Roundup: Syria opens 3 safe civilian passages out of Aleppo

Syrian authorities announced on Thursday the opening of three safe exits for civilians to leave rebel-held areas in the north of Aleppo, according to state news agency SANA.

Citing Aleppo's governor, Muhammad Olabi, SANA said the three safe passages have been prepared to allow civilians to leave rebel-held districts in the east of Aleppo as well.

"The governorate has finalized all arrangements and measures to secure the safety and accommodate civilians leaving the eastern districts of Aleppo with temporary shelters equipped with the necessary medical and aid services," the governor said.

Olabi said that transportation has also been secured to take families to the new shelters.

Meanwhile, SANA, citing locals in the east of Aleppo, said rebels have been preventing dozens of families from leaving Aleppo.

Aleppo, Syria's largest province and once a thriving economic metropolis, has witnessed intensified violent battles lately as the Syrian army advances against the rebels in the north.

The new development comes as government forces, supported by the Lebanese Hezbollah and Russian air cover, made sweeping progress against the rebels.

The advance began last week when Syrian forces successfully intercepted and severed the last rebel supply route connecting rebel-held areas in the north of Aleppo with rebel-held ones inside the city itself, mainly in the east.

With the Castello road, as it was known, severed, the rebels in eastern Aleppo became completely isolated and besieged.

Army units on Thursday stormed into and regained control over the notorious Bani Zaid district in eastern Aleppo.

That area was once the rebels' main launching pad for attacks against government-controlled areas in western Aleppo.

As the army advanced, government aircraft dropped tens of thousands of leaflets on Wednesday, urging rebels in Aleppo to surrender in exchange for a pardon.

The army also asked that civilians to cooperate with the military, as the army prepares for their safe exit out of eastern Aleppo.

On Thursday, President Bashar al-Assad offered amnesty to rebels who disarm and surrender themselves within three months, an offer also extended to kidnappers who release their hostages within a month.

The new steps were said to have been executed under Russian supervision.

"To assist civilian hostages kidnapped by terrorists, as well as militants who choose to lay down their weapons," Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Thursday, "the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of warring parties, together with Syrian authorities, will open three humanitarian corridors in Aleppo."

"I want to emphasize that we are taking this step, first and foremost, to ensure the safety of Aleppo residents," the minister said.

He also urged international organizations to take part in the humanitarian operation in Aleppo.

The Syrian and Russian offers appear to have had some results.

The pan-Arab al-Mayadeen television station said three armed rebel groups have agreed to lay down their weapons in exchange for a safe passage out of Aleppo city toward the province's western countryside. Endit