Pictures +18 : Russian jets strike jihadi positions in north Aleppo after failed offensive

Huge explosions ripped through the rebel-held towns of north Aleppo countryside as the Russian warplanes conducted several sorties targeting jihadi rebels.

The airstrikes come after the Syrian al-Qaeda branch (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) violated the de-escalation zone deal and attacked the Syrian Army in Bashkoi.

The assailants were identified as members of the al-Qaeda-affiliated group which was evacuated last month from the bordering town of Arsal (near Syria-Lebanon borders) as per an agreement with the Syrian Army and Hezbollah.

The government forces repelled the attach, killing 15 militants and capturing 5 others alive. Six Syrian soldiers were also killed in the assault.

The Syrian and Russian air force responded to the violation by bombing jihadi positions and infrastructure in the northern and western countryside of Aleppo, destroying command centers and headquarters.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a headquarter for Faylaq al-Sham group in Khan al-Asal, and another one for Ahrar al-Sham Sheikh Ali town have come under aerial attack by the Syrian fighter jets.