Tensions between Israel and Syria continue to focus on the strategically important Golan Heights, as both sides remain locked in a dispute over territory and security.

Israel captured most of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 war and later extended its laws and administration over the area. The United Nations and most of the international community continue to regard the territory as occupied Syrian land.

The situation has become more complicated since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, when Israeli forces moved into the UN-patrolled buffer zone and expanded their military presence in southern Syria.

The latest developments come amid wider efforts to determine the future of Israel-Syria relations, with the Golan Heights remaining one of the most sensitive territorial issues in any potential agreement.

Israel, Syria Tussle Over Control of Golan Heights

A momentous occasion took a fatal turn when drones rained down on a military institute in Syria's Homs. Memories turned to nightmares as a ghastly attack claimed over 100 lives.

Drone strike at Syrian military school kills over 100 | The West Asia Post

By Greg Barton

“Remaining and expanding”. The propaganda tagline of Islamic State (IS) has rung hollow since the collapse of the physical caliphate. But recent developments in northeastern Syria threaten to give it fresh legitimacy.

US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Turkey after he announced the Turkish government agreed to a permanent ceasefire in northern Syria.

In a televised speech, he pushed back against criticisms of his decision to remove 1,000 troops from Syria, abandoning their Kurdish allies.

This decision allowed Turkish forces – a hybrid of Turkish military and Free Syrian Army rebels, including jihadi extremists – to surge across the Turkish border and begin intense bombardment of towns and cities liberated from IS.

Just how quickly and how far IS will rise from now remains unclear. One thing that’s certain, however, is that IS and the al-Qaeda movement that spawned it, plan and act for the long-term. They believe in their divine destiny and are prepared to sacrifice anything to achieve it.

In speaking about the resurgence of IS, we risk talking up the IS brand, the very thing it cares so very much about. But the greater risk is underestimating the capacity for reinvention, resilience and enduring appeal of IS.

And complacency and short-sighted politics threaten to lead us to repeat the mistakes of a decade ago that saw a decimated Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) insurgency roar back to life.

From violent beginnings

In 2006, Sunni tribes in northwestern Iraq killed or arrested the majority of ISI fighters with US support, reducing their strength from many thousands to a few hundred.

But with no backing for the Sunni tribes from the poorly functioning, Shia-dominated government in Baghdad, the outbreak of civil war in Syria, and the draw-down of US troops, ISI launched an insurgency in Syria before rising triumphant as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

ISIS quickly became the most potent terrorist group in history, drawing more than 40,000 fighters from around the world, and seizing control of northeastern Syria and northwestern Iraq.

The final defeat of the IS caliphate in northeastern Syria came after five hard years of fighting and 11,000 lives from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), largely composed of members of the Kurdish YPG.

To the US, the SDF fighters were local partners and boots-on-the-ground after multiple false starts and expensive mistakes from allying with rebel groups in the Free Syrian Army. Without this SDF alliance, the IS caliphate could not be toppled.

Trump’s betrayal could open up ISIS recruitment

Donald Trump’s betrayal of the SDF in recent weeks is disastrous on several levels. It ignores the threat IS represents and validates ISIS’s central narrative.

What’s more, it contributes to the very circumstances of neglect, cynical short-term thinking and governance failures that lead to giving the IS insurgency an open pathway for recruiting.

Trump’s reckless move to withdraw 1,000 special forces troops from Syria comes from an impatience to end an 18-year long “Global War on Terrorism” military campaign of unprecedented expense.

This is somewhat understandable. After almost $6 trillion of US Federal expenditure and two decades of fighting, surely enough is enough.

But the inconvenient truth is IS and al-Qaeda jihadi fighters around the world have increased, in some estimates nearly four-fold, since September 11.

Still, betraying the SDF and pulling out of Syria for small short-term savings risks jeopardising all that has been achieved in defeating the IS caliphate in northwestern Iraq.

IS hardliners in overcrowded camps

IS will never return to its days of power as a physical caliphate, but all the evidence points to it tipping past an inflection point and beginning a long, steady resurgence.

IS has thousands of terrorist fighters still active in the field in northern Iraq. They’re attacking by night and rebuilding strength from disgruntled Sunni communities, as well as having thousands of fighters lying low in Syria.

But in recent months, the tempo of IS attacks has shifted from Iraq to Syria with the previously hidden insurgency reemerging.

As many as 12,000 terrorist fighters, including 2,000 foreigners, are detained in prisons run, at least until this week, by the SDF. Many are located in the border region now being overrun by the Turkish military and the Syrian jihadi it counts as loyal instruments.

