Syrian troops break siege imposed by IS on base since 2013
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Syrian government forces on Tuesday broke a siege imposed by the Islamic State group on a northern military air base since 2013, marking the first major achievement by President Bashar Assad's troops since Russia began its airstrikes in late September, state media said.
A state TV report said government forces met with troops that were defending the Kweiras air base in the northern province of Aleppo. Syrian troops, backed by pro-government gunmen, launched a large-scale offensive to reach the base last month under the cover of Russian airstrikes.
The TV report said dozens of IS fighters were killed in the battles on Tuesday. A soldier inside the base said hundreds of dead extremists were found around the compound.
