Russia says over 8,000 civilians leave eastern Aleppo

This Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 photo, released by the International Committee for the Red Cross, shows members of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent carrying a patient on stretcher out of a medical facility in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria. The ICRC said it evacuated 148 disabled or civilians in need of urgent care from the facility, now under Syrian government control. ICRC said in a statement Thursday the evacuation was possible after fighting calmed down in the area. (Syrian Arab Red Crescent/Noor Hazouri via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo, courtesy of Wissam Zarqa, a Syrian English teacher and vocal anti-government critic, men walk past damaged buildings and shops in the eastern Aleppo neighborhood of al-Mashhad, Syria, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Government troops and allied militiamen have been advancing swiftly into the once rebel-controlled eastern Aleppo enclave as defenses of the opposition fighters buckle. (Courtesy of Wissam Zarqa, via AP) (The Associated Press)

This Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016 photo, released by the International Committee for the Red Cross, shows members of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent laying a patient on stretcher after taking him out of a medical facility in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria. The ICRC said it evacuated 148 disabled or civilians in need of urgent care from the facility, now under Syrian government control. ICRC said in a statement Thursday the evacuation was possible after fighting calmed down in the area. (Syrian Arab Red Crescent/Noor Hazouri via AP) (The Associated Press)

The Russian military says it has helped more than 8,000 civilians leave the rebel-controlled eastern part of Aleppo.

The military's Center for Reconciliation in Syria said early Friday that 8,461 civilians, including 2,934 children, have left Aleppo's eastern neighborhoods in the last 24 hours. The center said 14 militants surrendered their weapons and were granted amnesty.

The statement came hours after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Syrian government troops suspended their active operations in Aleppo to allow the evacuation of civilians. Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces have retaken large parts of eastern Aleppo in recent days.

The Russian military said its sappers have cleared mines from 6 hectares (15 acres) of Aleppo, allowing the restoration of a water facility, two power stations, two mosques and two schools.