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The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has deployed large reinforcements near the Turkish-occupied city of al-Bab in northern Aleppo, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on February 18.
According to the London-based monitoring group, units from the SAA 5th Crops and 25th Special Forces Division, also known as the Tiger Forces, were deployed near al-Bab over the last few days.
The reinforcements were deployed near the town of al-Auisha, which is located a few kilometers to the south of the al-Bab city.
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Al-Bab city and its outskirts are held by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA). The Turkish military maintains strong presence near the city.
A number of recent reports by opposition sources claimed that the SAA is preparing to launch an attack on al-Bab with support from the Russian Aerospace Forces. Such an operation seems highly unlikely. Both the SAA and the SNA have been committed to the ceasefire in northern Aleppo for more than four years now.
