In early June, Russian aircraft led heavy bombing runs against Syrian rebels holding the western side of Aleppo. The attacks focused on the towns of Haritan and Kafr Hamrah in preparation for a major loyalist offensive. To achieve its aim of completely encircling rebel positions in the city, Damascus has committed large numbers of troops, including elements of the 4th Mechanized Division, National Defense Forces and Kataeb al-Baath. Previous loyalist attempts to break the rebel hold on Aleppo have repeatedly failed, but with continued attrition among the defenders and Russian air support, the chances of success have substantially improved. Syria also committed the Tiger Forces, commanded by Col. Suheil al-Hassan, to spearhead the attack from a position just north of Mallah Farms. On June 10, the Tiger Forces struck Mallah Farms in the opening salvo of the Aleppo ground offensive.