Residents of besieged neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo are sharing horrifying messages as reports emerge of Syrian government troops executing civilians in what the United Nations says is “a complete meltdown of humanity in Aleppo.”
On Tuesday, the UN human rights office said it had received reports that at least 82 civilians were killed “on the spot” as pro-government forces close in on capturing remaining neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
“Civilians have paid a brutal price during this conflict, and we are filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this last hellish corner of opposition-held eastern Aleppo,” UN spokesperson Rupert Colville said in a statement. “While some reportedly managed to flee yesterday, some were reportedly caught and killed on the spot and others were arrested.
READ MORE: UN says Syrian army has reportedly executed at least 82 civilians in Aleppo
“There are believed to still be thousands of civilians in the neighbourhoods which until recently were under opposition control, including activists and Civil Defence members who are at risk of grave violations including detention, torture and killing,” Colville said.
Activists and citizens took to social media Monday and into Tuesday, pleading for help to “stop the expected massacres” as the military secures 98 per cent of Aleppo.
“I don’t believe anymore in the United Nation, I don’t believe anymore in the international community,” teacher turned activist Abdulkafi al-Hamdo said in a video post. “Russia doesn’t want us to go out alive, they want us dead, Assad is the same. Exactly yesterday there were many celebrations on the other part of Aleppo they were celebrating on our bodies.”
WATCH: ‘I hope you can remember us’ says Aleppo activist in emotional plea
With gunfire in the background, the teacher said in the video the building next to his home collapsed, killing many of his neighbours and “many people are being killed and just kept in the streets.”
“At least we know that we were free people, we wanted freedom, we didn’t want anything else but freedom,” al-Hamdo said. “I hope that something can be done and that we can leave and that we can speak together once more.”
Seven-year-old Bana al-Abed, whose viral Twitter account depicts the ongoing siege of Aleppo, shared “final” messages on Monday.
“Final message – I am very sad no one is helping us in this world, no one is evacuating me & my daughter. Goodbye.- Fatemah #Aleppo,” the account tweeted.
“Final message – people are dying since last night. I am very surprised I am tweeting right now & still alive. – Fatemah #Aleppo,” reads another tweet.
“My name is Bana, I’m 7 years old. I am talking to the world now live from East #Aleppo. This is my last moment to either live or die. – Bana,” reads another.
Activist Lina Shamy shared a video on Monday telling viewers Aleppo citizens “have been exposed to genocide.”
READ MORE: Syrian army general says recapturing of Aleppo is in its final stages
“This may be my last video. More than 50,000 of civilians who rebelled against the dictator al-Assad are threatened with field executions or dying under bombing,” Shamy said. “According to activists, more than 180 people have been field executed in areas the regime had recently took control on by Assad gangs and the militia that support them.
WATCH: Aleppo activists release desperate pleas for help as Syrian forces take besieged city
“Every bomb is a new massacre. Save Aleppo, save the humanity,” Shamy said.
WATCH: Pro-government forces continue siege on Aleppo
The UN said among the 82 people reportedly executed were 11 women and 13 children.
“We hope, profoundly, that these reports are wrong, or exaggerated, as the situation is extremely fluid and it is very challenging to verify reports. However, they have been corroborated by multiple reliable sources,” Colville said in the statement.
WATCH: As pro-regime forces move further into eastern Aleppo, desperate civilians and activists are posting ‘last call’ messages online urging the international community to help them live, or remember them if they die.
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