Syrian army breaks IS siege of key Aleppo air base

Syrian regime troops on Tuesday broke a more than year-long siege by the Islamic State jihadist group at a major military air base in the northern province of Aleppo.

A group of soldiers broke through IS lines west of the Kweyris airport and reached government troops inside the base, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

Troops fired into the air in celebration, he said.

State television also reported the breakthrough and broadcast live from outside the airport, hailing the advance as a victory.

It said a "large number of IS terrorists" were killed.

Kweyris has been besieged by IS since spring 2014, but was surrounded by rebel groups before that.

IS fighters are still present in other areas around the base.

Caption: Representative Image

Photo: Zee News