As forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad retake the city of Aleppo, dramatic images are being shared showing the extent of destruction in Syria's largest city.

On Thursday, a convoy of ambulances carried the first group of wounded and other civilians away from eastern Aleppo.

Much of the city has been reduced to a scene of devastation and rubble.

A general view of the historic Syrian city of Aleppo, 350 kms north of Damascus, with its landmark citadel in the background (Getty)

A general view shows the city of Aleppo with its historical citadel (Reuters)

Pictures of the city's citadel, one of the oldest and larges castles in the world, showcase how Aleppo has changed drastically during the civil war.

An entrance to the Aleppo citadel on 18 March, 2006 (Getty)

A member of Syria's government forces gestures near the partially destroyed entrance of Aleppo's historical citadel (Getty)

The city has been the worst-hit during the Syrian civil war.

The Aleppo citadel on 18 March, 2006 (Getty)

A general view shows Aleppo's citadel, after government forces captured the area (Getty)

As Syrian regime forces regained control of the last areas of Aleppo, many took to social media to share before and after images of the city.

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

Syrian TV has broadcast live footage of a long convoy of ambulances and green buses driving through government territory and into a rural, rebel-held part of Aleppo province.

The evacuation is part of a ceasefire deal marking the end of the rebel's four-year control of eastern Aleppo as they surrender their foothold in the face of a devastating ground and air offensive by government forces, backed by Russian air strikes.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced during the government's campaign to retake the city.