Syrian troops gather for massive assault on rebel forces in Aleppo
The last 24 hours have seen a dramatic increase of violence in Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city.
As of late, Damascus was the main focus of government forces, but the Syrian army declared Damascus as retaken according to Australia’s ABC news.
Reuters reports Aleppo has developed into a key battleground in the conflict. Rebels face a renewed counter-offensive by government forces attempting to retake the city.
The UN Peacekeeping Department has voiced concerns over a “considerable buildup of military means” on the part of President Bashar al-Assad’s forces.
As of Sunday morning, nearly 20,000 Syrian troops had gathered outside Aleppo. The troops are preparing for a heavy assault against rebel troops, the BBC reports.
A senior government official told the BBC, “The battle for Aleppo has not yet begun, and what is happening now is just the appetiser… the main course will come later.”
Meanwhile, countries at the UN remain divided on a cohesive international reaction to the Syrian civil war. Last month, the UN failed to agree on tougher sanctions against the Syrian government.
