Hundreds of men from rebel-held areas of Aleppo 'disappear'

Hundreds of men are reportedly missing in the Syrian city of Aleppo after government forces retook rebel areas.

The men, aged mainly between 30 and 50, have not been heard from since they left their areas in the east of the city up to 10 days ago.

Government forces have continued their offensive to retake the rebel-held east - but are now facing accusations of reprisals against people thought to have backed the rebels.

UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said: "As pro-government forces have advanced from the north into eastern Aleppo, there have been allegations of reprisals against civilians who are perceived to have supported armed opposition groups, as well as reports that men were being separated from women and children.

"We have received very worrying allegations that hundreds of men have gone missing after crossing into government-controlled areas."

It is not clear whether the men are civilians.

Mr Colville added: "Given the terrible record of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances, we are of course deeply concerned about the fate of these individuals.

"One has to ring some alarm bells.

"It could mean that some have been killed, it could mean they have been arbitrarily detained and taken somewhere, we just don't know."

Allegations have also been made against rebel militias, who are accused of screening or detaining people trying to flee their areas.

Mr Colville said if rebels were shown to have stopped civilians fleeing to safety, it could amount to a war crime.

He added: "Civilians are caught between warring parties that appear to be operating in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law."

While tens of thousands have fled the shrinking opposition-held areas of the city, at least 100,000 civilians are believed to still be trapped.