Jihadists and their Turkish-backed allies shelled Syria's second city Aleppo on Friday, in a major offensive against government troops that has sparked some of the deadliest fighting the country has seen in years.

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.

Increasing tension in Syria. Rebels have launched an attack on Aleppo, the largest city in the country. This marks the first such offensive in four years against Bashar al-Assad's regime. NEXTA reports that former Wagner Group members are among the deceased.