As things stand this morning, the Syrian army says that anti-government forces have now taken control of "large parts" of Aleppo. Meanwhile, the country's president is vowing to "defend [Syria's] stability and territorial integrity in the face of all terrorists and their backers".

Rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad have launched their biggest offensive in years this week, controlling a majority of Syria's second city of Aleppo according to a monitor.Along with Iran,