Elsewhere, in poorly secured overcrowded camps for internally displaced peoples (IDPs), tens of thousands of women, many fiercely loyal to IS, and children are held in precarious circumstances.

In the Al Hawl camp alone there are more than 60,000 women and children linked to IS, including 11 Australian women and their 44 children, along with 10,000 IDPs.

The IS hardliners not only enforce a reign of terror within the camps, but are in regular communication with IS insurgents. They confidently await their liberation by the IS insurgent forces.

Liberated ISIS fighters

The hope of being freed is neither naive nor remote. Already, hundreds of fighters and IDPs have escaped the prisons and camps since the Turkish offensive began.

From mid-2012 until mid-2013, IS ran an insurgent campaign called “Breaking the Walls”. It saw thousands of hardened senior ISIS leaders, and many other militants who would later join the movement, broken out of half a dozen prisons surrounding Baghdad.

Suicide squads were used to blast holes in prison walls. Heavily armed assault teams moved rapidly through the prisons, blasting open cells and rushing the hundreds of liberated terrorist fighters into tactical four-wheel-drives. They were to be driven away in the desert through the night to rebuild the senior ranks of ISIS.

The liberated fighters were not only more valuable to ISIS after their time in prison, with many switching allegiances to join the movement, they were better educated and more deeply radicalised graduating for what they refer to as their terrorist universities.

It would appear the same cycle is now being repeated in northeastern Syria.

(Greg Barton is Chair in Global Islamic Politics, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/us-retreat-from-syria-could-see-islamic-state-roar-back-to-life-125311">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

By Greg Barton “Remaining and expanding”. The propaganda tagline of Islamic State (IS) has rung hollow since the collapse of the physical caliphate. But recent developments in northeastern Syria threaten to give it fresh legitimacy.

By Greg Barton “Remaining and expanding”. The propaganda tagline of Islamic State (IS) has rung hollow since the collapse of the physical caliphate. But recent developments in northeastern Syria threaten to give it fresh legitimacy. US President Donald Trump lifted sanctions on Turkey after he announced the Turkish government agreed to a permanent ceasefire in northern Syria. In a televised speech, he pushed back against criticisms of his decision to remove 1,000 troops from Syria, abandoning their Kurdish allies. This decision allowed Turkish forces – a hybrid of Turkish military and Free Syrian Army rebels, including jihadi extremists – to surge across the Turkish border and begin intense bombardment of towns and cities liberated from IS. Just how quickly and how far IS will rise from now remains unclear. One thing that’s certain, however, is that IS and the al-Qaeda movement that spawned it, plan and act for the long-term. They believe in their divine destiny and are prepared to sacrifice anything to achieve it. In speaking about the resurgence of IS, we risk talking up the IS brand, the very thing it cares so very much about. But the greater risk is underestimating the capacity for reinvention, resilience and enduring appeal of IS. And complacency and short-sighted politics threaten to lead us to repeat the mistakes of a decade ago that saw a decimated Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) insurgency roar back to life. From violent beginnings In 2006, Sunni tribes in northwestern Iraq killed or arrested the majority of ISI fighters with US support, reducing their strength from many thousands to a few hundred. But with no backing for the Sunni tribes from the poorly functioning, Shia-dominated government in Baghdad, the outbreak of civil war in Syria, and the draw-down of US troops, ISI launched an insurgency in Syria before rising triumphant as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). ISIS quickly became the most potent terrorist group in history, drawing more than 40,000 fighters from around the world, and seizing control of northeastern Syria and northwestern Iraq. The final defeat of the IS caliphate in northeastern Syria came after five hard years of fighting and 11,000 lives from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), largely composed of members of the Kurdish YPG. To the US, the SDF fighters were local partners and boots-on-the-ground after multiple false starts and expensive mistakes from allying with rebel groups in the Free Syrian Army. Without this SDF alliance, the IS caliphate could not be toppled. Trump’s betrayal could open up ISIS recruitment Donald Trump’s betrayal of the SDF in recent weeks is disastrous on several levels. It ignores the threat IS represents and validates ISIS’s central narrative. What’s more, it contributes to the very circumstances of neglect, cynical short-term thinking and governance failures that lead to giving the IS insurgency an open pathway for recruiting. Trump’s reckless move to withdraw 1,000 special forces troops from Syria comes from an impatience to end an 18-year long “Global War on Terrorism” military campaign of unprecedented expense. This is somewhat understandable. After almost $6 trillion of US Federal expenditure and two decades of fighting, surely enough is enough. But the inconvenient truth is IS and al-Qaeda jihadi fighters around the world have increased, in some estimates nearly four-fold, since September 11. Still, betraying the SDF and pulling out of Syria for small short-term savings risks jeopardising all that has been achieved in defeating the IS caliphate in northwestern Iraq. IS hardliners in overcrowded camps IS will never return to its days of power as a physical caliphate, but all the evidence points to it tipping past an inflection point and beginning a long, steady resurgence. IS has thousands of terrorist fighters still active in the field in northern Iraq. They’re attacking by night and rebuilding strength from disgruntled Sunni communities, as well as having thousands of fighters lying low in Syria. But in recent months, the tempo of IS attacks has shifted from Iraq to Syria with the previously hidden insurgency reemerging. As many as 12,000 terrorist fighters, including 2,000 foreigners, are detained in prisons run, at least until this week, by the SDF. Many are located in the border region now being overrun by the Turkish military and the Syrian jihadi it counts as loyal instruments. Elsewhere, in poorly secured overcrowded camps for internally displaced peoples (IDPs), tens of thousands of women, many fiercely loyal to IS, and children are held in precarious circumstances. In the Al Hawl camp alone there are more than 60,000 women and children linked to IS, including 11 Australian women and their 44 children, along with 10,000 IDPs. The IS hardliners not only enforce a reign of terror within the camps, but are in regular communication with IS insurgents. They confidently await their liberation by the IS insurgent forces. Liberated ISIS fighters The hope of being freed is neither naive nor remote. Already, hundreds of fighters and IDPs have escaped the prisons and camps since the Turkish offensive began. From mid-2012 until mid-2013, IS ran an insurgent campaign called “Breaking the Walls”. It saw thousands of hardened senior ISIS leaders, and many other militants who would later join the movement, broken out of half a dozen prisons surrounding Baghdad. Suicide squads were used to blast holes in prison walls. Heavily armed assault teams moved rapidly through the prisons, blasting open cells and rushing the hundreds of liberated terrorist fighters into tactical four-wheel-drives. They were to be driven away in the desert through the night to rebuild the senior ranks of ISIS. The liberated fighters were not only more valuable to ISIS after their time in prison, with many switching allegiances to join the movement, they were better educated and more deeply radicalised graduating for what they refer to as their terrorist universities. It would appear the same cycle is now being repeated in northeastern Syria. (Greg Barton is Chair in Global Islamic Politics, Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US retreat from Syria could see Islamic State roar back to life

