Russia and Syria halt airstrikes in Aleppo

The Syrian city of Aleppo is under a temporary ceasefire on Tuesday after Russian and Syrian warplanes halted airstrikes to allow civilians and rebels to leave the city.

The temporary truce will allow those that are hurt and ill to leave the city via six routes.

European leaders have however condemned the Russian government's actions in the city and have threatened sanctions for what they refer to as "war crimes".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that "no options, including that of sanctions, can be taken off the table in view of the situation, but the priority is that we look at lessening people's suffering in some way, and that will be an issue tomorrow."

On Sunday, both the United States and Britain said they were considering taking action against Russia for their actions in Aleppo.

300,000 people are trapped in the city in Northern Syria, which has been absolutely devastated by the airstrikes.

Russian defence minister Segei Shogu said that the raids were suspended from 10am on Tuesday ahead of the opening of humanitarian corridors on Thursday.

"The early halting of airstrikes is necessary to declare a humanitarian pause," Shoigu said in a televised statement. "It will guarantee a safe exit of civilians through six corridors and prepare for the evacuation of the ill and the wounded from the eastern part of Aleppo."

Shogu also put pressure on those supporting the rebels to instruct them to give up the fight.

He said they were "asking the countries wielding influence with the rebels in the eastern part of Aleppo to persuade their leaders to end fighting and leave the city."