Late on January 25, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) continued its advance in the outskirt of the city of Ma`arat al-Nu`man. SAA units liberated the town of Ma’ar Shoreen from al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.
Army troops stormed the town under the cover of intense Syria and Russian airstrikes. Militants didn’t show any serious resistance.
Pro-government sources claimed that the SAA advanced further, capturing the nearby town of Alza’lanah and blocking the M5 highway. The strategic highway, which passes through Ma`arat al-Nu`man, links the Syrian capital, Damascus, with the northern city of Aleppo.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@Suriyakmaps) on Twitter.
Earlier today, the SAA imposed control of the town of Ghadqah, to the east of Ma’ar Shoreen, in an unusual day-time attack.
The SAA reached the outskirt of Ma`arat al-Nu`man on January 25 after liberating the towns of Ma’ar Shamshah and Talmenes. Now the army appears to be working to encircle the city, which is the main target of its ongoing military operation in southeast Idlib.
