Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Sunni rebels have resumed their offensive around the largest city in Syria.

Opposition sources said Saudi-backed Islamic rebels launched major operations to disrupt Syrian military attacks around Aleppo. They said the campaign was led by the Islamic Front, which brought fighters and weapons to attack Syrian military factories south of Aleppo.

“The rebels have been reinforced by fresh fighters and weapons for this campaign,” a source said.

The sources said Islamic Front amassed close to 1,000 fighters from around northern Syria to target military sites in Aleppo. They said the rebels were targeting weapons production facilities as well as air bases used for daily Syrian military attacks on rebel-held areas of the city.

“The chances of success are not considered good,” the source said. “Still, without such a campaign, the rebels in Aleppo cannot hold out for much longer.”

The sources said the Islamic Front has sought to recover from an offensive by Islamic State of Iraq and Levant throughout northern Syria. They said U.S.-led air strikes on ISIL positions were accompanied by fresh supplies to Islamic Front from Turkey.

A Qatari-financed militia, Ahrar Al Sham, was said to have also attacked Assad weapons factories, including those that produce barrel bombs. Another rebel militia that joined the campaign was identified as Army of Emigrants, dominated by Chechen separatists.

The Assad regime has sought to sever the supply line to the rebels in Aleppo. The sources said the Syrian military, aided by Hizbullah, surrounded most of the city, leaving a sole supply line to the eastern rebel-held part of the city.

“Right now, unless there is a significant change in the strategic balance, the most the rebels can hope for is the continuation of the stalemate,” the source said.

  renew fight in Aleppo, Syrian rebels buy time, WorldTribune.com