The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) repelled in the late hours of August 10 a counter- attack by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on Sukayk hill in the southeastern Idlib countryside.
Despite the failure of the counter-attack, a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) managed to strike a gathering of Syrian troops near Sukayk. HTS released photos of the attack.
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Click to see full-size image
Click to see full-size image
SAA units captured the key hilltop earlier today with direct support from the Russian Aerospace Forces. The army also advanced towards the town of Sukayk. However, it is yet to be secured.
While repelling the attack on Sukayk hill, the SAA was able to capture the villages of Maghar al-Hamam and Maghar al-Hantah in southwestern Idlib. The army also began storming militants’ positions inside the town of Hobait.
The recent clashes in northern Hama and southern Idlib proved that the SAA is capable of conducting defensive and offensive operations on several fronts at once. In the last few months, the army suffered from serious problems in coordination, which have been addressed apparently.
