Tens of thousands flee as Syrian rebels receive more weapons for Aleppo battle

The battle for control of the key Syrian city of Aleppo is intensifying, sending tens of thousands of residents fleeing for their lives. Russian-backed troops loyal to president Bashar al-Assad have begun a major offensive over the past couple of days but are meeting stiff resistance from rebels. Those rebels - thought not to be connected to Islamic State - said today they had received new supplies of U.S.-made anti-tank missiles from states that oppose al-Assad. Three Free Syrian Army-affiliated groups contacted by Reuters said new supplies had arrived since the start of the attack by the army backed by Iranian fighters and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

There are at least 70,000 people displaced from many, many villages in the southern, rural areas of Aleppo.

Dr Zaidoun al-Zoabi, head of the Union of Syrian Medical Relief Organisations

The situation encapsulates the complex political situation in Syria. While Russian air power supports Assad, the West wants him out and governments are assisting rebels. Meanwhile, no one wants IS to grow in the vacuum created by the situation. Rami Abdulrahman, director of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which monitors the Syrian conflict, said rebels had hit at least 11 army vehicles with guided anti-tank missiles near Aleppo since Friday.

Middle East Aleppo