The troops of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad resumed, Sunday, February 16, the control of the belt of localities surrounding the city of Aleppo, the former economic capital of the country, continuing its offensive against the last jihadist and rebel stronghold in the north - west of Syria.

With this progression, the Syrian regime has distanced its adversaries from the outskirts of Aleppo and secured this city which was the target of bombings by jihadists and rebels. Capital of the eponymous province, Aleppo was taken over in 2016 by the regime.

Supported by air raids by their Russian ally, the Syrian army left in December to attack the province of Idleb and surrounding areas. The jihadists of Hayat Tahrir al-Cham (HTS, ex-Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda) dominate more than half of this region as well as adjoining sectors in the provinces of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. Rebel groups and other jihadist factions are present there.

After battles and air raids, "the pro-regimes have taken control of all the localities and villages surrounding Aleppo for the first time since 2012, thus securing the city and protecting it from shells" from the rebels and jihadists, according to l '' Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH).

"They have progressed rapidly in the north and west of the province of Aleppo after the total withdrawal of the" opposing "factions and have taken over" almost 30 villages and localities ", according to the NGO.

According to Syrian state television, "army units have liberated all villages and localities west of the city of Aleppo". Television showed images presented as those of Aleppo residents celebrating the regime's takeover of villages.

In olive groves in the east of the province of Idleb, near the locality of Maaret al-Naassane, rebels aboard a tank fired at positions of the regime in the locality of Miznaz in the west of the Aleppo province, according to an AFP correspondent on the spot.

The forces of the regime have also conquered territories adjoining a highway connecting the city of Aleppo to the capital Damascus, to secure this expressway, according to the OSDH.

Since December, more than 800,000 people have been displaced by violence in northwestern Syria, according to the UN. More than 380 civilians have been killed, according to the OSDH.

Triggered in March 2011 with the suppression of peaceful demonstrations, the war in Syria has killed more than 380,000 people.

Supported by Russia, Iran but also Lebanese Hezbollah, the power of Damascus multiplied the victories until regaining control of more than 70% of Syria.

With AFP

The France 24 week summary invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Download the app

google-play-badge_FR