Syria launches ground assault in Aleppo

Source: Al Jazeera


Fierce fighting rages in city's key district of Salaheddine.

August 8, 2012

The Syrian army has launched a broad ground assault on rebel-held areas of the besieged city of Aleppo and activists reported clashes as opposition forces fought back in a battle that has raged for more than two weeks.

Syrian forces pulled back from parts of the district of Salaheddine in the northern city of Aleppo after heavy clashes with rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, rebel sources said on Wednesday.

"Street warfare took place, they have inflicted huge loses on Assad's forces who pulled back now. Salaheddine is under the control of the Free Army",Omar, an activist in the area, told the Reuters news agency by Skype. Other rebels confirmed his account.

Images that have emerged from the northern city showed collapsed buildings, and large craters which activists said were caused by shelling.

Read more: http://m.aljazeera.com/story/2012888110599128