Syrian rebels say they are pushing forward with a huge offensive aimed at breaking a weeks’ long government siege on eastern Aleppo.
At least 15 civilians have been killed in heavy shelling and suicide car bomb attacks – among them a number of children, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Over a hundred people are said to have been injured since the operation began on Friday morning.
Russian news agency Interfax later reported the Defence Ministry had asked President Vladimir Putin’s authority to resume air strikes against militants in the east of the city, following a ten-day pause.
Moscow, which supports the Syrian government in the conflict, is calling for the so-called moderate opposition rebel forces in the area to be separated from terrorist groups.
