Opposition uprising in Syria: militants have reached the center of Aleppo.

Syrian opposition fighters have reached the center of Aleppo on the second day of their uprising against President Bashar Assad's regime.

Reuters reports this news.

The militants from the opposition group claim to have launched their offensive in response to increased joint Syrian and Russian strikes on the civilian population in Idlib, a city controlled by the rebels.

Local authorities in Aleppo are blocking roads leading into the city and have closed the airport. Meanwhile, Russia has announced plans to send assistance to the Syrian government—additional forces to suppress the uprising will arrive within the next three days.

Note. The Syrian uprising, which began in 2011, gained new momentum on November 27 of this year when opposition forces decided to initiate an offensive from Idlib province. Within a few days, the rebels advanced approximately 50 km.

The opposition is fighting against the pro-Russian Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has been in power since 2000. They view his government as authoritarian and totalitarian, demanding democratic reforms from the authorities.

Background. Earlier, Mind reported that Syrian rebels entered Aleppo, pushing Assad's troops out. Residents welcomed them with joy, erasing images of Bashar Assad from vehicles.