Syrian War News Updates -- May 12, 2016

Reuters: Fighting erupts north of Aleppo as ceasefire expires

Syrian government forces battled rebels north of Aleppo on Thursday as a ceasefire expired in the city itself, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and rebel sources said.

The fighting was focused around the rebel-held Handarat area which is important because it is near the last route into opposition-held areas of Aleppo, Syria's biggest city before the conflict and now divided between the government and rebels.

The Observatory said pro-government forces had launched an attack in the area, supported by air strikes targeting Handarat in addition to the only road into rebel-held areas of the city.

At least five insurgents were killed in the fighting, the British-based Observatory said.

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WNU Editor: The above is a video of a massive tunnel bomb explosion in Aleppo last week.

Syrian War News Updates -- May 12, 2016

As cease-fire ends, ISIS advances on Palmyra in Syria -- CBS/AP
Truce ends in Syria's Aleppo as aid heads for besieged town -- AFP
Syrian War Rages on in Spite of an Extended Ceasefire, US-Russian Efforts -- Sputnik
Syria's al-Qaida branch seizes central Alawite village -- AP
Rebels seize Alawite village in Syria, abduct civilians: Observatory -- Reuters
IS claims Syrian plane shot in eastern Syria where fighting flares-up -- Reuters
U.S., Britain, France block Russia bid to blacklist Syria rebels -- Reuters
ISIS makes new advance towards Syria's Palmyra -- RUDAW
Islamic State nearly surrounds Palmyra as Syria regime forces fight back; civilian casualties mount -- AFP
Islamic State pushing back to Syria's Palmyra -- The Times of Israel
ISIS pushes toward Syrian city of Palmyra after government capture -- AP
Palmyra faces renewed Daesh threat in Syria -- Al Bawaba
Syria’s al-Qaeda branch seizes central Alawite village -- Al Arabiya
Five Iranian soldiers killed in Syria’s Khan Tuman -- Middle East Monitor
Iran: our Guard forces control the situation in Syria -- Al Arabiya
Iranian army chief: Syria’s Assad “will remain in power” -- Trend News Agency
Syrian currency’s losing streak provokes anger with Assad regime -- Financial Times
‘Life is horrible’: Syria’s Christians Fear Total Genocide -- WCBN