Syrian President Bashar
al-Assad congratulated Syrians on Thursday following his government’s recapture
of Aleppo, where an operation is underway to evacuate rebels and civilians.
In a video published by local
media, al-Assad said there would be a “before and after in Aleppo”,
Xinhua news agency reported.
On Thursday morning, the
warring parties reached a ceasefire deal so evacuations could begin from the
rebel-held areas besieged by forces loyal to Assad.