Syrian opposition says government siege of Aleppo broken
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 6 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syrian opposition says government siege of Aleppo broken, 6 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db99c520.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last updated (GMT/UTC): 06.08.2016 18:10
Empty vegetable stalls are pictured in Aleppo's rebel-controlled Bustan al-Qasr neighborhood due to a siege by Syrian pro-government forces on August 5.
Syrian opposition fighters say they have broken a three-week government siege of the city of Aleppo on August 6, days after launching a counteroffensive against Russia-backed Syrian government forces that are now on the defensive.
The Istanbul-based opposition National Coalition says it successfully broke the siege by opening a new route into the city from the southwest.
Opposition fighters and militant Islamists have waged fierce assaults since July 31 to end the siege, which trapped an estimated 250,000 civilians in Aleppo's eastern districts.
An Islamist faction called Ahrar al-Sham said fighters had seized control of Ramussa on the southwestern edges of the city and thereby "opened the route to Aleppo."
But Syrian state television said late on August 6 that the army had regained control of several key points in a military complex south of Aleppo that opposition fighters had overrun earlier.
Heavy fighting and air strikes reported from the area suggest any passage that may have been opened would not be secure for civilians to travel through.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
