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On June 8, Hay’at Tahir al-Sham (HTS), the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL) and al-Qaeda-affiliated groups launched, yet another large-scale ground offensive in northern Hama, this time on the government-held town of Jalmeh.
Iba’a, the main news network of HTS, reported that the new offensive began with a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attack on a key position of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). The suicide bomber was identified only by his nom de guerre “Abu Darda.”
Abu Darda. Click to see full-size image.
According to pro-government sources, the SAA is now working to repel the attack with support from the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) and the Russian Aerospace Forces.
A day earlier, HTS fighters attempted to storm Jalmeh. However, the army’s 11th Division foiled the attempt and killed nine terrorists.
These repeated attacks by HTS and its allies reflects their desperation to make any achievement on the ground, likely to make up for their recent defeats.
