Anti-government rebels in northern Syria have launched a sudden offensive in an effort to capitalize on Israel’s efforts to weaken Iran’s regional proxies.

The surprise assault occurred around Aleppo, a government-held city and one of the focal points of fighting in Syria’s civil war.

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.

Syrian rebels have launched a large-scale attack on regime forces in western Aleppo, according to a Free Syrian Army source and local residents, marking the first major flare-up in years between both sides.

Last month, the UN special envoy for Syria warned that the wars in Gaza and Lebanon appeared to be “catalysing conflict in north-west Syria in a dangerous manner”. Geir Pedersen said HTS had carried out a significant raid into government-held areas,

Syria's opposition groups say armed forces launched a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces and seized territory in northwestern Syria

Syrian opposition forces claim to have entered Aleppo city from the western side, according to a statement released on Friday by the newly formed rebel coalition, the Military Operations Command.

Syrian insurgents have breached Syria’s second largest city, Aleppo, after blowing up two car bombs and were clashing with government forces on Friday, according to a Syria war monitor and fighters. Insurgents have been approaching Aleppo city for days and have seized several towns and villages along the way.