aleppo. The Observatory also reported that more than 4,000 civilians had fled east Aleppo overnight Saturday

&quot;The rebels have lost at least 30 per cent of the territory they once controlled in Aleppo,&quot; Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said, news agency AFP reported. &quot;It is the first exodus of this kind from east Aleppo since 2012.&quot;

Masaken Hanano was the first district to be taken by the rebels in 2012.

The regime has focussed its attention on the Sakhur as they pound rebel positions in the district.

Civilinas were taken &quot;by the army to safe areas&quot;, official media said, AFP reported.

Syrian state television broadcast images of a crowd gathered around green buses that it said had come to pick them up in Masaken Hanano, AFP said.

&quot;We are strengthening our positions to defend the city and residents, but the aircraft are destroying everything methodically, area by area,&quot; Yasser al-Youssef, from the rebel group Nureddin al-Zinki, said of a regime campaign of air strikes, AFP reported.

The Syrian army had advanced in Aleppo on Friday, pounding rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods with air strikes and shelling.

Eight civilians were killed during regime shelling and air strikes in eastern Aleppo on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The regime bombardment has killed 225 civilians, including at least 27 children, in east Aleppo since November 15.

More than 250,000 civilians have been trapped under siege for months in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, with dwindling food and fuel supplies.

(With inputs from AFP)

Their wins included Masaken Hanano, the largest rebel-held district in eastern Aleppo

Syrian regime forces took control of six rebel-held districts in eastern Aleppo over the weekend as they advanced their offensive to recapture Syria's second city. Their wins included Masaken Hanano, the largest rebel-held district in eastern Aleppo. Syrian forces also took control of Jabal Badra and Baadeeen and took three other districts on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The monitor said that Inzarat, Al-Sakan al-Shaabi and Ain al-Tall have been taken over by government forces and the army has made large forays into Sakhur and nearby Haidariya. It said government forces are "in control of most of the northern part" of Aleppo. The Observatory also reported that more than 4,000 civilians had fled east Aleppo overnight Saturday "The rebels have lost at least 30 per cent of the territory they once controlled in Aleppo," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said, news agency AFP reported. "It is the first exodus of this kind from east Aleppo since 2012." Masaken Hanano was the first district to be taken by the rebels in 2012. The regime has focussed its attention on the Sakhur as they pound rebel positions in the district. Civilinas were taken "by the army to safe areas", official media said, AFP reported. Syrian state television broadcast images of a crowd gathered around green buses that it said had come to pick them up in Masaken Hanano, AFP said. "We are strengthening our positions to defend the city and residents, but the aircraft are destroying everything methodically, area by area," Yasser al-Youssef, from the rebel group Nureddin al-Zinki, said of a regime campaign of air strikes, AFP reported. The Syrian army had advanced in Aleppo on Friday, pounding rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods with air strikes and shelling. Eight civilians were killed during regime shelling and air strikes in eastern Aleppo on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The regime bombardment has killed 225 civilians, including at least 27 children, in east Aleppo since November 15. More than 250,000 civilians have been trapped under siege for months in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, with dwindling food and fuel supplies. (With inputs from AFP)

Syria forces retake 6 Aleppo rebel areas, civilians flee

Syrian state media reported on Saturday that the Syrian government forces have recaptured the largest rebel district in the east of battlefield city Aleppo.

State television said &quot;the armed forces retook full control&quot; of Masaken Hanano district. Operations were under way to clear it of mines and bombs, official news agency SANA said, AFP reported.

&quot;The armed forces retook full control of Masaken Hanano after having put an end to the presence of terrorists there,&quot; the state broadcaster said, referring to the rebels fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, reported AFP.

The area around the district was also recaptured and &quot;army engineers are clearing it of bombs and explosives planted by the terrorists in the streets and squares&quot;, SANA reported.

The capture of Masaken Hanano in the northeast of Aleppo could give the army line-of-fire control over several other parts of the city&#39;s rebel-held east, AFP said.

The Syrian army had advanced in Aleppo on Friday, pounding rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods with air strikes and shelling.

The offensive to retake Aleppo, Syria&#39;s second city, is in its 12th day. The city was the economic capital before the war broke out in March 2011.

The regime bombardment has killed 212 civilians, including at least 27 children, in east Aleppo since November 15, a monitoring group said.

Eight civilians were killed during regime shelling and air strikes in eastern Aleppo on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

&quot;I&#39;m terrified by the army&#39;s advance and the increasing bombardment,&quot; Abu Raed, a father-of-four from the Fardos neighbourhood, told AFP. &quot;There&#39;s no safe place for me and my family.&quot;

Observatory head rami Abdel Rahman told AFP on Saturday that the government forces were in control of 80 per cent of Masaken Hanano and had the rest in their line of fire.

&quot;They just hundreds of metres (yards) away from isolating the northern districts of east Aleppo from the southern ones,&quot; he said.

More than 250,000 civilians have been trapped under siege for months in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, with dwindling food and fuel supplies, AFP said.

(With inputs from AFP)

The capture of Masaken Hanano district could give the army line-of-fire control over several other parts of the city's rebel-held east

Syrian state media reported on Saturday that the Syrian government forces have recaptured the largest rebel district in the east of battlefield city Aleppo. State television said "the armed forces retook full control" of Masaken Hanano district. Operations were under way to clear it of mines and bombs, official news agency SANA said, AFP reported. "The armed forces retook full control of Masaken Hanano after having put an end to the presence of terrorists there," the state broadcaster said, referring to the rebels fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, reported AFP. The area around the district was also recaptured and "army engineers are clearing it of bombs and explosives planted by the terrorists in the streets and squares", SANA reported. The capture of Masaken Hanano in the northeast of Aleppo could give the army line-of-fire control over several other parts of the city's rebel-held east, AFP said. The Syrian army had advanced in Aleppo on Friday, pounding rebel-held eastern neighbourhoods with air strikes and shelling. The offensive to retake Aleppo, Syria's second city, is in its 12th day. The city was the economic capital before the war broke out in March 2011. The regime bombardment has killed 212 civilians, including at least 27 children, in east Aleppo since November 15, a monitoring group said. Eight civilians were killed during regime shelling and air strikes in eastern Aleppo on Friday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "I'm terrified by the army's advance and the increasing bombardment," Abu Raed, a father-of-four from the Fardos neighbourhood, told AFP. "There's no safe place for me and my family." Observatory head rami Abdel Rahman told AFP on Saturday that the government forces were in control of 80 per cent of Masaken Hanano and had the rest in their line of fire. "They just hundreds of metres (yards) away from isolating the northern districts of east Aleppo from the southern ones," he said. More than 250,000 civilians have been trapped under siege for months in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, with dwindling food and fuel supplies, AFP said. (With inputs from AFP)

Largest Aleppo rebel area retaken: Syrian state media

At least 27 civilians were killed as the Syrian regime pounded the rebel-held side of eastern Aleppo with airstrikes, barrell bombs and artillery fire, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.&nbsp;

The deaths brought the civilian toll in the last five days of regime bombardment to at least 92, AFP reported.

Schools in east Aleppo announced in a statement they would close on Saturday and Sunday &quot;for the safety of students and teachers, after the barbarous aerial strikes&quot;.

&quot;People went to sleep to the sound of bombardment and awoke to the sound of bombardment,&quot; Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP. &quot;There&#39;s barely a neighbourhood that has been spared in the east.&quot;

The renewed bombardment, which comes after weeks of ceasefire, has also damaged multiple hospitals and damaged rescue facilities.

On Friday, regime shelling of the Maadi neighbourhood partially destroyed one of the last hospitals in east Aleppo, forcing it to close. The last pediatric hospital in the east was also forced to close after being damaged in a barrel bomb attack earlier in the week.

