The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said loyalist fighters now controlled around half of the Bustan al-Basha district near the centre of the divided metropolis. “It’s the most important advance for the regime in Aleppo since 2013,” said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. The assault has seen rebel-held areas pounded relentlessly with air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery fire that have killed more than 270 people, according to the Observatory. The Observatory said there had been fewer air strikes on Thursday, but that heavy clashes were underway in Bustan al-Basha, with the army now controlling several key vantage points and half of the neighbourhood. “The aerial onslaught on Aleppo... has bolstered Western proponents of a tougher approach” on Syria, said Pierret, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh.

Source: New Strait Times October 06, 2016 11:37 UTC