Syrian families, rebels evacuate rebel-held areas of besieged Aleppo

Tens of Syrian families and armed rebels who surrendered themselves evacuated rebel-held districts in Aleppo Saturday, as part of the government initiative to resolve the situation there, state news agency SANA said.

Tens of families left eastern Aleppo districts via routes identified as safe passages by the Syrian authorities.

The Syrian army received the families, who reached the Salahuddien districts, transporting them to temporary shelters by busses, said the report.

Still, SANA said the rebels are preventing some families from leaving, noting that the governorate officials have equipped the shelters with all necessities and aid.

Meanwhile, SANA said some rebels have surrendered themselves and their weapons on Saturday morning to the authorities.

The report stopped short of giving an exact number of the evacuees, but the process is apparently ongoing.

On Thursday, the Syrian army and the Russian backers said they had identified three safe passages out of rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo for civilians, and one safe exit for the rebels who would want to surrender themselves.

President Bashar al-Assad also 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 move came after the Syrian army completely severed the rebel supply lines into eastern Aleppo, making them totally besieged.

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.

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. Enditem