HTS mercenaries seize 22 villages in Aleppo, Idlib countryside

For the second consecutive day, HTS mercenaries, backed by the Turkish occupation forces, continue their assaults on western Aleppo countryside. They have expanded their operations into Idlib countryside near Saraqib, capturing two strategic villages in the area.

According to documentation by ANHA agency, the new village captured by the mercenaries in the western Aleppo axis is Sheikh Ali, located south of the Engineers’ Housing Association (Second Section). Meanwhile, in the Idlib countryside axis, they seized control of Dadikh and Kafr Batikh.

The two villages in the Saraqib area hold significant importance due to their proximity to the M5 international highway, which connects Aleppo and the capital, Damascus. The villages are approximately 2 kilometers away from this critical route.

Since the beginning of their operations yesterday, the Turkish occupation mercenaries have taken control of more than 22 villages in the Aleppo countryside and one in the Idlib countryside. Reports indicate over 130 fatalities among Syrian government forces and Turkish occupation mercenaries.

Meanwhile, HTS mercenaries are making continuous attempts to capture Khan al-Asal village, adjacent to Mansoura village, which houses numerous pharmaceutical factories and a scientific research center belonging to the Syrian government.

Several reports also suggest that Syrian government forces have begun repositioning in the villages of Kafr Jum, Hraytan, and Anadan in the western Aleppo countryside. Reinforcements have arrived in an effort to repel the mercenary offensive and secure routes leading out of the city.

Simultaneously, Syrian and Russian air forces have been actively involved in the battle since its onset, conducting over 40 airstrikes alongside hundreds of artillery and rocket bombardments targeting areas within the so-called "de-escalation zones." This marks the first such escalation since the declaration of these zones in March 2020.

In the attack announced by Turkish occupation mercenaries yesterday, a notable increase in the use of suicide drones was observed. According to observers, the mercenaries lack the capability to manufacture these drones without access to essential technology, including primary components and operating software.

A-H

ANHA