Aleppo: Hundreds reported missing after fleeing rebel-held areas in Syrian battle
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers
The UN has said it is deeply concerned by reports hundreds of men have gone missing in Aleppo after fleeing rebel-held areas for government territory.
Tens of thousands of civilians have joined a mass exodus from the eastern parts of the Syrian city in recent weeks, including more than 8,000 in the last 24 hours.
Government troops and their allies continue to lay siege on rebels to drive them from the remaining districts, which they have held since 2012.
The missing men, who are understood to be aged between 30 and 50, are understood to have fled opposition-held areas around a week or 10 days.
A spokesman for the UN human rights office said family members had reported losing contact with the group.
Rupert Colville said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is also concerned by reports some civilians trying to flee are being blocked by armed opposition groups and in some cases being fired upon.
"Civilians are being used as pawns and prevented from leaving," he said at a briefing in Geneva.
Residents and medics inside eastern Aleppo said attacks from forces loyal to President Assad were continuing despite Russian claims of a suspension in the bombardment to allow for evacuations.
Colville estimated 100,000 civilians remain in areas controlled by armed opposition groups but "ever shrinking" in eastern Aleppo, with around 500 needing urgent evacuation for medical care.
The Syrian government said its army now holds 90% of the city's east, but opposition officials disputed the claim.
Free Syrian Army's Osama Abu Zayd said "more that 30% of east Aleppo" - upward of a dozen neighbourhoods - remained in rebel hands.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a meeting would be held in the next 24 hours to form a plan for the rebels' exit and any civilians who are willing to leave the city.
Speaking after holding talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Germany, Lavrov said said military experts and diplomats would meet Saturday in Geneva.