Syria forces kill 50 Daesh militants in Aleppo

Syrian government forces have killed at least 50 Daesh Takfiri militants while making advances in the northern province of Aleppo, reports say.

The militants were killed over the past 24 hours during clashes with government forces, who were supported by Russian airstrikes in east Aleppo, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Sunday.

According to the official SANA news agency, the Syrian army made more gains against Takfiri militants in Aleppo, regaining control of seven villages; Howeijena, Sobeihia, al-Rodwania, Rayan, al Qaroutia, Roufie and Ain Thabet at al Sfira area some 30 km to the northeast of Aleppo city.

Syrian forces also managed to take back control of strategic Faaouri and Riman hills in the eastern countryside of Aleppo.

Syrian troops have captured over a dozen villages from Daesh militants in the northern province since Saturday morning.

The fresh gains have tightened the noose on Daesh as they included two strategic roads that used to serve as supply routes for the terror group: the main road connecting Shaddadah to the Daesh-held city of Mosul in Iraq and another road connecting it to Raqqah.

Having lost these two routes, the Takfiris in the area were forced to retreat toward Dayr al-Zawr Province, which is mostly under their control.

According to a new report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people since March 2011.