Moscow hosts Syrian-Iranian allies as Aleppo offensive begins

Talks are underway in Moscow between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Syrian and Iranian counterparts to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The meeting on Friday takes place on the same day rebel forces began an offensive on Aleppo aimed at breaking the siege on rebel-held eastern districts of the city.

In a statement before the talks on Friday Lavrov said that Russia will maintain its support for the Syrian regime in the face of threats from "the US and other western states". 

European countries are looking to impose new sanctions to build pressure both pro-regime allies to halt an intense offensive on East Aleppo that began in late September and has seen hundreds killed in the area.

Lavrov is set to hold one on one talks with both Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Iran's Javad Zarif, before the trio hold a joint three-way talk later on Friday.

On Friday morning, rebel groups began a series of attacks on regime positions in different areas of Aleppo having earlier announced the start of a large scale offensive on the city.

The attack, which rebel groups have previously said is aimed at breaking the regime siege of East Aleppo where approximately 250,000 civilians are based.

The offensive appears to be composed of two main assaults on al-Zahra in West Aleppo and Minya, located close to a small corridor of territory, currently held by pro-regime forces, that leads into east Aleppo.