The so-called “Syrian Observation for Human Rights” (SOHR, a UK-based pro-militant monitor) reported on November 5 that 166 “rebels” have been killed since the start of the 2nd phase of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham(formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian al-Qaeda branch)-led offensive in western Aleppo. According to the SOHR, 86″opposition fighters” killed by the “Assad regime” were non-Syrians. In other words, the main striking force of Jaish al-Fatah (al-Nusra-led operation room) in Aleppo is foreign mercenaries.
Following the fail of the 2nd phase of Al-Nusra-led offensive, the miltiary situation in western Aleppo remains stable. Pro-government forces and militants engage each other in firefights and artillery duels, but nobody is able to seize more ground in the area.
Reports appeared that the Syrian army and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (an Iraqi pro-government militia) entered the Sadcop factory in the Ramouseh area. However, the real gains on the ground cannot be confirmed.
Jaish al-Fatah suffers more casualties than the Syrian army and its allies because it has a lack of expirienced artillery units and the militants don’t have an air support. In the coming days, Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies will likely make another attempt to break the government forces’ defenses in the 1070 Apartment Project, the 3000 Apartment Project and in the New Aleppo. If they are not able to do this, they will lost the vestiges of initiative in the ongoing battle for Aleppo.