Aleppo has been divided since mid-2012 between rebel control in the east and government control in the west. The rebels have been besieged by Russian-backed regime forces since the last four months.&nbsp;

UN, White House condemn bombings

The UN said it was &quot;appalled&quot; by escalating violence in Syria, and urged immediate access to Aleppo.&nbsp;

US National Security Advisor Susan Rice condemned &quot;heinous&quot; bombings of hospitals.

&quot;The United States condemns in the strongest terms these horrific attacks against medical infrastructure and humanitarian aid workers. There is no excuse for these heinous actions,&quot; Rice said in a statement.

&quot;The Syrian regime and its allies, Russia in particular, bears responsibly for the immediate and long term consequences these actions have caused in Syria and beyond.&quot;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The deaths brought the civilian toll in five days of regime bombardment of eastern Aleppo to at least 92

At least 27 civilians were killed as the Syrian regime pounded the rebel-held side of eastern Aleppo with airstrikes, barrell bombs and artillery fire, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The deaths brought the civilian toll in the last five days of regime bombardment to at least 92, AFP reported. Schools in east Aleppo announced in a statement they would close on Saturday and Sunday "for the safety of students and teachers, after the barbarous aerial strikes". "People went to sleep to the sound of bombardment and awoke to the sound of bombardment," Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP. "There's barely a neighbourhood that has been spared in the east." The renewed bombardment, which comes after weeks of ceasefire, has also damaged multiple hospitals and damaged rescue facilities. On Friday, regime shelling of the Maadi neighbourhood partially destroyed one of the last hospitals in east Aleppo, forcing it to close. The last pediatric hospital in the east was also forced to close after being damaged in a barrel bomb attack earlier in the week. Aleppo has been divided since mid-2012 between rebel control in the east and government control in the west. The rebels have been besieged by Russian-backed regime forces since the last four months. UN, White House condemn bombings The UN said it was "appalled" by escalating violence in Syria, and urged immediate access to Aleppo. US National Security Advisor Susan Rice condemned "heinous" bombings of hospitals. "The United States condemns in the strongest terms these horrific attacks against medical infrastructure and humanitarian aid workers. There is no excuse for these heinous actions," Rice said in a statement. "The Syrian regime and its allies, Russia in particular, bears responsibly for the immediate and long term consequences these actions have caused in Syria and beyond." (WION with inputs from AFP)

Syria: At least 27 killed in air strikes in rebel-held Aleppo

US President Barack Obama hopes President-elect Donald Trump will stand up against Russia when needed and cooperate when &quot;values and interests align&quot;.&nbsp; 
&quot;In order for us to solve many big problems around the world, it is in our interest to work with Russia,&quot; he told reporters in Berlin.&nbsp;

The President who is on his last leg of the Europe tour before he leaves office addressed a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.&nbsp;

&quot;My hope is that the president-elect coming in takes a similarly constructive approach, finding areas where we can cooperate with Russia where our values and interests align, but that the president-elect also is willing to stand up to Russia when they are deviating from our values and international norms,&quot; he continued.&nbsp;

&quot;My hope is that he does not simply take a realpolitik approach and suggest that we just cut some deals with Russia even if it hurts people, even if it violates international norms or even if it leaves smaller countries vulnerable or creates long term problems in countries like Syria,&quot; Obama said.

The President also warned that the sanctions imposed on Russia must remain until Moscow abided the Minsk peace agreement.&nbsp;

Democracy will break down

Obama warned Americans &quot;If we can&#39;t discriminate between serious arguments and propaganda, then we have problems.&quot;

&quot;If people - whether they are conservative or liberal, left or right - are unwilling to compromise and engage in the democratic process and are taking absolutist views and demonising opponents, then democracy will break down,&quot; he added.

Work in Syria to continue

&quot;We are going to continue to work as we have over the last five, six years to push towards a political transition and settlement. It would be naive of me to suggest that with Russia committed militarily as it is to supporting what, in many cases, are barbarous tactics by the Assad regime to crush the opposition,&quot; Obama said in reference to Russia&nbsp;backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime.

He added that he would continue to try to &quot;obtain cessations of hostilities that lessen the human tragedy and the migration that&#39;s taking place&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;You cannot purchase people&#39;s consent through killing them. They haven&#39;t made that transition yet but we are going to keep on trying,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

He urged Trump to follow US long standing policy towards Russia, adding there must be cooperation where 'values and interests align'

US President Barack Obama hopes President-elect Donald Trump will stand up against Russia when needed and cooperate when "values and interests align". "In order for us to solve many big problems around the world, it is in our interest to work with Russia," he told reporters in Berlin. The President who is on his last leg of the Europe tour before he leaves office addressed a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. "My hope is that the president-elect coming in takes a similarly constructive approach, finding areas where we can cooperate with Russia where our values and interests align, but that the president-elect also is willing to stand up to Russia when they are deviating from our values and international norms," he continued. "My hope is that he does not simply take a realpolitik approach and suggest that we just cut some deals with Russia even if it hurts people, even if it violates international norms or even if it leaves smaller countries vulnerable or creates long term problems in countries like Syria," Obama said. The President also warned that the sanctions imposed on Russia must remain until Moscow abided the Minsk peace agreement. Democracy will break down Obama warned Americans "If we can't discriminate between serious arguments and propaganda, then we have problems." "If people - whether they are conservative or liberal, left or right - are unwilling to compromise and engage in the democratic process and are taking absolutist views and demonising opponents, then democracy will break down," he added. Work in Syria to continue "We are going to continue to work as we have over the last five, six years to push towards a political transition and settlement. It would be naive of me to suggest that with Russia committed militarily as it is to supporting what, in many cases, are barbarous tactics by the Assad regime to crush the opposition," Obama said in reference to Russia backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. He added that he would continue to try to "obtain cessations of hostilities that lessen the human tragedy and the migration that's taking place" "You cannot purchase people's consent through killing them. They haven't made that transition yet but we are going to keep on trying," he added. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Obama hopes Trump will stand up against Russia

Iraqi Brigadier General Saad Maan stated on November 15 that the country&rsquo;s army has now secured a large area of&nbsp;eastern Mosul, the de facto capital city of the Islamic State in Iraq. During a press conference in the Qayyarah base, the main hub for the operations to reconquer the city, he said&nbsp;&quot;more than a third of this (eastern) side has been liberated&rdquo;.

US Navy Captain&nbsp;Jeff Davis told reporters at the Pentagon that despite the undeniable success in the &nbsp;operations, the battle is nowhere near over. &quot;It may be one-third cleared in terms of acreage, but it&#39;s not one-third clear in terms of challenge and task ahead,&quot; he said. &quot;As they get closer to the centre of the city, it&#39;s going to get more dense and more fierce in the fighting.&quot;

The Tigris river flows within the city, serving as the dividing line between the city&#39;s&nbsp;eastern&nbsp;and western side, the first being slightly bigger. In order to gain control over Mosul, it is primarily important to first defeat the Islamic State on the eastern side of the city and control the main five bridges crossing the river in order to isolate the remaining terrorists.

The Mosul offensive began on October 17 and succeeded in clearing the majority of the villages surrounding the city from Islamic State presence. Peshmergas, the Kurdistan regional&rsquo;s army, contributed significantly to the operations, attacking and defeating the Islamic State in their northern and northeastern territories.

After the last offensive against the town of Bashiqa, Peshmergas are likely to stop their operation. According to the agreement done with the Iraqi government, they were not supposed to enter the city of Mosul, their part of the war has now come to an end and they will secure and patrol all the reconquered areas.

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&nbsp;

According to Iraq&#39;s&nbsp;military establishment&nbsp;the battle will proceed&nbsp;as scheduled, but they make no mystery about the many difficulties they&nbsp;face. The Islamic State is organising a strategic&nbsp;resistance,&nbsp;using the city&rsquo;s geography in their favour. Mosul, like many&nbsp;Arab towns, has&nbsp;congested neighbourhoods and many small lanes;&nbsp;it is easy to end up caught in ambushes. It is also difficult to enter the city with tanks.&nbsp;The only way to advance is in limited convoys of armoured vehicles slowly driving in the streets under heavy gunfire, mortar&nbsp;fire, suicide attacks and Improvised Explosive Devices. The Islamic State has also built a sophisticated and wide network of underground tunnels which allows them to move unseen all around the neighbourhood they control.

