Syrian president calls on armed forces to redouble efforts in fight for nation

President Bashar al-Assad has urged his armed forces to step up the fight against rebels as the UN reported a significant escalation in the civil war, with the military using warplanes to fire on opposition fighters in the battle for Aleppo.

Sausan Ghosheh, the spokeswoman for the UN mission in Syria, said that international observers had witnessed warplanes firing in Syria’s largest city, where intense fighting has been raging for days. She said the situation in Aleppo was dire, with “heavy use of heavy weapons” including tanks, which the rebels now possess as well.

“Yesterday, for the first time, our observers saw firing from a fighter aircraft. We also now have confirmation that the opposition is in a position of having heavy weapons, including tanks,” she said, adding that for civilians there “is a shortage of food, fuel, water and gas”.

Assad yesterday pushed his armed forces to redouble their efforts in the fight, in a speech that appeared in the army’s magazine and via the state news agency.

“Today you are invited to increase your readiness and willingness for the armed forces to be the shield, wall and fortress of our nation,” he said.

The regime has said the rebellion is the work of foreign terrorists, and Assad claimed “internal agents” are collaborating with them.

“Our battle is against a multifaceted enemy with clear goals. This battle will determine the destiny of our people and the nation’s past, present and future,” he added.

Assad’s whereabouts are unknown and it is not even clear if he is in the capital.

PAUL SCHEMM