Islamist rebels in Idleb have thwarted efforts by Syrian regime forces to reclaim al-Fanar and al-Jameyyat checkpoints, rebel sources say, as fierce clashes continue east of Ariha and near al-Mastouma camp.
The Fatah Army in Idleb siezed control of a strategic al-Fannar military post near Ariha on Tuesday after detonating explosives inside a 700 meter tunnel that rebels were digging for the past 11 months.
The Fatah Army, an alliance of Islamist groups including the Nusra Front, has pressed on towards Arbaeen Mount, the last remaining stronghold of Bashar al-Assad's forces in the province of Idleb.
On another battlefront, the Fatah Amy also seized the town of Museibeen near al-Mastouma camp, activists said.
Abdul Rahman Abu Islam, a Fatah Army fighter, told Zaman al-Wasl that rebels aim to cut supply routes linking Ariha with al-Mastouma camp by seizing the villages of Tal Najd and Nahliya.
The Fatah Army, a reference to the conquests that spread Islam across the Middle East from the 7th century, recently seized large swathes of territory in northern Syrian since March 2015, including the city of Idleb and Jisr al-Shughour.
