Syria advances in Aleppo, cuts rebels from west
Feb 5, 2016 15:54:44 GMT -5
Post by shalom on Feb 5, 2016 15:54:44 GMT -5
Syria advances in Aleppo, cuts rebels from west
Feb. 4, 2016
Updated Feb. 5, 2016 7:10 a.m.
Saudis offer ground troops in ISiS fight
A Saudi military spokesman said the kingdom is ready to send ground troops to Syria to fight Islamic State – provided coalition leaders agree during a meeting in Brussels this month. Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri told The Associated Press on Thursday that Saudi Arabia has taken part in coalition airstrikes against Islamic State since the U.S.-led campaign began in September 2014 but now could provide ground troops.
BEIRUT – The Syrian army entered two pro-government Shiite towns outside of Aleppo and advanced against rebel forces in the northern province Thursday, threatening to entirely encircle the opposition-held parts of the key city.
Government forces and their allies now have cut off the main supply route from Aleppo city to Turkey, a key backer of Syria’s opposition.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 40,000 people were already on the move in Aleppo province and that many could seek refuge in neighboring Turkey owing to clashes between government forces and rebels.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has warned tens of thousands of refugees would try to enter his country, which already hosts the largest number of Syrians who fled their homeland.
Speaking in London as world leaders launched a donors conference asking for billions of dollars in aid for Syria, Davutoglu also had warned that tens of thousands of Syrians are fleeing the fighting in Aleppo and would seek shelter in neighboring Turkey.
He blamed the mass movement on Russian airstrikes and the Syrian government’s forces and called for more U.S. leadership.
Syrian state-run television ran bulletins saying the government planned to “soon” seize total control over Aleppo, which was the country’s second-largest city and economic capital.
The state broadcaster earlier showed footage of Syrian soldiers and paramilitaries celebrating with the residents of Nubul and Zahraa, towns that had been under siege for more than three years.
“I thank the Syrian army, Iran, Hezbollah and all those who worked on liberating us from the siege the terrorists had imposed on us since 2012,” a resident told the broadcaster as he waved the Syrian flag.
Taking control of the territory on Wednesday marked a significant victory for government forces, who have been trying for more than two years to encircle Aleppo, the last major urban center in rebel hands.
Russian airstrikes backing the government are believed to have played a key role.
The government also retook the town of Maer, located to the east, from rebels, the Britain-based watchdog said.
link
Feb. 4, 2016
Updated Feb. 5, 2016 7:10 a.m.
Saudis offer ground troops in ISiS fight
A Saudi military spokesman said the kingdom is ready to send ground troops to Syria to fight Islamic State – provided coalition leaders agree during a meeting in Brussels this month. Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri told The Associated Press on Thursday that Saudi Arabia has taken part in coalition airstrikes against Islamic State since the U.S.-led campaign began in September 2014 but now could provide ground troops.
BEIRUT – The Syrian army entered two pro-government Shiite towns outside of Aleppo and advanced against rebel forces in the northern province Thursday, threatening to entirely encircle the opposition-held parts of the key city.
Government forces and their allies now have cut off the main supply route from Aleppo city to Turkey, a key backer of Syria’s opposition.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 40,000 people were already on the move in Aleppo province and that many could seek refuge in neighboring Turkey owing to clashes between government forces and rebels.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has warned tens of thousands of refugees would try to enter his country, which already hosts the largest number of Syrians who fled their homeland.
Speaking in London as world leaders launched a donors conference asking for billions of dollars in aid for Syria, Davutoglu also had warned that tens of thousands of Syrians are fleeing the fighting in Aleppo and would seek shelter in neighboring Turkey.
He blamed the mass movement on Russian airstrikes and the Syrian government’s forces and called for more U.S. leadership.
Syrian state-run television ran bulletins saying the government planned to “soon” seize total control over Aleppo, which was the country’s second-largest city and economic capital.
The state broadcaster earlier showed footage of Syrian soldiers and paramilitaries celebrating with the residents of Nubul and Zahraa, towns that had been under siege for more than three years.
“I thank the Syrian army, Iran, Hezbollah and all those who worked on liberating us from the siege the terrorists had imposed on us since 2012,” a resident told the broadcaster as he waved the Syrian flag.
Taking control of the territory on Wednesday marked a significant victory for government forces, who have been trying for more than two years to encircle Aleppo, the last major urban center in rebel hands.
Russian airstrikes backing the government are believed to have played a key role.
The government also retook the town of Maer, located to the east, from rebels, the Britain-based watchdog said.
link
