http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/28/world/middleeast/aleppo-syria-ground-offensive.html 2016-09-27 18:03:13 Syrian Soldiers Advance in Aleppo, Backed by Russian Bombing The ground assault would be a major development in the battle for the rebel-held city, amid reports of heavy casualties and shortages of food and medical supplies. === BEIRUT, Lebanon — Government soldiers made advances in the center of the Syrian state television reported that troops loyal to the government of President The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an independent monitoring organization based in London, confirmed that government forces had pushed into the center of Aleppo as part of their Airstrikes on Tuesday afternoon killed at least 11 people in the Sha’ar and Mashhad neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo, the group reported. The ground offensive, if confirmed, would represent a major development in the battle for Aleppo, where fighting has raged Social media accounts associated with opposition fighters said the government was exaggerating the magnitude of its advances. Insurgents from groups that identify themselves as the Free Syrian Army said they had blocked an attempt by government forces to advance on the eastern sections of Aleppo’s Old City. Rebels have been The Syrian military has not demonstrated an ability to quickly take and hold large territories, even with help from thousands of foreign militiamen commanded by Iranian revolutionary guards, Over the last week, Aleppo has been the site of some of the most ferocious fighting in the 5-year-old civil war, following the Mohamed Abu Jaafar Kahil, the head of a medical charity, said in an electronic message that conditions in Aleppo were desperate. “Hospitals have no more room to receive even one more case, due to the huge number of casualties, of wounded and of martyrs who died today at the hands of barbaric Russian warplanes backed by Syrian warplanes,” he said. Mr. Kahil recounted “nonstop bombing” by rockets and other artillery, including Dr. Mohamed al-Ahmad, a radiologist reached via the messaging app Viber, described a dire situation at the hospital where he worked. “We’re running short of drugs, we’re running short of respirators, we don’t have baby milk, especially for newborns,” he said. Bassem Ayoub, an Aleppo resident, reported that food and medical supplies were running out. “Every day is worse then the last,” he said. “Every day I leave my house, I keep in mind that I might not be back. All the people are doing the same here. We’re living day by day. Humanitarian organizations were trying to make repairs to a water pumping station serving the eastern part of the city. Hanaa Singer, the Syria country representative at Unicef, There was no progress on diplomatic efforts to halt the bloodshed. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel denounced the violence but expressed skepticism that a no-fly zone, one of the ideas for stanching the violence, could be instituted. “What we currently see on the ground is very, very brutal and clearly targeting civilians,” she told reporters in Berlin, The Associated Press said, adding that the attacks over the past several days amounted to a “deep, deep setback.” “I’m skeptical that in the current situation we can enforce an immediate no-fly zone,” she said. “It clearly now is up to the Assad regime and also Russia to take a step to improve the chances for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid.”