WorldGENEVA, AFP -The UN's Syria envoy on Thursday made an impassioned appeal to save eastern Aleppo, warning the city faced total destruction and urging Islamist fighters to leave so civilians can get aid. “In maximum two months, two and half months the city of eastern Aleppo may be totally destroyed”, Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Geneva. The rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo has been hammered by a Russian-backed government offensive, including multiple attacks on hospitals. “Can you please look at my eyes”, de Mistura said in a direct appeal to Nusra leaders, before pleading with them to quit Aleppo. The UN estimates that 275,000 civilians are under siege in east Aleppo, with aid deliveries all but impossible since government forces seized the last supply route in July.

Source: Sunday Times October 06, 2016 13:21 UTC