Syrian rebels rally in Aleppo as they launch a "decisive battle" to push forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad out of the city.

Abdulqadir al-Saleh, the head of the biggest rebel force in Aleppo, the Tawheed Brigade, tells his men to persevere and not harm any prisoners.

Various anti-government battalions launching the strike in Aleppo met earlier in the week to agree on the offensive.

More amateur video, which cannot be verified by Reuters, shows the beginning of the battle, as government and rebel forces clash in the district of Salaheddine.

Aleppo is split roughly in half, with rebels in the east and government forces and Assad-loyal militia in the west.

World powers meeting at the United Nations are divided over the 18-month-old crisis, which has descended into civil war.