Intense fighting has
continued around the Syrian city of Aleppo, where a rebel offensive is trying
to break a government siege of rebel-held areas.
Over the weekend, the
rebels tried to reconnect an encircled area in the east with insurgent
territory in the west.
They set off a huge
tunnel bomb underneath army positions in the strategic Ramouseh district.
The army has been
fighting back with the help of Russian air strikes to stop the rebels breaking
through.
Around a quarter of a
million civilians are living under siege in rebel-held areas since government
forces cut them off last month.
“We are now overlooking
the Ramousah area but Russian jets are intensifying their bombing, which is
holding us back from moving quickly,” a rebel commander told Reuters news
agency.
Another rebel source
told Reuters that about 10,000 troops, at least 95 tanks and several hundred
rocket launchers had been deployed for what he described as the “great epic
battle of Aleppo”.
The source said scores
of suicide bombers had also been prepared to drive explosive-laden military
vehicles into army posts.
UK-based monitor the
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights described the rebel offensive as the
largest so far, involving fighting across the divided city’s main battle
fronts.
It said government
forces had regained two villages and two hilltops in the south-west suburbs of
Aleppo late on Tuesday.
“The regime is launching
counter-attacks to absorb the fierce rebel offensive,” observatory head Rami
Abdel Rahman said.
About
a quarter of a million civilians are living under siege since government forces
cut them off last month. On Wednesday, Russian state television ran pictures of
civilians and fighters leaving the city through so-called humanitarian
corridors. The network RTR says seven such corridors are currently open.
Smoke was seen
billowing over the city in the footage, and gunshots were heard, as fighting
continues in what is expected to be a decisive battle for the city's future.
Vehicles bearing the
Red Crescent logo were clearly visible.
Over the weekend, the
rebels tried to reconnect an encircled area in the east with insurgent
territory in the west.
They set off a huge
tunnel bomb underneath army positions in the strategic Ramouseh district.
But by midweek,
activists were saying the Syrian government's forces had recaptured territory.
No food and daily attacks' - Aleppo resident tells BBC of fight for
survival
"Basic food has
completely disappeared. For families who have children, there is no milk in the
markets.
"Every day we have
at least 20 to 30 attacks by Russian aircraft or by the helicopters.
"There are no cars
going around. Public transport has completely stopped because of the lack of
fuel. People are staying inside their houses to avoid shelling."
A rebel source told the
Reuters news agency that about 10,000 troops, at least 95 tanks and several
hundred rocket launchers had been deployed for what he described as the
"great epic battle of Aleppo".
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- 'Families leave' besieged Aleppo
The source said scores
of suicide bombers had also been prepared to drive explosive-laden military
vehicles into army posts
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