Yesterday, Jabhat Al-Nusra militants were able to infiltrate Tal Malah and Jamala, forcing the National Defense Forces (NDF) to have to regroup west. The NDF suffered heavy casualties in the two villages, losing 17 soldiers in Tal Malah and another 11 in Jamala. However, this morning, the civilian-led NDF were able to regain full control over the two villages in west Hama, killing 29 members of Jabhat Al-Nusra. Among the 29 militant casualties were 2 Emirs (princes) of Jabhat Al-Nusra and 2 of their field commanders:
- Abu Fou’az Al-Hamwi (Emir of Jabhat Al-Nusra)
- Abu Fahd Al-Hamwi (Emir of Jabhat Al-Nusra)
- Wa’el Al-Hamwi (Jabhat Al-Nusra Field Commander)
- Hassan Al-Hamwi (Jabhat Al-Nusra Field Commander)
The NDF has now constructed multiple protective barriers around the villages of Tal Malah, Al-Judaydah, and Abu Zaher. These protective barriers are crucial to forestall Jabhat Al-Nusra militants from freely infiltrating NDF positions around these villages. A military source stated the previous militant infiltrations into theses villages was the result of poor fortifications.
Meanwhile, southeast of Tal Malah, the Syrian Arab Army’s Tiger Forces are seeking to link-up with the embattled 106th Brigade of the SAA’s Republican Guard – entrenched on the outskirts of Morek and Kafr Zita – from the imperative village of Al-Lataminah. Yesterday, the Tiger Forces were able to capture the southwest entrance of the village, killing dozens of militants from the Islamic Front and Jabhat Al-Nusra. The main opposition forces in Al-Lataminah are Islamic Front militias; while, some scattered Jabhat Al-Nusra fighters are assisting their comrades against the Tiger Forces.
