The 13-year civil war in Syria has roared back into prominence with a surprise rebel offensive on one of Syria’s largest cities and ancient business hub.

Rebel forces have entered parts of Syria's second-largest city, Aleppo, a monitoring group says, in the biggest offensive against the government in years. The UK-based group says fighters set off two car bombs before advancing into neighbourhoods, without giving further details.

Assad's regime forces began in the Aleppo region of Syria. The key to this offensive is technology and tactics well known from Ukraine. We present what the rebels are using. After years of relative calm in Syria,

Fighting in northwestern Syria over the last three days has killed 27 civilians, including eight children, a United Nations official said on Friday, in some of the worst violence in years between Syrian government forces and rebels.

STORY: Intense fighting in northwestern Syria over the last three days between government forces and rebels has killed 27 civilians, including children.That’s according to a UN official who called the violence unfolding in Syria "deeply" alarming.

The Kremlin said on Friday it wanted the Syrian government to restore constitutional order in the Aleppo region as soon as possible after an insurgent offensive there that captured territory for the first time in years.