on various rebel forces on the ground , resulting in the death and displacement of thousands of civilians in the process . Eastern Aleppo , which was captured by rebel groups in cooperation with Al - Qaida forces now referring to themselves as Jabhat Fateh Al - Sham , is one of the key flashpoints in the Syrian conflict . Beyond Aleppo 's status as Syria 's largest city and a financial capital , the eastern half of the city also represents the largest victory of the entire conflict for rebel groups .
The amendment would also give only Congress authority to change the Selective Service Act and require the Pentagon prepare a report for Congress July 1 , 2017 , about whether the selective service is still needed and if registration should be required regardless of gender . The amendment is backed by GOP Sens . Ted Cruz Ted CruzAccess to palliative care needs to stay in new health bill Dems step up attacks on GOP ObamaCare bill Overnight Finance : Ryan seeks manufacturing muscle for tax reform | Warren targets Wells Fargo board | Senators raise concerns over Russian takeover of Citgo | Pelosi hits GOP for budget delays MORE ( Texas ) , James Inhofe James InhofeMcCain strikesconflict.attack.naback as Trump ’s chief critic Turbulence for Trump on air traffic control Parliamentarian threatens deadly blow to GOP healthcare bill MORE ( Okla. ) , Mike Rounds ( S.D. ) , Ben Sasse ( Neb. ) and Roger Wicker Roger WickerTurbulence for Trump on air traffic control Trump 's ' infrastructure week ' goes off the rails Senators pan Trump 's air traffic control plan MORE ( Miss.
However , neither the Syrian government nor the rebels were involved in the deal and both have since vowed to continue fighting . Syrian President Bashar al - Assad said on Friday that he intended to retake " the whole country " from rebels - a statement the US government said was " deluded " . Syrian government forces , backed by Russian air strikesconflict.attack.na, have almost encircled rebels in parts of the northern city of Aleppo . Also on Sunday , Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev repeated a warning that any foreign ground operation in Syria would lead to " a full - fledged , long war " . Turkey has said its troops and forces from Saudi Arabia might participate in a ground operation against IS .