Armed groups capture most of Aleppo city center in Syria

By Ethem Emre Ozcan, Omer Koparan and Mehmet Burak Karacaoglu

ALEPPO, Syria (AA) - Armed groups opposing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime seized control of much of Aleppo’s city center.

The groups, which entered Aleppo’s city center on Friday, seized control of many neighborhoods in the area.

Reaching Sadallah al-Jabiri Square, a central location in the city, the groups advanced further, taking over a significant portion of Aleppo.

In a short period, the opposition forces also seized the governor's office, the police headquarters, and Aleppo Citadel, a symbolic landmark of the city.

After capturing Abu al-Duhur military airport, the armed groups confiscated ammunition and military vehicles left behind by regime forces.

The groups imposed a nighttime curfew in the city and conducted security sweeps in the neighborhoods under their control.

In the evening hours, they entered buildings used by the regime as detention centers, releasing dozens of individuals, including political prisoners.

The clashes began Wednesday in the western countryside of Aleppo.

On Nov. 27-28, anti-regime groups rapidly advanced from western Aleppo's countryside toward the center, capturing numerous areas in Idlib's countryside on the second day of clashes.

On Friday, the groups had entered Aleppo’s city center and reached the central districts by evening.