Residents of Aleppo have sent out desperate “last messages” on social media as Syrian government forces enter rebel-held eastern Aleppo, killing those inside.
Across social media, residents described being driven from their homes and exposed to shelling, fearful of being killed or arrested if pro-government forces reached them.
These fears are not unfounded. UN's human rights office said it had reliable evidence that in four areas 82 civilians were shot on the spot, as forces advanced. A spokesman said it looked like there had been a "complete meltdown of humanity in Aleppo".
Amid the chaos, the Syrian civil defense, also known as the White Helmets, described the harrowing scenes unfolding in eastern Aleppo.
There is no total number of casualties in Besieged #Aleppo today, all streets & destroyed buildings are full with dead bodies. It's hell.
— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) December 13, 2016
With the Syrian regime making steady advances into eastern Aleppo over the last few weeks, the number of casualties has steadily mounted and hundreds of civilians, including women and children, are among the dead.
The Syrian government has now recaptured an estimated 98% of Aleppo, squeezing thousands of remaining civilians into a sliver of rebel-held territory.
As the humanitarian situation continues to disintegrate,Twitter has been inundated with the chilling final goodbyes of Aleppo residents, many awaiting death as they remain trapped in the shrinking anti-government enclaves.
Final message - people are dying since last night. I am very surprised I am tweeting right now & still alive. - Fatemah #Aleppo
— Bana Alabed (@AlabedBana) December 12, 2016
Perhaps my final message from E. Aleppo. Regime forces are closing in and bunker busters are raining down. https://t.co/YHZfeOKGMP
— Bilal Abdul Kareem (@BilalKareem) December 12, 2016
I can tweet now but I might not do it forever. please save my daughter's life and others. this is a call from a father.
— @Mr.Alhamdo (@Mr_Alhamdo) December 12, 2016
U guess it's goodbye..
— Rami Zien (@Rami_Zien) December 12, 2016
Thanks all who stand for us and pay for us.
But it's almost over and they are just hours away of killing us
To everyone who can hear me!#SaveAleppo#SaveHumanity pic.twitter.com/cbExEMKqEY
— Lina shamy (@Linashamy) December 12, 2016
Across Twitter people also expressed solidarity for those caught in rebel-held Aleppo, and condemned the rest of the world for turning a blind eye and failing to intervene. Meanwhile, an Arabic hashtag, translated into "Aleppo is annihilated as the Arabs and the world stay silent," began trending on Twitter.
Do not sleep! There are families in cold, rainy Aleppo's streets now, waiting for you to do something. Save them. We're all accountable.
— هادي العبدالله Hadi (@HadiAlabdallah) December 12, 2016
Today I feel like a failure. Nearly 25 years reporting war crimes has added up to nothing. We said "never again." What happened? #Aleppo
— Janine di Giovanni (@janinedigi) December 13, 2016
Time is from blood!
— Lina shamy (@Linashamy) December 12, 2016
Call & message your representatives in the parliament all over the world and tell them to stop the genocide#SaveAleppo
On the other side, videos from government-held districts have emerged showing people celebrating in the streets, waving flags and honking horns in response to the regime victory.
The fall of Aleppo would be the biggest rebel defeat since Syria's conflict began in 2011, and leave the government in control of the country's five major cities. Yet, for the remaining civilians of east Aleppo, and Syria in general, peace appears far from the horizon.
AM
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