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Syrian government forces are repelling a counter-attack by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in the areas of Jarjsia and Qubbat al-Kurdi in the so-called Rastan pocket in northern Homs, according to pro-government sources.
The Syrian Army launched a military operation in the Rastan pocket on April 15 and even captured a number of areas there. However, almost no elite pro-government units particiapte in this operation. Thus, their success mostly depends on a lack of resistance from the militants.
Now, when Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units are re-grouped and set to counter-attack, government forces in the area will likely face new problems with making further progress.
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