DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — Syrian Army units are continuing to advance in eastern Aleppo, having liberated most part of the Helwaniyeh neighborhood from militants, a source in local militia told RIA Novosti Sunday.
"Following yesterday's success in the Al-Jazmati neighborhood, the army has managed to advance inside the Helwaniyeh district and knock out terrorists from the square and nearby residential compounds. Moreover, we are controlling about half of the highway, which leads to the highway to the international airport in Nayreb [Aleppo International Airport]," the source said.
On Saturday, the Syrian Army, backed by local militia, took over another two districts in the eastern Aleppo and is leading the offensive further with the support of local militia, after militants have refused to surrender and leave the city peacefully.
Over recent months, Aleppo became major battleground in Syria, engaging government forces, jihadists, and numerous opposition groups. Eastern Aleppo is currently encircled by government troops, and the fighting has affected thousands of civilians still trapped in the city. Previous internationally mediated ceasefires have collapsed as militants continued attacks and opposition failed to expel al-Nusra Front, which is now known as Jabhat Fatah al Sham and outlawed in Russia, from the city.
