more on the pickup in fighting in aleppo. i spoke with the dean of the johns hopkins school of international studies. this cease-fire was meant to be the bright spot in syria an it's lasted, what, two months? do you think there is any chance it will be revived? >> i don't think so. i think the cease-fire was really treat bid both sides as an opportunity to rearm themselves. it was really a pause rather than a cease-fire. it was treated as a cessation've hostilities so it didn't have the legal ramification of a cease-fire so i think the two sides have armed exactly to have another go at fully capturing aleppo, which is the big prize in syria in terms of positioning one or the other side in the driver's seat if and when there is a final conversation about the futd of syria the >> when you look at those pictures, miserable pictures out of alegal -- aleppo and you look at the hospital hit today, a mosque that was hit, it doesn't look like the rebels are managing to put up much of a fight, does it? >> well, absolutely the governme

they hold a strategic position on a hill overlooking the old citadel of aleppo. (rapid gunfire) >> (talking on walkie-talkie) (gunfire) >> narrator: many schools in aleppo have been destroyed or closed. helen gives lessons to her sisters and their friends. (faint explosion) (gunfire) >> narrator: mohammed sneaks through the front line to explore his friend's home that's been almost totally destroyed by shelling. (loud bang) >> narrator: in parts, the city has become a ghost town. the girls go exploring in abandoned homes. (faint banging) >> allahu akbar, allahu akbar. (cannonfire) allahu akbar! (cannonfire) (gunfire) ♪ (rumbling) (sirens blaring) (crying) (crying continues) (coughing) (crying) >> narrator: in the space of a year, life in aleppo has grown increasingly desperate. islamic extremists have taken over parts of the city. and before christmas, in the middle of the night, the family says isis fighters kidnapped abu ali. they haven't seen him since. >> narrator: hala has heard that she might be able to get asylum in germany, which has announced it will tak

everybody has a stake in the battle in aleppo. you have the islamic state group and outlaws russia, -- and nusra. russia -- and al you have the kurds, the syrian government, the syrian army, backed by russian airstrikes, as shia militia on the ground. a lot of the fighting is justified by the fact that al nusra and islamic state are not part of the truce. by carrying out offensives against them, the government doing so, that could draw the other rebel groups into the fighting, particularly if there are larger offensives on aleppo itself. that is likely to lead to a complete collapse within the cease-fire, and the implication that would have for the peace talks in geneva. molly: adam, thank you very much for that analysis. adam pletts reporting from beirut. the syrian war has sparked the ongoing refugee crisis. italy is bracing once again for a major influx of migrants. according to the international organization for migration, nearly 6000 people have arrived in the country since this past tuesday. last month's controversial migran

declared the situation in the city of aleppo as catastrophic. dozens of lives claimed as bombs hit another hospital. washington is outraged, and said the attacks appeared deliberate. blast off from russia's new cosmonaut. let them your putin's prestige project, dogged by setbacks and allegations of corruption. and, a defection in the highest ranks of german soccer. a player one side of his contract so he can play for the bundesliga rival in munich. brent: it is good to have you with us. it tonight, the cease-fire in syria is hanging by a thread. that is what the united nations is saying after more than 30 people have been killed, just today alone, fighting and aleppo. among the dead, at least 14 patients and three doctors at a hospital in a rebel-held area of the city. the airstrike on the hospital has drawn international condemnation. u.s. secretary of state john kerry expressing outrage, saying the attacks appeared to be deliver it. he says russia has an urgent responsibility to stop syrian forces from attacking civilians. reporter: where do y

international outrage after a hospital was destroyed in syria's second city, aleppo. the united nations is calling on washington and moscow to use their influence to end the bloodshed. 24 police officers have been injured, three of them seriously, and 124 protesters put under arrest after a day of labor law protests in france boiled over into violence in several cities. and in venezuela, the crisis deepens. civil servants told they cannot be paid because of government oversight. meanwhile, looting continues, as well as opposition efforts to remove president nicolas maduro. thanks for joining us. at least 24 police officers have been injured, three of them seriously, in a day of protests and violence around france that has brought tens of thousands of people onto the streets. demonstrations against labor law reform plans boiling over in paris, marseille, toulouse, lyon, and more. organizers say over half a out in people turned total. police put that figure at 170,000. the interior minister has announced 124 arrests have been made nationwide. 24's" politically -- aurore

