In the early hours of August 16, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) imposed control of the town Madayah and al-Arjahi hilltop, west of it, in the southern Idlib countryside.
Click to see full-size map, By Google Earth.
According to the pro-government Muraselon news outlet, the SAA was able to secure the town and the hilltop after heavy clashes with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.
“The Syrian military has captured the town of Madayah and its western hill [al-Arjahi] after fierce battles with al-Nusra [HTS’ former name] and intense rocket strikes,” the outlet’s report reads.
Madayah and al-Arjahi are located northwest of the key town of Khan Shaykhun, which controls a main highway linking Damascus and Aleppo. The army is likely working to secure its rear before storming the town’s center.
In the last 48 hours, the SAA captured the villages of Kafr Ayn, Tall Aas, Khirbat Murshid, Mantar, Umm Zaytunah and Kafr Tab west of Khan Shaykhun.
SAA securing the north flank is great. To the east is mostly farmland above Khan Shaykhun, Easy terrain, Go tigers. :) https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/248430d70b0183d4ccfe6e3e4dc4c0a32230fc6191955a70ae2c7ead8e7cd5fc.jpg
there is an article on almasdarnews.com saying NLF has sent a large number of reinforcements to hama and idlib front to try to take back some towns, russia and syria NEEDS TO BOMB THE SHIT OUT OF THEM ASAP!!! just kill dem all
The SAA is conducting a standard cordon and clearing operation in southern Idlib of the type that they’ve used successfully many times. What makes this one different is the Turkish observation post in middle of it. It will be interesting to see how that variable plays out.
Keep up the good work Syria.
6 towns/villages in 48 hours, that means 1 town or village retaken every 8 hours, wow, omg, LOL. The SAA can steamroll the rebels when they want to.
I”m feeling optimistic that by the end of the year to beginning of the next year that Idlib will be back in under Syrian sovereignty.