Heavy clashes erupt in Aleppo’s Mennigh airport

Heavy clashes erupt in Aleppo’s Mennigh airport
Tue Jun 11, 2013 22:49:17

Syrian soldiers have blocked an attempt by militants to enter Mennigh airport in north of Aleppo where the army has started a major operation to free the town from terrorists’ occupation.

According to al-Alam reporter, clashes erupted near the airport which is located between the city of Aleppo and northern towns of Nubbul, al-Zahra and Andan, as militants tried to enter the facility from two sides.

Several militants were killed in the fighting including one of their field commanders known as “Abu Talha”.

The army started an operation against terrorists in Aleppo, dubbed “North Storm”, following its victory in the western town of Qusayr which was the most important bastion for terrorists groups, especially al-Nusra Front.

The main militants’ strongholds in the province which are the tree towns of Nubbul, al-Zahra and Andan were completely surrounded by army forces on Sunday while clashes are reported in other parts of the vast province as well.

An army commander told our reporter that results of the operation are seen to be positive so far and many militants are said to have fled the province following army’s entrance to the area.

He said the main goal for the army is to get closer to the two towns of Nubbul and al-Zahra which has been under a strict siege for more than 11 months.

Residents have suffered a long blockade of all kinds of humanitarian supplies since July 2012 when terrorists completely closed the area and killed anyone who tried to exit.

In May, a group of a thousand people tried to break the siege, but they were faced with terrorists who attacked the group brutally and killed and arrested many of them.

They beheaded 10 men and hung their heads at the entrance of the area so that no one else would run.

More than 50 thousand people live in these two towns while after the crisis broke out some 15000 people also migrated and set camp in there.

There are daily reports of abduction and killing of citizens in the area by terrorist groups who often film their crimes and post them on the internet.

It is estimated that at least 10 thousand terrorist are currently occupying the towns.

Syrian army has made considerable gains against foreign-backed terrorists during the past months, which has made many of them either flee or surrender.

However with the support of the United States and its western and regional allies for arming the militants, concerns are still high for Syrian people who have suffered a massive bloodshed for more than two year.

The United States is going to decide this week whether to provide lethal aid to the militants to fight against the government.

Militant leaders have warned Washington that they could suffer heavy losses without lethal support.

They also announced that they will not take parts in dialogues to end the bloodshed unless they receive more arms from their foreign supporters.

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