The Syrian army has closed Aleppo International Airport and all access routes to the city, according to three military sources cited by Reuters.

 

The closures come as Russia has reportedly pledged additional military support to the Syrian government, with new equipment expected to arrive within 72 hours to counter advancing armed factions.

 

Among these factions are Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other groups, which entered Aleppo on Friday following a lightning assault. This assault marks one of the fiercest escalations in years.

 

Syrian military response

 

In a statement, the Syrian army said it is actively repelling the large-scale offensive, noting that the militants have employed a range of heavy weapons, including drones and armored vehicles, with significant participation from foreign fighters.

 

The army claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the attackers, killing and wounding hundreds, destroying dozens of armored vehicles, and downing 17 drones.

 

Efforts are ongoing to reinforce Syrian positions across various fronts, with the military reclaiming control of several areas that had briefly fallen to the militants.

 

Death toll

 

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the ongoing fighting has resulted in at least 255 deaths, most of whom are combatants from both sides of the conflict.

 

The situation in northern Syria remains volatile, with international observers closely monitoring the developments amid fears of a broader escalation