ICRC confirm evacuations suspended

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed that evacuations have been suspended from east Aleppo. 

 

The suspension took place after the Syrian government claimed that rebel groups continued to lay siege to pro-government villages near east Aleppo. 

 

Robert Mardini, the regional director of the ICRC, said in a tweet: "Regretfully, the operation was put on hold. We urge the parties to ensure it can be relaunched and proceed in the right conditions."

 

ICRC were helping coordinate the evacuation process alongside Russian soldiers and the Syrian Red Crescent which saw 8,000 people leave on buses bound for the rebel-held area of Idlib.