Rebels Close on Air Force HQ Near Aleppo

The opposition have surrounded the building last month after moving into Layramoun. Defense of the building has been further hindered by insurgent advances in other areas near Aleppo and their attacks in Hama Province, cutting off regime reinforcements.

On Thursday, the Islamic Front declared the seizure of several other buildings close to the headquarters, including the Red Crescent facility.

Acoording to sources, the building, the most fortified area in northwest Aleppo, holds a large number — believed to be in the thousands — of detainees. As it is an important command-and-control center for regime forces, its loss will pose a significant problem for the Assad troops are fighting insurgents in Syria’s largest city.

With the capture of Layramoun, opposition forces are also threatening the regime-held villages of Zahraa and Nubl to the north. They have taken areas to the southwest of Aleppo, notably Aqrab, as they try to capture five military targets and cut off roads used by regime forces. They are also continuing to resist the efforts of the Syrian military to take the Sheikh Najjar industrial area to the east of the city.

Sources, noting the recent advances, say the regime could be in its most vulnerable position in Syria’s largest city in months. They say the best hope for Assad forces now could be a big attack on insurgents by the Islamic State of Iraq and as-Sham, who hold parts of east Aleppo Province and Raqqa, Syria’s largest city outside Assad control.

Source: EA World View

Fighting around the Air Force headquarters: