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After the announcement of operations inside and outsede Aleppo city on September 23, the Syrian army, the National Defense Forces, Hezbollah and other pro-government paramilitary groups have launched offensives in Almeria, Sheikh Sa’eed, around the Aleppo Citadel and at the Handarat refugee camp.
Inside Aleppo city, the main activity of the pro-government forces is focused on securing the southern supply road to the government-controlled western neighborhoods of Aleppo. This is why the Syrian army and its allies are expanding buffer zone near the Ramouseh roundabout and roads there.
Separately the pro-government forces achieved minor gains near the Aleppo Citadel. Most likely, the Syrian military has decided to divide the militant-controlled areas into 2 separate parts in case of successfull advance in the area.
The pro-government forces have also attempted to approach the strategic town of Khan-Tuman in southwestern Aleppo. Now, the pro-government forces are holding Mushrifah, Tel Uhnud, the Army Defense Base and Quarriers at the Ramouseh-Khan-Tuman road.
On September 24, the pro-government forces have also intensificated operations in the 1070 Apartment Project and nearby Hikmah Hill, engaging Jaish al-Fatah militants in the area. Firefights are reportedly ongoing in the area.
It’s important to note that up to 8,000 fighters of various Iranian-backed militants have been recently deployed to Aleppo city. This allows pro-government forces to conduct few separate advances in the area.
Operations of the pro-government forces in Aleppo are supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces. Pro-militant sources argue that the Russians make 40-50 air strikes on various targets per day.
The Russian marines are also still in control of a significant part of the strategic Castello Highway in nortwestern Aleppo. Russia has also announced that it is strengthening the military grouping involved in operations in Syria, deploying a carrier strike group led by the heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser “Admiral Kuznetsov” to the country’s shores. Admiral Kuznetsov ‘s air grouping is going to perform air strikes on terrorist targets in Syria.
