The Syrian government forces backed by heavy Russian air strikes recaptured a town seized by Islamic State near the road used by the Army to access Aleppo, though the route remains cut, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Thursday.
The town of Khanaser is located some 50 km (30 miles) to the southeast of Aleppo city. IS captured it two days ago, the Observatory said. In a separate report, Syrian state media said the Army had “restored security and stability” to Khanaser.
The government has been forced to use the Khanaser road to reach Aleppo because insurgents control the main highway to the city further west.
Rebels battling government offensives in the Aleppo area have said the Islamic State attack in Khanaser appeared to have eased the pressure on their frontlines with the government.
Islamic State is not included in a US-Russian plan aimed at bringing about a halt to the fighting in Syria that is due to take effect on Saturday.
