Opposition group: Assad along with PYD seek to ‘besiege’ Aleppo

"The regime, the PKK and the latter’s Syrian affiliate – the PYD – are trying to besiege some 500,000 civilians in Aleppo," Abu Tawfik, leader of the Nour al-Din al-Zenki movement, told Anadolu Agency.

He said his movement, which operates under the umbrella of the Free Syrian Army, was at the forefront of protests that erupted in 2011 against the Assad regime.

"The suppression of protestors by the regime forced us to take up arms," Abu Tawfik said, asserting that around 70 different factions had since joined his group.

"We’re fighting against Russia, Shia militias and Iran," said the opposition leader, whose 5,000-strong movement is active in Aleppo and northern Idlib.

He went on to say there was close coordination between the Assad regime and the PYD, citing the latter’s support for regime attempts to close the Castello road -- the opposition’s only route to Idlib and the Turkish border.

Abu Tawfik warned against the possibility of Aleppo falling into the hands of the regime.

"The fall of Aleppo to the regime would mean the end of the revolution," he said.

"If the Castello road is cut off, civilians in Aleppo will be living under a siege," he asserted.