The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said that more than 50,000 people have fled opposition-held east Aleppo in the last four days.

In a statement Wednesday, the Britain-based monitor said more than 20,000 people had fled to western areas of the city held by the government, with another 30,000 moving to areas held by Kurdish forces.

The government has said passages are open for civilians or surrendering rebels to cross into the west of the city, and accuses opposition forces of trying to prevent residents from leaving.

The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting Wednesday on the recent increase in hostilities in Syria's northern city of Aleppo.

Britain and France called for the session, which Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin criticized as a "propaganda campaign."

Source: MENA