28-03-2024 10:12 AM Jerusalem Timing

Syrian Forces Foil Raid on Castello, Kill 29 Militants

Syrian Forces Foil Raid on Castello, Kill 29 Militants

Nearly 30 foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists have been killed in an offensive they had unsuccessfully launched to reopen a key supply route into the Syrian northern city of Aleppo

Nearly 30 foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists have been killed in an offensive they had unsuccessfully launched to reopen a key supply route into the Syrian northern city of Aleppo.

Syrian armyThe so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Sunday that militants from the so-called Faylaq al-Sham and Nusra Front, the latter of which is the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, mounted an attack to recapture the strategic Castello Road on Thursday.

It added that Syrian army soldiers launched a counter-offensive, killing 29 extremists and foiling their attack.

“The attack has ended and the road remains completely closed,” said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.

The Castello Road was effectively severed by Syrian forces Thursday when they seized a hilltop within firing range of the key supply route.

By Saturday, the army soldiers were within 500 meters (yards) of the road and firing on any vehicle attempting to use it.

The Observatory said at least one car had been targeted on the road early Sunday morning, adding it was unclear if it was carrying civilians or fighters.

The capture of the Castello Road came in the wake of recent advances by the Syrian army in the al-Mallah Farms area northwest of Aleppo.

The army had been attempting to seize Mallah for more than two years as it runs adjacent to the Castello Road, the last route militants can use to access districts they control in the second Syrian city.

The capture of Mallah Farms and Castello Road enables Syrian forces to besiege militant-held neighborhoods of Aleppo and puts them within the firing range of the army.