The Syrian government appears to have claimed a big victory on Monday in its 14-day offensive to take eastern Aleppo from rebel control, with both Syrian state media and the independent Syrian Observatory for Human Rights saying government forces and allies have captured the Sakhour neighborhood. "It is the biggest defeat for the opposition in Aleppo since 2012," the Syrian Observatory's Rami Abdulrahman tells Reuters, splitting the rebel-held areas in two. Syrian forces captured 10 neighborhoods over the weekend, putting almost a third of eastern Aleppo in government control, the Syrian Observatory and Russia's Defense Ministry say.
Thousands of residents have fled the eastern part of the city to sections controlled by the government or Kurdish forces since Saturday. If eastern Aleppo falls, President Bashar al-Assad's forces will control Syria's four biggest cities and the coastal region, marking a turning point in the civil war. The government siege of eastern Aleppo has laid waste to Syria's former commercial capital, and the recent offensive by Syrian troops, allied Shiite militants from Iran and Lebanon, and Russian airstrikes has left about 225 civilians dead, including 27 children, the Syrian Observatory says.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
French schools and the scourge of teenage violenceTalking Point Gabriel Attal announces 'bold' intervention to tackle rise in violent incidents
-
On the trail of India’s wild lions at Sasan Gir National ParkThe Week Recommends The sanctuary is a 'roaring' conservation success
-
Recipe: almond marmalade cakeThe Week Recommends This syrupy cake can be toasted for brunch
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostagesSpeed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
-
Nato official warns of all-out war with Russia in next 20 yearsSpeed Read Civilians must prepare for life-changing conflict and mass mobilisation, says military chief
-
Rishi Sunak visits Kyiv to announce £2.5 billion in military support for UkraineSpeed Read Surprise trip comes amid increased Russian bombardment and escalation of Middle East crisis
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red SeaSpeed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Israel preparing to flood Hamas tunnels with seawaterSpeed Read IDF pumps could drive out terrorists but critics warn of danger to hostages and Gaza water supply
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacksspeed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages releasedSpeed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
