ALEPPO, Syria (Reuters) - Syrian forces stormed the last rebel stronghold in the capital Damascus in tanks and armored vehicles on Friday, and blasted with artillery and helicopters at Aleppo, where the United Nations said they were preparing a massive assault.
The violence came within hours of former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan quitting as international peace envoy for Syria, underlining the impotence of mediation efforts in the 17-month-old uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.
A senior United Nations official said a long-expected army onslaught to take Aleppo, Syria's largest city and economic hub, was now imminent following a build-up of army reinforcements. The fighting in Aleppo has focused on the Salaheddine district, seen as a gateway to the city for the Syrian army.
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