The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Syrians fear all-out government assault as bombs rain down

Syrians at the site of airstrikes in a rebel-held neighborhood in Aleppo.

Bombs continued to fall on the rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Syria, on Saturday, but Russia refused to pressure President Bashar al-Assad’s government to ease up on airstrikes that are terrifying residents.

With only one exit route remaining, the northern city, once Syria’s economic hub, is nearly besieged.

Observers fear an all-out government assault is coming.

A pro-government newspaper said the army was preparing an offensive to recapture all of Aleppo and the surrounding province.

Moscow’s Foreign Ministry told the Interfax news agency that it won’t pressure Assad to stop the fighting in Aleppo because the action is helping combat jihadist groups.

The bombs on Saturday came from both sides. As the airstrikes pounded rebel-held areas, insurgents shelled neighborhoods held by the government.

Aleppo is a key battleground and of vital strategic significance to both sides in the 5-year-old Syrian civil war that has killed more than 270,000 people and displaced millions of others.

At least 250 civilians were killed in Aleppo in the past nine days, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Photo: Reuters

Source: Syrians fear all-out government assault as bombs rain down | New York Post