The Syrian regime resumed this Sunday, February 16, control of the belt of localities surrounding the metropolis of Aleppo, continuing its offensive against the ultimate great jihadist and rebel stronghold in the north-west of the country at war, according to a media outlet. State and an NGO.
Read also: Syria: the regime advances in the last jihadist stronghold
With this progression, the forces of President Bashar al-Assad have distanced their opponents from the outskirts of Aleppo and secured this city which was the target of bombings by jihadists and rebels. Second city in the country and capital of the province of the same name, Aleppo was taken over in 2016 by the regime.
Supported by air raids by their Russian ally, the pre-regime forces left in December to attack the Idlib region and surrounding areas.
The jihadists of Hayat Tahrir al-Cham (HTS, former Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda) dominate more than half of the province of Idlib as well as adjoining sectors in those of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia. Rebel groups and other jihadist factions are present.
Nearly 30 villages and localities taken over
After battles and air raids, "the proregimes took control of all the localities and villages surrounding Aleppo for the first time since 2012, thus securing the city and protecting it from shells" by rebels and jihadists, according to the Observatory Syrian 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 the 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.
Read also: Syria: the regime takes over the last stretch of a crucial highway
Over 380,000 dead since 2011
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 and also Lebanese Hezbollah, the Damascus government has multiplied its victories until it regains control of more than 70% of Syria.
On Sunday, the president of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani met in Damascus Mr. Assad, who stressed the "determination" of his people "to liberate all the Syrian territory" , according to the presidency. Mr. Larijani is expected Sunday evening in Beirut.