Related: The Guardian view on the battle for Aleppo: stop it now | EditorialRebel fighters in Aleppo have launched a major military operation aimed at breaking a weeks-long regime siege of the opposition-controlled eastern part of the Syrian city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organisation that monitors the conflict, described the campaign as the largest military offensive launched by the rebels against government forces in years. Hundreds of opposition troops appear to be taking part in the multi-pronged offensive, launched across a wide front. Aleppo has been a battleground since the opposition stormed it in 2012, taking control of roughly half of Syria’s second-largest city. The campaign was launched on Sunday night, on the eve of the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Syrian army.

Source: The Guardian August 01, 2016 09:38 UTC