Syrian Army, Russian Jets Prevent Terrorist Forces From Reaching Aleppo

The Syrian ground forces backed by Russian aircraft are attempting to prevent additional terrorist forces from gaining access to the outskirts of the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Russian General Staff said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Rudskoy estimated terrorists' losses in less than a week at over 1,000 fighters, seven tanks, eight armored personnel carriers, 29 pieces of artillery and 85 vehicles with mounted weapons.

“The main efforts of [Syrian] government forces supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces are aimed at preventing terrorists transfering backup forces to the southwestern outskirts of the city of Aleppo,” Chief of the Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said.

The situation on the southwestern approaches to the Syrian city of Aleppo remains difficult with heavily armed militants amassing there in the past week, he said.

“The most alarming situation has developed on the southwestern outskirts of Aleppo, where terrorists have formed a group of about 7,000 fighters armed with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, artillery and weapon-mounted vehicles during the last week,” Rudskoy said.

Rudskoy told reporters Jabhat Fatah al Sham militants, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, with reinforcements from regions under their control across three provinces, broke through the Syrian army's defenses and occupied military academies there.

"These militant actions had no significant effect on the situation. Areas under their control are under constant fire from government troops and militia. This completely eliminates the possibility of arms and ammunition deliveries there by terrorists in eastern Aleppo," he affirmed.

All seven humanitarian corridors in the Syrian city of Aleppo remain open around the clock to allow safe passage for civilians and militants wishing to lay down arms, the Russian General Staff said.

A three-hour humanitarian window with a full cessation of hostilities will be opened every day to ensure safe passage for aid convoys into the Syrian city of Aleppo, Chief of the Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said.

"To ensure complete safety in the passage of convoys inside Aleppo, humanitarian ‘windows’ will be established tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time [07:00-10:00 GMT] at which time all hostilities, air strikes and shelling will cease," Chief of the Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said.

Rudskoy told reporters the Syrian government forces and the Russian air groups were ready to provide security to all organizations interested in providing humanitarian aid to the residents of Aleppo.

“All seven of the opened humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians and militants who want to surrender are open and are working around the clock. Ambulances and hot food distribution centers are deployed nearby. There are supplies of drinking water and food products,” Rudskoy told reporters.

The Russian military has delivered over 50 tonnes (55.1 US tons) of food and medical supplies as well as 93 tonnes (102.5 US tons) of potable water to the residents of Syria’s Aleppo, he added.

Russia supports the United Nations’ proposal to establish joint control over humanitarian aid deliveries to the population of Aleppo along the main supply road, the Russian General Staff said Wednesday.

“We are ready to engage in constructive dialogue with all parties interested in resolving the Syrian crisis. We support the UN proposal for the establishment of joint control over the delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo along Castello road,” Chief of the Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said.