The Syrian army and its allies are aiming to capture all of rebel-held eastern Aleppo by the time President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

A senior official in the military alliance supporting President Bashar al Assad told the Reuters news agency it was sticking to a Russian-backed timeline.

Speaking anonymously, the official also cautioned that the next stage of fighting for more densely populated areas of Aleppo could prove more difficult.

"The Russians want to complete the operation before Trump takes power," said the official, citing a previous timetable believed to have been drawn up to guard against any change of policy by the new president.

Image: Eastern Aleppo has been devastated by the fighting

Mr Trump takes office in January but has indicated he could abandon support for Syrian rebels, some of whom have received military aid from President Barack Obama.


An estimated 16,000 people have been forced to flee eastern Aleppo in recent days following significant ground advances against the rebels.

They lost a third of their territory in eastern Aleppo, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which called it their "worst defeat since they seized half the city in 2012".

Image: An abandoned rebel base in Aleppo. Pic: YouTube/militarymediasy via Storyful

Forces loyal to Assad took the Sakhour, Haydariya and Sheikh Khodr neighbourhoods on Monday, and Kurdish forces captured the Sheikh Fares district.

Kurdish forces are not officially allied with the regime, but rebels regard them as co-operating with the government. Shia militias from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon are also fighting in support of President Assad.

:: Aleppo: Death of a city

Desperate residents fleeing the fighting moved to government and Kurdish-controlled areas, while some went to other rebel neighbourhoods.

Experts believe the capture of the Sakhour district could cut the area held by the opposition in two and that it is just a matter of time before all of eastern Aleppo is captured.

Tweeting girl shows grim reality of life in Aleppo

On Tuesday, France called for an "immediate" UN Security Council meeting over the "humanitarian disaster" in the city.

"More than ever, there is an urgent need for a cessation of hostilities and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance," said foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.

Meanwhile, airstrikes continue in Aleppo, with an attack on the Bab al Nairab district reportedly killing more people.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 10 had died, while the Syrian Civil Defence - known as the White Helmets - put the number at upwards of 25.

Image: Thousands have fled after regime troops made significant gains

:: Aleppo under siege - a timeline

UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien has called the situation "deeply alarming and chilling" and warned that thousands more could be forced to flee.

Russia, whose military is helping the Syrian government, said the last 24 hours had been a game-changer.

"During the last 24 hours, thanks to very well-prepared and careful actions, Syrian solders were able to radically change the situation," Major-General Igor Konashenkov told the Interfax news agency.

"Practically half of the territory occupied by rebels in recent years in the eastern part of Aleppo has been completely liberated."

Explainer: What rebel-held areas of Aleppo have been retaken?

Russia said the breakthrough in eastern Aleppo had allowed 80,000 people to access aid, claiming civilians had been used by rebels as human shields.

The east of the city has been reeling under a bombardment of missiles and bombs as government forces continue a renewed campaign to take control of the entire city.

Hundreds of people are believed to have been killed and every hospital in the east has been hit since July.