The rebel offensive, which began on Monday, has seen several rebel groups, including the Free Syrian Army (FSA), advance into the northern part of Aleppo. The rebels have taken control of several strategic points, including the Bab al-Hadid district, which lies on the main road to Turkey.
The Syrian military has responded with airstrikes and artillery fire, but the rebels have continued to make gains. According to the military, at least 50 soldiers have been killed in the fighting.
The fighting has also taken a heavy toll on civilians, with dozens reported killed or injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group, said at least 20 civilians had been killed by gunfire and shelling on Monday alone.
The Syrian government has condemned the rebel offensive as a violation of the ceasefire agreement reached earlier this year. In a statement, the government said it would “take all necessary measures” to regain control of Aleppo.
The Syrian opposition, on the other hand, has accused the government of violating the ceasefire by attacking rebel-held areas. The Syrian National Coalition, the main opposition group, has called for international action to stop the fighting.
The United States and other Western powers have condemned the rebel offensive and urged all parties to respect the ceasefire. The United Nations Security Council has also issued a statement calling for an end to the violence.
The fighting in Aleppo is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, as neither side appears willing to give ground. The conflict has already displaced hundreds of thousands of people and caused widespread destruction. The international community is calling for an immediate ceasefire, but it remains to be seen whether it will be respected.
