Russian, Syrian fighter jets resume airstrikes in rebel-held eastern Aleppo

Airstrikes are pounding rebel-held eastern Aleppo early Tuesday for the first time in about three weeks, the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Russia announced in mid-October that it would halt airstrikes in support of President Bashar al-Assad to give rebels and civilians time to clear out of the rebel-controlled parts of Syria's biggest city, and Syria refused to allow the United Nations safe passage to deliver aid to the besieged areas when the Syrians decided to stay. A Syrian rebel activist tells The Associated Press that fighter jets are dropping barrel bombs and firing missiles in eastern Aleppo.

The Observatory also said that Russia and Syria bombed a hospital in Awaijel, killing a least one person, early Tuesday after striking two other hospitals west of Aleppo on Monday. Russia confirmed early Tuesday that it has begun a major offensive in two Syrian provinces, Iblib and Homs, southwest of Aleppo.