HMEYMIM /Syria/, December 9. /TASS/. About 8,500 residents of the Syrian city of Aleppo left militant-controlled districts in the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria said Friday.

"Only in the past 24 hours, a total of 8,461 residents, including 2,934 children, left the areas that remain under the militant control, with the assistance of the Russian Center for reconciliation of the warring parties," the center said in a statement

In addition, a total of 14 militants laid down their weapons and crossed into the western part of the city to surrender to the Syrian government troops. In accordance with the Syrian president’s decision, they were amnestied.

Specialists from Russia’s international mine-clearing center continue combing the eastern part of Syria’s Aleppo to clear it of mines and unexploded ordnance. So far, an area of six hectares was cleared, including residential buildings, a pumping station, two power substations, two schools and two mosques.

The first group of Russian sappers arrived at the Hmeymim airbase in Syria on December 3. The Defense Ministry said it was sending the most experienced specialists with a previous experience of such operations, including those held in Palmyra. The detachment includes a group of special dogs and their handlers.