Idlib: Syrian Armed Forces Recapture Territory at Al-Mastoumah

On Tuesday, the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) – launched a fierce counter-assault at Masayabeen, resulting in the death of a number of armed militants from the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” before the Syrian Armed Forces were able to take full control of this village near the provincial capital of Idlib.

Upon securing Masayabeen, the Tiger Forces and NDF advanced to the strategic hill overlooking this village, where they continued their counter-offensive geared to recapture the territory lost to the militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra near the Qarmeed Camp (Brick Factory); this attack was successful for the Tiger Forces and NDF, as they secured the hill of Tal Masayabeen 45 minutes later.

With Masayabeen and Tal Masayabeen under the Syrian Armed Forces’ control, the SAA’s 87th Brigade of the 11th Tank Division was able to continue their momentum near Al-Mastoumah, capturing the village of Al-Harsh after engaging Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Ajnad Al-Sham in a series of intense firefights on Tuesday afternoon.

To counter the Syrian Armed Forces’ success at Al-Mastoumah, the militants from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Jund Al-Aqsa stormed the 87th Brigade’s defensive positions at the western flank of Tal Ma’ar Tab’i, where they were able to take control of the hilltop before nightfall dissipated the fighting at this hill near the strategic city of Ariha.

Despite the constant fighting at Tal Ma’ar Tab’i, the Islamist forces from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Jund Al-Aqsa have been unsuccessful in their attempt to break-through the SAA’s defensive fortifications at this integral hill that overlooks the city of Ariha.

The militants from Jabhat Al-Nusra and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham launched another powerful attack on the SAA’s positions at the heavily fortified Jisr Al-Shughour National Hospital; however, this assault proved unsuccessful for the Islamist fighters, as the SAA’s 87th Brigade was able to seal-off the southern flank’s defensive barriers.