Putin’s first comments on Syria massive flare-up

The Kremlin has revealed in a statement the first comments for Russian President Vladimir Putin on the recent massive escalation in Syria, after the Syrian Army said in a statement that armed groups took over large parts of country’s biggest city Aleppo.

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The presidents of Russia and Iran on Monday pledged "unconditional support" to Syrian leader Bashar-al Assad amid a shock rebel offensive in the country's northwest, the Kremlin said.

In a phone call with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, the pair "expressed unconditional support for the actions of Syria's legitimate authorities to restore constitutional order and territorial sovereignty," the Kremlin said in a statement.

They also "emphasised the importance" of coordinating with Turkey, the Russian side said in its readout of the call – cited by Agence France-Presse.

"We of course continue to support Bashar al-Assad and we continue contacts at the appropriate levels, we are analysing the situation," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also said earlier today.