Opposition faction targeted areas controlled by government

Areas in the town of Hreitan, located in the northern countryside of Aleppo, were shelled by government forces, with no information on injuries. The factions targeted with a number of missiles a number of areas in the control areas of government forces in the vicinity of Kinsba, the mountain of the Kurds, in the northern Lattakia countryside, no information on casualties so far.

ISIS unleashed four suicide bombersupon government strong points south of the Aleppo supply route while Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions pounded the northern axis of the road with missiles and artillery shells simultaneously, thereby providing direct fire support for the Islamic State.

The bulk of the offensive struck the countryside between Sheikh Hilal and Al-Saan, two key government strongholds that safeguard the neighboring road. Although ISIS initially overran two checkpoints and came within striking distance of the Hama-Aleppo road, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and National Defence Forces (NDF) regrouped under the cover of darkness for a swift counter-offensive against the jihadist belligerents.

According to Al-Masdar News field correspondent Ibrahim Joudeh, the SAA and NDF have already retaken one checkpoint and are working on restoring the second point as we speak. He stressed that the situation was under control and the Aleppo supply line safe.

ISIS commanders had otherwise hoped to break free of the eastern Hama siege by reaching areas under HTS control in neighboring Idlib province. Heavy clashes continue as we speak. The international coalition warplanes carried out, on Wednesday, several air strikes on the city of Raqqa.

Qasioun News reported that the US-led international coalition carried many air strikes, this morning, on al-Thakna neighborhood, west of the city, while the Syrian Democratic Forces shelled, using heavy artillery, the neighborhood, but no casualties were reported. The attack took place after the Syrian Democratic Forces militia managed to capture al-Rasheed neighborhood in the old city completely, following a violent clashes with the Islamic State militants.

It is noteworthy that the Syrian Democratic Forces made a significant achievement recently against the Islamic State group, and managed to capture 60% of the city. Ahrar al-Sharm militia announced, on Thursday, shelling the headquarters of the Syrian Army forces in the countryside of Latakia.

The Spokesman of Ahrar al-Sham militia Ahmed Mohamed said that the artillery brigade shelled the headquarters of the Syrian regime forces in Kinsabba Town and Shalaf castle area, in the countryside of Latakia. The shelling came as a response on the Syrian army and allied militias shelling that was carried out, at dawn today, on al-Najiya area, west of Idlib, Mohamed explained.

Furthermore, Mohamed added that the Syrian army forces are frequently shelling the areas of al-Hadada Town, Tardin, al-Khedr and al-Tofaheya in the countryside of Latakia. It is noteworthy that the countryside of Latakia joined the areas that follow the de-escalation agreement signed in Astana peace talks 4; however, the government forces are usually violating the agreement.

In the same context, Homs  Twenty members of the Syrian army forces were killed, on Wednesday, in an attack launched by the Islamic State militants on the Syrian Badiyah, Qasioun News reported on Thursday.

The Islamic State-owned “Amaq” news agency stated that the group’s militants launched an attack on the Syrian Army headquarters in Wadi al-Wa’er area in the syrian Badiyah, killing 20 members and wounding dozens others, as well as destroying three military vehicles and two SVUs.

It is noteworthy that the government forces and allied militias recaptured, at dawn today, the areas of Qasr al-Hayr al-Sharqi, Rajm al-Hajana, Jabal al-Hajana and Wadi al-Ha’er in the eastern countryside of Homs.