Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Evacuation of Aleppo Delayed for Unspecified Reasons

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that on Wednesday, December 15, the evacuation of rebel-controlled areas in Aleppo has been delayed for reasons that remain unclear. According to Reuters, Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights based in London, stated that the first group was supposed to leave the remaining areas in eastern Aleppo at 5 AM on Wednesday. However, as of that time, no one has exited the area. Another witness told Reuters that by 6 AM, none of the buses prepared for the evacuation had entered the eastern parts of Aleppo. Various sources had announced different times for the evacuation of the rebels and residents. Nevertheless, the rebels had stated they expected the first group of the wounded to leave the city on Tuesday evening. The Turkish government also stated yesterday that militants and their families, as well as citizens and civilians wishing to leave Aleppo, have until Wednesday evening to safely exit the city. However, a military official supporting Bashar al-Assad claimed that the evacuation was set to begin at 5 AM on Wednesday. Reports yesterday indicated that Syrian rebels and Russia had reached an agreement on establishing a ceasefire and evacuating the areas. A militia commander stated that Turkey and the United Nations were involved in the negotiations. Hours later, after the ceasefire announcement, it was said that the agreements were made between Turkey and Russia, with the United States having no role in it. Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, stated on Tuesday at the General Assembly that he had received reports indicating that Syrian government forces and their allies were committing massacres against civilians in Aleppo through 'heavy bombardments and mass executions.' Other international organizations, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and UNICEF, have also expressed concern over the 'violence' following the entry of government forces into Aleppo. The Syrian civil war is on the verge of entering its sixth consecutive year, with hundreds of thousands dead, millions displaced, and unsuccessful efforts to end a crisis that has had profound effects on other countries around the world.