Brigadier General Saad Maan said that, so far, 955 IS terrorists have been killed and 108 arrested during the last phase of the offensive. There are no official figures about the casualties among the soldiers. Hospitals close to the city are receiving dozens of patients with gunfire injuries everyday, but there is no official figure regarding civilians killed during the operations.&nbsp;

The many civilians still within the city slow&nbsp;the offensive, especially airstrikes. The Islamic State often choose normal civilian houses as its bases and it is therefore difficult to understand how to proceed without killing innocent people.&nbsp;

It is very difficult to gather intelligence insights from Mosul since IS heavily controls&nbsp;all&nbsp;communications,&nbsp;and punishes with cruel death&nbsp;whoever is found guilty of any suspicious activity. This is the fate that befell&nbsp;the more than hundred persons found in a mass grave in the city of Hamam al-Alil, who were mostly policemen and people who provided useful information to the Iraqi army about IS movements in the area.

Many civilians are leaving the reconquered neighbourhood of the cities to reach the camps set up by the many international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in the country. According to data released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the number of individuals who fled Mosul alone is 48,750. More than 56,000 are believed to have left their houses since the beginning of the operations, men, women and children.&nbsp;

(WION)

The Islamic State is?using Mosul's geography in their favour: congested neighbourhoods and small laneways make ambushing easy

Iraqi Brigadier General Saad Maan stated on November 15 that the country’s army has now secured a large area of eastern Mosul, the de facto capital city of the Islamic State in Iraq. During a press conference in the Qayyarah base, the main hub for the operations to reconquer the city, he said "more than a third of this (eastern) side has been liberated”. US Navy Captain Jeff Davis told reporters at the Pentagon that despite the undeniable success in the operations, the battle is nowhere near over. "It may be one-third cleared in terms of acreage, but it's not one-third clear in terms of challenge and task ahead," he said. "As they get closer to the centre of the city, it's going to get more dense and more fierce in the fighting." The Tigris river flows within the city, serving as the dividing line between the city's eastern and western side, the first being slightly bigger. In order to gain control over Mosul, it is primarily important to first defeat the Islamic State on the eastern side of the city and control the main five bridges crossing the river in order to isolate the remaining terrorists. The Mosul offensive began on October 17 and succeeded in clearing the majority of the villages surrounding the city from Islamic State presence. Peshmergas, the Kurdistan regional’s army, contributed significantly to the operations, attacking and defeating the Islamic State in their northern and northeastern territories. After the last offensive against the town of Bashiqa, Peshmergas are likely to stop their operation. According to the agreement done with the Iraqi government, they were not supposed to enter the city of Mosul, their part of the war has now come to an end and they will secure and patrol all the reconquered areas. The many civilians still within the city slow the offensive, especially airstrikes. The Islamic State often choose normal civilian houses as its bases, and it is therefore difficult to understand how to proceed without killing innocent people. × According to Iraq's military establishment the battle will proceed as scheduled, but they make no mystery about the many difficulties they face. The Islamic State is organising a strategic resistance, using the city’s geography in their favour. Mosul, like many Arab towns, has congested neighbourhoods and many small lanes; it is easy to end up caught in ambushes. It is also difficult to enter the city with tanks. The only way to advance is in limited convoys of armoured vehicles slowly driving in the streets under heavy gunfire, mortar fire, suicide attacks and Improvised Explosive Devices. The Islamic State has also built a sophisticated and wide network of underground tunnels which allows them to move unseen all around the neighbourhood they control. Brigadier General Saad Maan said that, so far, 955 IS terrorists have been killed and 108 arrested during the last phase of the offensive. There are no official figures about the casualties among the soldiers. Hospitals close to the city are receiving dozens of patients with gunfire injuries everyday, but there is no official figure regarding civilians killed during the operations. The many civilians still within the city slow the offensive, especially airstrikes. The Islamic State often choose normal civilian houses as its bases and it is therefore difficult to understand how to proceed without killing innocent people. It is very difficult to gather intelligence insights from Mosul since IS heavily controls all communications, and punishes with cruel death whoever is found guilty of any suspicious activity. This is the fate that befell the more than hundred persons found in a mass grave in the city of Hamam al-Alil, who were mostly policemen and people who provided useful information to the Iraqi army about IS movements in the area. Many civilians are leaving the reconquered neighbourhood of the cities to reach the camps set up by the many international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in the country. According to data released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the number of individuals who fled Mosul alone is 48,750. More than 56,000 are believed to have left their houses since the beginning of the operations, men, women and children. (WION)

Fighting IS: The state of the Mosul offensive

Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Tuesday that he hopes to see&nbsp;an ally in US President-elect Donald Trump if he &quot;lives up to his promise&quot; of fighting terrorists.&nbsp;

&quot;What about the countervailing forces within the (US) administration?&quot; Assad told a Portuguese television channel in reference to lobbies&nbsp;within the administration which influence the president.&nbsp;

Unlike Obama&#39;s policy,&nbsp;Trump has questioned the idea of&nbsp;backing the rebels instead of Assad, noting that he didn&#39;t like him but &quot;Assad is killing ISIS&quot;.

&quot;That&#39;s why for us it&#39;s still dubious whether he (Trump) can do or live up to his promises or not,&quot; Assad said. &quot;That is why we are very cautious in judging him...but let&#39;s say if he is going to fight the terrorists, of course we are going to be ally, natural ally with the Russians, with the Iranians,&quot; he added.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump has questioned the idea of?backing the rebels instead of Assad, noting that, while he didn't like him, 'Assad is killing ISIS'

Syrian President Bashar al Assad said on Tuesday that he hopes to see an ally in US President-elect Donald Trump if he "lives up to his promise" of fighting terrorists. "What about the countervailing forces within the (US) administration?" Assad told a Portuguese television channel in reference to lobbies within the administration which influence the president. Unlike Obama's policy, Trump has questioned the idea of backing the rebels instead of Assad, noting that he didn't like him but "Assad is killing ISIS". "That's why for us it's still dubious whether he (Trump) can do or live up to his promises or not," Assad said. "That is why we are very cautious in judging him...but let's say if he is going to fight the terrorists, of course we are going to be ally, natural ally with the Russians, with the Iranians," he added. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Syrian President hopes for 'natural ally' in Trump

The Russian army on Monday denied any children were present in a school in Syria&#39;s Idlib province where 28 people were killed in an October airstrike blamed on Moscow.

Russia has denied having any role in air strikes that the UN children&#39;s agency UNICEF said killed 22 students and six teachers at the school in the village of Hass in northwest Syria on October 26.

&quot;No proof, even indirect, that children were present in the building,&quot; army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the time that the attack on the school in the rebel-held province could amount to a war crime and urged a thorough investigation.

On Sunday, Human Rights Watch repeated the war crime accusation, provoking Monday&#39;s angry response from the spokesman who said the group&#39;s statement &quot;does not hold water&quot;.

Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad since September 2015.

More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria&#39;s war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad&#39;s rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, jihadists, Kurds and regime forces.

