THE encirclement of Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city, is almost complete. Syrian army units loyal to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, reinforced by militias of Shia fighters from Iraq and Afghanistan fighting under Iranian command, and supported by intensified Russian air strikes, have now cut off Aleppo’s main supply route from the Turkish border. Only one road out of the city is still open—leading to Idlib, the other main opposition stronghold—through a 6km- (4-mile-) wide corridor separating two regime positions. But this road is itself being shelled. One of the regime’s columns is only three kilometres from it.
Relief organisations estimate that 300,000-500,000 people remain within the eastern part of Aleppo under rebel control, around 90% of them civilians. About 30,000 fighters from various rebel groups are preparing to defend of what remains of the city: most have formed an umbrella group, Jaish Haleb (the Army of Aleppo).
The civilians left in the city face a cruel dilemma. They could use what may well be their last chance to leave Aleppo and brave the dangerous road to Idlib, which has come under increasing...Continue reading
Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/20Hh7bM
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