CNN —Syrian opposition forces have taken control of much of the country’s second largest city Aleppo, according to video verified by CNN and residents in the city.
It is the first time Syrian rebels have set foot in Aleppo since government forces regained control during the Civil War in 2016.
By Saturday morning, rebel fighters had taken control of large swathes of the city, according to footage geolocated by CNN.
In response to the rebel advance, the Russian air force on Friday launched an aerial offensive against Syrian armed opposition forces in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, Russian state media reported.
Prior to this week’s attack they held two Kurdish neighborhoods but have now moved into areas that the Syrian regime used to control.
Persons:
“, Bassel, Assad, Bashar al, Muhammad Haj Kadour, Hassan Abdelghani, ”, –, Russia –
Organizations:
CNN, Rebel, Rebels, Operations Command, US, Free Syrian Army, United Nations
Locations:
Aleppo, reigniting, AFP, Idlib, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, United States, Russia