(AFP)

An air strike blamed on Russia had killed 22 schoolchildren and six teachers in October

The Russian army on Monday denied any children were present in a school in Syria's Idlib province where 28 people were killed in an October airstrike blamed on Moscow. Russia has denied having any role in air strikes that the UN children's agency UNICEF said killed 22 students and six teachers at the school in the village of Hass in northwest Syria on October 26. "No proof, even indirect, that children were present in the building," army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the time that the attack on the school in the rebel-held province could amount to a war crime and urged a thorough investigation. On Sunday, Human Rights Watch repeated the war crime accusation, provoking Monday's angry response from the spokesman who said the group's statement "does not hold water". Moscow has been conducting a bombing campaign in Syria in support of long-time ally Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad since September 2015. More than 300,000 people have been killed since Syria's war devolved from a widespread protest movement against Assad's rule in March 2011 to a multi-front war between rebels, jihadists, Kurds and regime forces. (AFP)

Russia again denies any children killed in Syria school strike

A US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance launched an offensive Sunday on the Islamic State group&#39;s de facto Syrian capital Raqa, upping pressure on the jihadists after Iraqi forces entered their Iraqi bastion Mosul.

&quot;The major battle to liberate Raqa and its surroundings has begun,&quot; Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said at a press conference in Ain Issa, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the jihadist bastion.

The operation, dubbed &quot;The Wrath of the Euphrates,&quot; involves some 30,000 fighters and had begun on Saturday night, Ahmed said.

SDF spokesman Talal Sello told AFP it would proceed in two phases, first seizing areas around Raqa and isolating the city, then &quot;taking control of the city&quot; itself.

&quot;The fight will not be easy, and will require accurate and careful operations because IS will defend its bastion knowing that the loss of Raqa will mean it is finished in Syria,&quot; he said.

An AFP correspondent in Ain Issa saw dozens of armed SDF fighters heading on vehicles towards the frontline.

The long-awaited operation comes two years after IS seized control of large parts of Syria and Iraq and declared its cross-border &quot;caliphate&quot;.

The jihadists have suffered a string of territorial defeats in recent months and are under pressure on multiple fronts.

After launching an offensive on Mosul on October 17, Iraqi special forces pushed into the city on Friday and have been facing stiff resistance from the jihadists.

Complicated battlefield

The loss of Mosul and Raqa would deprive IS of its largest population centres, undermining the group&#39;s claim to a self-declared &quot;state&quot;.

But capturing the two cities, both still home to large civilian populations, is expected to be a lengthy, and likely bloody, process.

Driving the jihadists from their urban strongholds has been the end-game since a US-led coalition launched air strikes against IS in the summer of 2014.&nbsp;

The coalition has also provided training and deployed hundreds of advisors to work with Iraqi forces and select Syrian fighters, including the SDF.

Sello said the alliance had received new weapons from the coalition for the Raqa battle, including anti-tank missiles.

Shortly after visiting Iraq last month to check on the Mosul offensive, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said that an assault on Raqa would take place &quot;within weeks&quot;.

The idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa &quot;has been part of our planning for quite a while,&quot; he said.

But in Raqa the battlefront is far more complicated.

After five years of civil war, Syria is divided into a patchwork of fiefdoms, with President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s regime, IS and a range of opposition forces all holding territory.

Carter singled out the SDF as the coalition&#39;s potential ground partner in the Raqa offensive and last week the alliance said it would be leading the assault.

Dominated by the powerful Kurdish People&#39;s Protection Units (YPG), the SDF has in recent months flushed IS out of swathes of territory in northern Syria, including the flashpoint town of Manbij in August.

Scene of worst atrocities

Washington has promoted the SDF as a key ally in the fight against IS, but the alliance is complicated by Turkey&#39;s fierce opposition to the YPG.

Ankara considers the militia a &quot;terrorist&quot; group, and in August launched its own operation inside northern Syria, targeting both IS and the YPG.

Sello said on Sunday that the SDF had &quot;agreed definitively&quot; with the United States &quot;that there will be no role for Turkey or the armed factions allied with it in the operation&quot; to capture Raqa.&nbsp;

In northern Syria on the Euphrates River, Raqa was home to some 240,000 residents before 2011 and more than 80,000 people have fled there from other parts of the war-torn country.

It was the first provincial capital to fall from government control when rebels captured it in March 2013, two years after an uprising against Assad began.

IS drove out the rebels in January 2014 and five months later declared its self-styled Islamic &quot;caliphate&quot; in Syria and Iraq.

Raqa became the scene of some of IS&#39;s worst atrocities, from stonings and beheadings to the trading of sex slaves.&nbsp;

Thousands of foreign fighters flocked to Raqa to join IS and US officials have described it as the nerve centre for the group&#39;s attacks abroad.

(AFP)

Syrian forces' spokesman said it would proceed in two phases, first seizing areas around Raqa , then 'taking control of the city' itself

A US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance launched an offensive Sunday on the Islamic State group's de facto Syrian capital Raqa, upping pressure on the jihadists after Iraqi forces entered their Iraqi bastion Mosul. "The major battle to liberate Raqa and its surroundings has begun," Jihan Sheikh Ahmed, a spokeswoman for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said at a press conference in Ain Issa, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the jihadist bastion. The operation, dubbed "The Wrath of the Euphrates," involves some 30,000 fighters and had begun on Saturday night, Ahmed said. SDF spokesman Talal Sello told AFP it would proceed in two phases, first seizing areas around Raqa and isolating the city, then "taking control of the city" itself. "The fight will not be easy, and will require accurate and careful operations because IS will defend its bastion knowing that the loss of Raqa will mean it is finished in Syria," he said. An AFP correspondent in Ain Issa saw dozens of armed SDF fighters heading on vehicles towards the frontline. The long-awaited operation comes two years after IS seized control of large parts of Syria and Iraq and declared its cross-border "caliphate". The jihadists have suffered a string of territorial defeats in recent months and are under pressure on multiple fronts. After launching an offensive on Mosul on October 17, Iraqi special forces pushed into the city on Friday and have been facing stiff resistance from the jihadists. Complicated battlefield The loss of Mosul and Raqa would deprive IS of its largest population centres, undermining the group's claim to a self-declared "state". But capturing the two cities, both still home to large civilian populations, is expected to be a lengthy, and likely bloody, process. Driving the jihadists from their urban strongholds has been the end-game since a US-led coalition launched air strikes against IS in the summer of 2014. The coalition has also provided training and deployed hundreds of advisors to work with Iraqi forces and select Syrian fighters, including the SDF. Sello said the alliance had received new weapons from the coalition for the Raqa battle, including anti-tank missiles. Shortly after visiting Iraq last month to check on the Mosul offensive, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said that an assault on Raqa would take place "within weeks". The idea of simultaneous operations against Mosul and Raqa "has been part of our planning for quite a while," he said. But in Raqa the battlefront is far more complicated. After five years of civil war, Syria is divided into a patchwork of fiefdoms, with President Bashar al-Assad's regime, IS and a range of opposition forces all holding territory. Carter singled out the SDF as the coalition's potential ground partner in the Raqa offensive and last week the alliance said it would be leading the assault. Dominated by the powerful Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), the SDF has in recent months flushed IS out of swathes of territory in northern Syria, including the flashpoint town of Manbij in August. Scene of worst atrocities Washington has promoted the SDF as a key ally in the fight against IS, but the alliance is complicated by Turkey's fierce opposition to the YPG. Ankara considers the militia a "terrorist" group, and in August launched its own operation inside northern Syria, targeting both IS and the YPG. Sello said on Sunday that the SDF had "agreed definitively" with the United States "that there will be no role for Turkey or the armed factions allied with it in the operation" to capture Raqa. In northern Syria on the Euphrates River, Raqa was home to some 240,000 residents before 2011 and more than 80,000 people have fled there from other parts of the war-torn country. It was the first provincial capital to fall from government control when rebels captured it in March 2013, two years after an uprising against Assad began. IS drove out the rebels in January 2014 and five months later declared its self-styled Islamic "caliphate" in Syria and Iraq. Raqa became the scene of some of IS's worst atrocities, from stonings and beheadings to the trading of sex slaves. Thousands of foreign fighters flocked to Raqa to join IS and US officials have described it as the nerve centre for the group's attacks abroad. (AFP)

Syria: US-backed forces launch offensive to capture Islamic State's 'capital'

The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed as absurd suggestions from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) that a Russian carrier battle group (CBG)&nbsp;in the Mediterranean would join the bombardment of Syria&#39;s Aleppo, the RIA Novosti&nbsp;reported on Thursday.

