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Syrian army declares progress against IS in NE Aleppo

Xinhua, February 2, 2017 Adjust font size:

Syrian army has captured 32 towns and farms during a current military campaign against the Islamic State (IS) group in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo province, the General Command of the Syrian army said in a statement Thursday.

The Syrian forces backed by allied forces have made progress during its broad military campaign launched 20 days ago against the IS group in northeastern Aleppo, said the statement, adding that the captured areas are estimated at 250 sq. km.

The statement, carried by state-run SANA news agency, said the Syrian forces managed storm several bastions of the IS militants in the region, capturing the road connecting Aleppo with the city of al-Bab, a main stronghold for IS in the countryside of Aleppo, near the Turkish borders.

Al-Bab is a strategic city for the IS, as its last bastion near the Turkish borders. Securing the southern rim of al-Bab will protect the southeastern rim of Aleppo city.

The statement said the army has destroyed several tunnels and positions of IS in the recaptured areas. The progress will help in widening the "security perimeter" around Aleppo city and constitute a launching-pad for further operations against IS in the area.

The Syrian army wrested its full control over the entire city of Aleppo in December of last year, poising for further military operations in the province, with the help of Russian air force and ground fighters of Hezbollah and other Shiite groups. Endit