Syrian army recaptures strategic town southeast of Aleppo

Syrian army forces and their allies have retaken control of a strategic town in the northern Aleppo province from Daesh militants.

According to the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Thursday, Syrian forces liberated the strategic town of Khanasir some 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the southeast of Aleppo.

Hailed by the Syrian media, the victory paves the way for the reopening of a sole supply route to Aleppo.

The offensive came after Daesh militants tried to attack Syrian army positions along the Ithrya-Khanasir road.

Heavy clashes were still underway Thursday morning in the surrounding areas of the town.

According to field sources, over 100 terrorists have been killed in the clashes with the Syrian army and volunteer forces.

Facing an imminent defeat, Daesh militants left behind their dead and wounded members Wednesday and fled their stronghold in the area.

Two days earlier, the town had been captured by the Takfiri group.

Syria has pledged to continue attacks on Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorists who are exempt from a ceasefire worked out between Russia and the US on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the United Nations and Russia have stepped up delivering humanitarian aid to several besieged towns. 

Humanitarian aid delivered

On Wednesday, the UN carried out its first airdrop of aid in the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr.

Stephen O'Brien, the UN aid chief, told the Security Council that the plane had dropped 21 tons of humanitarian items to civilians besieged by Daesh terrorists.

About 200,000 civilians are living under siege in the city, facing “severe cases of malnutrition and deaths due to starvation,” according to the UN.

However, a UN spokesman said the World Food Program was still trying to determine whether the airdropped relief had reached the affected people.

“As you know, airdrops can be very challenging,” Stephane Dujarric said. “The pallets were dropped. They’re trying to reach local partners to ensure that the aid was received.”

Footage released on Thursday also showed Russian military personnel helping distribute humanitarian aid to residents in southern Idlib.

The delivery was jointly organized by Russia, Syria and international organizations, including the UN, Red Cross and Red Crescent.

“The reconciliation took place in several towns and villages, which are located near or a little further. Thank God it happened,” Sheikh Ahmed Mubarak, who controls the surrounding villages, told the local media.

“Of course, we will have difficulties, but Syrian people will return to their reality and they must push the outsiders, who came to our country. Then security will come,” he added.

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