Syrian Army and Popular Committees Launch Counter-Attack in the Golan Heights

The Syrian Arab Army’s 90th Brigade – in coordination with Fouj Al-Joulan (Golan Regiment) and Liwaa Suqour Al-Quneitra (Al-Quneitra Hawks Brigade) of the National Defense Forces (NDF) – have launched a counter-attack in the Golan Heights after the Islamist rebels of Jabhat Al-Nusra (Syrian Al-Qaeda) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) took control of the strategic hilltop of Tal Al-Ahmar.

According to a military source in the Golan Heights, the Syrian Armed Forces began their assault on Tuesday morning, firing a flurry of mortar shells and rockets into the nearby towns of Jabatha Al-Khasheb, Beit Jinn, and Taranjah, while also striking the Islamist forces at Tal Al-Ahmar and its surrounding hills.

Following the barrage of mortars and rockets fired into the aforementioned areas, the Syrian Armed Forces stormed the eastern perimeter of Tal Al-Ahmar, where they were confronted by a large contingent of fighters from Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army; these clashes persisted for the majority of the day on Tuesday.

On Wednesday morning, the firefights continued between the opposing parties; however, the Syrian Arab Air Force’s (SAAF) Hind Helicopters have carried out most of the attacks against the Islamist rebels, as their ground forces prepare to make another push into Tal Al-Ahmar.