On December 13, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) resumed their military operation in the southwestern Aleppo countryside and captured Syriatel Hill and the village of Rsm al-Kabarah southwest of Khanasir town, according to the Hezbollah media wing in Syria.
The media outlet added that the SAA and its allies also started their attack on the vilalges of Rsm Sayala and Ramlah south of Syriatel Hill.
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Russian warplanes conducted over 20 airstrikes on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham positions in the southwestern Aleppo countryside supporting the SAA advance, according to oppositions sources. Most of the Russian airstrikes targeted the villages of Tell al-Daman and Umm al-Amad, according to the sources.
From its side, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)-linked news agency Iba’a claimed that HTS fighters repelled the SAA attack in the southwestern Aleppo countryside and recaptured Syriatel Hill. Iba’a said that five soldiers of the SAA were killed during the clashes in the hill.
Moreover, HTS fighters shot down a “DJI Inspire 1” drone, which was modified by the SAA to drop small projectiles, over the village of Hamirah, according to Iba’a.
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HTS and its allies will likely face greater pressure from the SAA in southwestern Aleppo soon as the elite Tiger Forces are set to join the SAA attack there in the upcoming days.
