The Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” – in coordination with Harakat ‘Ahrar Al-Sham – has launched another offensive at the predominately Armenian village of Kassab on the Turkish border.
The attack began in the late afternoon on Saturday, when Jabhat Al-Nusra stormed the border-crossing and infiltrated the National Defense Forces’ fortifications, fighting their way to the strategic hill at Point 45 before the latter was able to push them back towards the border-crossing.
Despite claims made by Jabhat Al-Nusra social media activists about the alleged control of Point 45, Tal Sinaan, and Tal ‘Azzar, a source from the NDF that’s protecting Kassab has reported the full-control of these hills and denied any militant control.
The source further added that all Jabhat Al-Nusra and Harakat ‘Ahrar Al-Sham militants have either been killed or retreated north towards Turkey, where they launched their initial attack.
During their 2014 offensive at Kassab, Jabhat Al-Nusra and their allies were assisted by the Turkish Army, who succored the Islamists with medical supplies, transportation to Turkish hospitals, weapons, and attacks on the Syrian Arab Army and NDF; this was the first time the Turkish Army was caught aiding Al-Qaeda in Syria.
