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DAMASCUS, July 30 (Xinhua) -- A number of Syrian women aged over 40 were evacuated from rebel-held parts of Syria's northern city of Aleppo on Saturday, through one of the safe passages the army designated recently, pro-government Sama TV said.
The women left several rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo city through the Bustan al-Qaser crossing into government-controlled areas west of Aleppo, said the report.
The women were moved into temporary shelters, provided with aid materials and other necessities.
The report stopped short of giving an exact number of the evacuees, but the process is apparently ongoing.
On Thursday, the Syrian army and the Russian backers said they had identified three safe passages out of rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo for civilians, and one safe exit for the rebels who would want to surrender themselves.
The move came after the Syrian army completely severed the rebel supply lines into eastern Aleppo, making them totally besieged.
Earlier on Saturday, state news agency SANA said an unidentified group of rebels started surrendering to the Syrian army in Aleppo, just days after the army and President Bashar al-Assad promised pardon for rebels who would turn themselves in within 30 days.
The army also urged the civilians to cooperate with the Syrian army.
Citing Aleppo's governor, Muhammad Olabi, SANA said the three safe passages have been prepared to allow civilians to leave rebel-held districts in the east of Aleppo as well.
"The governorate has finalized all arrangements and measures to secure the safety and accommodate civilians leaving the eastern districts of Aleppo with temporary shelters equipped with the necessary medical and aid services," the governor said.
Olabi added that transportation has also been secured to take families to the new shelters.
Aleppo, Syria's largest province and once a thriving economic metropolis, has witnessed intensified violent battles lately as the Syrian army advances against the rebels in the north.
