Opposition groups say they have broken a government siege of Syria's second city - but the regime denies the claim.
Video:
A spokesman for the Free Syrian Army, Yasser al Haji, talks to Sky News about the siege of Aleppo
Rebel
groups in Syria have claimed to have broken the regime's siege of Aleppo
after days of fierce fighting which has killed more than 500
combatants.
The Jabhat Fatah al Sham group said in a statement
its fighters are working to "establish control over (the) remaining
positions to break the siege".
A commander from another rebel group told Reuters the siege has been broken, but said it was early days and matters are "not easy".
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels have linked up with fighters from the city's east, breaking the siege, although no secure corridor has been established.
A pro-Syrian government news outlet affiliated with the
Lebanese group Hezbollah, fighting on the side of Syrian President
Bashar al Assad, said in a statement there was no truth to the reports.
Rebel and regime forces have been battling for control of Aleppo, Syria's second city, since mid-2012.
Opposition fighters and jihadists took control of territory south of Aleppo on Saturday in a bid to cut off regime forces and open a new route into besieged rebel-held districts.
"The Army of Conquest … took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunition, and a large part of the artillery school," the Observatory said.
Rahman added that the advance leaves the Assad regime "in a very difficult position despite Russian air support".
"This is an existential battle. Whoever wins it will win Aleppo," he said.
Syrian state-controlled media said the army has sent reinforcements in a counter-offensive to take on "thousands of terrorist fighters".
An army officer told state television troops had advanced in the areas seized by rebels and were inflicting "heavy losses" on them.
"Of course I have faith in the army, but I can't help being scared," said a 34-year-old resident of a government-held area.
"Food is already getting more expensive and the coming days risk being very difficult.
"We are thinking about how to leave."
The Syrian conflict broke out in March 2011 and has killed more than 280,000 people and forced half the country's population to flee their homes.
A commander from another rebel group told Reuters the siege has been broken, but said it was early days and matters are "not easy".
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebels have linked up with fighters from the city's east, breaking the siege, although no secure corridor has been established.
A rebel fighter sits with his weapon in Aleppo
Rebel and regime forces have been battling for control of Aleppo, Syria's second city, since mid-2012.
Opposition fighters and jihadists took control of territory south of Aleppo on Saturday in a bid to cut off regime forces and open a new route into besieged rebel-held districts.
"The Army of Conquest … took control of the armament school, where there is a large amount of ammunition, and a large part of the artillery school," the Observatory said.
Rahman added that the advance leaves the Assad regime "in a very difficult position despite Russian air support".
Fighters from the Syrian Islamist group Jabhat Fateh al Sham
Syrian state-controlled media said the army has sent reinforcements in a counter-offensive to take on "thousands of terrorist fighters".
An army officer told state television troops had advanced in the areas seized by rebels and were inflicting "heavy losses" on them.
"Of course I have faith in the army, but I can't help being scared," said a 34-year-old resident of a government-held area.
"Food is already getting more expensive and the coming days risk being very difficult.
"We are thinking about how to leave."
The Syrian conflict broke out in March 2011 and has killed more than 280,000 people and forced half the country's population to flee their homes.
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