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Syrian army close to cutting key rebel supply line in Aleppo

Xinhua, July 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Syrian army is now only 500 meters from a key supply route for rebels in the northern province of Aleppo, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported on Thursday.

Government troops are very close to cutting off the Castello road, the only supply route connecting rebel-held areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo province and those in the eastern part of the city of Aleppo.

The fresh progress came amid an army campaign to cut off the road started in late June.

It also followed the army's success in regaining control over the sprawling farmlands of Mallah in northern Aleppo.

The TV aired footage of Mallah farmlands and arial view of the Castello road.

Aleppo, strategically located near the borders with Turkey, is Syria's largest city and once an economic hub. It has been a focal point of clashes between the Syrian army and the rebels.

In the summer of 2012, thousands of armed militants stormed residential districts of Aleppo from its countryside, striking the economic nerves of the Syrian government, which has repeatedly accused Turkey of supporting the rebels for undeclared interests in Aleppo.

The rebels captured several districts in eastern Aleppo city and tried repeatedly to expand their presence to government-controlled areas in the west.

The rebels laid siege to western Aleppo districts after cutting the international road to Aleppo in 2014, a siege broken later by the Syrian army, with the help of Hezbollah.

Military experts say the initial aim of the battles in Aleppo is to lay a siege on the rebel-held areas and cut off their supply lines to force a surrender.

Another aim is to ensure the security of government-controlled areas and to prevent the militant groups from blocking the main road connecting Aleppo with the Syrian coast and other provinces in central and southern Syria.

Observers say the Syrian military campaign also aims to recapture areas in the northern and southern countryside of Aleppo in the face of Turkey's perceived attempts to establish a safe zone in northern Syria. Endit