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Syria government forces retake largest Aleppo rebel district | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Syrian forces have retaken the largest rebel-controlled area in east Aleppo. | |
The capture of Hanano district, in north-east Aleppo, gives the army an advantage in its drive to seize other opposition-held areas, activists say. | |
Hundreds of civilians have reportedly fled into Hanano. | |
Some 275,000 people are under siege as the army's offensive - now in its 13th day - continues. The assault has killed 219 civilians, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says. | |
Among the victims were 27 children, the monitoring group added. Reports suggest there is a lack of medical supplies and food. | Among the victims were 27 children, the monitoring group added. Reports suggest there is a lack of medical supplies and food. |
Capturing all of Aleppo would be a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after six and a half years of conflict. | Capturing all of Aleppo would be a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after six and a half years of conflict. |
Hanano was the first neighbourhood in Aleppo taken by rebels in 2012. | |
Syrian forces regained the district on Saturday - a move making it easier for them to isolate the northern districts of east Aleppo from the southern ones. | |
Air strikes launched as part of the recent government offensive were described by activists as the most intense ever, leaving the streets deserted. | Air strikes launched as part of the recent government offensive were described by activists as the most intense ever, leaving the streets deserted. |
More than 400 civilians fled overnight to Hanano and were taken to regime-controlled areas, the Observatory said. | |
Meanwhile the rebels intensified rocket attacks on the government-controlled western districts of Aleppo. Their attacks have killed 27 civilians since the offensive began, the Observatory said, including 11 children. | |
Aleppo, once Syria's commercial and industrial hub, has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. | Aleppo, once Syria's commercial and industrial hub, has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with the government controlling the west and rebels the east. |
In the past year, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes. | In the past year, Syrian troops have broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes. |
Russia says its air force is active in other parts of the country, but not operating over Aleppo. | Russia says its air force is active in other parts of the country, but not operating over Aleppo. |