Large numbers of government forces have been moved to fight in Syria’s second city Aleppo in a bid to reclaim rebel-held areas.

A spokesman for the rebel Free Syrian Army said he believed the reinforcements were being sent because of the intensity of clashes in Aleppo.

The spokesman added that many troops of President of Bashar Al-Assad are running away while dozens of others are defecting on the spot.

Aleppo is a commercial hub and home to 2.5 million people.

It recently became a new front in the 16-month uprising in the country after being largely excluded from the violence.