The Syrian army has claimed control of an important district in rebel-held eastern Aleppo after fierce fighting, with rebels blaming intense air strikes and lack of hospitals for their collapsing frontline. Capturing all of Aleppo would be a major victory for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad after six and a half years of fighting. The Syrian government calls all forces fighting against it terrorists. A renewed air assault on residential and frontline parts of east Aleppo began last Tuesday after a weeks-long pause in air strikes and shelling there. In the 12 days since the renewed bombardment on east Aleppo, at least 201 civilians, including 27 children, have died in the besieged sector, the Observatory said.

Source: The Guardian November 27, 2016 01:07 UTC