NNA - Syria’s military said in a statement on Friday that its forces are repelling a major offensive by militant groups in Aleppo and Idlib countryside, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers.

Earlier on Friday, a Syrian government security official told AFP that army reinforcements arrived in Aleppo as opposition fighters advanced toward the main northern city after launching a major offensive on northwestern government-held areas this week.

“Military reinforcements have arrived,” the official said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, adding that “there are fierce battles and clashes west of Aleppo, but they have not reached the city.”--agencies

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