May 8, 2014, Press TV
Al-Qaeda-linked militants in Syria have blocked a relief aid convoy from reaching two war-ravaged towns in the outskirts of the northern city of Aleppo.
The militants from the notorious al-Nusra Front prevented the vehicles carrying humanitarian aid for the towns of Nubbul and al-Zahraa in Aleppo’s northern countryside on Wednesday.
The move violated a recent agreement with the Syrian government.
According to the accord, the foreign-backed militants had to withdraw from Homs and allow aid convoys to enter the two towns.
The militant elements of the al-Nusra Front also launched rockets at Nubbul and al-Zahraa, targeting civilians who had gathered to receive aid packages.
Meanwhile, the armed militants released 30 abducted Syrian army officers through Bustan in Aleppo as part of the agreement.
The accord was reached between the militants and the Syrian government on May 4.
More than 2,200 people, mostly militants, are supposed to evacuate the flashpoint city of Homs and move to militant-held areas in the north of Homs Province, located in the central western part of Syria. It would bring almost all the major districts of the city under the control of government forces. As part of the truce, the militants are to free about 70 government soldiers.
The evacuation is considered to be another victory for the Syrian army.
In recent months, the Syrian army has managed to liberate a number of cities and towns from militant control.
Syria has been gripped by deadly violence since March 2011. According to some sources, around 140,000 people have reportedly been killed and millions displaced due to the violence fueled by the militants.
According to reports, the Western powers and their regional allies – especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey – are supporting the militants operating inside Syria.