Russia’s Defense Ministry says it has used a base in western Iran to carry out airstrikes in Syria. The ministry reported the strikes hit targets in Aleppo, Idlib and Deir ez-Zor provinces. The strikes are the first Russia has carried out from a third country since it began its military intervention in Syria’s civil war, and a base in Iran gives Russia greater capability to intensify its bombing campaign in Syria. This comes as fighting is intensifying in and around Aleppo. The United Nations is warning of a dire humanitarian crisis as millions are left without water or electricity.

Alessandra Vellucci: “The commission is gravely concerned for the safety of civilians, including a reported 100,000 children living in eastern Aleppo city, where violence has reached new heights in recent weeks as asymmetric warfare intensifies over control of armed group-held neighborhoods and their principal remaining supply lines.”

We’ll have more on Syria after headlines with Dr. Zaher Sahloul, the founder of the American Relief Coalition for Syria.