Large offensive of Syrian government forces with tanks, helicopters fighter against Aleppo 2907121

Conflict in the World - Syria

Sunday, July 29, 2012, 11:03 AM

Large offensive of Syrian government forces with tanks, helicopters and fighter against Aleppo.

Helicopter gunships opened fire over Aleppo on Sunday, July 29, 2012, and the thud of artillery boomed across neighborhoods as government forces and rebels fought for control of Syria's second city. Opposition activists reported clashes in several rebel-held districts in the morning in what could herald the start of a decisive phase in the battle for Aleppo, Syria's commercial hub.

Free Syrian army soldiers sit in a pick up truck in Aleppo, Syria, Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Helicopter gunships flew over the Saif al-Dawla district as well as Salaheddin, where rebels held off an offensive by ground troops backed by tanks and helicopters on Saturday, July 28, 2012.

Assad's forces, including tank columns, have been massing for an assault to wrest back neighborhoods from rebel units and skirmishing has been going on for days in districts such as southwestern Saleheddine.

The battles in Aleppo started a week ago, when the armed rebels announced the commencement of the battle "to free Aleppo" after being dislodged from the capital Damascus.

Aleppo, the commercial hub of Syria, witnessed intense clashes Saturday, July 29, 2012, in what some pro-government media said was the army's operation to regain control of the city.