Syrian armed groups opposing the government forces and the regime of dictator Bashar al-Assad have launched a large-scale offensive in Aleppo province. The rebels have seized control of several settlements in the country's northwest,

Jihadist fighters cut the Damascus to Aleppo highway on Thursday during an offensive that a monitor says killed around 200, including civilians hit by Russian air force strikes.

Syrian government and opposition factions say Syrian armed groups have launched a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces, setting off fierce clashes for the second day.