Moscow: Syrian rebels lost 40% of their Aleppo territory

The Russian defense ministry reported Tuesday that, after weeks of heavy fighting, Syrian rebel factions had lost 12 districts in eastern Aleppo, i.e. 40 percent of their territory. Their defeat at the hands of pro-government and allied forces was a devastating setback for the rebels, who seized a large part of Aleppo in 2012. Russian sources reported that 100 rebel fighters surrendered their guns and were allowed to leave, along with an exodus of thousands of civilians fleeting the city. According to one report, “People are sleeping in the streets. They have nothing to eat or drink.”