RIYADH: The Syrian army has seized full control of Al-Tabqa military airport as they move to take areas east of Aleppo, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported late on Saturday.

Earlier, the army began deploying forces in the city of Deir Hafer in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, state media reported on Saturday.

In a statement carried by SANA, the army’s Operations Command announced the “complete establishment of military control” over Deir Hafer, adding that units were working to secure the city and clear it of mines and remnants of war.

The command said that army forces had also started advancing toward the areas of Maskanah and Dibsi Afnan.

Later, the Operations Command said that its forces had expanded control to an area extending around 10 km east of Deir Hafer.

According to SANA, army units took control of Al-Jarrah Military Airport and secured 14 villages and towns east of the city, while facilitating the withdrawal of more than 200 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces along with their weapons.

The command added that Syrian army units had reached Maskanah city in eastern Aleppo, noting that hundreds of SDF members had surrendered to government forces.

In a subsequent statement, the army announced full control over Maskanah, saying its forces had begun advancing toward the town of Dibsi Afnan.

Later on Saturday, the army command said that its forces had entered Dibsi Afnan in the western countryside of Raqqa province.