Russian involvement in Syria brings about another siege for Aleppo

The second siege of Aleppo has ended, almost two weeks after it started and probably just in time to avert a major humanitarian disaster. For 12 days, the 2 million or so hapless residents of the government-controlled enclave of the city — many of whom were already internally displaced from other areas — were completely cut off. Nothing got in or out — no food, fuel, medicine or people.

Although this was not the first time Aleppo has endured such a siege, this time around it was far more dramatic. The only road linking west Aleppo to the rest of state-controlled Syria — and indeed the rest of the world — is a narrow and winding route called the Khanaser road.