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Assad Says Syrian Government's Win in Aleppo Would Change Course of War

© AFP 2023 / GEORGE OURFALIANSyrian pro-government forces stand on top of a building overlooking Aleppo in the city's Bustan al-Basha neighbourhood on November 28, 2016
Syrian pro-government forces stand on top of a building overlooking Aleppo in the city's Bustan al-Basha neighbourhood on November 28, 2016 - Sputnik International
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The victory of the Syrian government forces over militants in Aleppo will alter the course of the conflict in the country, Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Wednesday.

DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — By winning over the city, the legitimate Syrian government will crush the plans of Western and regional players regarding Syria, the president said in an interview with Al-Watan newspaper.

"Aleppo will completely change the course of military operations on the entire territory of Syria, and will mean the collapse of the Western and regional players' plans," Assad said.

Aleppo became the "last hope" of radicals following their defeat in Damascus and Homs, the president noted.

A Russian soldier inspects the damage at a Russian military field hospital after it was shelled by what the Russian Defence Ministry said were Syrian rebels in Aleppo, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on December 5, 2016. - Sputnik International
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Assad stressed that although the liberation of Aleppo "will not mean the end of the war in Syria, however, it will be a big step in that direction."

Over the recent months, Aleppo, which was captured by militants in 2012, became a 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.

On Monday, a military source told RIA Novosti that about 18 square kilometers (11 square miles) were under control of militants in eastern Aleppo, which accounted for about 40 percent of the city's territory.

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