Syrian, rebel factions say they have broken a weeks-long government siege of Aleppo, amid scenes of rejoicing in the crucial northern city. Sources close to government forces denied that they had been pushed aside and said they had driven the rebels back from an artillery base. UK-based activists say the rebels have indeed managed to link up with their comrades in eastern Aleppo.
But the rebels have so far failed to establish a secure route, they added. There were sporadic clashes and air strikes today after the reported ending of the siege, monitors said.
Meanwhile, at least 10 people have been killed in air strikes on a hospital in northwestern Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province. Humanitarian groups have repeatedly called for a halt to strikes on medical facilities. Syrian opposition groups say Syrian and Russian forces deliberately target medical buildings.