Highlights
Since 07 July, hostilities between the government of Syria forces (GoS) and non-state armed groups halted all traffic in/out of eastern Aleppo city. Since then, GoS forces and YPG (the People’s Protection Units; Yekîneyên Parastina Gel) fighters have been able to establish physical control of the road and some adjacent neighbourhoods.
Within eastern Aleppo city, shortages in food supplies and significant price increases were observed shortly after the closure of the Castillo road. Additionally, the continuous attacks on various neighbourhoods of the city have further exacerbated the humanitarian situation.
An estimated 250,000 – 275,000 people remain trapped in eastern Aleppo city. The lack of safety, freedom of movement and access to humanitarian/commercial goods remains of utmost concern.
The Syrian and Russian governments announced an evacuation plan after dropping leaflets from aircraft, whereby civilians and elements of armed groups can leave the neighbourhoods of eastern Aleppo city through four appointed exit points (Three for civilians and one for armed combatants)
30,000 – 40,000 civilians remain trapped in Menbij town, which has been militarily surrounded by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) since 10 June. No humanitarian or commercial goods have reached the town. Since the beginning of the offensive on 31 May, more than 78,000 have been displaced.
Access Overview
On 7 July, the Government of Syria took control of areas adjacent to the Castello road, since then they have moved onto the road. Amid these developments, all civilian movement on the Castillo road has come to a complete standstill. The area continues to be contested. The corridor, which is the only approach for humanitarian assistance has been further compromised by other NSAGs moving north. Air attacks and shelling on eastern Aleppo has been continuing.
According to the Syrian Civil Defense, at least 235 people were killed in eastern Aleppo city since 07 July, and scores were wounded. The humanitarian impact of these attacks was not limited to civilian lives but included also vital civilian infrastructure such as medical facilities and NGO warehouses. On 23 and 24 July, airstrikes rendered Al-Bayan, Al-Hakim, Zahraa and Al-Daqaq hospitals in eastern Aleppo city temporarily out of operation. Moreover, a warehouse belonging to a UN partner was struck by airstrikes which possibly resulted in the destruction of 10,000 food parcels.
Following the complete encirclement of eastern Aleppo city by GoS and Kurdish forces, aircraft dropped leaflets on the NSAG-held parts of the city announcing four exit points for evacuation of civilians and armed combatants that wish to surrender. These four exit points lead to GoS-held areas in Aleppo city where reportedly preparations have been made to receive civilian evacuees.
Elsewhere in Aleppo governorate, the SDF-led to take control of Menbij town has entered its 60th day, with the SDF continuing its slow advancement towards the town’s center. Over the course of the past weeks, the SDF exerted control of several neighbourhoods in the southern and western parts of the town, including one of the biggest neighbourhoods in Menbij town (Al-Hazawneh neighbouhood). In the wake of the SDF’s seizure of Al-Hazawneh neighbourhood, a 48-hour window was offered by the SDF for ISIL fighters to leave the town. However, this option has since expired.
The protracted fighting has increased the suffering of the civilian population and caused a shrinking of safe areas within the city. Recent reports indicate that airstrikes have hit civilian locations in Menbij and nearby towns resulting in over 100 civilian deaths and injuries.