RIA cited the Rusian ministry as saying NATO had no reason to worry about the CBG&nbsp;and that the Russian air force had not flown any bombing runs in Aleppo for nine days.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg warned on Tuesday that the ships, headed for Syria, could be used to target civilians in the besieged city of Aleppo and to launch more air strikes.

Andrei Kelin, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, told RIA Stoltenberg&#39;s statement was unhelpful.

&quot;The concerns are not based on anything as our planes have not come near Aleppo for nine days. Our battle group is in the Mediterranean. Our ships have always had a presence there,&quot; said Kelin.

&quot;Why make some spurious suggestions and then make some political recommendations based on them? It is of course absurd.&quot;

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has questioned Russia&#39;s statements about a moratorium on bombing Aleppo, saying the city has been hit by strikes since a lull in fighting ended on Saturday.

&nbsp;

NATO&#39;s military response

NATO&#39;s secretary-general announced on Wednesday, October 26, that the alliance would strengthen its presence in the Black Sea, as several nations confirmed they would contribute to a Romanian-led multinational brigade there.

Britain said it would send fighter jets to Romania next year and the United States promised troops, tanks and artillery to Poland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation&#39;s biggest military build-up on Russia&#39;s borders since the Cold War.

Germany, Canada and other NATO allies also pledged forces at a defence ministers&#39;&nbsp;meeting in Brussels on the same day as two Russian warships armed with cruise missiles entered the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Denmark, underscoring East-West tensions.

(Reuters)

Several NATO nations confirmed they would contribute to a Romanian-led multinational brigade near the Black Sea

The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed as absurd suggestions from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) that a Russian carrier battle group (CBG) in the Mediterranean would join the bombardment of Syria's Aleppo, the RIA Novosti reported on Thursday. RIA cited the Rusian ministry as saying NATO had no reason to worry about the CBG and that the Russian air force had not flown any bombing runs in Aleppo for nine days. NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg warned on Tuesday that the ships, headed for Syria, could be used to target civilians in the besieged city of Aleppo and to launch more air strikes. Andrei Kelin, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, told RIA Stoltenberg's statement was unhelpful. "The concerns are not based on anything as our planes have not come near Aleppo for nine days. Our battle group is in the Mediterranean. Our ships have always had a presence there," said Kelin. "Why make some spurious suggestions and then make some political recommendations based on them? It is of course absurd." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has questioned Russia's statements about a moratorium on bombing Aleppo, saying the city has been hit by strikes since a lull in fighting ended on Saturday. NATO's military response NATO's secretary-general announced on Wednesday, October 26, that the alliance would strengthen its presence in the Black Sea, as several nations confirmed they would contribute to a Romanian-led multinational brigade there. Britain said it would send fighter jets to Romania next year and the United States promised troops, tanks and artillery to Poland in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation's biggest military build-up on Russia's borders since the Cold War. Germany, Canada and other NATO allies also pledged forces at a defence ministers' meeting in Brussels on the same day as two Russian warships armed with cruise missiles entered the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Denmark, underscoring East-West tensions. (Reuters)

Russia sends battle group to Mediterranean, NATO beefs up military deployment on Russian border

Russia on Tuesday announced the&nbsp;extension of a moratorium on air strikes by Russian and Syrian planes on the city of Aleppo.&nbsp;

Defence ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said Russian and Syrian planes had not even approached, let alone bombed, the devastated city since last Tuesday when Russia suspended air strikes ahead of a pause in hostilities.

&quot;All flights by Russian and Syrian air forces have been completely halted in a 10-kilometre zone around Aleppo since October 18,&quot; senior military official Sergei Rudskoi said at a briefing.&nbsp;

Moscow said it will uphold the moratorium on bombings that has been in effect for the last eight days, but did not specify a timeframe.&nbsp;

Dismissing Russia&#39;s claims, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that rebel-held parts of the divided city had been struck in recent days, although there had been no civilian deaths from air strikes inside eastern Aleppo.&nbsp; 
The monitor told that air strikes had resumed since the lull in fighting ended on Saturday, focusing on major front lines, including in the city&#39;s southwest.&nbsp;

Washington said it would prefer a long-term ceasefire to ensure delivery of aid, and urged Russia to use the newly announced pause to ensure support to besieged civilians.

&quot;We obviously welcome any reduction in the violence, but it has to be met with a commitment and an actual delivery of humanitarian assistance, which was the purpose in the first place,&quot; the state department spokesman John Kirby told a briefing.

Earlier, Russia said that six passages for civilians to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo were still functioning and that 48 women and children left late Monday.&nbsp;

But it had ruled out early moves to renew its total ceasefire in Aleppo after the brief truce ended. It said that few people had used humanitarian passages to leave the city, blaming the US-led coalition of failure to ensure security.&nbsp;

For its part, the UN on Monday criticised all the warring sides, the Syrian forces and the rebel groups for failing to organise evacuations during the ceasefire window.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Russian and Syrian planes have agreed to extend the halt in Aleppo bombings, that has been in place for the last eight days

Russia on Tuesday announced the extension of a moratorium on air strikes by Russian and Syrian planes on the city of Aleppo. Defence ministry spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov said Russian and Syrian planes had not even approached, let alone bombed, the devastated city since last Tuesday when Russia suspended air strikes ahead of a pause in hostilities. "All flights by Russian and Syrian air forces have been completely halted in a 10-kilometre zone around Aleppo since October 18," senior military official Sergei Rudskoi said at a briefing. Moscow said it will uphold the moratorium on bombings that has been in effect for the last eight days, but did not specify a timeframe. Dismissing Russia's claims, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that rebel-held parts of the divided city had been struck in recent days, although there had been no civilian deaths from air strikes inside eastern Aleppo. The monitor told that air strikes had resumed since the lull in fighting ended on Saturday, focusing on major front lines, including in the city's southwest. Washington said it would prefer a long-term ceasefire to ensure delivery of aid, and urged Russia to use the newly announced pause to ensure support to besieged civilians. "We obviously welcome any reduction in the violence, but it has to be met with a commitment and an actual delivery of humanitarian assistance, which was the purpose in the first place," the state department spokesman John Kirby told a briefing. Earlier, Russia said that six passages for civilians to leave rebel-held eastern Aleppo were still functioning and that 48 women and children left late Monday. But it had ruled out early moves to renew its total ceasefire in Aleppo after the brief truce ended. It said that few people had used humanitarian passages to leave the city, blaming the US-led coalition of failure to ensure security. For its part, the UN on Monday criticised all the warring sides, the Syrian forces and the rebel groups for failing to organise evacuations during the ceasefire window. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Russia extends moratorium on Aleppo air strikes

Human rights and aid organisations on Monday appealed to United Nations member states to oust Russia from the Human Rights Council over its participation in bombing Syria.&nbsp;

More than 80 rights and aid agencies; including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International were among the groups appealing for removing Russia from the council.

The organisations asked the 47 member states to &quot;question seriously whether Russia&#39;s role in Syria -- which includes supporting and undertaking military actions which have routinely targeted civilians and civilian objects -- renders it fit to serve on the UN&#39;s premier inter-governmental human rights institution,&quot; AFP reported.&nbsp;

The agencies appeal comes ahead of elections to fill up the 14 seats in the council.

