Idlib Battle Map: SAA Advances in Hama; Terrorist Infighting Destabilizes the Province
The Syrian Arab Army’s 11th Tank Division has declared the village of Al-Kareem in the Hama Governorate under fire control after penetrating Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham (Falcons of the Levant Brigades) defenses earlier today. The 11th Division was backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF), who carried out operations inside the village for over 2 weeks before the arrival of the former 4 days ago. According to a military source, there are some terrorists still on the outskirts of the village; however, they are at the mercy of the 11th Division’s heavy artillery.
Also in the Hama Governorate, the 11th Tank Division has made significant strides in the villages of Qabr Fadat and Al-Haweez, capturing Islamic Front (Jabhat Al-Islamiyya) checkpoints and confiscating weapons and ammunition from the latter. Nearby these villages, the NDF ambushed an Islamic Front convoy outside of Aqeerbat, killing a dozen militants and destroying two pickup trucks that possessed 23mm machine guns.
Jabhat Al-Nusra has continued its attempt to infiltrate into the provincial capital of the Idlib Governorate, storming the city’s fortifications on the western outskirts. So far, the attack has not produced much success, despite the initial capture of Balkamal and Jabal Wastaani. The SAA has asserted complete control over the villages of Kafraya, Al-Mastouma, Al-Fawat, Balhamidiyyeh, and Ma’arhataat near Idlib City after a week of intense clashes. The capture of Al-Mastouma is integral to Jabhat Al-Nusra’s contingency to breach SAA frontlines – the latter has repulsed all attacks thus far.
Earlier this week, the leader of the Syrian Revolutionaries Front (SRF), Jamaal Ma’arouf, abandoned his post at Deir Sinbol in west Idlib after Jabhat Al-Nusra militants overran his forces. Following his departure, the SRF halted most of its military operations on the Idlib front, creating internal strife between the former allies. On Sunday morning, Jabhat Al-Nusra continued its conquest to capture rebel strongholds in Idlib, taking control of Jarjanaz near the Ma’arat Al-Nu’man District.
