Jihadist rebels begin major assault on government-held areas of Aleppo.

Syrian rebel fighters, linked to jihadists, have begun a major assault on government-held areas of Aleppo.

The group claim to have taken over army positions in the south west of the city within the first few hours of launching the battle.

The area has been under siege since early July with a quarter of a million civilians trapped.

The rebels include the former al-Qaeda linked Nusra Front and the newly formed group Islamist Jabhat Fatah al Sham.

Meanwhile, in Manbij, close to the Turkish border, US backed forces, including a Kurdish armed group, have taken control of 70% of the city. It was being held by rival armed groups including ISIL.