More than 700 civilians evacuated from eastern Aleppo

World Today

Exhausted, terrified and uncertain of their future, this is how civilians coming out of Eastern Aleppo appeared as the army evacuated more than 700 persons from Bab AlHadid, the historic gate of Aleppo.

Exhausted, terrified and uncertain of their future, this is how civilians coming out of Eastern Aleppo appeared as the army evacuated more than 700 people from Bab AlHadid, the historic gate of Aleppo which is now part of an elusive frontline that changes hourly as the army charges ahead with increasing momentum.

CCTV’s Alaa Ebrahim reports the story.
Follow Alaa Ebrahim on Twitter @Alaa_Ebrahim_tv

The new arrivals had many stories to tell of the horror they experienced.

“Inside we suffered what no one can withstand, we weren’t allowed to smoke so I used to roll up tree leaves and smoke them. When we got here, a soldier gives me a pack of smokes. There was no bread, but now I am out and it will be fine,” said Abu Adham, the resident of Bab Al-Makam in old Aleppo.

For those fleeing the clashes, having luggage is a luxury they can’t afford. But for some of them, possessions are worth the risk. Ahmad took a chance with his life to get his bicycle out. The 12 years old boy should be in the third grade. But he hasn’t been to school in four years

Meters from where civilians are leaving, the army is pressing ahead. We accompanied soldiers as they searched through rebel headquarters to find out some of the surprises the rebels left behind.

“While we were clearing the area, residents told us that they saw militants coming out of this place, and we raided the place and found they dug a tunnel that heads to the citadel. The entrance is in a mosque for camouflage. And it seems they planned to booby-trap it, but didn’t manage to do it in time,” said Hassan Issa, one Syrian army soldier.

The Syrian army has advanced to the point where they can now see the Aleppo citadel. Charred bodies lay on the streets. Posters on the ground are a stark reminder of who controlled this neighborhood earlier this year – Al-Qaeda’s Syrian affiliates and the FSA.


More than 700 civilians evacuated from eastern Aleppo

For more on refugees from Aleppo, CCTV America’s Francis Kuo spoke with Max Abrhams, a political science professor from Northeastern University.