Syrian Army Repels Two Attacks On Greater Idlib Front, Kills 60 Militants

© Sputnik / Iliya Pitalev

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) repelled two attacks from the northwestern region of Greater Idlib on March 9, killing dozens of militants from al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

The simultaneous attacks targeted the town of al-Dana in the southern Idlib countryside and the town of Basratun in the western countryside of Aleppo. HTS’ Abu Ubaida Ibn Al-Jarrah Brigade led the attack on al-Dana, while the attack on Basratun was carried out by the Abdul Rahman bin Awf Brigade.

SAA troops clashed with HTS militants for hours before repelling the attack. The militants failed to capture any position and retreated.

According to Sputnik, at least 60 militants of HTS were killed in the two failed attacks. From its side, the terrorist group alleged that 15 Syrian troops were killed or wounded. However, this was not confirmed by Syrian pro-government media, which usually report losses.

In an apparent response to the attack, the SAA targeted vehicles and positions of HTS near the towns of Zakoom, Duqmaq and Qastoun in the northwestern Hamas countryside with eight FPV suicide drones on March 10.

In recent weeks, HTS and its allies stepped up attacks from Greater Idlib on nearby government-held areas in violation of a ceasefire agreement that was brokered by Russia and Turkey more than three years ago.

The situation in Greater Idlib remains unstable. Nevertheless, the SAA and its allies will not likely launch a ground operation in the region any time soon as this could lead to a dangerous confrontation with Turkey who maintains large forces there.

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