How critical is the city of Aleppo in Syria’s war?

Aleppo was once Syria’s commercial and economic heart. It used to be a place of high cuisine and culture, and its ancient city was named a world heritage site by the United Nations.

Now, it’s facing what Syrian commanders call a “comprehensive” offensive, involving ground troops, artillery and air strikes.

Warplanes have resumed targeting the rebel-held eastern part of the city.

Aleppo is seen as a big prize in the civil war and the Syrian government seems determined to regain full control.

Diplomats meeting in New York are not able to restore a ceasefire which started last week but did not last.

So the fighting goes on and more Syrians are dying.

Presenter: Martine Dennis

Guests:

James Denselow – Fellow at the Centre for Syrian Studies.

Taleb Ibrahim – Syrian political analyst.

Assaad Al Achi – Executive director of Baytna Syria.