Israeli warplanes fired missiles targeting Syrian military positions in Homs and the Damascus outskirts in an attack that killed at least four civilians and wounded another 21, Syrian state media said. Watch this video to know more.

Syrian state media: Israeli missile strike kills four civilians

At least three Syrian soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in Israeli missile attacks on the southern province of Quneitra, Syrian state media said Sunday.

The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted Syrian military position in response to two rockets fired from Syria at Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan Heights.

After targeting the outskirts of the capital Damascus, Israel "renewed its aggression by firing several missiles on the eastern countryside of Quneitra," the official SANA news agency reported.

"The aggression resulted in the martyrdom of three soldiers and the injury of seven others in addition to some material losses," it added.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes.

"We won't tolerate fire at our territory, and respond forcefully to any aggression against us," he said.

The army said it fired on "two Syrian artillery batteries, a number of observation and intelligence posts on the Golan Heights, and a SA-2 aerial defence battery".

Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria, most of them against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets.

It says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs President Bashar al-Assad in the country's eight-year war which has killed more than 370,000 people.

At least three Syrian soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in Israeli missile attacks on the southern province of Quneitra, Syrian state media said Sunday.

At least three Syrian soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in Israeli missile attacks on the southern province of Quneitra, Syrian state media said Sunday. The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted Syrian military position in response to two rockets fired from Syria at Mount Hermon in the occupied Golan Heights. After targeting the outskirts of the capital Damascus, Israel "renewed its aggression by firing several missiles on the eastern countryside of Quneitra," the official SANA news agency reported. "The aggression resulted in the martyrdom of three soldiers and the injury of seven others in addition to some material losses," it added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes. "We won't tolerate fire at our territory, and respond forcefully to any aggression against us," he said. The army said it fired on "two Syrian artillery batteries, a number of observation and intelligence posts on the Golan Heights, and a SA-2 aerial defence battery". Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria, most of them against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets. It says it is determined to prevent its arch-foe Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria, where Tehran backs President Bashar al-Assad in the country's eight-year war which has killed more than 370,000 people.

