Boris Johnson summons Russian and Iranian ambassadors over 'suffering inflected on people of Aleppo'

Mr Johnson tells diplomats that Russia and Iran are prolonging the suffering of Syrian people through their support for the Assad regime

Mr Johnson said Iran and Russia 'deserve no credit' for the evacuations currently underway in Aleppo (Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters)

Boris Johnson has summoned the Russian and Iranian ambassadors to the Foreign Office to tell them they deserve no credit for the evacuation of civilians from shattered eastern Aleppo in Syria.

The Foreign Secretary told the diplomats of the UK's “deep concern” at reports of civilians being executed, ambulances being shot at and “disappearances” carried out by pro-Bashar al-Assad forces.

He told them Russia and Iran were prolonging the suffering of Syrian people through their support for the Assad regime.

The meeting came as the first evacuation of civilians began from eastern Aleppo.

It follows a ceasefire deal which has seen the rebels surrender their last areas of control in Aleppo to the regime following a devastating ground and air offensive backed by Moscow and Tehran.

Following the meetings with the ambassadors, Mr Johnson said: “I summoned the Russian and Iranian ambassadors to the Foreign Office in order to convey in person the Government's profound concern over the situation in Aleppo.

“Both Russia and Iran have failed to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, specifically by failing to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians during the months when eastern Aleppo was besieged.

“They deserve no credit for the fact that an evacuation appears to be under way today.

“Having inflicted such suffering on the people of eastern Aleppo, Iran and Russia cannot expect praise for allowing some people to escape at the final hour.

“Both countries need to ensure the UN now oversees the evacuation process and that all civilians and non-combatants are properly protected.”

Press Association