UN to evacuate hundreds from regime-besieged Aleppo after ultimatum

Medical evacuations and desperately needed surgical supplies will reach rebel-held eastern Aleppo during a brief pause in fighting on Friday.

Several hundred critically wounded civilians or sick people and their families are to be moved to government-controlled western Aleppo or the rebel-held city of Idlib, the UN has said.

Medical supplies will also be delivered to eastern Aleppo where hospitals and clinics have been bombed by regime forces.

UN humanitarian aid official Jan Egeland said it had received the "green lights" it needed from the Syrian government, armed opposition groups and Russia to enter the city.

Speaking in Geneva, Egeland also said Moscow is considering a UN request to extend the planned consecutive three days of 11-hour pauses in fighting that began on Thursday.

However AFP reported that clashes had erupted in one area designated as a humanitarian corridor.

On Thursday, the Syrian regime issued an ultimatum to residents of rebel-held Eastern Aleppo, urging them to leave during the lull.