UN chief warns of ‘atrocities against Aleppo civilians’
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has voiced alarm "over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians" in Aleppo.
Mr Ban urged all the sides, particularly Syria's government and its allies, to protect civilians, BBC News reports.
UN humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland earlier said Syria and Russia were "accountable" for any atrocities committed by pro-government militias.
Rebels inside Aleppo are on the brink of defeat after Syrian army gains.
In a statement, Mr Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said "the secretary-general is alarmed over reports of atrocities against a large number of civilians, including women and children, in recent hours in Aleppo".
"While stressing that the United Nations is not able to independently verify these reports, the secretary-general is conveying his grave concern to the relevant parties.
"He has instructed his special envoy for Syria to follow up urgently with the parties concerned," the statement added.