THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
After almost two weeks of virtual deadlock, the pro-government forces operating in northern Hama have resumed their offensive against the combined militant groups of Hai’yat Tahrir al-Sham, the Free Syrian Army, including its various sub-franchises and Ahrar al-Sham. The delay had been caused by both bad weather and the need to wait on elite Syrian Arab Army reinforcements – namely from the Tiger Forces – to be moved into the target sector.
THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
The 16th of April proved to be a refreshing day for the pro-government cause. During the early daylight hours, the Tiger Forces stormed the strategic town of Souran, clashing directly with Hai’yat Tahrir al-Sham. The attack was made from the south, out of the town Ma’ardes. In addition to this, the Tiger Forces also launched an assault on Tal Bizam which had been surrendered by them to Jihadist forces at some point earlier in the month. Nonetheless, the attack on Souran represented the main axis of the Tiger Forces’ advance and to this end, the storming party was heavily backed by Russian airpower which fulfilled the mission of deep air support, striking at Jihadist fire support positions and communication lines north of the town. Furthermore, the Tiger Forces advanced under cover of a rolling artillery bombardment which targeted terrorist forces in and around the town.
THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
After a more or less 12 hour battle, the Hai’yat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group was ejected from both Souran and Tal Bizam, with the Tiger Forces securing both areas. The victory restored almost all areas lost by pro-government forces to the Jihadist-Islamist coalition since the 21st of March. In the preceding days, pro-government forces also made a push on Halfaya, advancing through most of the countryside to its south, but failing to successfully storm the town.
THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
Moreover, the 16th of April also witness the Free Syrian Army carry out a fluke artillery attack against the Hama Military Airport; here, a single BM-21 multiple-launch rocket system firing a full salvo of 40 rockets against the airbase, destroyed both a MiG-23 fighter and a munitions storage centre.
THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
On a final note, the latest reports for the 17th of April indicate that the Tiger Forces are in the process of storming the town of Taibat al-Imam.
THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
That pro-government forces are now attacking Jihadist-Islaimst militias beyond the demarcation line of November 2016, appears to vindicate earlier estimations put forth by various observers that the Tiger Forces have not just been sent to northern Hama as part of a fire brigade action, but instead to carry out an offensive which will either severely reduce, or outright destroy the protrusive militant salient which has threatened the city of Hama for the last four years.
THIS NARRATION TEXT IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF OZ ANALYSIS
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