with al-nusra front have taken one of the most strategic hills in north aleppo. what the government has been doing in the last two days to recapture these territories. there is also major fighting between the free syrian army and the kurds in aleppo as well. so there is a great deal of escalation. as the geneva talks get closer, both sides are trying to maximize their interests. both sides are trying to basically have the upper hand in the diplomatic talks in the next few days. ♪ >>> the taliban in afghanistan has revealed a new strategy which includes plans to negotiate with the u.s. and other western countries. new tactics were re vealed in a letter. let's go live to jennifer glass in kabul for us. how different this strategy from what they were doing before? >> reporter: well, lauren, if this letter is authentic, and if the taliban leadership has endorsed it, it is a significant shift for the taliban who have always said they would never negotiate while there were foreign forces here in afghanistan, and they would not negotiate with what they call the puppet g

officials warn the russian artillery bound to the city of aleppo.g activists that we could be about to see a broader regime or assault. it will be a very long, complicated, nasty operation. it could herald more air strikes like the ghastly scene we have seen in the hospital. >> nick, they want to take aleppo. do we know whose air strike was responsible here? any information, you know, the americans say they were not operating in the area at the time. was it russians or syrian regime? who was responsible? >> reporter: you mean you can put aside the idea this was somehow an error in strike. they not involved in striking aleppo. only half of the city is held by rebels. the russian side came out and said there were operating in the skies at that particular time. i have to be honest. they done that a lot in the past. the aim is to make the first words out of the u.s. official's mouth is we didn't do it. the russians have a history of hitting targets in rebel held areas. this could have been a regime barrel bomb. the level of damage and precision suggests

>>> the syrian army launches a major offensive against rebels around aleppo as the fires threatening to derail a fragile truce. ♪ >>> hello, welcome. you are watching al jazeera. also coming up this hour. protests this bangladesh after another blogger is murdered for posting secular views online. >>> brazil moves one step closer to impeaching its president, the leader of a powerful congressional committee says dilma rousseff must go. >>> and taking on bollywood, pakistani film producers take their case to court. ♪ >>> the syrian army and its allies have launched an offensive south of aleppo. it is the biggest government operation in area since the ceasefire came into effect in late february. the fighting threatens to completely derail the ceasefire. the special envoy to syria has just announced talks to end the conflict have been pushed back two days. they will now take place next wednesday. >>> in the north of the aleppo countryside, rebel fighters have launched an offensive. they faced fierce fighting against isil. it is an important strong hold for the armed group. isil says it ha

is that palmyra was under the control of isil whereas aleppo, there is a plethora of different armed groups who control different parts of not only the city, but the great organnance including the al-nusra, the free syrian army and so many other groups that are there and they also have their own regional backers, as well particularly when you look at the role of turkey in all of this. aleppo isn't only appraised possession of the opposition but it is the leverage that turkey uses when it's going to regional discussions and negotiations. the significance of this actually and the only from a military perspective and the geopolitical strateginess but also this is coming on the eve of the resumption of the geneva talks and they're meant to start in a few days time. there's always been an attempt to recreate the status quo by either side so you would see an increase in airstrikes by the russians, by the syrian army in order to recreate reality on the ground that would give them the upper hand in these negotiations. if something was to happen as the prime minister has hinted to in the next

tell that to the children of aleppo. this was the view from the streets of syria's largest city today. two months after a peace deal was signed, it appears to have all but collapsed. last night, one of the city's last remaining hospitals was attacked. more than two dozen people were killed here. doctors, nurses, patients and residents nearby. a father called for help but there is little hope for the people of aleppo. this is what the hospital looks like this morning. it had been supported by the charity -- this is the seventh time just this year that one of their clinics has been attacked. >> this was a place for women to give birth. this was a place for children to get specialist treatment. it is now a pile of rubble. they will have to find alternatives and we do not know how many there are. reporter: in the last 48 hours, one syrian has been killed every 25 minutes. [explosion] government forces and their allies are accused of repeatedly breaching the cease-fire. rebel fighters have also been charged. aleppo city has b

