The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the civilian-led National Defense Forces (NDF) have liberated three strategic areas in the Aleppo Governate today, breaking a two month stalemate in the province. According to a source in Aleppo, the city of Handaraat was liberated early this morning, followed by the liberation of the Handaraat Camp and Handaraat Hill; this was an area besieged for almost three months by the SAA and NDF.
A well planned ambushed was executed by the SAA and NDF in the northern part of the city, resulting in the subsequent capture of Islamic Front checkpoints in the area. Scores of militants from the Islamic Front were killed during the battle, causing many of the beleaguered fighters to attempt to flee west or surrender to the SAA and NDF. According to a source in Aleppo, many of the Islamic Front militants retreated to the Handaraat Camp, where they surrendered to the Syrian Army after a blockade was setup in the area.
12 captured soldiers and abducted civilians have been reportedly rescued by the Syrian Arab Army inside the Handaraat Camp. Civilians inside the Handaraat Camp have been unable to leave for months, as Islamic Front militants blockaded the area and installed checkpoints to regulate the traffic into the camp.