Syria plans offensives on Dayr al-Zawr, Raqqah: Russia

Syrian and Russian officials say the Army plans major operations to retake the eastern cities of Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqah and Aleppo from Takiri terrorist groups.

The Syrian daily al-Watan, citing political and military officials, said the Army and its allies are gearing up for a "decisive battle" to liberate Aleppo.

"The time has come to liberate Aleppo from the contamination of terrorists," it cited officials as saying.

The report said the Army had sent letters to terrorists, warning them against using civilians in Syria's second city as human shields.

The report came as the Syrian army declared a temporary truce for the capital, Damascus, and its suburbs, and the coastal province of Latakia.

The announcement was read on Syrian state TV on Friday, with the army saying the ceasefire will go into effect at 1 a.m. on Saturday.

The military statement said the ceasefire will last 24 hours in Damascus and its suburbs and three days in Latakia.

Alexei Borodavkin, Russia’s ambassador to the UN office in Geneva, said the Syrian army would soon launch the offensive in Dayr al-Zawr and Raqqah with the support of the Russian air cover.

“In line with UNSC [UN Security Council] Resolution 2254, the ceasefire regime in Syria does not apply to Daesh, al-Nusra Front and other terrorist groups," Borodavkin said.

"As a result of operations by the Syrian armed forces with the support of Russian combat aircraft…offensive operations are being planned in the direction of Day al-Zawr and Raqqah,” he added.

SS