Key Northeastern Aleppo Supply Route for US-Supported Terrorists Cut Off

by Stephen Lendman

Syrian and Russian forces are winning the battle for Aleppo - proceeding cautiously and responsibly to avoid harming thousands of civilians held hostage by US-supported terrorists.

Otherwise the entire city and surrounding areas would have been liberated long ago. Steady progress toward this objective is why Washington is considering escalated conflict.

One option involves attacking Syrian forces, their command and control capabilities, weapons depots, and air defense systems. If no-fly zone imposition is planned, all bets are off. War with Russia could follow.

On October 15, reports indicate Syrian ground forces aided by Russian aerial operations cut off a key northeastern Aleppo terrorist supply route, military sources saying:

"Syrian government forces marched on terrorists' positions in al-Brij and Mojbal al-Nazarat in the northern side of Aleppo and, meantime, seized control over a strategic road in the eastern outskirts of the city used by the terrorist groups to transfer arms and ammunition cargos to (US-supported al-Nusra) positions in the northeastern and northern districts of Aleppo."

"Following the recent advances of the the Syrian army in the region, terrorists seem to be ready for a rapid defeat in Hananou Youth Housing Complex, Hananou district and al-Anzarat battlefield."

"The Syrian army pushed the terrorists back form al-Brij, South of Handarat region, first and after establishing control over the al-Brij hill and Mojbal al-Nazarat they are now at the gates of Sawq (bazaar) Jom'eh area."

"(A)rmy soldiers managed to lay siege on the terrorists in Hananou Youth Housing Complex, Hananou and al-Anzarat region from the North and the East."

Nusra and allied fighters suffered heavy casualties, scores killed or wounded. Many were captured. According to Arabic language al-Watan, citing family members and relatives of jihadists, "at least 2,000 militants…announced their readiness to lay down arms and join the peace plan in Aleppo."

Local leaders "formed committees to identify (terrorists) want(ing)" to cease fighting. Increasing numbers are surrendering to government forces.

Russian General Sergei Rudskoy and Syria's military guaranteed safe passage for fighters and civilians wanting to leave east Aleppo.

South Front.org said "pro-government forces "took control of Talat Bureij, Majbal Al-Zatin, Tal Owayjah, and Tal Al-Asfar (in northern Aleppo. 

"Controlling of these hilltops (lets) government forces…easily defend the previous gains in northern Aleppo, overlook areas in the northern part of Haydariyah Neighborhood and prepare a push to…control of the Ba'edin Roundabout." 

"In southern Aleppo, the army and Hezbollah captured the strategic Sheikh Sa'eed hill in the Sheikh Sa'eed Neighborhood."

On Saturday, Lavrov and Kerry are in Lausanne, Switzerland discussing Syria's conflict, made in the USA, with no prospect for resolution as long as Washington demands regime change.

Expect this round of talks to be as fruitless as earlier ones - because Washington rejects peaceful conflict resolution.

Wars of aggression, mass slaughter and destruction serve its imperial agenda. Peace defeats it.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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