Aleppo rebel leader vows to keep fighting Assad’s ‘criminal regime’ after making a ‘tactical retreat’
REBELS holding out against a Russian-backed Syrian regime onslaught in Aleppo are making a tactical retreat, their leader has claimed in an interview with Western media.
Speaking yesterday, Abu Al-Abd, commander of the rebel forces in eastern Aleppo said fighters and civilians alike were being subjected to an “aggressive assault”.
Nevertheless, the rebel “Emir” still described the “military situation” as “good”.
He told American journalist Bilal Abdul Kareem that forces loyal to Assad's "criminal regime" advancing on his fighters included Russians, Iranians and various Shia militias.
And he said civilians, including women, children and the elderly, were being targeted by “barbaric bombings”.
He said: “We now have a strategic plan in place. Our fighters have retreated in a specific area.
“We have put in place a strong defence, by the grace of Allah.”
He added: “We need support from governments, support from nations so we can stand to face this criminal regime…only the fighters and people of Aleppo will decide what happens to Aleppo.”
Latest reports suggest that rebel-held Aleppo is on the brink of collapse as Syrian forces make advances into the city.
Related stories
There have been reports of mass executions and children being burned alive as government troops push further and further into rebel-held territory.
The United Nations today said 82 civilians were rounded up and executed by the regime soldiers and their allied Iraqi militiamen as they reconquered fresh territory.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has raised concerns over the reports of “atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children”.
And MP Andrew Mitchell has now told Parliament there are reports of “clear evidence of civilians being executed and shot on the spot”, leaving “dead bodies in the street which cannot be reached because of gunfire”.
He added there are “probably more than 100 children” who are unaccompanied or separated from their families who are “trapped in a building and under heavy fire” in eastern Aleppo.
Mitchell said there is an “urgent need” for humanitarian teams to be deployed and given unfettered access to the city.
He said: “It is essential if we are to avoid the same circumstances as Srebrenica.”
The MP added that UN buses and lorries should be used to evacuate “under a white flag” those who had been wounded or caught up in the “terrible catastrophe”.
He suggested Bab al-Hawa as a destination, saying: “This route out of eastern Aleppo by international humanitarian actors should be made available as fast as possible.
“And Britain is in a pivotal position at the United Nations to try and convene an acceptance that this is the action that should be taken.”
Former Conservative minister John Redwood questioned if the Syrian regime would allow the humanitarian intervention.
But Mitchell said: “I believe if the Russians could be persuaded at this point that they have nothing to lose from allowing international humanitarian actors into Aleppo, then the Syrians would agree.
“If they would not agree then the world must ask why it is they wish to hide from that sort of humanitarian – purely humanitarian – action.”
Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368