Bombs hit war-ravaged Aleppo
Shells have rained down on the northern Syrian town of Aleppo as government, rebel groups and Islamic State fight for control of the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported dozens of barrel bombs, oil drums or cylinders packed with explosives and shrapnel, were dropped by military helicopters on the city, killing at least thirty-two civilians Rebel forces are also reported to have launched their own attacks. Meanwhile, the city of Raqqa, 200 km away from Aleppo, is also the scene of fierce fighting. It’s the first time the Syrian army has crossed into Raqqa Province since Islamic State took control of it in 2014. This renewed fighting signals a possible turning point in the conflict with Syrian President Assad attempting to reassert his power over a weakening Islamic State and fragmented rebel groups.