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Aleppo evacuation operation 'in last stages'

The evacuation of civilians and rebels from eastern Aleppo is in its "last stages," the International Committee of the Red Cross has said.

Around 34,000 people have been evacuated in the week-long rescue operation.

Over 4,000 rebel fighters left between Wednesday and Thursday to rebel-held western rural Aleppo, as per an agreement reached with the government.

Thousands are expected to be evacuated as the rescue operation continues throughout Friday, a Red Cross spokeswoman said.

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'Forty-seven orphaned children' evacuated from Aleppo

Evacuees from a rebel-held area of Aleppo arrive at insurgent-held al-Rashideen. Credit: Reuters

Dozens of children who were trapped in an orphanage in the rebel-held enclave of east Aleppo have been evacuated, UNICEF said.

Geert Cappelaere, regional director for the United Nation's Children's Fund, said: "This morning, all 47 children trapped in an orphanage in east Aleppo were evacuated to safety, with some in critical condition from injuries and dehydration."

He said UNICEF and other agencies were assisting in reuniting other evacuated children with their families, and giving them winter clothes and medical care.

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Aleppo evacuation operation 'in last stages'

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