Syrian government forces seize more control of Aleppo's rebel districts

Syrian government forces have taken control of more than half of Aleppo’s rebel districts, pushing opposition forces out of several areas and forcing tens of thousands to flee in the latest twist in the six-year-old Syrian conflict.

Syrian warplanes, artillery, and mortar rounds on Saturday pounded opposition-held areas in eastern Aleppo, killing at least three people, according to opposition activists.

The UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said on Saturday he anticipated a “terrible battle” for complete control of the city. Mistura said he feared the opposition would not be able to withstand the attacks for much longer, Reuters reported.

“The fact is that Aleppo is not going to stay that long,” he told a conference in Rome. “I was feeling it would be a terrible battle ending up by Christmas-New Year. I hope the battle will not take place, that there will be some type of formula.”

Jets and artillery pounded besieged eastern districts as Syrian troops and allied fighters from Iraq, Iran and Lebanon pushed further into the city, securing parts of Tariq al-Bab and the airport road to the east of Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Syrian army spokesman Brigadier General Samir Suleiman said the military has regained control of 45 to 50 percent of east Aleppo, and he accused rebels of hiding among civilians.

The advances have caused massive displacement. The UN estimated more than 31,000 have already fled their homes, either to government or Kurdish areas, or deeper into the besieged enclave.

Residents in eastern Aleppo also reported intense shelling in al-Sukkari neighbourhood on the southern edge, where many of the newly displaced have sought refuge.

"The noose is tightening quickly," said Mohammed Abu Jaafar, a medical official in eastern Aleppo. "Our resources are also running low and beginning to disappear."

Around a quarter of a million people had stayed on in besieged Aleppo, but more than one in 10 fled last week, the UN estimated.

More than 300 civilians have been killed in the area since the government resumed its offensive to remove the fighters on November 15, according to activists.

Against this backdrop of continued fighting, Russia announced on Saturday it was ready to hold quick talks with the United States about a complete withdrawal of rebels from Aleppo, but rebel groups have insisted they will fight to the death.

However, a rebel official said commanders in eastern Aleppo will not surrender to government forces.

“I asked the factions, they said 'we will not surrender',” Zakaria Malahifji, the head of the political office of the Aleppo-based Fastaqim faction, told Reuters.

“The military commanders in Aleppo said 'we will not leave the city. There is no problem with corridors for civilians to leave, but we will not leave the city',” he said.