Yet, again: New York Times downplays and belittles sieges by Syrian rebels

"The United Nations has said government sieges are responsible for denying the delivery of food and medicine to 187,000 people, while the rebels are besieging 12,000 in government-held towns."  How did they arrive at this figure? Today, As-Safir gave a number of 70,000 civilians in Nubul and Zahra' alone.  I have seen estimates of 40,000, but this is only for two villages.