ALEPPO, Syria — The population of the rebel-controlled northern countryside of Aleppo is taking the brunt of Bashar al-Assad’s airstrikes and the Islamic State’s (IS) mortar shells. Al-Jabha al-Shamiya (Shamiya Front), the largest faction in northern Aleppo, is facing a major challenge.
IS has been waging the heaviest attacks on the region since May 31, in an attempt to seize the rebel-controlled towns. Meanwhile, the regime warplanes and helicopters are carrying out unprecedented strikes on the northern towns of Marea, Tall Rifaat and Herbel.