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After a series of successes in western Aleppo, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has launched an attack on positions of the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL) in southern Idlib.
According to reports, HTS advanced on NFL positions in the villages of Ankawi, Rai al-Naqir, Abdeen, Arinba, Trimla, Safwan and Maaret-Naaman. The village of Ankawi was already captured by HTS.
Meanwhile, the NFL has failed to consolidate its forces to to show up a real resistance to the HTS expansion within the Idlib de-escalation zone. One of the key NFL positions under threat from HTS is Maaret-Naaman. If HTS captures this town, the NFL will lost one of its key strong points in this part of Idlib province. This will mean the further expansion of HTS in the area.
