The Syrian government carried out heavy airstrikes on eastern, rebel-held parts of the city of Aleppo on Tuesday, ending a lull in such attacks that held for nearly three weeks.
A barrel bomb dropped by a helicopter killed at least one woman and injured five others, CNN reported. Planes also used high explosive parachute bombs on besieged neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo.
The Aleppo Media Center and the emergency aid group White Helmets both confirmed the resumption of airstrikes to CNN.
Residents received text messages on Sunday from the government warning them to leave the city within 24 hours before the massive assault began.
The strikes came as the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad launched a new offensive to take Aleppo.
Russia, meanwhile, on Tuesday began combat operations against "terrorists"in the provinces of Idlib and Homs with its aircraft carrier the Admiral Kuznetsov. Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov told reporters that discussions were "ongoing" on whether Russia would attack Aleppo soon, CNN noted. Moscow has been allied with the Assad government during Syria's civil war.
Tuesday's airstrikes ended a nearly three-week lull in strikes on the city by Syrian and Russian forces after the Russian Defense Ministry announced a moratorium.
Eastern Aleppo remains under the control of several rebel groups fighting the Assad regime, including some moderate rebels and Islamic terrorist groups. The Syrian regime insists that it is only bombing terrorists, although many strikes have reportedly targeted civilians. Hospitals, schools, and civilian neighborhoods have been bombed extensively by both Syrian and Russian aircraft.
The Syrian regime and Russian forces have pushed through much of Aleppo, but the eastern portion of the city has not fallen. This has led to a humanitarian crisis in several neighborhoods, as aid has not been allowed to flow in, sparking international criticism and condemnation.
An aid convoy, for example, that was attempting to enter Aleppo in September was hit with an airstrike by either Russian or Syrian planes.