Aleppo could be 'totally destroyed' in two months

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Emma Murphy

The ancient city of Aleppo could be totally destroyed in just two months, experts have warned.

Staffan de Mistura, the UN's Syria Envoy, said unless there is a "major game changer" the destruction will continue.

And as Syrian government troops reportedly make new advances into rebel-held Aleppo, the fighting shows no signs of slowing down.

They have seized around half of the residential Bustan al-Basha quarternear the city centre, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The area is one of the front lines in Aleppo, which has been dividedbetween government and opposition areas of control for years.

Smoke seen rising from Bustan al-Basha on Thursday. Credit: Reuters

In a statement, the Syrian military also said that its forces had advanced in Bustan al-Basha.

Rebel officials have not commented on the reported government advances.

Bashar al-Assad told Denmark's TV2 that the government will retake the entire country. Credit: Reuters

In an interview with Denmark's TV 2, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have vowed to retake the entire country, including Aleppo.

But he is said to have added that he would prefer do so through the use of local deals and amnesties which allow rebels to leave for other areas.

  • A city under siege

This week, ITV News is focusing on the ongoing conflict in eastern Aleppo and the plight of its 250,000 residents, as part of its Aleppo Under Siege series.

According to latest data, supplied by IHS Jane's Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, in the year to date (1 January 2016 to 4 October 2016), there have been :

Eight airstrikes resulted in 32 deaths on October 4, according to latest data Credit: ITV News