Syrian forces prepare to open corridors out of Aleppo

Syrian government forces and their Russian counterparts are preparing to open corridors out of the besieged districts of Aleppo, in the hope that fighters and civilians will evacuate the contested city's rebel-held quarters after weeks of bombardment has left the area in ruins.

The city's eastern quarters experienced relative peace for the second consecutive day in the run-up to the hoped-for evacuation on Thursday. Russia's military said two corridors would be opened for militants to flee to the neighbouring, rebel-held province of Idlib.