and overnight, the aleppo children's hospital was asliterated. holly williams has the story. >> reporter: aleppo is descending once again into the inferno. the chaos and insanity of a civil war with no winners, only loss and despair. [ weeping ] you can see it in this man, digging for survivors with his bare hands. "this was a residential area" shouted this man. kee're not terrorists." the air strikes pounded their neighborhood, crushing people beneath the rubble of their own bemes and destroying one of the few hospitals left in the rebel- held section of aleppo. it was hit by a strike overnight. the international aid group supporting it, doctors without borders, said the hospital was a center for child medicine. "that's my family," cried this man. "my whole family." also killed in the carnage was one of the last pediatricians still working in rebel- controlled aleppo. we don't know who launched these air strikes. russia says it wasn't responsible, but the syrian regime and its foreign backers are trying to recapture all of aleppo. and for those

things could be about to get even worse for the people of aleppo. scott, the u.s. says that russia has moved heavy artillery to just outside the city, sparking fears of a new offensive or a siege of rebel-held areas. >> pelley: holly williams on this emerging humanitarian disaster. holly, thank you very much. there was more severe weather today in the southern plains. ominous clouds glowred southwest of oklahoma city. the storm turned a truck over. 30 counties remain under tornado watches tonight. the f.d.a. has approved the first commercial test for zika, the mosquito-borne virus that caused severe birth defects. quest diagnostics could begin offering the test as an option for doctors next week, and it comes as communities are pleading for money to help keep the virus from spreading. dr. jon lapook has that. >> reporter: in houstob and surrounding harris county, $4 million a year is currently spent on mosquito control. public health officials estimate it will take another $2 million to mount an effective defense against zika. mustapha debboun is harris county's di

we're in aleppo. we're going to the hospital every other week for technical advice, technical equipment. last year the hospital was attacked with bombings and, at that time, after the request for support, we provided new equipment to restart the hospital. even until this week, we were doing that with them with the other nations. >> sreenivasan: are you sending more doctors into this area? >> so we'll keep supporting these hospitals, if we are able to make it happen, to make it work again, and we'll keep supporting many other hospitals in aleppo city. at the same time, something important we need to know is that we think it is really important that there is an independent investigation to clarify who has been responsible for this attack and if this attack has been delivered, some elements can point out. there will be a resolution for the city council in the next days regarding the protection of hospitals and this terrible event shows us that this resolution is more important now than ever. >> sreenivas

what is happening in aleppo is the most alarming. the government claims the opposition along with the nusra front have taken one of the most strategic hopes in north aleppo. what the government has been doing is to recapture these territories. there is also major fighting between the free syrian army and kurds in aleppo as well. may take on it is that as the geneva talks get closer, both sides are trying to maximize their interests. both sides are trying to have the upper hand in the diplomatic talks in the next few days. >>> the syrian network for human rights said six rescue workers and mel can that staff were killed in syria in the month of march. the units are making a difference despite the daily taker. we have this report from the turkey-syria border. >> amar works for the civil defense. easy not just a driver. he's a rescue worker. when there are no air raids, he helps clean up the city. >> we're trying to help the people in more than one way, not only recovering people from under the rubble, but we clean the streets, debris,

is advancing in the providence of aleppo.hese are pictures that are thought to be from the town of al-ried in the northern countryside providence and claims to have the town under its control and various anti-government groups fighting to control the entire providence, the syrian regime and its russian allies are planning a major operation to retake the area. and as the syrian conflict continues to the sixth year they are holding parliamentary elections on wednesday and the vote is in areas that are krooled by president assad, thousands of candidates competing and nearly all of them favor assad's party and the international and opposition criticized the election saying it will be biased and delivering more food packaged to the besieged city and u.n. is sending enough beans and rice to feed 2500 people for a month, parts of the city have been under i.s.i.l. control since march 2014, around 200,000 people face severe shortages of food and medicine. the committee of brazil, lower house is voted to recommend the impeachment of di

there are various anti-government groups fighting for control of aleppo.t's believed around 65,000 families remain in the city. he and his family shelter in a cave that was converted into a carpentry. they've been here for three years. don't be afraid, my son, he says. there's no running water or electricity across the city. we had to convert this washing machine into a wood burner to keep warm at night, he says. >> when the bombing starts, we hide in the carpentry. it's a room inside the cave. it's terrifying. we never go out. >> the partial ceasefire was supposed to allow more humanitarian aid in, but the fighting and various armed groups competing for control this made things difficult. >> it is the main road into the city of aleppo. if it is closed, there will be no more roads in or out. you have absolutely no other way. >> these are fighters with al-nusra front. they control some areas in the south of the city. no ceasefire for us, this man screams. back on the streets, the fighting continues. there's a sniper. i can't go out says this fighter. he say