On Friday, the UN General Assembly will be voting members for the 2017 term. Russia, Hungary and Croatia will be running for the Eastern European group&#39;s seats.&nbsp;

China and Saudi Arabia are also likely to win seats as according to their regional area, four countries will be vying for four seats. Iraq and Japan are the other two countries.&nbsp;

While Brazil, Cuba and Guatemala will be competing for two seats designated for Latin America.&nbsp;

Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia are also set to win seats for Africa. The US and Britain want the two seats for Western Europe.&nbsp;

The call for Russia&#39;s removal comes in after Moscow&#39;s continuous onslaught on the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite global condemnation.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

 
&nbsp;

More than 80 rights and aid agencies; including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International signed for Russia's removal

Human rights and aid organisations on Monday appealed to United Nations member states to oust Russia from the Human Rights Council over its participation in bombing Syria. More than 80 rights and aid agencies; including Human Rights Watch, CARE International and Refugees International were among the groups appealing for removing Russia from the council. The organisations asked the 47 member states to "question seriously whether Russia's role in Syria -- which includes supporting and undertaking military actions which have routinely targeted civilians and civilian objects -- renders it fit to serve on the UN's premier inter-governmental human rights institution," AFP reported. The agencies appeal comes ahead of elections to fill up the 14 seats in the council. On Friday, the UN General Assembly will be voting members for the 2017 term. Russia, Hungary and Croatia will be running for the Eastern European group's seats. China and Saudi Arabia are also likely to win seats as according to their regional area, four countries will be vying for four seats. Iraq and Japan are the other two countries. While Brazil, Cuba and Guatemala will be competing for two seats designated for Latin America. Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia are also set to win seats for Africa. The US and Britain want the two seats for Western Europe. The call for Russia's removal comes in after Moscow's continuous onslaught on the besieged Syrian city of Aleppo despite global condemnation. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Rights organisations seek to oust Russia from Human Rights Council

Heavy artillery fire and clashes erupted once again in the Syrian city of Aleppo as a unilateral ceasefire called by Russia came to an end late on Saturday.&nbsp;

The eastern districts reported sounds of fighting and artillery fire as the rebels clashed with the Syrian government forces. The first air strike since the end of the truce hit the opposition-controlled district of Sheikh Saeed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.&nbsp;

Neither residents nor rebels had heeded calls from the Syrian army and Moscow to leave during the ceasefire. Moscow announced a temporary halt to the Syrian army&#39;s campaign to recapture the divided city on Thursday and had extended the &quot;humanitarian pause&quot; into a third day until 1600 GMT Saturday.&nbsp;

The army opened eight corridors for evacuations, but few people managed to cross through a single passage. Despite a request by the United Nations for more time to evacuate wounded civilians, Moscow did not announce any further renewal of the truce.&nbsp;

The United Nations said no medical and aid deliveries took place due to lack of requisite security guarantees. &quot;You have various parties to the conflict and those with influence and they all have to be on the same page on this and they are not,&quot; said David Swanson, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian office.

The war-stricken city has received no aid since July 7 and food rations will run out by the end of the month, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned on Thursday.&nbsp;

Russia has accused the rebels of preventing civilians from leaving and using them as &quot;human shields&quot;. The Observatory said earlier both rebels and regime forces appeared to be reinforcing their positions, raising fears of a massive military operation if the ceasefire fails.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

Fighting resumed in Aleppo after the Russian called truce came to an end, but medical evacuations and aid deliveries are yet to take place

Heavy artillery fire and clashes erupted once again in the Syrian city of Aleppo as a unilateral ceasefire called by Russia came to an end late on Saturday. The eastern districts reported sounds of fighting and artillery fire as the rebels clashed with the Syrian government forces. The first air strike since the end of the truce hit the opposition-controlled district of Sheikh Saeed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. Neither residents nor rebels had heeded calls from the Syrian army and Moscow to leave during the ceasefire. Moscow announced a temporary halt to the Syrian army's campaign to recapture the divided city on Thursday and had extended the "humanitarian pause" into a third day until 1600 GMT Saturday. The army opened eight corridors for evacuations, but few people managed to cross through a single passage. Despite a request by the United Nations for more time to evacuate wounded civilians, Moscow did not announce any further renewal of the truce. The United Nations said no medical and aid deliveries took place due to lack of requisite security guarantees. "You have various parties to the conflict and those with influence and they all have to be on the same page on this and they are not," said David Swanson, a spokesman for the UN humanitarian office. The war-stricken city has received no aid since July 7 and food rations will run out by the end of the month, the UN chief Ban Ki-moon warned on Thursday. Russia has accused the rebels of preventing civilians from leaving and using them as "human shields". The Observatory said earlier both rebels and regime forces appeared to be reinforcing their positions, raising fears of a massive military operation if the ceasefire fails. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Clashes erupt in Syrian city of Aleppo after truce expires

EU leaders on Friday backed down from imposing sanctions against Russia for bombing Aleppo, but warned that &quot;all available options&quot; will be considered if Moscow continues bombing Syria.&nbsp;

The European Union leaders had&nbsp;gathered in Brussels to discuss the situation in Syria and&nbsp;Russian &quot;airspace violations, disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, interference in political processes in the Balkans and beyond&quot; among other issues, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

After the two-day summit in Brussels, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi demanded&nbsp;the removal of sanctions against Russia from a statement issued after the summit.&nbsp;EU president Donald Tusk said&nbsp;EU leaders wished to &quot;keep the unity of the EU&quot; over Russia.&nbsp;

The altered statement said the EU &quot;strongly condemns the attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies, notably Russia, on civilians in Aleppo&quot; and called for an &quot;immediate cessation of hostilities&quot;.

The statement also read that the EU will &quot;consider all available options, should the current atrocities continue&quot;, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Russia on the same day announced it would stop its onslaught on Aleppo, and the ceasefire was called in for 24 hours.&nbsp;

However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Holland called for sanctions to remain after their meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Merkel said the EU &quot;cannot accept these inhuman bombardments&quot;,&nbsp;adding that &quot;if this kind of violation continues, of course, we will envisage all available measures in order to react to this,&quot; she told reporters.&nbsp;

While Hollande said, &quot;all options are open&nbsp;for as long as there is not a ceasefire that is respected and for as long as there is an intention to destroy this town, Aleppo, a town of martyrs&quot;.&nbsp;

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the priority was to &quot;make all possible efforts to find a peace deal in Syria&quot;.

British Prime Minister Theresa May called for a &quot;robust and united&quot; move by the EU against the &quot;sickening atrocities&quot; taking place in Syria. This is May&#39;s first EU summit after Brexit.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The new statement called for 'immediate cessation of hostilities' and 'will consider all available options should the atrocities continue'

EU leaders on Friday backed down from imposing sanctions against Russia for bombing Aleppo, but warned that "all available options" will be considered if Moscow continues bombing Syria. The European Union leaders had gathered in Brussels to discuss the situation in Syria and Russian "airspace violations, disinformation campaigns, cyber-attacks, interference in political processes in the Balkans and beyond" among other issues, Reuters reported. After the two-day summit in Brussels, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi demanded the removal of sanctions against Russia from a statement issued after the summit. EU president Donald Tusk said EU leaders wished to "keep the unity of the EU" over Russia. The altered statement said the EU "strongly condemns the attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies, notably Russia, on civilians in Aleppo" and called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities". The statement also read that the EU will "consider all available options, should the current atrocities continue", AFP reported. Russia on the same day announced it would stop its onslaught on Aleppo, and the ceasefire was called in for 24 hours. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Holland called for sanctions to remain after their meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Merkel said the EU "cannot accept these inhuman bombardments", adding that "if this kind of violation continues, of course, we will envisage all available measures in order to react to this," she told reporters. While Hollande said, "all options are open for as long as there is not a ceasefire that is respected and for as long as there is an intention to destroy this town, Aleppo, a town of martyrs". Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said the priority was to "make all possible efforts to find a peace deal in Syria". British Prime Minister Theresa May called for a "robust and united" move by the EU against the "sickening atrocities" taking place in Syria. This is May's first EU summit after Brexit. (WION with inputs from AFP)

EU backs down on sanctions against Russia over Aleppo bombing

After taking over the Syrian town of Manbij in early 2014, ISIS began imposing its own harsh version of Islamic law. In particular, they began shutting down schools, denying thousands of children a chance at formal education.

