Rebels have renewed their bid to break a government siege of eastern Aleppo. Rebels shelled government-held parts of the city hours before a Russian-declared ceasefire was due to begin.

State news agency SANA said rebel fire has killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 200. Insurgent groups, including both Free Syrian Army factions and jihadist militants, have sought to break the government siege since July. The city has been divided for years between the government-held western sector and rebel-held east.

Syria said the ceasefire would start at 9 am Aleppo time but Russian and Syrian sources have provided different times.