The city of Aleppo is divided into areas held separately by the government and the opposition.

The Syrian army and allied militia aided by heavy Russian air support made further advances on Tuesday in a major offensive that could cut insurgents’ supply lines from Turkey to Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Syrian state media also reported advances that appear aimed at breaking through rebel-held territory north of Aleppo to reach the Shi’ite villages of Nubul and al-Zahraa, which are loyal to Damascus.

The city of Aleppo is divided into areas held separately by the government and the opposition. It is the first major offensive north of Aleppo since Russia began an air campaign in support of President Bashar al-Assad on Sept. 30.

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