Evacuations Delayed Out Of Devastated Aleppo Amid Fresh Shelling: Reports

The planned evacuation of civilians and rebel fighters in eastern Aleppo expected to start early Wednesday, has been delayed amid fresh shelling, reported the BBC and other media outlets. The area is the last holdout of rebel fighters. One reason being cited for the holdup in evacuations was that the Syrian government has reportedly insisted that its injured fighters and civilians be moved out of nearby towns. Russia blamed the resumption of shelling on the rebels, saying they broke the ceasefire. The evacuation deal, brokered by Turkey and Russia was intended to allow for the safe passage out of eastern Aleppo by civilians and rebels from eastern Aleppo. Some 800 sick and injured people need to be immediately evacuated from the war-torn region, an opposition official told the Associated Press.