Fighter aircraft pounded the rebel-held parts of Aleppo on Friday after the Syrian Army declared an offensive, Reuters reported. At least 10 people, including two children, reportedly lost their lives in the attacks that lefts several others injured. Officials said they feared more dead were buried in the rubble.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the nature of the raids were characteristic of Russian and Syrian tactics and confirmed at least 40 airstrikes since midnight, while Al Jazeera pegged the number at 100. The attacks are being described as the fiercest strikes the West Asian country has witnessed. Three units owned by volunteer rescue group, White Helmets, were hit in the raids.
Russian and Syrian military officials didn't issue an official statement about Friday's airstrikes. But army officials said its offensive operation would include a ground attack that could last "from a few hours to a few days", AFP reported. The official said, "“We have begun reconnaissance, aerial and artillery bombardment."
Moscow and Washington on September 10 announced a ceasefire plan for the “cessation of hostilities” between the Syrian government and opposition militia in the war-torn country. However, Syria has since resumed the fighting.
The civil war in the West Asian country began in 2011 following massive protests against the Bashar al-Assad regime. The Syrian government has been accused of committing atrocities against civilians such as dropping barrel bombs in populated areas as well as using chemical weapons. While Washington has supported rebel groups, Moscow is seen as a an ally of the Syrian president.
The government dominates western Aleppo. Almost three million people inhabited Aleppo, the country's economic hub, before violence broke out.
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