DAMASCUS (Sputnik) — According to the Al Mayadeen television channel, fierce battles are ongoing for the district of Ard al-Hamra to the north-east of Aleppo and the Jabal Badro district. Control over this area would put an end to the regular shelling of Nayrab airport by terrorists.
The Ard al-Hamra district is located close to another strategic district of Masaken Hanano, which leads to the eastern districts of Aleppo, the broadcaster reported, citing an army’s officer. Syrian troops supported by local militias managed to break through the key terrorist positions in the Masaken Hanano district on Monday.
On Tuesday, Syrian Army's General Command called on militants to lay down arms in accordance with amnesty decree, stop the bloodshed, bombing of residential areas and attacks on civilians.
Over the recent months, Aleppo has been a major battleground in Syria, engaging government forces, jihadists, and numerous opposition groups. Eastern Aleppo is held by militants, encircled by government forces, and the fighting has affected thousands of civilians still trapped in the city.
Between 200,000 and 300,000 civilians are still held by terrorists in the eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, according to Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien.
