A photographic journey of life under siege in Aleppo
Shelling and bombings have become a part of daily life for civilians living in a war zone.
The Syrian regime and Russia have stepped up their air strikes on the country's largest city in the past few months, killing hundreds of people including scores of children.
Syria descended into civil war in 2011, after regime leader Bashar al Assad launched a crackdown on protesters who were demanding more freedom, democratic reforms and an end to corruption and repression. Since then, the ancient city of Aleppo has been a major battleground in the conflict.
The Syrian regime, backed by the Russian military, Iran's Revolutionary Guards and an array of Shia militias, have been attacking the city for months to drive out opposition groups.
At least 275,000 people are living under siege in Aleppo, where the regime forces have blocked deliveries of food and medical supplies and attacked hospitals and schools.
Aleppo has symbolic value in the fight between the Syrian regime forces and the opposition fighters. It was the first province the Syrian regime lost in the opposition in early 2013 -- embodying Damascus' lack of control. It is the last big stronghold of the most effective opposition group - the Free Syrian Army, that is backed by the US, Turkey and Gulf Arab states.
The UN says aid convoys have not entered Aleppo since July 7, and fears that food supplies will run out.
The Syrian regime and Russia have been criticised for targeting opposition-held hospitals, resulting in dozens of casualties. Fewer than 30 doctors remained to treat the people of Aleppo.
UNICEF warns that the lack of clean water can cause diarrhoea and malnutrition among children. Russian and Syrian regime jets bombed the city's water supply.
Some areas of Aleppo have been without electricity for over two years.
Almost 100,000 school-age children are being deprived of an education while they live in fear for their lives. There have been more than 4,000 attacks on schools since the bombing started.
There have been many temporary pauses in bombings. Moscow and the regime say they want to give civilians a safe passage out of the city but most people have refused to leave.
Supply lines have been cut off and there is no way for medical supplies to reach the east Aleppo. People have been forced to rely on poorly equipped hospitals.
The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has warned that Aleppo could be completely destroyed by the end of the year and thousands more civilians could be killed.
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