BEIRUT — Syrian government forces and allied militias, backed by what an aid official said were "hugely increased" Russian airstrikes, pushed ahead with a major offensive in northern Syria on Friday, moving a step closer to encircling contested Aleppo, Syria's largest city.
The offensive near the Turkish border, which began earlier this week, has sent tens of thousands of residents fleeing.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday about 15,000 Syrians reached Turkey's borders and that tens of thousands more could be on the way. Davutoglu promised Turkey would not leave the displaced "without food or shelter" but did not say whether Turkey would admit them.
A Turkish charity said the number of Syrians at one border crossing alone had risen to 50,000 since Thursday.
In recent days, pro-government forces have captured several towns and villages north of Aleppo, driving a deep wedge into rebel-held areas and cutting off a rebel supply road to Turkey.
Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.