Syria says E Aleppo may be liberated ‘at any moment’

The Syrian army says it can announce full recapture of the eastern part of Aleppo "at any moment" as the pro-government forces advance on the ground, tightening the noose around foreign-backed terrorists in the strategic northwestern city.

Speaking during a tour of recently retaken Aleppo districts on Tuesday, an unidentified military spokesman said the militants were currently holed up in just a handful of districts that would fall on Tuesday or Wednesday.

"The army continues to advance towards ... Sukkari, what remains of Seif al-Dawla, part of al-Amiriya and Tel al-Zarazir," the spokesman said.

After wresting control of the remaining neighborhoods, the Syrian military’s “operation in the eastern areas of the city ... will be finished,” he added.

The official further emphasized that the terrorists were rejecting calls to withdraw from the battered city.

Aleppo military operation to end within hours: Russia

In a related development, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency session on Tuesday to discuss the latest situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

The session was requested by France and Britain during which UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also briefed the Security Council on the situation in Aleppo.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council session on Tuesday, Russia’s UN ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, said the Syrian army's military operation to liberate Aleppo would end "in the next few hours."

"All militants, together with members of their family and the injured, currently are going through agreed corridors in directions that they have chosen themselves voluntarily," he added.

Terrorists' warehouses discovered in Aleppo

Meanwhile, the Lebanese al-Mayadeen television channel released footage from terrorists’ warehouses in Aleppo, where they had stored humanitarian aid and clothes and prevented people’s access to the stuff.

One of the depots, which was situated at the al-Yarmuk School in eastern Aleppo, was held by Jaish al-Islam militants.

The Syrian army soldiers and their allies have dealt heavy blows to militants in Aleppo over the past few weeks, with Syrian state TV saying that the Damascus forces are now in control of 99 percent of the strategic city.

Russia: Deal reached to allow militants out of Aleppo

Later on Tuesday, Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said an “arrangement” had been “achieved on the ground” to allow militants to quit the war-wracked city.

"My latest information is that there is indeed an arrangement achieved on the ground that the fighters are going to leave the city," he added.

Churkin’s announcement came after the Nureddin al-Zenki terror group said civilians and militants were to start evacuating the eastern part of Aleppo "within hours" under a deal reached with the Syrian government.

Yasser al-Youssef from the group’s political office was quoted by the AFP as saying that the agreement was being "sponsored" by Russia and Turkey.

"The first stage will be the evacuation of civilians and wounded; within hours, and afterwards” militants will leave with their light weapons, Youssef added.

Those leaving will be allowed to travel to militant-held territory in western Aleppo Province or neighboring Idlib Province, he further pointed out. 

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir