On Saturday morning, the Al-Nusra Front (Jabhat Al-Nusra) attempted to storm the village of Felita in the Qalamoun Mountains, attacking a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) military garrison from the western perimeter of this rural area. However, despite the surprise attack on the SAA’s positions in Felita, the latter was able to repel the primary assault, killing scores of militants in the process of the Al-Nusra Front’s withdrawal after sustaining significant casualties.
The SAA – backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Hezbollah (Party of God) – continued their operations in the Al-Zabadani District of the Rif Dimashq Governorate, targeting a Liwaa Suqour Al-Zabadani (Falcons of Zabadani Brigades) hideout near the border of Lebanon on Saturday afternoon. According to a military source, 17 militants were killed and a dozen more were wounded during the battle.
The identified militants killed at Al-Zabadani are the following:
1. Ahmad Sa’adeh
2. Bilaal ‘Abdullah
3. Hamzeh Al-Teebaawa
4. Wa’el Kana’an
At Zibdeen, the SAA rescued a total of 150 civilians that were trapped inside this village in the East Ghouta, transporting them to safety after bearing months of violence in their neighborhoods. Many of the civilians were in good health; however, at least 20 people had to be transported to the hospital due to poor health.
