It's a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after four years of fighting rebels in Aleppo. The army says it's regained complete control of the city in the country's north. The last of the rebel fighters that had been holed up in the city have left.
It's a major victory for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after four years of fighting rebels in Aleppo. The army says it's regained complete control of the city in the country's north. The last of the rebel fighters that had been holed up in the city have left.
Aleppo, a city reduced to rubble after four years of a seige, now ending, according to an unnamed Syrian army general reading a statement on state television after the remaining rebel fighters and trapped civilians in were evacuated from the frozen city.
"By virtue of the pious blood of our martyrs and the heroism and sacrifice of our fearless armed forces and its reserves and allies, and the determination of our people: the General Command of the Military and Armed Forces declares the return of security and safety to the city of Aleppo following its liberation from terror and the departure of the terrorists who remained from the city," General Ali Mayhoob, spokesman of Chief of Staff, Syrian Armed Forces, said.
It's a major strategic victory for the Syrian government of President Assad who's been assisted in military operations by Iran, Russia and several Shiite militia groups.
During an emergency meeting of foreign minister of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Saudi Arabia, Turkey's foreign minister called for a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian access and efforts to forge a political settlement.
"The regime must return to the negotiating table for direct talks with the opposition for a genuine political transition in Syria. We should send out a strong message that the foreign militias should leave Syria right away," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
The United Nations General Assembly voted on Wednesday to establish an independent panel to assist in the investigation and future prosecution of war crimes or crimes against humanity in Syria.
Evgeny Zagaynov, Russian Deputy UN Ambassador: (TRANSLATION NEEDED) "Our delegation has consistently stood by the principle that resolving matters of prosecution and punishment should not undermine political settlement. on the contrary, these two processes should go hand in hand. If this resolution is adopted it would only set back the establishment of the peace process in the Syrian Arab Republic."
The thousands of rebel fighters and civilians, who've been assisted by the humanitarian agencies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent have been evacuated to rebel controlled areas of Idlib province.
The Syrian government has made clear that it's not prepared to end hostilities until it controls all areas of the country.