Three Syrian soldiers killed by Israeli missile strikes: Report

The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.

"The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-requests-un-security-council-meeting-on-golan-205899">Also read:&nbsp;Syria requests UN Security Council meeting on Golan Heights</a>

There was no immediate comment from Israel.

The blasts caused an electrical blackout in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a major industrial hub that bore the brunt of years of fighting and heavy Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment on its former rebel-held areas.

Military experts say Aleppo is one of the main areas where Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have a strong military presence supporting local militias that have for years been fighting alongside the Syrian army to defeat insurgents.

Two opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in the area said large ammunition depot and a logistics hub that belonged to Iranian-backed militias inside the industrial zone received direct hits.

Other strikes hit the vicinity of Nairab military airport on the outskirts of Aleppo in the second such strike on the installation used by Iranian troops in less than a year, they added.

Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighbouring countries.

Iran’s growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with its arch-enemy Israel

Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Earlier this year Israeli military said they had attacked Iranian targets that included munitions stores in Damascus International Airport.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria’s war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah.

Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country.

With an election approaching, Israel’s government has increased its attacks in Syria and has taken a tougher stance towards Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon.

Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw.

The strike coincided with an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council that was held at Syria's request over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces.

The Syrian military said Israel on Wednesday launched raids on an industrial zone in the northern city of Aleppo, causing damage only to materials, while opposition sources said the strikes hit Iranian ammunitions stores and a military airport used by Tehran's forces. "The Israeli aggression targeted some positions in Sheikh Najjar industrial zone and a number of enemy missiles were brought down," an army statement said. Also read: Syria requests UN Security Council meeting on Golan Heights There was no immediate comment from Israel. The blasts caused an electrical blackout in Aleppo, the country's second largest city and a major industrial hub that bore the brunt of years of fighting and heavy Russian and Syrian aerial bombardment on its former rebel-held areas. Military experts say Aleppo is one of the main areas where Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have a strong military presence supporting local militias that have for years been fighting alongside the Syrian army to defeat insurgents. Two opposition sources familiar with Tehran's military presence in the area said large ammunition depot and a logistics hub that belonged to Iranian-backed militias inside the industrial zone received direct hits. Other strikes hit the vicinity of Nairab military airport on the outskirts of Aleppo in the second such strike on the installation used by Iranian troops in less than a year, they added. Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias have expanded their control over mainly Sunni areas around Damascus, southern and eastern Syria that bore the brunt of the heaviest bombardment and led to mass displacement or emigration to neighbouring countries. Iran’s growing influence in Syria, where it has struck economic and trade deals, has raised the prospect of a military confrontation with its arch-enemy Israel Israel, which considers Iran its biggest threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets in Syria and those of allied militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Earlier this year Israeli military said they had attacked Iranian targets that included munitions stores in Damascus International Airport. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel had carried out "hundreds" of attacks over the past few years of Syria’s war to curtail Iran and its ally Hezbollah. Israel has said it was crucial to block growing Iranian military influence in Syria and has vowed it would push its troops out of the country. With an election approaching, Israel’s government has increased its attacks in Syria and has taken a tougher stance towards Hezbollah on the border with Lebanon. Iran has warned Israel it would respond if it continued attacking targets in Syria and repeatedly said its military presence in Syria is at the invitation of the Assad government and it has no immediate plans to withdraw. The strike coincided with an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council that was held at Syria's request over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

Syrian army says Israeli strikes hit northern Aleppo city, damages materials only

The Syrian army Wednesday warned civilians and rebels to leave Aleppo or face their &quot;inevitable fate&quot;, hours after it decided to downscale its attack on the eastern part of the embattled city.

Russia-backed Syrian forces had decided to reduce its air strikes and shelling of rebel-held neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo after it claimed to have made significant advances in &quot;cutting off all terrorist supply routes&quot; into such areas.

The decision to lessen its bombardment of rebels came after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart John Kerry discussed Syria over the phone, Russian news agency TASS reported.

&quot;The military command has decided to reduce the number of air strikes and artillery on terrorist positions to allow civilians that want to leave to reach safe areas,&quot; a statement issued by the Syrian army read, AFP reported.

It remains unsure if Russia would reduce its air strikes on the city.

Russia had launched a fresh and a brutal offensive against the United States-supported rebels after a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow crumbled on September 22.

As many as 270 people, including 53 children, have been killed in the last two weeks.

