Rebel forces in Syria have taken control of the “majority” of the country’s second-largest city, Aleppo, according to the UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
Russia launched air strikes in parts of Aleppo overnight into Saturday for the first time since 2016, the observers added. SOHR said more than 300 people – including more than 20 civilians – have been killed since the offensive started on Wednesday. The offensive is the largest against the Syrian government in years and the first time rebels fighting the forces of President Bashar al-Assad have reached Aleppo since being forced out by the army in 2016.
Syria’s military confirmed on Saturday that rebels had entered “large parts” of the city and dozens of soldiers had been killed or injured in the fighting. In a statement, it said troops had been withdrawn from Aleppo temporarily “to prepare a counteroffensive”. Aleppo’s airport and all roads leading into the city have been closed, military sources told Reuters news agency. The rebels were able to capture the “majority of the city” without meeting significant resistance, the SOHR said early on Saturday. There was “no fighting” as Syrian regime forces withdrew, a spokesperson told the BBC.
“The city council, police stations, intelligence offices – they are empty. “This has never happened before”. Earlier on Friday, government forces said they had regained positions in a number of towns in Aleppo and Idlib provinces, following the offensive launched by HTS and allied factions on Wednesday.
BBC
