Violent firefights have occurred throughout the day near the Wadi Al-Deif Base in the Idlib Governate, resulting in a high death toll for both the Islamic Front (IF) and the 11th Tank Division of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). The attack began when members of the Islamic Front attempted to infiltrate the SAA’s fortifications and enter the beleaguered base; however, the first and second wave of attacks was repulsed by the latter.
The 11th Tank Division was assisted by the Syrian Air Force, as Hind Helicopters provided relief for the embattled soldiers. According to a military source, firefights are still ongoing around the eastern perimeter of the base, with both sides engulfed by an exchange of artillery shells. The source further added that two Islamic Front leaders were killed in the battle, along with dozens of other fighters storming the base:
1. Wa’el Al-Abrash (IF leader)
2. Mahmoud Faisal Al-Ghajar (IF leader)
3. Satouf ‘Ali Al-Rasseed
4. ‘Aboud Hafezh Al-Shahaad
5. Samir Babouleen
6. Hisham Al-Mahrouq
Nearby Wadi Al-Deif is the Syrian Arab Army controlled, Hamiddiyyeh Base; it was attacked earlier today by the Islamic Front, before the onslaught was quelled by members of the SAA and National Defense Forces (NDF). At least 10 militants from the Islamic Front were killed and over a dozen were wounded in the battle. The only identified fighters among the dead are the following:
1. Mohammad Ahmad ‘Abdel-Rahman (Ajnad Al-Haqq Brigade)
2. Rida Hassan Al-Sa’oudi (Jabhat Shawar Souriya)
3. Mohammad Khalid Al-Hameed
4. Majd ‘Umar Al-Mahmoud
