(TWP)The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said the Syrian troops had pushed back rebel lines in a southern district of Aleppo. More than 70 airstrikes have hammered parts of Aleppo since Wednesday, the group said. In a possible hint of the looming showdown in Aleppo, Syrian state media said a “ground offensive” would eventually be launched, citing a Syrian military official whose name was not given. Amateur video purports to show the aftermath of Syrian government airstrikes in Aleppo’s al-Ansari neighborhood in some of the heaviest strikes yet on rebel-held areas. “This means welcome to hell,” said Abdulkafi Al-Hamdo, a teacher who lives in rebel-held Aleppo.

Source: Washington Post September 23, 2016 13:44 UTC