Aleppo, the country&#39;s largest city, has come under siege from Syrian forces loyal to President&nbsp;Bashar al-Assad as it seeks to drive out rebels from the eastern part of the city. &nbsp;

However, air strikes continued to take place on the southern edges of Aleppo on Wednesday despite Assad administrations&#39; decision to reduce its attacks on the rebels. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Washington has decided to suspend its plans to hold bilateral talks with Moscow. It has refused to hold peace talks with the Russian government due to its continuing air strikes on rebel positions in the war-torn city.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The military said the bombings would be reduced after the 'success of its armed forces in Aleppo'

The Syrian army Wednesday warned civilians and rebels to leave Aleppo or face their "inevitable fate", hours after it decided to downscale its attack on the eastern part of the embattled city. Russia-backed Syrian forces had decided to reduce its air strikes and shelling of rebel-held neighbourhoods in eastern Aleppo after it claimed to have made significant advances in "cutting off all terrorist supply routes" into such areas. The decision to lessen its bombardment of rebels came after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart John Kerry discussed Syria over the phone, Russian news agency TASS reported. "The military command has decided to reduce the number of air strikes and artillery on terrorist positions to allow civilians that want to leave to reach safe areas," a statement issued by the Syrian army read, AFP reported. It remains unsure if Russia would reduce its air strikes on the city. Russia had launched a fresh and a brutal offensive against the United States-supported rebels after a ceasefire brokered by Washington and Moscow crumbled on September 22. As many as 270 people, including 53 children, have been killed in the last two weeks. Aleppo, the country's largest city, has come under siege from Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad as it seeks to drive out rebels from the eastern part of the city. However, air strikes continued to take place on the southern edges of Aleppo on Wednesday despite Assad administrations' decision to reduce its attacks on the rebels. Meanwhile, Washington has decided to suspend its plans to hold bilateral talks with Moscow. It has refused to hold peace talks with the Russian government due to its continuing air strikes on rebel positions in the war-torn city. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Syria announces surprise easing of Aleppo assault

At least 52 civilians were killed on Saturday in the Syrian government&#39;s offensive on the rebel-held eastern areas of Aleppo city, a monitor said. 
 
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the toll was expected to rise because people were trapped under rubble. 
 
The ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia has collapsed, and the Syrian military announced a new offensive to recapture the city on Thursday. Scores of people have been killed since then.&nbsp; 
 
There was massive destruction in several neighbourhoods, including Al-Kalasseh and Bustan al-Qasr, where some streets were almost erased by the bombardment, AFP reported. 
 
At least 47 people were killed on Friday in heavy bombing, the Observatory reported. Seven of those killed were children. Reuters reported&nbsp;Hamza al-Khatib, head of a hospital in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, saying that 91 people had died in Friday&#39;s bombardment.&nbsp;The air strikes razed buildings, including several bases of the civil defence organisation White Helmet. The group has only two fire engines left for all of east Aleppo, AFP reported, and is struggling to get around the city.&nbsp; 
 
Meanwhile, government forces siezed the rebel-held Handarat camp north of Aleppo in the first ground offensive on Saturday. The rebels had controlled the camp for years.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Handarat has fallen,&quot; an official with one of the main Aleppo rebel groups told Reuters. An army statement confirmed a &quot;large number of terrorists&quot; have been killed, Reuters reported.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Govt forces also seized the rebel-held Handarat camp to the north of the city

At least 52 civilians were killed on Saturday in the Syrian government's offensive on the rebel-held eastern areas of Aleppo city, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the toll was expected to rise because people were trapped under rubble. The ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia has collapsed, and the Syrian military announced a new offensive to recapture the city on Thursday. Scores of people have been killed since then. There was massive destruction in several neighbourhoods, including Al-Kalasseh and Bustan al-Qasr, where some streets were almost erased by the bombardment, AFP reported. At least 47 people were killed on Friday in heavy bombing, the Observatory reported. Seven of those killed were children. Reuters reported Hamza al-Khatib, head of a hospital in rebel-held eastern Aleppo, saying that 91 people had died in Friday's bombardment. The air strikes razed buildings, including several bases of the civil defence organisation White Helmet. The group has only two fire engines left for all of east Aleppo, AFP reported, and is struggling to get around the city. Meanwhile, government forces siezed the rebel-held Handarat camp north of Aleppo in the first ground offensive on Saturday. The rebels had controlled the camp for years. "Handarat has fallen," an official with one of the main Aleppo rebel groups told Reuters. An army statement confirmed a "large number of terrorists" have been killed, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from agencies)

At least 52 killed in govt offensive on eastern Aleppo: Observer

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