1st LD: Syrian army decides to reduce air raids over Aleppo

The Syrian army announced on Wednesday reducing the air raids over rebel-held areas in the northern province of Aleppo to "enhance the humanitarian conditions" of the civilians, state news agency SANA reported.

The general command of the Syrian army said the decision came following the "success achieved by our armed forces in Aleppo and cutting all of the rebels' supply routes" to the rebel-held areas in eastern Aleppo city.

The army also said that it had destroyed all vital sectors the rebels use in eastern Aleppo.

"So, the general command of the army, emanating from its keenness to enhance the humanitarian situation of the civilians, who were taken hostage by the rebels in Aleppo, decides to decrease the airstrikes and artillery shelling on the terrorist positions, so that the civilians who want to leave such areas, can do so," the statement said.

The Western powers, mainly the United States, have recently upped their rhetoric against the Syrian government and Russia, demanding a halt of the airstrikes against rebel-held areas in Aleppo to reduce the suffering of the people and allow in humanitarian aid.

Out of its declared "frustration," the United States announced earlier this week that it had suspended all talks with Russia over the cessation of hospitalities in Syria, particularly in Aleppo.

On Sept. 20, a one-week truce in Aleppo ended without extension as tension rose between Russia and the United States, which backs so-called moderate rebels fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Late last month, the Syrian military announced a major offensive against rebel-held areas in Aleppo, with government officials and President Bashar al-Assad pledging to capture the whole city from rebel hands.

Aleppo, Syria's largest province near the Turkish border and its economic hub before the crisis, is strategically vital to the warring parties. Endit