The Latest: Syrian government forces clash with Kurds

Activists say Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters are clashing for a third day in the northeastern city of Qamishli, with at least seven people killed.

Syrian President Bashar Assad's envoy to peace talks in Geneva is defending his government's record on humanitarian aid.

Government envoy Bashar Ja'afari on Friday lashed out at the opposition for shedding "crocodile tears" about alleged humanitarian aid lapses.

The opposition High Negotiations Committee has pulled back from the peace talks, accusing the government of hundreds of violations of a cease-fire brokered by the U.S. and Russia, illegally detaining thousands of Syrians and blocking humanitarian aid.

Aleppo has seen sporadic clashes since the February 27 cease-fire, as government troops advanced, boxing in rebel-held areas from all sides except for a corridor from the northwestern edge of the city.