Aleppo’s rebels struggle to hold on as regime, IS advance
Rebels in Aleppo say they are preparing a counterattack to recover the vital Sheikh Najjar Industrial City, which was captured by regime forces early this month.
ALEPPO, Syria – Opposition fighters in the city of Aleppo are not hiding their concern about fast-moving events on the outskirts of their city and in the northeastern countryside. The progress being made by regime forces and the Islamic State (IS) has become worrisome and extremely dangerous.
A group of activists have gathered in the village of Tal Shaeer to provide support for opposition fighters. Tal Shaeer is the closest rebel foothold to the Sheikh Najjar Industrial City, which fell to regime forces and allied militias on July 5. The activists knew that they might soon be encircled, so they decided to send their best fighters to help prevent it in an operation dubbed the Sword of Aleppo for the People of the Levant.
Opposition fighters fortify their position with the help of activists from the “Sword of Aleppo,” July 23, 2014. Photo by Mohammed al-Khatieb
