Aleppo , with thousands of years of written history, has always held symbolic and political significance in the nation’s civil war. For those who remain amid the government siege that began July 17, the battle for Aleppo is a pivotal point in the Syrian civil war . Six years into the nation’s civil war, government forces aided by massive Russian air power are on the ascendancy again and have completely encircled the rebel fighters in Aleppo. Aleppo became the most cherished prize of the rebels and their supporters, who set out to administer their new area. The city emerged as a key battleground after rebels opposed to Assad seized parts of it in the summer of 2012.

Source: thestar August 03, 2016 20:26 UTC