Three days after launching their large-scale offensive in the provincial capital of Aleppo, the coalition of Islamist forces “Ansar Al-Shari’ah” has made only one strategic advance at the Scientific Research Building in the New Aleppo District, which was later reversed by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), leaving the former with no battle map changes.
On Saturday morning, the militants from Ansar Al-Shari’ah attempted to make a push into the eastern corridor of the Scientific Research Building; however, they ran into a brick wall of defenders, as the Syrian Armed Forces were readily awaiting their infiltration attempt into this area, resulting in heavy casualties for Ansar Al-Shari’ah factions at this strategic building.
Following their failed breach attempt at the eastern corridor of the Scientific Research Building, the Syrian Arab Army – in coordination with Liwaa Al-Quds (Jerusalem Brigades) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) – attacked the western corridor of the facility, where the embattled militants were forced to take up the defensive positions to quell the encroaching enemy – firefights are still ongoing.
North of the Scientific Research Building, the militants from Ansar Al-Shar’iah tried to make another push into the Air Force Intelligence building in the Al-Zahra Association Quarter; however, once again, their assault failed, as they were repelled by the Syrian Armed Forces on Saturday.
Ansar Al-Shari’ah’s failed infiltration into the Air Force Intelligence building did not stop them from trying again; this time, the Syrian Armed Forces were not only prepared for the assault, but also, took positions along the road from the Great Prophet Mosque to the AFI building in order to ambush the Islamist factions.
Unfortunately for Ansar Al-Shari’ah, their overeager attempt to attack the Air Force Intelligence building would cost them dearly, as the Syrian Armed Forces laid an ambush on the approaching militants, killing as many as 25 enemy combatants and capturing another 8 of the Islamist fighters.
Among the Ansar Al-Shari’ah fighters killed during the ambush, the field commander of this contingent from the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” was also killed by the Syrian Armed Forces – he was identified as “Abu Mohammad Al-Uzbeki.”
