Wall Street Journal: Syria Regime and Aleppo Rebels Gird for Battle
President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and opposition fighters are massing on the city’s long front line
The front line that divides Aleppo is marked by sandbags and overturned vehicles and zigzags through the cobblestone streets of the Old City’s historic souk. Despite years of bombardment by the Syrian regime and rebel counterattacks, the line has barely moved.
The warring sides are now hunkered down and massing on either side of the five-mile-long frontier, girding for intensified battles for control of the city, a goal that has eluded both Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the rebels since Aleppo was split in 2012.
The rebels are outmatched by the air power and military might of Syria and Russia. But regime ground forces haven’t proven adept at the urban warfare required to battle street-by-street and recapture the entire city.
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ASIA
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ICC claims US may have committed war crimes in Afghanistan.
New Zealand evacuates quake-hit town, fears of Wellington building collapse.
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China revives ‘comrade’ in drive for Communist party discipline.
AFRICA
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Niger Delta Avengers strike again.
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AMERICAS
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TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
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ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
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