Backed By Russia, Syrian Government Fights For Aleppo

By Worldview
In this file photo taken in June, provided by the Syrian Civil Defense Directorate in Liberated Province of Aleppo, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian civil defense workers help an injured woman after warplanes attacked a street, in Aleppo, Syria. Residents trapped in rebel-controlled Aleppo are struggling to survive the crippling encirclement of their once thriving city. Bread, medication and fuel are running short. For the tens of thousands who chose to remain, the battle for Aleppo is a pivot point in the Syrian war.
In this file photo taken in June, provided by the Syrian Civil Defense Directorate in Liberated Province of Aleppo, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian civil defense workers help an injured woman after warplanes attacked a street, in Aleppo, Syria. Residents trapped in rebel-controlled Aleppo are struggling to survive the crippling encirclement of their once thriving city. Bread, medication and fuel are running short. For the tens of thousands who chose to remain, the battle for Aleppo is a pivot point in the Syrian war. Civil Defense Directorate in Liberated Province of Aleppo via AP
In this file photo taken in June, provided by the Syrian Civil Defense Directorate in Liberated Province of Aleppo, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian civil defense workers help an injured woman after warplanes attacked a street, in Aleppo, Syria. Residents trapped in rebel-controlled Aleppo are struggling to survive the crippling encirclement of their once thriving city. Bread, medication and fuel are running short. For the tens of thousands who chose to remain, the battle for Aleppo is a pivot point in the Syrian war.
In this file photo taken in June, provided by the Syrian Civil Defense Directorate in Liberated Province of Aleppo, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows Syrian civil defense workers help an injured woman after warplanes attacked a street, in Aleppo, Syria. Residents trapped in rebel-controlled Aleppo are struggling to survive the crippling encirclement of their once thriving city. Bread, medication and fuel are running short. For the tens of thousands who chose to remain, the battle for Aleppo is a pivot point in the Syrian war. Civil Defense Directorate in Liberated Province of Aleppo via AP

Backed By Russia, Syrian Government Fights For Aleppo

By Worldview
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Syrian government forces have retaken some sections of Aleppo with help from Russian air strikes. Last week’s siege cut off supply lines to rebels who have held much of the northern Syrian city since 2012. 

The UN estimates that about 300,000 civilians are trapped in Aleppo as food and medical supplies continue to dwindle amid the fighting. The Russian government has opened “humanitarian corridors” for civilians to escape the ongoing fighting, but many residents don’t trust that they’ll find safety on the other side. 

The alliance between the Syrian government and Russia has proven effective at countering extremism among Syrian rebels, but comes as many Western observers fear Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad is regaining power. 

To discuss the complicated political and humanitarian situation in Aleppo, we talk with Dr. Zaher Sahloul, a former president of the Syrian American Medical Society, who has worked on the humanitarian situation there.