the cease-fire does not include aleppo.re at least 230 people have been killed in past week alone. dozens died with an air strike at a hospital and clinic there. >>> a sign of hope in the middle of disaster, that's how is one red cross worker is describing the scene of a building collapse in kenya. at least seven people have been killed there. and now the search team continues. rescuers trying to reach those feared buried in the rubble. but the red cross said they have been able to communicate with several sir visors. dozens have been rescued including two babies and several children. zbluth of the building collapse in nairobi national park, kenya is about to start the largest burn of illegal wildlife products in history. the president will light a match to a massive stockpile of ivory tusks and rhino horns. it's a way to get people to pay attention to the fear poaching crisis. more on kenya's efforts to protect its wildlife. >> reporter: a heavy burden for kenyans to bear. never has the continents poaching epidemic been so

sources suggest the truce does not apply to aleppo. sarah: after a relatively quiet month of march, the war in syria is seeing some of its darkest days. that is according to the head of the u.n. manager in task force for syria. we spoke with him earlier from norway. >> the population is much weaker now than before. they have exhausted all of their reserves, there is nothing left for them now but the hope that things will again be letter. there is a responsibility on the parties that have to be held accountable for following the humanitarian goal and also on their sponsors, the international people who have supported either side in this horrific civil war. sarah: let's go to our correspondent covering the latest in syria she joins us now. tell us what is happening in aleppo. we saw there was a surge in violence. we are hearing no truce for them this weekend. how are the people on the ground coping? >> as you said, heavy fighting has continued. there was shelling on the government side, killing 15 people and then on the rebel side, there

in aleppo, and north aleppo. now what the government has been doing in the last two days is to recapture these territories. there is also major fighting between the curds as well, so there is a great deal of escalation, might take on it is that as the geneva talks basically those sides are trying to maximize their interests, those sides are trying to basic clay have the upper hand in the diplomatic talks in the next few days. the new tactics are revealed in the a member by the groups former military leader, jennifer glass has the latest. this should represent a significant shift for the taliban that said it would mott negotiate, would not come to the table unless all western forces have left afghanistan. they also have said it would not negotiate with what they call a puppet government, this letter contradicts that, it says that it represents a new shift, a new strategy by the taliban, it says that any divide in leadership, was because of miss understandings over the last few months. and poor ports to put forward

at the same time, the syrian government has announced preparation at stages for aleppo proper and have indicated that the russians will take part in airstrikes whenever they will take place. russians had said that they would cease their airstrikes unless it was against terrorists, and there that should -- and that there should be a truce in place. but the russians have said they ,ill carry on airstrikes again and they're trying to justify the airstrikes even though under law, other rebels in the area, and even in fact, the heaviest airstrikes have been carried out since the truce came into place back on the 27th of february. genie: next to japan, where u.s. secretary of state john kerry is on a historic visit to hiroshima. he is to become the most senior american official to pay his memorial,t the city's to victims of the u.s. nuclear attack in 1945. that attack reduced hiroshima to ashes and killed some 140,000 in all. john kerry called the visiting gut wrenching reminder of the need to work toward a world free of nuclear weapons. express on i want to a personal level how deeply moved

the goal is to surround and completely cut off the rebel-held areas of aleppo.ivists warn that up to 300,000 people could be affected. at this marketplace, the produce is abundant and fresh. people say they are worried, yet they remain defiant. >> translator: we have everything. there is food, even [ inaudible ]. >> reporter: he relies on farming to feed his family. he says it is the best way to survive. >> translator: we have beans, spinach, whatever vegetables you can think of. we can farm and rely on animal stock if there is a siege >> reporter: fighting stil continuing and it's not clear if the kurdish forces can sustain their siege. but if they do, it will be the people of aleppo who will suffer the most. >>> the so-called panama papers have claimed their first high-profile casualty with the resignation of iceland's prime minister. the leaks from panama based law firm showed he owned a company with his wife, but had not declared it when the entered parliament. >>> hundreds of india's rich and powerful have been named in the leak. the government is launching

