The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies have launched an intense bombing campaign against fortified positions of terrorists in the vicinity of Aleppo city.
On January 16 morning, the army’s artillery began pounding terrorists’ positions and fortifications in the northwestern, western and southwestern outskirts of the city’s center.
The Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) and the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are also carrying out airstrikes on these regions. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the towns of Khalsah, Khan Tuman, Kafr Naha and Anjara were targeted
Earlier, a military source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies have intensified their rocket attacks on Aleppo city, warning that the army will respond.
In the last few weeks, the SAA amassed a large force, including the elite 4th Division, around Aleppo city. Many reports speculated that the army is preparing to launch a military operation in the region.
The ongoing intense strikes on the vicinity of Aleppo city suggest that the army could launch a ground operation there in the upcoming few days. Earlier this week, HTS sabotaged a ceasefire which covered the region. Thus an operation is once again possible.