In Syria, corridors are to be opened to allow civilians and unarmed rebels to leave the besieged city of Aleppo. Syria's key ally Russia has said that three routes would be opened and a fourth for armed rebels. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, Syria's President has also offered an amnesty for rebels laying down arms and surrendering within three months. <br/><br/>Government forces have encircled Aleppo, cutting off rebel-held areas and severing all supply routes. Rebel forces fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad have held eastern parts of the city for the past four years.<br/><br/>The UN has warned of a critical situation for about 300,000 people still there. Reports say that government forces had taken control of more areas of the city, in the Bani Zeid neighbourhood.<br/><br/>Last week US Secretary of State John Kerry held marathon talks in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. They agreed concrete steps on tackling jihadists in Syria and on trying to reach an effective ceasefire. More than 280,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011.