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DAMASCUS, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Syrian army said Monday it had recaptured 44 towns and villages in eastern countryside of Aleppo, calling people to return to their homes in those areas, according to state news agency SANA.
Retaking the towns came as a result of a wide-scale military campaign the army forces unleashed last month in eastern Aleppo against rebel groups, mainly the Islamic State.
In its statement, the general command of the Syrian army urged the civilians to return to their homes, pledging to cooperate and offer all possible facilitations and services for the return of people to their villages and homes.
The Syrian army wrested full control over the entire city of Aleppo in December last year, poising for further military operations in the sprawling countryside of the key province, with the help of Russian air force and ground fighters of Hezbollah and other Shiite groups.
