The first statement regarding the war that started in Aleppo from MSB sources.

MSB resources answered journalists' questions following the press briefing held at the Ministry. Ministry sources shared the following information regarding the closure of the lock in Zap, northern Iraq, in response to questions: "As part of the strategy we started implementing in 2016, 'to ensure the safety of our borders from afar and to eliminate terrorism at its source,' the Pençe-Kilit Operation launched in northern Iraq on April 17, 2022, has closed the lock of our Pençe operations, and the safety of our entire Iraq border has been established from afar.

"3 THOUSAND 146 MINES AND IEDs CLEARED"

As a result of our operations and air operations carried out in the Pençe-Kilit region to date, a total of 1128 terrorists have been neutralized, 3,146 mines and IEDs planted by terrorists in the region have been cleared, 1317 caves and shelters have been rendered unusable, and 2,408 various weapons, including 948 heavy weapons, along with 889,412 different types and kinds of ammunition have been seized.

"THE LOCK HAS BEEN CLOSED"

Additionally, we assess that there may still be caves, shelters, hideouts, and depots that have not yet been entered in the area under control. The lock has been closed, but our activities in the current operational areas will continue. Despite the harsh weather and terrain conditions in the region, our elements in the Pençe-Kilit Operation area will continue their duties with superior sacrifice and determination until all terrorist nests are destroyed and the last terrorist is neutralized, under the motto of eliminating terrorism at its source."

"WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA"

In response to questions regarding the mobility of opposition groups in northern Syria, sources stated, "We are closely monitoring the mobility initiated by some local groups in the region and the developments related to it. We have taken all necessary precautions for our units and continue to do so."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Conflicts continue between the Bashar al-Assad regime and the opposition armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the Aleppo and Idlib provinces of Syria. The clashes first began early yesterday morning in the western countryside of Aleppo and continued throughout the day. Armed groups that seized control of 32 villages and points in western Aleppo yesterday captured 2 more villages this morning.

Among the settlements and points that opposition groups have taken control of in the western countryside of Aleppo are El Ragib Hill, Kuptan Mountain, Debbabat Hill, the town of Ancara, 46th Brigade, Kefer Besme, Basartun, Hur, Elkasimiyye, Acil, Bele, Sellum, Kefer Bissin, Sheikh Akil, Hırderkal, Acemi, Ürumsugra, Uveycil, El Hüte, El Dab'a, Urum Elkübra, Bişantara, Bakdina, Cemiyet Elmaari, Cemiyet Ebu Amşe, Cemiyet Emin, Cemiyet Manahil, Cemiyet er Rıdvan, Mühendisin, Arnaz, Kefernaha, Kanasel, Kefercum, and Sheikh Ali. These areas were previously under the control of the Assad regime.

Opposition groups, which approached within 5 kilometers of the city center of Aleppo and seized control of an area of 250 square kilometers, also attacked Aleppo Neyrab Military Airport with drones in the early hours of the day, destroying one helicopter. While the clashes continue, the Assad regime targeted civilian settlements with ground-to-ground weapons.

HTS seized heavy weapons and military vehicles belonging to the Assad regime in the areas it took control of, capturing dozens of regime soldiers. Many regime soldiers were also killed in the clashes. Approximately 10,000 civilians fleeing the clashes have sought refuge in the rural areas of Idlib. The clashes continue to intensify towards the city center of Aleppo.

As the intensity of the clashes continues to rise, new fronts emerged this morning. Clashes also began in the Serakip region, east of Idlib province in the northwest of the country, in the early hours of the morning. Opposition groups captured the villages of Trimbe, Dadih, Keferbattih, Cubas, and Shabur, which were under the control of the Assad regime.