Syrian War News Updates -- October 19, 2015

Reuters: Syrian rebels say receive more weapons for Aleppo battle

Rebels battling the Syrian army and its allies near Aleppo said on Monday they had received new supplies of U.S.-made anti-tank missiles from states opposed to President Bashar al-Assad since the start of a major government offensive last week.

The rebels from three groups contacted by Reuters said new supplies had arrived in response to the attack by the army, which is backed up by Russian air strikes and on the ground by Iranian fighters and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

The delivery of the U.S.-made TOW missiles to rebels in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria appears to be an initial response to the new Russian-Iranian intervention. Foreign states supporting the rebels include Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

Syrian War News Updates -- October 19, 2015

Syria conflict: 'Thousands flee Aleppo offensive' -- BBC
Syrian Regime, Backed by Russia, Iran and Hezbollah, Expands Ground Offensive to Aleppo -- WSJ
Syrian troops advance toward air base besieged by IS -- Washington Post/AP
Syrian military advances on rebel forces in Aleppo province -- UPI
Iran backs battle for Syria's Aleppo with proxies, ground troops -- Washington Post
Syrian War Update: Aleppo Hospitals Close Following Airstrikes As Medical Organizations Blame Russian Campaign For Targeting Civilians -- IBTimes
The Strategic Importance Of The Battle For Syria's Aleppo (Audio) -- NPR
Russian planes make 33 sorties, hit 49 targets in Syria: Ifax -- Reuters
Russian Jets Destroy 49 Terrorist Targets in Syria -- Sputnik
Russia says 49 targets hit in latest Syria strikes -- AFP
Russian aircraft make 33 sorties over past 24 hours targeting 49 IS facilities in Syria -- TASS
Syria conflict: Air strikes 'kill 40 IS militants' -- BBC
Airstrikes in Syria kill 'dozens of ISIL fighters' -- Al Jazeera
Syria conflict: Air strikes 'kill 40 IS militants' -- BBC
Syrian troops advance toward air base besieged by IS -- AP
Russian Warplanes Make More Sorties Over Syria -- REF
Russian Airstrikes Help Syrian Army Liberate New Areas Near Aleppo -- Sputnik
Syria: Russia building new airstrip in Latakia for more air raids against Isis -- IBTimes
Fanning Flames of War: Syrian Opposition Receives New Batch of US-Made Arms -- Sputnik
Battle-weary Syrian forces struggle despite Russian air war -- AFP
Russian airstrikes in Syria 'redrawing battlefield lines', sending ISIS fleeing (VIDEO) -- RT
Russia, Iran Changing ‘Equation of Syrian Battle Against ISIL’ -- Sputnik
US wants to avoid 'total destruction' of Syria: Kerry -- AFP
Kerry to Meet Russia, Others to Discuss 'Tangible' Syria Solution -- NBC
Kerry Plans Multilateral Talks on Syria Political Transition -- VOA