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Syria conflict: Army launches new Aleppo offensive Syria conflict: Army launches new Aleppo offensive
(about 1 hour later)
Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes have launched a fresh offensive against rebels south of the country's second city, Aleppo.Syrian government forces backed by Russian air strikes have launched a fresh offensive against rebels south of the country's second city, Aleppo.
A military source told Reuters news agency that "hundreds" of troops from Hezbollah and Iran were also involved.A military source told Reuters news agency that "hundreds" of troops from Hezbollah and Iran were also involved.
Control of Aleppo has been divided between government forces and various rebel groups since 2012.Control of Aleppo has been divided between government forces and various rebel groups since 2012.
The Syrian army has launched several ground offensives since Russia began air strikes two weeks ago.The Syrian army has launched several ground offensives since Russia began air strikes two weeks ago.
Russia says it is targeting "terrorists", primarily jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS), but Western governments say many strikes have hit civilians and moderate rebel groups.Russia says it is targeting "terrorists", primarily jihadist militants from Islamic State (IS), but Western governments say many strikes have hit civilians and moderate rebel groups.
In a separate incident, Turkey said it had shot down a drone that intruded into its airspace near the border with Syria. It was not clear from pictures that emerged later whether the small drone was a military aircraft. In a separate incident, Turkey said it had shot down a drone that intruded into its airspace near the border with Syria.
Earlier this month Turkey accused Russian jets - which have recently joined the air battle against Syrian rebel group - of violating its airspace. BBC Defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus says the aircraft in question seemed to be similar to military drones of Russian origin.
A US official said they believed the drone was of Russian origin, but Russia says that all their drones have been accounted for and that non had violated Turkish airspace.
Earlier this month Turkey accused Russian jets - which have recently joined the air battle against Syrian rebel group - of entering its airpspace.
'Promised battle''Promised battle'
The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah said the Syrian army was carrying out a "broad military operation" across a 10-mile (16km) front south of Aleppo.The Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah said the Syrian army was carrying out a "broad military operation" across a 10-mile (16km) front south of Aleppo.
"This is the promised battle," a Syrian military source told Reuters news agency."This is the promised battle," a Syrian military source told Reuters news agency.
"The main core is the Syrian army", the source said, but added that hundreds of fighters from Iran and Hezbollah were taking part."The main core is the Syrian army", the source said, but added that hundreds of fighters from Iran and Hezbollah were taking part.
There are unconfirmed reports that hundreds of Iranian troops have arrived in Syria to join assaults on rebel positions in northern and central Syria by government forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shia Islamist movement, Hezbollah.There are unconfirmed reports that hundreds of Iranian troops have arrived in Syria to join assaults on rebel positions in northern and central Syria by government forces and fighters from the Lebanese Shia Islamist movement, Hezbollah.
Iran, a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad, has long acknowledged sending military advisers to Syria, but has denied the presence of any ground forces.Iran, a staunch ally of President Bashar al-Assad, has long acknowledged sending military advisers to Syria, but has denied the presence of any ground forces.