Syrian troops capture rebel territory in Aleppo

Syrian government forces capture a central rebel-held neighborhood in Aleppo after a week of blistering airstrikes.

Syrian state TV says troops captured Farafra, near Aleppo’s famous citadel, and that fighting is underway near the historic core of the northern city.

Syrian government soldiers walk in the damaged al-Farafira souk in the government-held side of Aleppo's historic city center on September 16, 2016. (Youssef Karwashan/AFP) — Syrian government soldiers walk in the damaged al-Farafira souk in the government-held side of Aleppo’s historic city center on September 16, 2016. (Youssef Karwashan/AFP)

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists inside Syria, confirms that government forces advanced on the old quarter.

“There was intense shelling earlier. It seemed the (government) was preparing for the attack,” said Ibrahim Alhaj, a member of the Syrian Civil Defense, volunteer first responders. He adds that news from the front line suggests a large mobilization of pro-government militias in the old city.

— AP