The Latest: Syrian official promises Aleppo ground offensive
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Latest on the conflict in Syria (all times local):
2:30 p.m.
A Syrian military official says airstrikes and shelling in the northern city of Aleppo might continue for an extended period and will include a ground offensive.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The unnamed military official was quoted by Syrian state media on Friday as saying that operations in rebel-held eastern parts of the city "will include a ground offensive."
The military announcement came as a bombing campaign in rebel-held districts of Aleppo city intensified Friday, targeting several neighborhoods and centers of the award-winning volunteer civil defense group known as the White Helmets.
The intense bombing and the declaration of a new offensive come as diplomatic efforts failed to salvage a cease-fire that lasted nearly a week, before giving way to a new level of violence.
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11 a.m.
A Syria monitoring group and a rescue worker say an intense bombing campaign has targeted several neighborhoods in the rebel-held part of Aleppo city, including centers of the award-winning volunteer civil defense group known as the White Helmets.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The air campaign late Thursday night and Friday morning comes as Syria's military command announced it is launching operations in Aleppo's rebel-held eastern quarters, raising concerns of imminent ground operations.
Rami Abdurrahman, of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said Friday that government troops seized buildings on the frontline, pushing back rebel fighters in the southern al-Amiriah district.
Ibrahim Alhaj, a member of the Syrian Civil Defense, confirmed the government troop movements. He said the bombing targeted two civil defense centers Friday morning in rebel-held Aleppo, putting one out of service.