Jihadist rebels preparing joint offensive against Syrian Army in northern Hama

BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:10 A.M.) – The jihadist rebels are preparing to launch a large-scale offensive in the northern countryside of the Hama Governorate, pro-opposition activists reported on Saturday.

The jihadist rebels announced on Saturday that they have formed a central operation room that will play a major part in the upcoming offensive against the Syrian Army.

The central operations room will be comprised of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (formerly Jabhat Al-Nusra, Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham), Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Jaysh Al-Izza, Jaysh Al-Nasr, and Jaysh Al-Ahrar.

This new jihadist offensive in northern Hama is supposed to be in response to the Syrian Arab Army’s large-scale operation in the southwestern province of the Daraa Governorate.

Despite an ongoing ceasefire in northern Hama, the jihadist rebels have made it known that they will target the Syrian Army’s positions in this region.

For the Syrian Army, a rebel offensive at this front could be devastating, as most of their forces were redeployed to southern Syria.