Story highlights Recently arrived Russian aircraft carrier begins operations targeting Idlib, Homs

A major assault on eastern Aleppo has begun after a weeks-long lull, Syrian military says

(CNN) Warplanes carried out heavy airstrikes on neighborhoods in rebel-held east Aleppo for the first time in weeks Tuesday, as Syrian government forces launched a renewed assault to take the city.

The heavy bombardment came as the Syrian military began "preliminary operations" in the eastern half of the city Tuesday, using warplanes with "precision weapons to target terrorist positions," Syrian state television reported.

The blitz had been threatened in mass text messages sent to residents by the government Sunday, instructing them to leave within 24 hours.

JUST WATCHED Text messages warn people in Aleppo to 'leave or die' Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Text messages warn people in Aleppo to 'leave or die' 01:55

At least one woman was killed and five people injured by a barrel bomb dropped by a helicopter Tuesday, an activist with the Aleppo Media Center (AMC) told CNN.

According to Syrian state television, the army is making a ground push in several areas to tighten their siege of rebel-held neighborhoods, and has cut off supply lines from the rebel-held province of Idlib in the north.

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