Syrian regime forces edged closer to breaking a long-running rebel siege on two government-held Shiite villages in Aleppo province on Tuesday, backed by heavy Russian air strikes, AFP reports.
A Syrian colonel on the ground said government forces were "three kilometers from Nubol and Zahraa."
He said they planned to "break the siege on them and cut the only remaining rebel supply route between Aleppo city and the north of the province."