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Syria rebels 'in push to break Aleppo siege' Syria rebels 'in push to break Aleppo siege'
(35 minutes later)
Rebels in Syria have announced a big offensive aimed at breaking the government siege of east Aleppo.Rebels in Syria have announced a big offensive aimed at breaking the government siege of east Aleppo.
A UK-based monitoring group said the rebels had fired "hundreds" of missiles into western Aleppo, killing at least 15 civilians.A UK-based monitoring group said the rebels had fired "hundreds" of missiles into western Aleppo, killing at least 15 civilians.
They are also reported to have targeted al-Nayrab military airport to the east.They are also reported to have targeted al-Nayrab military airport to the east.
About 275,000 people have been besieged in the east by pro-government forces for several months.About 275,000 people have been besieged in the east by pro-government forces for several months.
Syria and its ally Russia have recently intensified air strikes on the east.Syria and its ally Russia have recently intensified air strikes on the east.
The attacks are so far coming from rebels outside Aleppo but it is understood that rebels inside the city will join the offensive.The attacks are so far coming from rebels outside Aleppo but it is understood that rebels inside the city will join the offensive.
"All the revolutionary factions, without exception, are participating in the battle," the military spokesman for the Fastaqim faction inside the city said, AP news agency reports."All the revolutionary factions, without exception, are participating in the battle," the military spokesman for the Fastaqim faction inside the city said, AP news agency reports.
They include Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, as well as fellow Islamists Ahrar al-Sham.
Rebels fired Grad missiles at al-Nayrab, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitoring group said. Up to 115 people were killed or wounded, it added.Rebels fired Grad missiles at al-Nayrab, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitoring group said. Up to 115 people were killed or wounded, it added.
They also detonated two car bombs - one a digger driven by a suicide bomber from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front - against government positions to the south-west of the city. They also detonated two car bombs - one a digger driven by a suicide bomber from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - against government positions to the south-west of the city.
Analysis - James Longman, BBC News, Beirut
The rebels said this counter-attack would come. But even though disparate groups have united for this effort, "liberating" East Aleppo won't be easy.
They have hit an airbase and are targeting other Syrian positions in an effort to cripple any response.
But the Syrian army is the least of their problems - by itself, it is relatively weak. The Syrian government is supported by Lebanese, Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan Shia militias, as well as Russian air power - soon to be bolstered by a naval fleet in the Mediterranean.
One of the main rebel factions spearheading this operation is al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat Fatah al-Sham. It is the very group the US has tried to untangle from the fighters it supports.
This means that from a Western perspective at least, the rebels are on their own.
The area around the Hmeimim air base near the coastal city of Latakia - the main airport used by the Russian air force - was also reportedly targeted, the SOHR said.The area around the Hmeimim air base near the coastal city of Latakia - the main airport used by the Russian air force - was also reportedly targeted, the SOHR said.
It is the rebels' second attempt to break the siege. In August they temporarily opened a corridor between the east and west after the government entirely encircled them for the first time in July.It is the rebels' second attempt to break the siege. In August they temporarily opened a corridor between the east and west after the government entirely encircled them for the first time in July.
The city, previously Syria's economic hub, has been divided between the two sides since 2012.The city, previously Syria's economic hub, has been divided between the two sides since 2012.
Almost 500 people have been killed and 2,000 injured since government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, intensified an assault on the east of the city a month ago.Almost 500 people have been killed and 2,000 injured since government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, intensified an assault on the east of the city a month ago.
UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein has described the city as a "slaughterhouse".UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein has described the city as a "slaughterhouse".