The Syrian army says it has formed a new volunteer force which will fight alongside regular soldiers "to eradicate terrorism".

In a statement, the army said: "To support the successes of armed forces and to meet people's wishes to put an end to terrorist acts in the Syrian Arab Republic, the general command of the armed forces announces the formation of a Fifth Stormtrooper Corps of volunteers."

It urged anyone interested in "achieving the final victory against terrorism" to apply.

It is a year since the Fourth Corps, also an anti-terrorism force, was formed, not long after Russia began to offer military support.

Children rescued from Aleppo rubble

The announcement came as the army accused rebels in eastern Aleppo of possessing food stores, urging them to distribute supplies.


The army said: "The general command of the armed forces calls upon militants in the neighbourhoods of east Aleppo to open ration warehouses and distribute food to those that need it."

The existence of such warehouses has not been verified.

The United Nations, which has been unable to access the area since early July, said on 10 November that aid workers were handing out the last available food rations.

The army has also urged rebel groups to allow civilians to leave via government-designated corridors.

But residents are said to be worried about using the routes, fearing snipers and further bombing.

Major damage after Aleppo assault

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 141 civilians, including 18 children, had been killed in a week of renewed bombardment in eastern Aleppo.

The monitor also said it had documented hundreds of injuries following Russian and Syrian airstrikes, and shelling by government forces and their allies.

In addition there were 16 civilian deaths, including 10 children, after rebels had shelled western Aleppo, held by the government, the Observatory said.

Last week, the local health authority and humanitarian agencies said the bombardment had taken all the main hospitals in eastern Aleppo out of service.