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Syria troops make more gains in Aleppo, near Turkish border

In this photo provided by Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, Syrians gather at a temporary refugee camp for displaced Syrians in northern Syria, near Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Turkey is facing mounting pressure to open its border as tens of thousands of Syrian fleeing a government onslaught and intense Russian airstrikes arrived at the frontier. (IHH via AP) In this photo provided by Turkish Islamic aid group IHH, Syrians gather at a temporary refugee camp for displaced Syrians in northern Syria, near Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Turkey is facing mounting pressure to open its border as tens of thousands of Syrian fleeing a government onslaught and intense Russian airstrikes arrived at the frontier. (IHH via AP)

By Associated Press February 8, 2016 1 min read

BEIRUT (AP) – The Syrian government and opposition activists say army troops have recaptured a new village north of Aleppo, bringing troops closer to the Turkish border.

State-run news agency SANA said army troops on Monday took control of the village of Kfeen in the northern countryside of Aleppo “after wiping out the last group of terrorists there.”

Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV also reported Kfeen’s capture and aired live footage from the village.

The government offensive around the city of Aleppo has sent tens of thousands of Syrians fleeing toward the border with Turkey. Turkish authorities say up to 35,000 Syrians have massed along the border, which remained closed for a fourth day on Sunday.