22 November 2016, 11:59 GMT
DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — About 200,000-300,000 civilians are reportedly blocked in East Aleppo at the moment.
"The general command of the Syrian Army is urging the residents of eastern districts of the city of Aleppo districts to collaborate with the military and confirming its strong commitment to ensuring their protection and safety," the army's statement said, obtained by RIA Novosti.
Syria has been engulfed in an armed conflict between government forces and opposition, including a number of jihadist groups, for more than five years.
Aleppo has been consumed by heavy fighting since joint US-Russian mediation efforts collapsed in September. The militant-held eastern part of the city is besieged by government forces with fighters refusing to leave and preventing civilians from escaping the combat zone.
