Syrian troops, allies liberate vast area in northeastern Aleppo

Syrian government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have liberated dozens of areas in the northwestern Province of Aleppo from Takfiri Daesh terrorists as they continue to score victories in arduous battles against extremists across the country.

An unnamed military source told Syria's official news agency SANA that Syrian troops and their allies had established full control over Dayr Hafir city, located 50 kilometers east of the provincial capital city of Aleppo, on Wednesday.

The source added that Syrian forces also retook 27 villages on the outskirts of Aleppo 24 kilometers of the highway linking Aleppo to the Daesh-held northern city of Raqqah.

Elsewhere in the strategic and mountainous region of Qalamoun, Syrian government forces and fighters from the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement thwarted an infiltration attempt by Nusra Front, also known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, terrorists.

SANA reported that a number of terrorists were killed and injured in the process.

Syrian opposition, Russian diplomat agree on ceasefire reinforcement

Meanwhile, delegates from the foreign-sponsored and armed Syrian militants have met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov in the Swiss city of Geneva, and agreed on shoring up a shaky ceasefire that took effect in December last year.

Gatilov said the ceasefire, which is supported by Russia, Iran and Turkey, is “more or less being maintained,” but major powers need to do more to ensure its reinforcement.

“Here, we need the support and involvement of all parties, including external players, not only the three guarantors, but some other countries who also have influence on the parties on the ground,” the Russian diplomat told reporters.

The remarks come as Russia plans to hold the next round of ceasefire talks in the Kazakh city of Astana in the first week of May.

ME