Syria's military announces Aleppo troop withdrawal to prepare counteroffensive

Syrian opposition fighters gather at Saadallah al-Jabiri Square, after rebels opposed to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said they had reached the heart of Aleppo, Syria November 30, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hasano

(Reuters) - Syria's military announced on Saturday a "temporary troop withdrawal" in Aleppo to prepare a counteroffensive against what it called terrorists.

The military said the withdrawal was part of a regrouping effort ahead of the arrival of reinforcements to launch the counterattack.

The military also added that dozens of soldiers had been killed or injured in fierce battles with insurgents in Aleppo and Idlib over the past few days.

(Reporting by Adam Makary and Menna Alaa; Editing by Frances Kerry)