However, over the past two years, as the jihadist group has suffered losses. Following that, out of 390 schools in Manbij and the neighbouring villages, 192 schools have reopened.&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SWq8Ez71HJw?list=PLmWa9ZZLlCjt0Jlg7kN3JBNX4LH1sRsGh" width="970"></iframe>

Unfortunately, a number of schools in the region continue to remain closed, with ISIS still controlling those areas.

78,000 kids were left without formal education after ISIS closed down hundreds of schools in 2014

After taking over the Syrian town of Manbij in early 2014, ISIS began imposing its own harsh version of Islamic law. In particular, they began shutting down schools, denying thousands of children a chance at formal education. However, over the past two years, as the jihadist group has suffered losses. Following that, out of 390 schools in Manbij and the neighbouring villages, 192 schools have reopened. Unfortunately, a number of schools in the region continue to remain closed, with ISIS still controlling those areas.

Video: Syrian children return to school after two long years

A &quot;humanitarian pause&quot;, &#39;backed&#39; &nbsp;by Russia, went into effect today morning in eastern Aleppo, the Syria military was quoted as saying by Reuters.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ceasefire was to allow people to leave besieged eastern Aleppo, a move that the rebels have said was part of a psychological campaign to get them to surrender, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, as the army announced it was opening eight corridors to provide safe passage for those leaving, the unilateral ceasefire suffered an &quot;early blow&quot;&nbsp;when clashes broke out at one of them, an AFP correspondent said.

&nbsp;

Artillery exchanges were reported around the crossing point on the front line in the city centre, the AFP photographer said. The state SANA news agency blamed &quot;terrorist groups&quot;.

&nbsp;

Around 250,000 civilians are trapped in the rebel-held east of the city under near-continuous siege since mid-July amid devastating bombardment by Russian and Syrian government aircraft, AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Russia has said the pause in a Syrian army offensive launched on September 22 will continue until at least 1600 GMT and could be extended. The Syrian army has said it will last three days.&nbsp;

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<h5>Rights group Amnesty International said that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) &quot;must step in to fill the void left by the Security Council members&rsquo; catastrophic failure to end relentless attacks targeting the civilian population in eastern Aleppo city.&quot; &nbsp;</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a by="" class="twitter popup" council="" fill="" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Rights group Amnesty International said that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) " in="" left="" members="" must="" security="" step="" the="" to="" void="">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Syrian and Russian warplanes already halted strikes on rebel districts from 0700 GMT on Tuesday.

 
Planned truce enough to rescue injured: UN

The pause in the fighting will be long enough to safely evacuate 200 wounded from the devastated east of the Syrian city, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura was quoted as saying by AFP.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;It is enough (time), if we work quickly, for a medical evacuation&quot; of 200 injured people who need urgent medical attention, de Mistura said in an interview with Swiss RTS television.

&nbsp;

He didn&#39;t say whether the pause in fighting would be sufficient to bring in humanitarian aid to the tens of thousands of people trapped in the city.

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly is set to address the Aleppo violence after the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution demanding an end to the bombing of the besieged Syrian city, officials said.

&nbsp;

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and de Mistura will address a special informal session of the assembly at the initiative of Canada and 69 other countries over the Russian and Syrian government shelling of the northern city.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, rights group Amnesty International said that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) &quot;must step in to fill the void left by the Security Council members&rsquo; catastrophic failure to end relentless attacks targeting the civilian population in eastern Aleppo city.&quot; &nbsp;

&nbsp;

&ldquo;The world&rsquo;s inaction in the face of the continuing carnage and blatant violations in Aleppo city must end. The UN General Assembly must show it can act where the Security Council has so catastrophically failed &ndash; the credibility of the UN is at stake,&rdquo; said Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty International&rsquo;s Beirut regional office, ahead of a UNGA meeting later today.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;The scale of the bloodshed and destruction wrought on eastern Aleppo city over the past month is harrowing. Syrian government forces, with the support of Russia, have launched relentless attacks that have flagrantly disregarded fundamental rules of international humanitarian law.&quot;&nbsp;

 
(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

The temporary pause in the fighting is to allow people to leave besieged eastern Aleppo

A "humanitarian pause", 'backed' by Russia, went into effect today morning in eastern Aleppo, the Syria military was quoted as saying by Reuters. The ceasefire was to allow people to leave besieged eastern Aleppo, a move that the rebels have said was part of a psychological campaign to get them to surrender, Reuters reported. However, as the army announced it was opening eight corridors to provide safe passage for those leaving, the unilateral ceasefire suffered an "early blow" when clashes broke out at one of them, an AFP correspondent said. Artillery exchanges were reported around the crossing point on the front line in the city centre, the AFP photographer said. The state SANA news agency blamed "terrorist groups". Around 250,000 civilians are trapped in the rebel-held east of the city under near-continuous siege since mid-July amid devastating bombardment by Russian and Syrian government aircraft, AFP reported. Russia has said the pause in a Syrian army offensive launched on September 22 will continue until at least 1600 GMT and could be extended. The Syrian army has said it will last three days. Rights group Amnesty International said that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) "must step in to fill the void left by the Security Council members’ catastrophic failure to end relentless attacks targeting the civilian population in eastern Aleppo city." × Syrian and Russian warplanes already halted strikes on rebel districts from 0700 GMT on Tuesday. Planned truce enough to rescue injured: UN The pause in the fighting will be long enough to safely evacuate 200 wounded from the devastated east of the Syrian city, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura was quoted as saying by AFP. "It is enough (time), if we work quickly, for a medical evacuation" of 200 injured people who need urgent medical attention, de Mistura said in an interview with Swiss RTS television. He didn't say whether the pause in fighting would be sufficient to bring in humanitarian aid to the tens of thousands of people trapped in the city. Meanwhile, the UN General Assembly is set to address the Aleppo violence after the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution demanding an end to the bombing of the besieged Syrian city, officials said. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and de Mistura will address a special informal session of the assembly at the initiative of Canada and 69 other countries over the Russian and Syrian government shelling of the northern city. However, rights group Amnesty International said that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) "must step in to fill the void left by the Security Council members’ catastrophic failure to end relentless attacks targeting the civilian population in eastern Aleppo city." “The world’s inaction in the face of the continuing carnage and blatant violations in Aleppo city must end. The UN General Assembly must show it can act where the Security Council has so catastrophically failed – the credibility of the UN is at stake,” said Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for research at Amnesty International’s Beirut regional office, ahead of a UNGA meeting later today. “The scale of the bloodshed and destruction wrought on eastern Aleppo city over the past month is harrowing. Syrian government forces, with the support of Russia, have launched relentless attacks that have flagrantly disregarded fundamental rules of international humanitarian law." (WION with inputs from AFP)

Clashes erupt as 'humanitarian pause' goes into effect in Aleppo

Moscow announced that Russian and Syrian air forces have stopped bombing Aleppo ahead of a brief truce, a move the Kremlin said showed &quot;goodwill&quot; as it faces mounting criticism for backing a brutal regime offensive.

&nbsp;

It came yesterday after Russia said there would be an eight-hour &quot;humanitarian pause&quot; in the battered city on Thursday, a move welcomed by the United Nations and the European Union which nevertheless said the ceasefire needed to be longer to allow the delivery of aid.

&nbsp;

The US State Department voiced scepticism regarding Moscow&#39;s latest initiative while welcoming a halt in the bombing.

&nbsp;

French and Russian presidents Francois Hollande and Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a &quot;working meeting&quot; on the Syrian crisis Wednesday in Berlin, the French leader&#39;s office said.

