Terrorists blocking civilians from leaving Aleppo: UN

The UN human rights office says foreign-backed terrorists are blocking civilians from fleeing eastern parts of the Syrian city of Aleppo to the government-held sector.

“Some of the civilians who are attempting to flee are reportedly being blocked by armed opposition groups,” rights office spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva on Friday.

The statement came hours after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Syrian government troops suspended their active operations in Aleppo to allow the evacuation of civilians. 

Syrian forces have retaken large parts of eastern Aleppo in recent days and are on course to drive terrorists out of the area. 

The Russian military said it has helped more than 8,000 civilians leave the terrorist-controlled eastern part of Aleppo. 

The military's Center for Reconciliation in Syria said early Friday that 8,461 civilians, including 2,934 children, have left Aleppo's eastern neighborhoods in the last 24 hours.

The center said 14 militants surrendered their weapons and were granted amnesty.

The Russian military said its sappers have cleared mines from six hectares of Aleppo, allowing the restoration of a water facility, two power stations, two mosques and two schools.

Moscow also warned the US against easing its alleged arms embargo against Syria-based militants, saying the move would pose a threat to the entire Middle East.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said US weapons could end up in wrong hands if Washington goes ahead with the plan to lift restrictions on arms the deliveries to the so-called “moderate” terrorists.

On Thursday, the White House said US President Barack Obama had relaxed the so-called Arms Export Control Act for the militants “supporting US Special Forces” in Syria, saying such leniency would contribute to “the national security interests” of the US.

“Certainly, the worst result of this decision would be those weapons, including MANPADs [man-portable anti-air missiles], ending up in the hands of terrorists, which of course poses a serious threat not only for the region, but for the entire world,” Peskov said.

SS