The Syrian ‘Arab Army (SAA) and National Defense Forces (NDF) carried out a series of successful military operations in the Latakia countryside, liberating another 2 villages in the north, while also gaining ground west of Salma. The villages of Kataf Ghadeer and Kataf Al-Ghaneh in the Prophet Younis Mountains were liberated today by a contingent from the Syrian ‘Arab Army’s 3rd Army Corps. According to a military source, 1 soldier was killed during the battle and another 6 were reported wounded. The fallen soldier was Cpl. Hassan Lulu of Maysaf in the Tartous Governate.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has announced an offensive in the Al-Hasakah district of Al-Qamishli. Recently, ISIS has carried out a number of operations in southern Al-Qamishli; specifically, outside of the village of Tal Hamees. Tal Hamees continues to face fierce resistance by NDF and YPG Forces in the area; however, both groups have been unable to enter the village, as ISIS continues to push north.
According to a military source, the 6 officers and 23 soldiers that escaped from the ISIS-controlled Brigade 93 Base in the Ar-Raqqa Governate have reportedly arrived at the SAA headquarters earlier today in Al-Hasakah. The soldiers were said to be in good health; they were assisted by local civilians who aided them with necessary supplies to survive the arduous journey to the Al-Hasakah Governate.
Several military operations took place in Al-Hasakah by the SAA, NDF, Kurdish, and Assyrian militias – the latter two groups operated absent of Syrian Army support. In east Al-Hasakah, the YPG reportedly destroyed an ISIS tank in east Ramallah, while also killing 16 ISIS militants in the process. Yesterday, the civilian-led NDF carried out a number of operations in Rif Al-Yarobiyya, killing a number of militants. Outside of the provincial capital, SAA engineers dismantled a 100kg bomb planted by ISIS militants just south of the city.
An ISIS field commander and 8 of his militants were killed by the YPG in southern Kobane (‘Ayn Al-‘Arab), during intense firefights earlier today. The field commander’s name was not revealed, but YPG activists stated that the ISIS leader possessed Iraqi documents. Also in Kobane, YPG activists reported that 57 ISIS militants were killed yesterday in the eastern sector of the city.
