The Syrian army acknowledged on Saturday that opposition factions had entered large parts of Aleppo, noting that dozens of its soldiers were killed in battles that spread over wide areas, according to the Ministry of Defense.

The ministry stated that the “terrorist groups” managed to enter Aleppo’s neighborhoods after the army conducted a “redeployment operation” to strengthen defense lines.

The source added that the battles, which lasted over a 100 km front, resulted in the death of dozens of soldiers.