Syrian Army, Hezbollah strike jihadist rebels in southern Aleppo ahead of planned offensvie

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), alongside Hezbollah and Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary), launched a barrage of missiles and artillery shells towards the jihadist rebel positions in southern Aleppo tonight, scoring several direct hits on the latter’s defenses in Rashiddeen 4 and Khan Al-‘Assal.

The powerful assault began at midnight when Hezbollah soldiers fired a flurry of rockets and artillery shells towards Jaysh Al-Fateh’s (Army of Conquest); this was followed by a barrage of missiles from the Syrian Arab Army’s Republican Guard forces from the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah area.

Hezbollah and their allies are expected to launch a massive offensive in the southern countryside of Aleppo in the coming weeks, as reinforcements from the government continue to pour into this area.

For the Jaysh Al-Fateh, the government’s planned offensive in southern Aleppo could turn disastrous for the jihadist rebels in northeastern Idlib, as manpower shortages plague their defenses around the country.