Rebel groups in Idleb on Thursday forfeited most of the ground they managed to recover in battles against Assad regime forces and allied militias.
Military sources told Enab Baladi that President Bashar al-Assad’s forces had regained control over both Atshan and Al-Khawin, and the villages surrounding Abu Dali, most prominently Sham al-Hawa and Abu Omar.
The military information center of the Syrian army said that the forces had “absorbed an attack on its position in the Atshan, Tell Maraqm al-Khawin, Ard al-Zarzour, and Umm al-Khalekheel area, and has begun to retake positions it had withdrawn from.” It added that the government forces had succeeded in taking most of these positions.
A joint operations room of rebel forces, waging a battle under the name “Repel the Tyrant,” successfully retook areas it lost in favor of Assad’s forces over the last few days, but these points have now returned to regime control.
In the context of a heavy assault in southern Idleb, Assad’s forces have reached the Abu al-Duhur military air base and entered into battles against the opposition after storming the southwestern side. According to military sources, the regime then withdrew to Tell Salmou, which overlooks the area, after an ambush that killed dozens.
The rebel operations room includes Faylaq al-Sham, Al-Nasser Army, the Free Idleb Army, the Jaish al-Nakhba and the Second Army.
According to military sources, the Ahrar al-Sham, Jaish Ahrar, Jaish al-Azza and the Nour Eddin al-Zinki movement are also participating in the battle.
The Jaish Ahrar and Jaish al-Nasser published videos showing the capture of dozens of Assad’s forces during the battles.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
