An alliance of Syrian rebels has announced the beginning of a battle to retake the entire city of Aleppo.

The Army of Conquest is a coalition of rebels and jihadis which includes the former Al-Nusra Front.

In a statement, the group vowed to "double the number of fighters for this next battle".

"We announce the start of a new phase to liberate all of Aleppo," the group said, after a week of continuous fighting.

"We will not rest until we raise the flag of conquest over Aleppo's citadel."


Image: Syrians celebrate in Aleppo after rebels broke the government siege

Their words come the day after they broke a government siege on rebel-held areas in Aleppo, which is Syria's second-largest city.

On Sunday, government-loyal media denied that the siege had been broken but did say that their forces were on the defensive.

Syrian state television said: "Our forces have redeployed after absorbing the attack of thousands of mercenaries, and the army has found a new route to allow food and gas in.

"The army has found an alternative way to move food and fuel supplies into western Aleppo."

Syrian government forces seized the only route into rebel-held areas of northern Aleppo in July, sparking a counter-offensive by the rebels from the city's south.

Around 300,000 people were trapped, according to the United Nations.

But the coalition of rebel fighters broke through regime lines on Saturday, opening a new route into the city's north-eastern neighbourhoods.

These neighbourhoods house an estimated 250,000 people.

This has left the city divided - there was celebration in the eastern districts and fears of food and fuel shortages in the western areas, which are still controlled by the regime.

The UN Security Council is due to meet to discuss the Aleppo crisis today at 3pm UK time.