Syrian army enters Aleppo's ancient citadel

After capturing the old city of Aleppo, Syrian forces entered the citadel of Aleppo on Wednesday, meeting with a military unit that has been besieged at that place.

The unit met with the storming military forces, who have captured all of the old city of Aleppo and entered the citadel from its main gate, a military source told Xinhua.

Before the recent military offensive in Aleppo, the citadel was almost besieged by the rebels and the military forces inside used to go out and in via sub routes and in armoured vehicles.

Parts of the citadel were also under the control of the rebels, who reportedly withdrew from their positions on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said Syrian airstrikes targeted rebel positions near the citadel, after they fired mortar shells that slammed the citadel, causing no casualties.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Syrian army has become in control of 80 per cent of the rebel-held part in eastern Aleppo.

--IANS

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