Damascus, Jan 14
The Syrian army said Monday that its soldiers recaptured five towns east of Aleppo and thus enhanced the security around the northern city's international airport, Xinhua reported citing state-run SANA news agency.
The Syrian army recaptured al-Nakkarin, al-Zarzour, al-Taaneh, al-Subeihieh and Height 53 in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, eliminated a large number of "terrorists" and seized their weapons and ammunition, an army statement said.
"This new achievement enhances the security in the area surrounding the international airport of Aleppo, paves the way for eliminating all mercenary terrorists in its eastern and northern countryside, and tightens the army's control over the industrial city and the roads leading to it from al-Bab district," the statement added.
The rebels had been trying to attack Aleppo's airport after storming some airbases in the restive province, which used to be the economic hub of Syria before the country got engulfed by conflicts.
By:IANS