government forces and its allies are attacking rebel groups in aleppo.ng with the russian forces, they have also managed to retake the important area of palmyra from isil. but isil still maintains control of large parts of deir ez-zor province. it is mostly rubbles being held ho hostages in charge. the halt in some of the fighting has allowed people to come out on the streets once again, and in some cases protest against groups like nusra. the government maintains control of the capitol. and both of president bashar al-assad's home region. the chairman says he is disappointed by a lack of access to aid because of blockages by government-backed forces, but he says he hopes there will be progress soon. >> april was supposed to be our best month. it's not looking so. so far. i am disappointed and disheartened on what we achieved over the last week. we have a new procedure now, saying that after seven days, we should get a permission to go to a place, and then another three days, we should have the clearance, final clearance to actually go. >> that's the lat

we have more. >> on the offensive, al-nusra front fighters advance south of aleppo. it's a fight to gain control of the town from post pro syrian government forces who captured it with the help of the russian air force. al-nusra tanks again to shell their enemies positions from a distance. the battle has started. it only takes a few hours for its fighters to claire victory after they managed to take control of the highest point. the hill overlooks the town. the syrian army and foreign militias fighting alongside it including the armed group hezbollah suffered heavy losses. >> we managed to seize control of it and its hills to force the fighters to pull out. we destroyed government lines of supply and killed a number of militia fighters. >> unexploded shells and shrapnel dropped by assad's army litter the streets. on the walls, sectarian slogans are everywhere, indicating that fighters from a shia group were here. shortly after rebel fighters captured the area, assad's air force started bombing the area. the frequent exchange between remembers and government has been

since a cruise between ththe crews have advanced on aleppo's countryside. kurdish forces seen as ally government. activists warn that up to 300,000 people could be affected. at this marketplace people say that they are worried yet they remain defiant. >> we have everything, thank god. there is food. >> mustapha relies on his farming to feed his family. he said it's the best way to survive. >> we can live like our grandfather lived before by farming and relying on animal stock if there is a siege. >> it may be tough for people in the days ahead. fighting is continuing and it is not clear if the kurdish forces will sustain the sean. it will be the people of aleppo who suffer the most. >> turkey is making plans to strip citizenship of anyone who supports terrorism. they want a new legal definition of terrorism and want people to be named terrorists. >> china is stepping up on neighboring program. china has banned north korea coal and iron other and will stop exporting jet jewel. china's sanctions are crucial as it provides two-thirds of north korea's exports.

russian media is reporting plans with syrian government forces to retake the city of aleppo. as we've been reporting over the past few days, the prime minister has been speaking to visiting leaders from moscow in the syrian capital. the turkish prime minister is holding a cabinet meeting in the city close to the syrian border. it is now home to a large number of syrian refugees. this is the first time a cabinet meeting has been held outside ankara for 13 years. talking to our correspondent now, charles stratford. more, please, on the significance of the prime minister bringing his cabinet outside of the capital ankara and taking it to this area which is mainly kurdish, but also with many syrian refugees. >> reporter: the prime minister has just finished speaking before that cabinet meeting takes place this afternoon. it was a ceremony here at this stadium in which it was as a pretext, if you like, the prime minister was honoring the city in its battle against french forces in 1920. as you say, it is of huge significance that he has come here to this region, predominantly kurd

fires at targets in the streets of aleppo.es are changing in the city. these men say they are aiming at kurdish y.p.g. fighters. the free syrian army says the y.p.g. have allied themselves with government forces around aleppo in recent weeks. the u.s. supports the y.p.g. in its fight against isil and the al-nusra front. this flag shows an area controlled by the syrian military. there are various anti-government groups fighting for control of aleppo. it's believed around 65,000 families remain in the city. he and his family shelter in a cave that was convert ed in to a carpentry, they have been here for three years. >> translator: don't be afraid, my son, he says. there is no running water or electricity across the city. >> reporter: we had to convert in washing machine in to a wood burner to keep warm at night he says. >> translator: when the bombing starts, we hide in the car present tree. it's a room inside the cave. it's terrifying. we never go out. >> reporter: the partial ceasefire was supposed to allow more humanitarian

