Syria’s government forces have re-established control of the last rebel-held areas in the city of Aleppo, according to a Syrian military statement on 13 December.

In a major government offensive backed by the Russian air force, rebel groups have now retracted and are understood to be awaiting evacuation from eastern Aleppo, said the statement.

A UN summary on the operation in Aleppo said it had reliable evidence that in four areas 82 civilians were killed, adding that many more may have died.

The UN and the US said the Syrian government as well as Russia and Iran - another key ally of President Bashar al-Assad - were accountable for any atrocities committed in the city.

The northern city of Aleppo has been under heavy bombardment since the end of September, with rights groups claiming that hospitals and vital humanitarian routes have been targeted over the last few months.

Estimates from the UK’s IHS Conflict Monitor suggest there are up to 250,000 people trapped in eastern Aleppo.

Violence in Syria began in 2011. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people have died in the conflict.