1st LD: Syrian army starts withdrawing from key highway in Aleppo

The Syrian army started withdrawing from the strategic Castello highway in the northern province of Aleppo on Thursday, a military source told Xinhua.

Heavy military gears and vehicles have started to withdraw, with a small number of soldiers left till the Syrian army's positions there are fully handed over to the Russian forces, the source said on condition of anonymity.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent will also assume some positions as the highway, which was captured by the Syrian army from the rebels two months ago, will be used for humanitarian purposes only.

The withdrawal will continue till Thursday evening, as UN-backed humanitarian convoys are expected to enter the besieged rebel-held areas on Friday via this route.

Rebels attacked Russian soldiers around the Castello highway days ago, though without causing injuries.

On Sept. 13, the Russian forces installed checkpoints and surveillance cameras on the road.

The Syrian army captured the Castello highway two months ago, cutting off the last supply route of the rebels in the eastern part of Aleppo.

In response, the rebels launched a major offensive in Aleppo in August and captured the al-Ramouseh road, the only supply route for the government-controlled western areas of Aleppo. But the army later drove the rebels out of al-Ramouseh.

On Sept. 10, the United States and Russia brokered a truce across Syria that went into force on Monday.

Since then, the violence, especially in Aleppo, has declined.

As part of the U.S.-Russian agreement, the Syrian army has to withdraw from the Castello highway to allow humanitarian aid into the rebel-held eastern Aleppo, which fell under siege when the road was captured. Endit