Civilians and opposition fighters will start evacuating east Aleppo within hours under a deal with Syria's regime, a rebel official said today, as global outrage mounted over reports of atrocities including summary executions.

Yasser al-Youssef from the political office of the key Nurredin al-Zinki group told AFP the deal with President Bashar al-Assads regime was being sponsored by Russia and Turkey.

"An agreement has been reached, Youssef said. The first stage will be the evacuation of civilians and wounded, within hours, and afterwards fighters will leave with their light weapons."


Those leaving will be allowed to travel to other rebel-held territory in the west of Aleppo province or neighbouring Idlib province, he said.

A source in the powerful Ahrar al-Sham rebel group confirmed the deal and its details.

There was no immediate confirmation from the regime, Ankara or Moscow. -- AFP

Photograph: Omar Sanadiki/Reuters