Moments ago, the Syrian Arab Army stormed the outskirts of Qantara village in a move which follows Jabhat al-Nusra’s unsuccessful offensive at the government-held neighbouring village of Tall ad-Dirrah earlier today.
According to an al-Masdar source, another 4 al-Qaeda militants have been killed this evening on top of the tens of casualties inflicted on Jabhat al-Nusra earlier today near Tall ad-Dirrah. Furthermore, advancing government troops of the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP paramilitary) seem keen to capture Qantara as this rebel-held village poses a threat to the government-controlled road from Salamiyah to the provincial capital of Hama.
On the other hand, two Syrian Arab Army soldiers have been killed-in-action tonight while another 9 have been wounded. Reportedly, most of these were either very young conscript men or elderly male soldiers. Meanwhile, a SAA Artillery Battalion stationed at Tall ad-Dirrah keeps pounding Jabhat al-Nusra while Russian warplanes have also been requested to aid this evening’s offensive.
If the SAA and their allies are able to capture Qantara village from Jabhat al-Nusra, this will furthermore enable a push southwards along the strategical al-Assi river into the northern sections of the Homs governorate where rebel forces have also established themselves.
