Aleppo battle: Assad says victory in city would be 'huge step'

President Assad said terrorists were "present elsewhere"

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said a victory for his army in Aleppo would be a "huge step" towards ending the country's five-year civil war.

But he added that the defeat of rebel groups in the northern city would not end the conflict. The rebels called for a five-day truce to allow the evacuation of civilians, after withdrawing from their last strongholds in Aleppo's Old City.


But Mr Assad ruled out any ceasefires, as his army continues its offensive. This is despite new calls for an immediate truce from the US and five Western powers.

• What's happening in Aleppo?
• Aleppo tweeting girl back online
• 'We are crying and afraid'

In an interview with Syria's al-Watan newspaper, President Assad said: "It's true that Aleppo will be a win for us, but let's be realistic - it won't mean the end of the war in Syria.

"But it will be a huge step towards this end. "Terrorists are present elsewhere. Even if we finish with Aleppo, we will continue our war against them."