Dozens of civilians have fled rebel-held areas of eastern Aleppo and moved across to the government-controlled part of the city. 

Local government officials said the movement of the families, mostly women and children, was made possible after government forces managed to create a gap for them to travel through. They added that those who had crossed over had been given food, shelter and medical assistance. 

Officials also expressed their willingness to receive all those willing to leave rebel-held areas. A quarter of a million civilians still live in Aleppo’s opposition-controlled eastern neighborhoods.