in the north of the aleppo countryside, rebel fighters have reportedly taken over a town. they launched an offensive against isil fighters there. it's an important stronghold for the group. >>> meanwhile, syrian state tv is reporting that the islamic state of iraq and levant has abducted as many as 300 near the syrian capital, damascus. it's unclear what happened, but several of those taken have now been released. >> reporter: there are conflicting reports with regards to the news of the abduction of these factory workers, these cement workers. state television saying isil kidnapped roughly 300 workers. sources on the ground today al jazeera that the number was far less and one of the armed rebel groups and one of the armed groups fighting the regime as well as fighting isil managed to secure the release of most of them. they say that isil initially killed or beheaded ten of those that they took captive accusing them of espionage or spying against them. less than 100 remain in the hands of isil. however, what this goes to show is not only the lack of clarity with regards t

the assad regime has been pounding aleppo for the past nine days, killing nearly 250 civilians. holly williams joins frus across the border in turkey. good evening, holly. >> reporter: jim, the u.s. and russia have both backed a new began at midnight last night, and it seems to be holding in parts of latakai province in the country's north, as well as around damascus, the syrian capital. but the truce doesn't apply to aleppo where so much of the fighting is taking place as the syrian regime, backed by russia and iran, tries to recapture all of the city. a cease-fire agreed to months ago has now broken down, and this past week, we've seen disturbing internet video coming out of aleppo as residential neighborhoods in the rebel-controlled parts of the city have been pummeled. on thursday, one of the few remaining hospitals in rebel-controlled aleppo was destroyed by an air strike. doctors without borders, the international aid group that supported the hospital, said that it was targeted pie a direct hit and that 50 people were killed. the international committee of the red cross sa

in 2012, opposition fighters stormed aleppo and took over several neighborhoods. it has become the main battlefield in syria's five-year civil war. >> people across iran has been voting today in the second round of parliamentary elections, the first round of which saw moderate and centrist allies of the president losing gains. more than 60 constituencies were undecided or too close to call, hence this second round. results are expected by sunday. >> a runoff between reformists and conservatives to gain control of iran's parliament. in this second round, voters outt 68 remaining in pe's of 290 seats. in the first round last february, the reformist were allied with president rouhani and made significant gains. of the deputies already elected, 100 three are conservative. 95 are from the block of reformists and moderates, while 14 are independent. in tehran, reformists and moderates won by a landslide, capturing all 30 seats, but this round covers smaller towns and cities where support for conservatives is strong. >> members of parliament should pay attention to deman

very worrying for the remaining civilians inside aleppo. we understand that around 65,000 families still inside the set living in pretty atrocious conditions, no running water, no electricity, amnesty international saying the syrian government has been recently targeting hospitals and medical facilities which is what we believe is an attempt to try and clear people out. so certainly some very worrying developments both for the civilians trapped inside aleppo and some serious concerns here on the turkish side of the border with those i.s.i.l. attacks so close to the territory >>> thousands of iraqi civilians have returned to their homes in ramadi months after government forces pushed i.s.i.l. out of their city. police say more than 12,000 families have come back to parts clearly of more than 5,000 bombs and booby traps that were left behind. they were driven out in december. more than 3 million people have been forced to aleave their homes in iraq since 2014. five people have been arrested for a fire that killed 106 people. a fire broke out

taking the area south of aleppo. refugee crisis. >> translator: greece doesn't want to accept us, turkey doesn't want us to stay, where should we go, sink into the water? >> refugees are still making the dangerous crossing from turkey to greece. >>> tax scandal. >> translator: regrettably, people have been trying to use the media to attack the country and its financial system. >> panama's president promises to cooperate with any investigations after the panama papers leak. good evening, i'm roxana saberi, this is al jazeera's international news hour. we begin tonight in brazil where the impeachment of president dilma rousseff is a step closer to becom becoming a reality. the congressional group charged with looking into the case says the case should move forward. teresa vo is in in be rio de janeiro with the story. >> the congressional group that is in charge of investigating this issue says that dilma rousseff should be he impeached but it's the entire senate that should be voting on this. recommendation could be ta

they don't have the ability to stock food. >> reporter: aleppo is syria's largest city.nter is divided. government forces control the eastern side while the opposition controls the western side. and since the truce began in late february, syrian forces backed by russian air power have advanced on rebel-held areas. there is also fighting in the cities northern parts, kurdish forces known as the ypg seen as allies of the government are making gains. there are fears that the government and the kurdish fighters are coordinating their campaigns. activists warn that up to 300,000 people could be effected if the road is cut off. at this marketplace, the produce is abundant and fresh. people say they are worried, yet they remain defiant. >> translator: we have everything. thank god. there is food, even if a siege happens. >> reporter: this man relies on farming to feed his family. he says it is the best way to survive. >> translator: we have beans, spinach and whatever vegetables you can think of. we can live like our grandfathers which farming and relying on animal stock if the

