Aleppo

Turkey’s supply line to opposition groups operating in and around Aleppo has been cut off due to Russian airstrikes and pro-government forces weakening rebel groups.  Russian airstrikes across northern Syria has driven the epicenter of war towards the north of Aleppo following Turkey’s shooting down of its warplane last year. At the same time pro-government forces have broken a rebel siege of two villages in the north, cutting Turkey’s supply line to opposition groups.

Back in October, we brought you “Syrian Showdown: Russia, Iran Rally Forces, US Rearms Rebels As ‘Promised’ Battle For Aleppo Begins,” in which we detailed Russia and Iran’s preparations for an push north towards Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city that’s held by a hodgepodge of militants, rebels, and jihadists (if one is inclined to differentiate between the three).