Fierce clashes breakout between Syrian Army, jihadists along Hama-Idlib axis[AlMasdar] (7:30 P.M.) – For the second time today, intense clashes broke out along the Idlib-Hama axis between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
and Jaish al-Izza.
| ...also spelt Jaysh al Izza, which translates as Army of Glory, formerly the Union of Glory, the Salafist group is one of the larger rebel groups affiliated with the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army in NW Syria, mainly in northern Hama and its surroundings. The group have been supplied with anti-tank missiles by the United States, including 9K111 Fagots and BGM-71 TOWs... |
The Islamist rebels of Jaysh Al-Izza would then respond with a barrage of mortar shells and rockets towards the Syrian Arab Army’s positions near the town of Helfaya.
The fierce clashes would then spread to the southern part of Idlib, where the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham unleashed a flurry of artillery shells on the Syrian Arab Army’s positions near the Khuwayn lines.
These firefights have been ongoing since 6:30 P.M. (local time) and they continue inflict casualties within the ranks of both parties involved.
Turkey sends large military convoy to Hama as Syrian Army builds up forces
[AlMasdar] (6:10 P.M.) – Turkey has sent a large military convoy to the northern countryside of the Hama Governorate, opposition activists in nearby Idlib reported via social media on Friday.
According to the reports, the Turkish military convoy consisted of several trucks and heavily armored vehicles.
The Turkish military convoy reportedly made their way to the observation posts in the northern Hama towns of Morek and Sheir Magher.
This move by the Turkish military comes just days after the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) sent a large convoy of reinforcements to the front-lines in the Idlib, Latakia, and Hama provinces.
In particular, the Syrian Arab Army sent the entire 5th Legion to the Idlib-Hama axis, while also deploying several units from the 4th Armored Division, including their elite 42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces), to northeastern countryside of Latakia.
The Syrian Arab Army is preparing for a new operation near the strategic Abu Dhuhour Airport; this will be their first offensive in southeast Idlib since 2017.