Syrian Rebels Threaten Supply Lines to Aleppo

Fighting continued Oct. 8 in the northwestern Syrian city of Aleppo, the country's commercial capital and the scene of an intensifying battle since rebels declared a new offensive on the city Sept. 27. Despite considerable efforts, the rebels have made only limited gains in their offensive so far.

The rebels have, however, made significant advances in northern Syria that threaten to cut off regime forces in Aleppo — a development that could prove decisive in the long run. If the rebels manage to sever the regime's supply lines into the city, the stalemate would be broken and substantial regime forces would be trapped within the city. In turn, the rebels would be able to launch larger offensives into the south of the country.