Palestinian Handarat Camp in Aleppo
© AFP 2016/ GEORGE OURFALIAN

RIANovosti
- translated by J. Arnoldski

The Syrian Army has liberated a large part of the Al-Farafira northwest of the citadel of Aleppo, RIA Novosti was informed by a source close to the headquarters of military operations in Aleppo.

"For the first time in several years, we were able to shift the front in Aleppo. We managed to liberate more than half of the Al-Farafira neighborhood. The terrorists retreated, and the operation is ongoing," the source told the agency.

According to the source, the district could be cleaned up in the next few hours. While retreating, the militants left behind ammunition and weapons, including heavy machine guns. The government army suffered no losses. Several soldiers were wounded.

In turn, Reuters has reported with reference to a representative of the armed Syrian opposition that government forces are mobilizing for a ground offensive in the east of the Aleppo province captured by terrorists.

"They are working to gain a foothold in every sector conquered by the enemy. Today, they intensely used helicopters and barrel bombs," the opposition group representative said.

The agency, also citing a commander of Iraqi militia fighting on the side of the Syrian government, reported that the army's forces, together with fighters of the elite Tiger Forces unit, have begun advancing armored vehicles and tanks in the eastern districts of Aleppo.

Earlier, the Syrian army command announced the beginning of a military operation in terrorist-occupied Eastern Aleppo. The commander called on all civilians not to approach militants' positions and their command centers.

Syrian officers have also stated that the Syrian Air Force did not attack any civilian targets or civilian-related infrastructure, and that the army is only striking military targets and terrorist clusters upon preliminary reconnaissance and careful observation.