Horrific photos show a young boy named Jameel Mustafa Habboush being rescued from under the rubble of a bombed building in Aleppo's Fardous neighbourhood by members of Syria's civil defence – also known as the White Helmets. The boy was carried away by rescue workers but his fate is unknown. After several days of relative calm, Russian jets have resumed heavy bombing of rebel-held areas in the east of the besieged city.
Jameel Mustafa Habboush, a young Syrian boy, looks at a member of the civil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, from under the rubble of a building following air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of AleppoThaer Mohammed/AFPJameel Mustafa Habboush, a young Syrian boy, is given oxygen as he is pulled from the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of AleppoThaer Mohammed/AFPCivil defence volunteers, known as the White Helmets, rescue Jameel Mustafa Habboush from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of AleppoThaer Mohammed/AFP
Residents and rescue workers said at least 50 civilians were killed by strikes on rebel-held parts of the city and nearby villages. The activist-operated Aleppo Today TV station and Qasioun news agency said bunker-busting bombs were used in an attack on the Bustan al-Qasr neighbourhood. A medical centre and a children's playground in this area were hit by air strikes, according to local residents.
A young Syrian boy waits to receive treatment at a hospital following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of AleppoThaer Mohammed/AFPSyrians wait to receive treatment at a hospital following air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of AleppoThaer Mohammed/AFPCivil defence members and men inspect a crater after an air strike hit the besieged rebel-held al-Qaterji neighbourhood of AleppoAbdalrhman Ismail/ReutersCivil defence members and residents inspect a site damaged after an air strike in the rebel-held al-Qaterji neighbourhood of AleppoAbdalrhman Ismail/ReutersA man mourns on the rubble of damaged buildings after losing relatives to an air strike on the besieged rebel-held al-Qaterji neighbourhood of AleppoAbdalrhman Ismail/ReutersDust-covered boys cry following apparent Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of AleppoThaer Mohammed/AFPThe sun sets over Aleppo as seen from a rebel-held part of the cityAbdalrhman Ismail/Reuters
Assad's forces, backed by Russia, had reduced air raids in the northern city last week. The Syrian army said that was partly to allow civilians to leave opposition-held eastern neighbourhoods. The Syrian government said rebels holed up in Aleppo could leave with their families if they laid down their arms. Insurgents denounced that offer as a deception. President Bashar al-Assad seeks the complete recapture of Aleppo, which was Syria's biggest city before the war started five-and-a-half years ago. The city has been divided between government and opposition control for years.
North of Aleppo, the operation to drive Islamic State out of villages near the Turkish border, dubbed "Euphrates Shield", is in its 50th day. Turkish-backed rebel fighters have made gains and suffered setbacks as the jihadists are putting up what Turkey's military described as "stiff resistance".
"Due to stiff resistance of the Daesh (Islamic State) terror group, progress could not be achieved in an attack launched to take four settlements," it said, naming the areas east of the town of Azaz as Kafrah, Suran, Ihtimalat and Duvaybik. The Turkish-backed rebels have seized control of about 1,100 square km (425 square miles) of territory from Islamic State since the operation began, the military said.
The Turkish-Syrian opposition coalition is advancing in the direction of Dabiq, which occupies a central place in Islamic State propaganda. The extremists, citing ancient prophecy, believe Dabiq will be the scene of an apocalyptic battle between Christianity and Islam.
Fighters from the Free Syrian Army take part in a battle against jihadists in the northern Syrian village of Yahmoul, north of AleppoNazeer al-Khatib/AFPFighters from the Free Syrian Army fire an anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on a vehicle during fighting against Islamic State in the northern Syrian village of YahmoulNazeer al-Khatib/AFPRebel fighters rest in the village of Rael, in the Marj Dabiq area north of the embattled city of Aleppo, after they captured it from Islamic StateNazeer al-Khatib/AFPRebel fighters drive their vehicles after apprarently recapturing the villages of Baraghedeh and Kafr-Ghan, near the Turkish borderKhalil Ashawi/ReutersA rebel fighter stands near the dead body of what appears to be an Islamic State militant, in Turkman BarehKhalil Ashawi/ReutersSatellite dishes damaged by Islamic State militants are pictured inside a mosque in Turkman Bareh village in northern Aleppo Governorate, after rebel fighters advanced into the areaKhalil Ashawi/ReutersAn office that was used by Islamic State militants is pictured in Turkman BarehKhalil Ashawi/ReutersA safe is seen inside a cash collection centre that belonged to Islamic State militants in Turkman Bareh villageKhalil Ashawi/ReutersSandbags are seen inside an institution of religious law that was used by Islamic State militants in Turkman BarehKhalil Ashawi/ReutersA rebel fighter takes away an Islamic State flag after recapturing Akhtarin village in northern Aleppo GovernorateKhalil Ashawi/ReutersRebel fighters pray near their weapons as they advance towards Azaz, a town near the Turkish border, north of AleppoKhalil Ashawi/ReutersA convoy of rebel fighters advances towards the Isis-held town of AzazKhalil Ashawi/ReutersA rebel fighter escorts people who fled from Islamic State-controlled areas as they arrive in the northern Syrian rebel-held town of WaqfKhalil Ashawi/ReutersPeople who fled from Isis-controlled areas react as they arrive in the northern Syrian rebel-held town of Waqf, near al-Rai in Aleppo GovernorateKhalil Ashawi/Reuters
The operation has also targeted a Kurdish militia whose presence along its border Turkey sees as a threat.
