The Al-Qaeda linked “Al-Nusra Front” (Jabhat Al-Nusra) continued its offensive at the Abu Al-Dhuhour Military Airbase in eastern Idlib, attacking the Syrian Arab Army’s 11th Tank Division’s positions from the nearby village of Al-Hamadiyyeh – the assault was later repelled by the 11th Division in the mid-afternoon on Thursday.
Despite the Al-Nusra Front’s failed attempt to breach the 11th Division’s frontline defenses, the former has been able to maintain their pressure on the eastern perimeter of the Abu Al-Dhuhour Airbase; if the Al-Nusra Front is able to enter the airbase, it will be from the eastern flank.
Fierce clashes were reported between the Al-Nusra Front and the 11th Division at the villages of Al-Khasheer and ‘Umm Jireen located northeast of the Abu Al-Dhuhour Airbase. Firefights were also reported at the besieged village of Tal Salmo south of Abu Al-Dhuhour Airbase, where the Al-Nusra Front is on the offensive.
The Hazim Movement (Harakat Hazim) has regained control of Sarmidaa after intense firefights with the militants from the Al-Nusra Front at this village in Idlib’s northwestern mountains (Jabal Al-Zawiyya). The Al-Nusra Front has ended all correspondence with the rebel groups in Idlib, they only maintain a relationship with Jaysh Al-Mujahiddeen – an organization they conduct joint operations with in northern Syria.
At the village of Al-Mouzara, the 11th Tank Division confronted a large militant group from the Islamic Front (Jabhat Al-Islamiyya), killing 19 enemy combatants, including 2 foreigners identified as “Naader Al-Loul” (AKA “Abu Mujahid Al-Mughrabi” – Moroccan) and “Akram Al-Haraa” (Libyan).
16 civilians were injured in the city of Areeha after the Islamic Front’s indiscriminate shells hit residential buildings in the southeast quarter. Many buildings have collapsed as a result of this attack – Syrian Red Crescent workers are currently searching for any survivors.
The Syrian Arab Air Force bombarded the rebel-held city of Kafr Nabl, attacking numerous Islamic Front positions. Syrian Opposition activists reported that the bombing raids hit residential neighborhoods inside the city – no confirmation on casualties.
In Khan Sheikhoun, the 11th Tank Division – in cooperation with the National Defense Forces (NDF) – attacked Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham (Falcons of the Levant Brigades) positions in the southeast corridor of this city. Military sources reported that 13 militants were killed and another 9 were wounded during the attack.
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