Moments ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) recaptured the so-called Family House park in western Aleppo which was lost to Islamist rebels earlier today.

Around midnight, a special SAA operation – led by 106th Brigade of the Republican Guard, Hezbollah and Air Force Intelligence units – wrestled the Family House park from rebels.

Furthermore, a military source in Aleppo told al-Masdar that Russian artillery units had participated in the battle; this is the first time Russian ground troops assist the SAA outside Latakia province and the Palmyra frontline.

This corresponds with reports of Russian artillery moving to Aleppo two weeks ago.

On the rebel side, militias involved were Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki, Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar and Jabhat al-Nusra. The latter two groups are officially affiliated to al-Qaeda.

Contrary to the friendly sounding name, the embattled Family House park lies on the very frontline of western Aleppo and represents a launching pad for rebels to enter the city’s western government-held districts.

Several T-72 tanks and tens of airstrikes ensured that Islamist rebels were forced to flee westwards while government troops could re-enter the building blocks and set up new defensive positions.

The military source also said approximately 70 militants were killed during the battle with most of their bodies discovered inside the housing.

However, a local SAA commander was also killed in the battle while the source wished to withhold the government casualties during the battle for “security reasons”.