Syrian govt. forces take back control of Aleppo district
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Syrian government forces celebrate in the largely deserted Palestinian refugee camp of Handarat, north of Aleppo, on September 24, 2016 after they recaptured the facility. (Photo by AFP)
Syrian government troops have managed to liberate a central neighborhood in the divided city of Aleppo in their latest push against foreign-backed terrorists who are wreaking havoc in the war-stricken country.
Syrian state TV reported on Tuesday the recapture by government forces of Farafra neighborhood, situated in the old quarter of Aleppo near the city’s famous citadel.
An unnamed military source also confirmed the advance, saying, "The army retook control of all of the Farafra district … after neutralizing many terrorists. Units are now demining the area.”
The Farafra liberation "comes as a continuation of the military operation … that includes an aerial component and an artillery and ground component,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group, confirmed Tuesday’s advance by Syrian government forces against terrorists in central Aleppo as part of a major offensive launched last week.
A week-long ceasefire, brokered by Russia and the US, came to an end across Syria on September 19.
Damascus refused to extend the deal after deadly US-led airstrikes on its military base near the eastern city Dayr al-Zawr in violation of the agreement.
Following the truce, Syria announced the start of a new military operation in Aleppo aimed at driving out the terrorists occupying the eastern flanks of the strategic city.
In another development on Tuesday, a Syrian military official told The Associated Press that the operation in Aleppo will not stop before "terrorist groups" have been eliminated.
The official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that battles will continue daily on all fronts in Aleppo until the "terrorists" in the "eastern parts of the city are wiped out."
ME