Syria: Battle for Aleppo

Fighting continues to rage across Syria today as it has since early 2011. The focus currently is on Aleppo, the country's second most important city after Damascus. The Free Syrian Army and affiliate militias launched a major assault in mid-July capturing large swathes of the northern city. The rebels have exacted a heavy toll on local police, Shabiha and military forces but continue to come under fire from sporadic loyalist air and artillery attacks. The media have also been reporting on a major impending regime counter-offensive since last Thursday but this has, as yet, not materialised. The humanitarian situation in Aleppo is worsening. The UN estimates that at least 200,000 people have fled the city while thousands more are hunkered down in school halls and other safe areas. The fighting has affected supplies and there are serious concerns now of a major crisis if the siege is not lifted. Should Aleppo fall to the rebels the consequences for the regime would be severe. The FSA would gain a major foothold in the north and command the supply routes to Turkey. Aleppo also serves as a major commercial centre for the country and losing control of this city would be a body blow to the Assad regime.