(Zaman Al Wasl)- A rebel group controlling a border crossing with Turkey has banned members of the Western-backed interim government from entering rebel-held Aleppo province, sources told Zaman al Wasl Wednesday.
Al Shamiyeh Front who controls Bab al Salameh crossing prevented Ahmed Tomeh, Prime Minister of the National Coalition's government with a further 20 members from heading to Aleppo city on Tuesday, eye-witness and rebel sources said.
The key rebel group active in northern province of Aleppo said, in statement seen by Zaman al Wasl, the entry ban was over concerns on their safety since rebels' territory has become a clear target for Syrian and Russian air strikes.
Tomeh in his first visit to rebel-held Aleppo was planning to visit the provincial council to hold a press conference, in hope he may send message to the International Community that the alternative of Syrian regime's government is available despite negligence, activists said.
On Tuesday, Syrian regime troops and their Iranian and Lebanese allies broke a more than two-year-old siege by the Islamic State group at Kweires military air base in the northern province of Aleppo.
Areas around Aleppo have seen weeks of heavy fighting after Syrian troops, backed by Lebanese and Iranian fighters, launched an offensive to retake surrounding territory from rebels and jihadi fighters.
The offensive has concentrated so far on clearing insurgent-held areas south of Aleppo rather than the city itself and is one of several assaults carried out by ground forces since Russian jets began airstrikes on Sept. 30 in support of Assad.
Al Shamiyeh Front who controls Bab al Salameh crossing prevented Ahmed Tomeh, Prime Minister of the National Coalition's government with a further 20 members from heading to Aleppo city on Tuesday, eye-witness and rebel sources said.
The key rebel group active in northern province of Aleppo said, in statement seen by Zaman al Wasl, the entry ban was over concerns on their safety since rebels' territory has become a clear target for Syrian and Russian air strikes.
Tomeh in his first visit to rebel-held Aleppo was planning to visit the provincial council to hold a press conference, in hope he may send message to the International Community that the alternative of Syrian regime's government is available despite negligence, activists said.
On Tuesday, Syrian regime troops and their Iranian and Lebanese allies broke a more than two-year-old siege by the Islamic State group at Kweires military air base in the northern province of Aleppo.
Areas around Aleppo have seen weeks of heavy fighting after Syrian troops, backed by Lebanese and Iranian fighters, launched an offensive to retake surrounding territory from rebels and jihadi fighters.
The offensive has concentrated so far on clearing insurgent-held areas south of Aleppo rather than the city itself and is one of several assaults carried out by ground forces since Russian jets began airstrikes on Sept. 30 in support of Assad.
Comments About This Article
Please fill the fields below.