Anti-Assad groups seize large part of Aleppo: Clashes continue

Clashes that began on November 27 in Syria between the army and jihadist groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) continue.

While it is stated that the jihadists, who launched a "Deterrence of Aggression" operation against the Syrian army, have entered Aleppo for the first time since 2016, sources speaking to Reuters claim that the groups have 'reached the heart' of Aleppo. It is reported that the Syrian army has withdrawn from Aleppo. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claims that the death toll in the clashes has risen to 287.

"WE WILL CONTINUE OUR PREPARATIONS"

A statement came from the Syrian army regarding the claims of withdrawal from Aleppo. In the army's statement, which reported that soldiers had withdrawn from the region 'temporarily', it was said, "Our armed forces engaged in intense clashes along a line exceeding 100 kilometers to stop the attack, and in these clashes, dozens of our soldiers were martyred and some were wounded." It was stated that preparations would continue until reinforcements reached the region, and that soldiers had temporarily withdrawn from the area during this period.

AIRPORT CLOSED

Military sources speaking to the Reuters agency stated that new equipment from Russia, which promised 'additional military aid' to Damascus, would be delivered to the army within 72 hours. Denying reports that jihadist groups had entered the city, Syrian state media reported that the groups had 'suffered heavy losses' in clashes with the army in the Aleppo and Idlib countryside. Syrian officials also announced that Aleppo International Airport has been closed. All flights at the airport have been halted.

Jihadist groups, which have been clashing with Assad forces since November 27, have entered the Aleppo city center.

THEY ARE ALSO ADVANCING RAPIDLY IN THE IDLIB COUNTRYSIDE

The armed groups, which have been clashing with Assad forces in the north of the country since November 27, are advancing rapidly in the Idlib countryside, just as they are in Aleppo province.

Since the morning hours, the armed groups have seized more than 50 villages under Assad's control in the east and southeast of Idlib.

The Syrian administration had captured these villages in 2019 as a result of intense attacks, despite the "De-escalation Zones" Agreement reached at the Astana meetings.

ARMED GROUPS APPROACH HAMA CENTER

In Syria, anti-Assad armed groups have approached Hama province, which is under the control of Bashar al-Assad's forces, following the Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

The jihadist groups, which have been clashing with Assad forces for 4 days, continue their advance in the country.

The armed groups, which have retaken most of the Aleppo city center and all of Idlib province from regime forces, are advancing toward Hama province, which is under regime control and located south of Idlib.

The groups, which captured the Khan Shaykhun district of Idlib in the evening hours, advanced and seized the settlements of Taybat al-Imam, Kafr Zita, Kafr Nabudah, Halfaya, Qalaat al-Madiq, Al-Lataminah, Suran, Kirnaz, Mardes, Hammaiyat, and Tremseh in northern Hama.

The armed groups also took the town of Morek, one of the most important districts of Hama located on the M5 highway, from regime forces.

The armed groups, which also took control of Mount Zayn al-Abidin, are located approximately 8 kilometers from the Hama city center.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Clashes began between Assad forces and anti-regime armed groups on November 27 in the western countryside of Aleppo province in northern Syria.

Advancing rapidly from the western countryside of Aleppo toward the center on November 27-28, the jihadist groups had also seized numerous areas in the Idlib countryside starting from the second day of the clashes.

The armed groups, which entered the Aleppo city center starting from yesterday afternoon, had reached the central parts of the Aleppo city center by the evening hours.