the syrian army an its allies have launched an offensive against rebels in the countryside south of aleppo. it is the biggest government operation in antecedent report since a partial ceasefire came into effect in late february. the fighting threatens to completely derail the ceasefire which overall has brought a reduction of violence in syria. u.n. sponsored talks to try and end the war are set to resume on monday. the syrian network for human rights says six workers rescue workers and medical staff were killed in march. >> reporter: this man works for the syria civil defense, also known as the white helmets in aleppo. he is not just a driver. he is also a rescue worker. when there are no air raids he helps clean up the city. >> translation: we're trying to help the people in more than one way. not only do we recover people from unthe rubble, but we clean the streets, the debris, open the roads. >> reporter: around 3,000 people work in rebel held areas across eight syrian provinces. they are ordinary people from ordinary walks of life. they are paying a heavy price. always on the front li

you've been in touch with folks in aleppo, one of the doctors today who used to work in the hospital.so, this attack on a hospital is part of a pattern of attacks not just on hospitals but on schools, on marketplaces and civilian infrastructure the hall fashion of the assad regime since 2012. a few days ago a center for the white helmets, the civil defense people who dig people out of bombed-out buildings was targeted by the regime and five people were killed. >> obviously, the horrors of isis, part of which you've documented, you've done amazing reporting someone who lived in raqqah under isis rule, those have been well documented in the west, partly because isis enjoys publicizing and videotaping. this kind of thing that just daily brutality of at sad regime, the children it continues to murder has been less publicized because they're less interested in having the world see. we're seeing a picture now. >> while assad is the greatest threat to syrian lives, he's not interested in killing people with first world passports. >> less of a sense he's a threatt here in the way that isis is

al-nusra front says it has taken control of two areas around aleppo. it has killed 50 government soldiers in the southern aleppo countryside. runners taking part in the 40th paris marathon is taking place under tight security. the turkish prime minister has promised to build diyarbakir. it has been left in ruins as our correspondent explains. >> reporter: this man is now in debt. his small shop and cafÉ were closed for months. fighting between security forces and the p.k.k. has stopped and although his business is open again, he is not happy. >> translation: the people have nothing. they were hungry. there was to work or anything. i'm in debt. i'm relying on my credit card and i don't know how i will pay back the bank. the government has to help us >> reporter: he is not alone. people people in the diyarbakir historic part been affected. the district here is the hardest hit. the government imposed the curfew in late 2015 and launched a military operation targeting p.k.k. members and affiliated groups. the fighting went on for months, house to house, st

in aleppo countryside. this is the largest area in antecedent report since a partial ceasefire came into agreement in late february. the ongoing fighting has threatened to redetail the agreement which has reduced overall violence in syria. the u.n. has sponsored talks to stop the war resume in geneva on monday. the syrian network for human rights says six rescue workers and medical staff have been killed in march. despite all odds and attacks, the defense force in rebel held areas are making a difference. our correspondent reports from gaziantep. >> reporter: this man works for the syria krefl defense ares, also known as the white helmets in aleppo. he is not just a driver. he is also a rescue worker. when there are no air raids, he helps clean up the city. >> translation: we're trying to help the people in more than one way. not only recovering people, but we also clean the streets, open the rains, contain the rubble from destroyed buildings >> reporter: around 3,000 people work for the white helmets acros

with al-nusra front have taken one of the most strategic hills in north aleppo. what the government has been doing in the last two days is recapture these territories. there is also major fighting between the free syrian army and the kurds in aleppo as well. there is a great deal of eskalation. my takes on is that as the geneva talks get closer, both sides are trying to maximise their interest and have the upper hand in the diplomatic talks in the next few days >>> the chairman of the u.s. says he hopes there will be a shift in the next week. there could be 500 people moved and he is push is for aid to be led in besieged areas >> we need top see progress again very soon. it is very dangerous to lose the momentum with humanitarian work because if the humanitarian situation began rapidly deteriorates in many areas at the same time, it will also affect the political process. we cannot fail. we must regain the momentum and i'm hopeful that that will happen in the next week or two >>> the fighting continues in many areas. civil defense force tz are trying hard to help