Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), al-Qaeda groups and Turkish-backed factions launched on January 2 morning yet another attack on the SAA’s newly-established positions in southeastern Idlib.
The attack is reportedly targeting al-Tah, one of the biggest urban centers in the southeastern Idlib countryside. The SAA captured the town in the framework of a large-scale military operation last month.
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HTS’ news network, Iba’a, reported that two suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attacked the army’s positions west of the town, forcing Syrian troops to withdraw.
These claims were denied by pro-government activists, who said that the SAA is now repelling the militants’ attack on the town.
Last week, HTS and its allies launched a similar attack on al-Tah and the nearby town of Jarjanaz. The attack was repelled by the army within a few hours. The terrorist groups sustained serious losses, with more than 30 militants killed and several vehicles destroyed.
These repeated provocations by HTS and its allies will likely encourage the SAA to develop its operations in Greater Idlib. Several recent reports claimed that the army is not only preparing to resume advance in southeast Idlib, but also to launch another attack in western Aleppo.