&nbsp;

The meeting will be aimed at &quot;giving the same message to Vladimir Putin on Syria: a durable ceasefire in Aleppo and humanitarian access so that the devastation of this city can end,&quot; an aide to Hollande said.

&nbsp;

The West has expressed increasing alarm at the situation in Aleppo, saying the ferocious Russian-backed onslaught on the rebel-held east could amount to a war crime.

&nbsp;

&quot;Strikes in the Aleppo region by the Russian and Syrian air forces are stopping today from 10:00 am,&quot; Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised briefing.

&quot;This guarantees the security of civilians&#39; exit through six corridors and prepares the evacuation of the sick and injured from eastern Aleppo,&quot; he said, adding that it would also guarantee safe passage for rebels to leave the area.

&nbsp;

The UN said it was waiting for safety assurances from all sides before going in with &quot;critical humanitarian assistance&quot; for Aleppo&#39;s desperate population.

&nbsp;

(AFP)

The US State Department voiced scepticism regarding Moscow's latest initiative while welcoming a halt in the bombing

Moscow announced that Russian and Syrian air forces have stopped bombing Aleppo ahead of a brief truce, a move the Kremlin said showed "goodwill" as it faces mounting criticism for backing a brutal regime offensive. It came yesterday after Russia said there would be an eight-hour "humanitarian pause" in the battered city on Thursday, a move welcomed by the United Nations and the European Union which nevertheless said the ceasefire needed to be longer to allow the delivery of aid. The US State Department voiced scepticism regarding Moscow's latest initiative while welcoming a halt in the bombing. French and Russian presidents Francois Hollande and Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a "working meeting" on the Syrian crisis Wednesday in Berlin, the French leader's office said. The meeting will be aimed at "giving the same message to Vladimir Putin on Syria: a durable ceasefire in Aleppo and humanitarian access so that the devastation of this city can end," an aide to Hollande said. The West has expressed increasing alarm at the situation in Aleppo, saying the ferocious Russian-backed onslaught on the rebel-held east could amount to a war crime. "Strikes in the Aleppo region by the Russian and Syrian air forces are stopping today from 10:00 am," Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a televised briefing. "This guarantees the security of civilians' exit through six corridors and prepares the evacuation of the sick and injured from eastern Aleppo," he said, adding that it would also guarantee safe passage for rebels to leave the area. The UN said it was waiting for safety assurances from all sides before going in with "critical humanitarian assistance" for Aleppo's desperate population. (AFP)

Russia halts Aleppo strikes in 'goodwill gesture'

At least 20 Islamic State militants were killed in a United States-led coalition air strikes in the last 24 hours, the Turkish military said today.&nbsp;

As Turkey pushed on in Syria, Iraqi forces launched a US-backed attack on Islamic state militants in northern Iraq&#39;s city of Mosul.&nbsp;

Eleven air strikes hit Syria, targeting areas of Kar Kalbayn, Ghuz, Hassajik and Tiltanah. Two IS defensive positions and three vehicles were struck during the attack, the Turkish army said.&nbsp;

Turkish jets also carried out air strikes, increasing the intensity of the onslaught, Reuters quoted the army saying.&nbsp;

The Turkey-backed offense, called &#39;Euphrates Shield&#39; was started on&nbsp;August 24. Since then they have captured some 1,240 square kilometers of territory from the militants.&nbsp;

Since the Turkey-backed operation, dubbed &#39;Euphrates Shield&#39;, was launched on August 24, the rebel forces have seized control of some 1,240 square kilometers (479 square miles) territory from the jihadists, according to the statement.

Ankara says thousands of Turkey-trained forces are also participating in the assault to push IS out of Mosul, despite a row with Baghdad over the presence of Turkish forces in Iraq.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Turkish warplanes also destroyed several IS targets

At least 20 Islamic State militants were killed in a United States-led coalition air strikes in the last 24 hours, the Turkish military said today. As Turkey pushed on in Syria, Iraqi forces launched a US-backed attack on Islamic state militants in northern Iraq's city of Mosul. Eleven air strikes hit Syria, targeting areas of Kar Kalbayn, Ghuz, Hassajik and Tiltanah. Two IS defensive positions and three vehicles were struck during the attack, the Turkish army said. Turkish jets also carried out air strikes, increasing the intensity of the onslaught, Reuters quoted the army saying. The Turkey-backed offense, called 'Euphrates Shield' was started on August 24. Since then they have captured some 1,240 square kilometers of territory from the militants. Since the Turkey-backed operation, dubbed 'Euphrates Shield', was launched on August 24, the rebel forces have seized control of some 1,240 square kilometers (479 square miles) territory from the jihadists, according to the statement. Ankara says thousands of Turkey-trained forces are also participating in the assault to push IS out of Mosul, despite a row with Baghdad over the presence of Turkish forces in Iraq. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

US-led coalition air strikes kill 20 Islamic State militants in Syria

Syrian rebels said they captured the village of Dabiq from Islamic State on Sunday, forcing the jihadist group from a stronghold where it had promised to fight a final, apocalyptic battle with the West.

The rebels, backed by Turkish tanks and warplanes, also took neighbouring Soran, said Ahmed Osman, head of the Sultan Murad group, one of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions involved in the clashes on Saturday night and Sunday morning.

&quot;The Daesh myth of their great battle in Dabiq is finished,&quot; he told Reuters, using a pejorative name for Islamic State.

An Islamic prophesy names Dabiq as the site of a battle between Muslims and infidels that will presage doomsday, a message used extensively in Islamic State&#39;s propaganda. The group also named a publication after the northwest village.

However, the jihadist group has appeared to back away from Dabiq&#39;s symbolism more recently after advances by&nbsp;Turkey-backed rebels put the village at risk of capture, saying this battle was not the one described in the prophesy.

&quot;It seems like Daesh has mostly left the area,&quot; said a Turkish military source, but warning that the FSA groups still needed to clear landmines from the village.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, had said Islamic State brought 1,200 fighters to defend Dabiq.

Turkey&nbsp;launched the Euphrates Shield operation, bringing rebels backed by its own armour and air force into action against Islamic State, in August, aiming to clear the group from its border and stop Kurdish fighters gaining ground in that area.

Islamic State is also facing an expected offensive soon against its most important Iraqi possession, the city of Mosul, while the U.S.-backed, Kurd-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces also threaten to advance on its Syrian capital of Raqqa.

(Reuters)

Rebel fighters took the city of Dabiq after 'Islamic State members withdrew from the area'

Syrian rebels said they captured the village of Dabiq from Islamic State on Sunday, forcing the jihadist group from a stronghold where it had promised to fight a final, apocalyptic battle with the West. The rebels, backed by Turkish tanks and warplanes, also took neighbouring Soran, said Ahmed Osman, head of the Sultan Murad group, one of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions involved in the clashes on Saturday night and Sunday morning. "The Daesh myth of their great battle in Dabiq is finished," he told Reuters, using a pejorative name for Islamic State. An Islamic prophesy names Dabiq as the site of a battle between Muslims and infidels that will presage doomsday, a message used extensively in Islamic State's propaganda. The group also named a publication after the northwest village. However, the jihadist group has appeared to back away from Dabiq's symbolism more recently after advances by Turkey-backed rebels put the village at risk of capture, saying this battle was not the one described in the prophesy. "It seems like Daesh has mostly left the area," said a Turkish military source, but warning that the FSA groups still needed to clear landmines from the village. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, had said Islamic State brought 1,200 fighters to defend Dabiq. Turkey launched the Euphrates Shield operation, bringing rebels backed by its own armour and air force into action against Islamic State, in August, aiming to clear the group from its border and stop Kurdish fighters gaining ground in that area. Islamic State is also facing an expected offensive soon against its most important Iraqi possession, the city of Mosul, while the U.S.-backed, Kurd-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces also threaten to advance on its Syrian capital of Raqqa. (Reuters)

Turkey-backed rebels capture Syrian town from Islamic State

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