Syrian regime seizes rebel districts in heart of Aleppo

Regime forces and allied militias seized nearly half of a key rebel-held quarter of Bustan al-Basha near the city centre of the divided metropolis.

Regime forces clashed with rebels in the residential area of Bustan al-Basha near the city centre, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"It's the most important advance for the regime in Aleppo since 2013," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

The advance comes two weeks after Damascus announced an operation to recapture the rebel-held east of the city.

The assault has seen rebel-held areas pounded relentlessly with air strikes, barrel bombs and artillery fire that have killed more than 270 people, according to the Observatory.

The Observatory said there had been fewer airstrikes on Thursday, but that heavy clashes were underway in Bustan al-Basha, with the army now controlling several key vantage points and half of the neighbourhood.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday, the regime's army said anyone who remained in rebel-held areas inside Aleppo would face an "inevitable fate".

Regime forces clashed with rebels in the residential area of Bustan al-Basha near the city centre [AFP]

Regime forces said they cut off rebel supply routes into the city, adding that they had accurate information on the location of all their positions and arms stores.

"The military command has decided to reduce the number of air and artillery strikes on terrorist positions to allow civilians who want to leave to reach safe areas," the statement said.

"Anyone who does not take advantage of the opportunity to lay down their arms or leave will meet their inevitable fate," it added.

Analysts dismissed the army's announcement of a reduction in its bombardment as a "PR gimmick".

"The regime and its allies have made a decision to conquer as much of eastern Aleppo as possible and they're moving ahead on that," said Emile Hokayem, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies told AFP.

"I think such announcements are actually marginal. They are a PR gimmick."

Syria expert Thomas Pierret said the move could be intended to undercut growing international pressure for action over the plight of civilians in east Aleppo, which UN chief Ban Ki-moon has described as worse than "a slaughterhouse".

"The aerial onslaught on Aleppo... has bolstered Western proponents of a tougher approach" on Syria, said Pierret, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh.

"A temporary halt or reduction of bombings could prevent interventionists from gaining further influence."

The assault on Aleppo has damaged or destroyed several hospitals, including the largest facility serving the estimated 250,000 remaining residents, who have been under near-continuous siege since mid-July.

Agencies contributed to this report.