Onslaught looms as Assad forces pound Aleppo outskirts ahead of "onslaught"; "massacre" may be imminent

AMMAN/BEIRUT (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad's artillery pounded rebel-held areas around Aleppo on Friday, preparing the ground for an onslaught on Syria's biggest city where the United States has said it fears a "massacre" may be imminent.

Opposition sources said the shelling, which follows intensive ground and air bombardment of the city itself, was an attempt to stop fighters from resupplying rebel units inside Aleppo.

"They are shelling at random to instill a state of terror," said Anwar Abu Ahed, a rebel commander outside the city.

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