Syrian rebels say they are pushing forward with a huge offensive aimed at breaking a weeks’ long government siege on eastern Aleppo.<br /><br /> At least 15 civilians have been killed in heavy shelling and suicide car bomb attacks – among them a number of children, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Over a hundred people are said to have been injured since the operation began on Friday morning. <br /><br /> Russian news agency Interfax later reported the Defence Ministry had asked President Vladimir Putin’s authority to resume air strikes against militants in the east of the city, following a ten-day pause.<br /><br /> Moscow, which supports the Syrian government in the conflict, is calling for the so-called moderate opposition rebel forces in the area to be separated from terrorist groups.<br />
