Russian, Syrian fighter jets resume airstrikes in rebel-held eastern Aleppo

(Image credit: Georges Ourfalian/AFP/Getty Images)

last updated 15 November 2016

Airstrikes are pounding rebel-held eastern Aleppo early Tuesday for the first time in about three weeks, the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Russia announced in mid-October that it would halt airstrikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad to give rebels and civilians time to clear out of the rebel-controlled parts of Syria's biggest city, and Syria refused to allow the United Nations safe passage to deliver aid to the besieged areas when the Syrians decided to stay. A Syrian rebel activist tells The Associated Press that fighter jets are dropping barrel bombs and firing missiles in eastern Aleppo.

The Observatory also said that Russia and Syria bombed a hospital in Awaijel, killing at least one person, early Tuesday after striking two other hospitals west of Aleppo on Monday. Russia confirmed early Tuesday that it has begun a major offensive in two Syrian provinces, Iblib and Homs, southwest of Aleppo.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.