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DAMASCUS, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday called on Syrian people to stand by the army to eradicate terrorism.
In a statement issued by the Presidential Palace, Assad said the Syrian army is determined to root out terrorism, "particularly after the terrorism was exposed to aim at Syria, as a homeland, civilization, people and identity."
The statement said the national reconciliation is an important way to end the violence, and for Syrians to return to safety and security.
"The president called on everyone to return to the homeland and drop weapons and they will find that Syria, as always, is the warm lap for everyone," the statement added.
On Thursday, the president offered amnesty to rebels who disarm and surrender themselves within three months, an offer also extended to kidnappers who release their hostages within a month.
The statement highlighted the pardon, describing it as "an opportunity for all those with weapons to express their belongingness to the homeland, and to listen to the national voice that urges them to abandon violence to get engaged in the reconstruction process in Syria."
Assad's call comes as the Syrian army is making sweeping progress against the rebels in Aleppo city in the north.
The advance began last week when Syrian forces successfully intercepted and severed the last rebel supply route connecting the rebel-held areas in the north of Aleppo with others inside the city, mainly in the east.
With the Castello road severed, the rebels in eastern Aleppo became completely isolated and besieged.
Army units on Thursday stormed into and regained control of the notorious Bani Zaid district in eastern Aleppo, which was once the rebels' main launching pad for attacks against government-controlled areas in western Aleppo.
As the army advanced, government aircraft dropped tens of thousands of leaflets on Wednesday, urging rebels in Aleppo to surrender in exchange for a pardon.
The army also asked local civilians to cooperate with the military, as the army prepares for their safe exit out of eastern Aleppo.
