The 13-year civil war in Syria has roared back into prominence with a surprise rebel offensive on one of Syria’s largest cities and ancient business hub.

Syrian rebel fighters broke through government front lines to within three miles of Aleppo and cut a key highway to the capital in their first major offensive in four years.

After four years of relative calm, a new phase of the civil war has begun in Syria. Opposition forces launched a major offensive on the second-largest city, Aleppo, catching the regime of Bashar al-Assad unprepared.

Israeli military jets hit alleged Hezbollah weapons smuggling sites near the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, according to officials, who allege the Lebanese militant group violated a ceasefire agreement.

Israeli aircraft struck Hezbollah weapons smuggling sites along Syria’s border with Lebanon, the Israeli military said Saturday, testing a fragile, days-old ceasefire