Syria Fighting Cuts off Road to Aleppo

BEIRUT (AP) -- A Syrian opposition activist group says heavy fighting has cut off the government's only supply route to the northern city of Aleppo.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says clashes were underway Monday along the southeastern approaches to the city, which is bitterly divided between the government and the rebels, and also around the town of Khanaser.

The Observatory tracks Syria's civil war. A news agency close to the Islamic State group said the extremist group's fighters had cut the road.

Aleppo, Syria's largest city and one-time commercial center, is divided between the government and its opponents, while IS holds a wide front to the east of the city.

Fighting has been fierce in Aleppo province in recent weeks amid a government offensive to cut off the rebel stronghold.

(KA)