Syrian and Russian jets have carried out strikes on opposition forces in northern Syria in retaliation for the sudden offensive that has cost the regime control of the country’s second largest city, Aleppo. The offensive has also led to the capture by the rebel alliance of an important military base east of Aleppo and large areas of both Aleppo and Idlib provinces. The rebels’ sweeping success has posed the biggest challenge in eight years to President Bashar al-Assad, when Russian air power helped reverse rebel gains in the civil war.
The newly formed rebel coalition, known as the Military Operations Command, has captured key sites across Aleppo, including the airport, where video verified by sources showed camo-clad fighters inside the main terminal. The rebels consolidated their gains Sunday capturing key military sites in the east of Aleppo city. However, they have left some neighborhoods in the hands of Kurdish forces.
