Amid ongoing clashes in Al-Bab city | “Ahrar Al-Sham” and Al-Hamza Division capture more areas controlled by “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah”

Aleppo province: SOHR activists have reported that “Ahrar Al-Sham Islamic Movement” and Al-Hamza Division have imposed their control on Duwayr Al-Hawa village in Ikhtareen countryside in northern Aleppo following clashes with “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah.” Meanwhile, “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” had withdrawn from Ikhtareen village towards Azaz, before “Ahrar Al-Sham” and Al-Hamza Division captured the village which is located in “Euphrates Shield” area without resistance.

 

On the other hand, the frontline of Susyan town in the eastern countryside of Al-Bab experienced violent clashes between “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” and Al-Hamza Division. In this context, Al-Hamza Division has brought in military reinforcement to the vicinity of Ikhtareen town, near Azaz city, with the aim of capturing Ihtimaylat and Dabiq towns which are under the control of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

 

In “Olive Branch” area, however, members of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” have withdrawn from villages adjacent Afrin city towards Azaz and removed soil barriers on the road between Azaz and Afrin, amid expectations of a potential attack by Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham on Azaz city, after the group managed to impose full control on Afrin city.

 

Moreover, Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham have sent large military reinforcement, including tanks, armoured vehicles, personnel carriers and tens of fighters, to Afrin city in north Aleppo countryside in an attempt to capture more strategic positions in Afrin.

 

In the meantime, Al-Bab city has experienced public protests condemning HTS attacks and advancement into areas under the control of Turkish-backed factions. In this context, residents of Biza’a city staged a protest, in which they headed towards Al-Bab city in the northern countryside of Aleppo, demanding intervention of Turkish forces to stop the violent factional rivalry and put an end to HTS expansion in “Olive Branch” area.

 

According to the latest developments, the recent change in the map of power balances in Aleppo countryside can be summarised as follows:

 

• “Ahrar Al-Sham” and Al-Hamza Division have captured Duwayr Al-Hawa and Ikhtareen villages in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

 

• “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” has captured all headquarters of Al-Hamza Division in Al-Bab city and Lilwah and Al-Ghandoura villages in northern Aleppo.

 

• Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, Al-Hamza Division and Al-Amshat have captured all positions of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” and Jaysh Al-Islam in Afrin city, after the withdrawal of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” and Jaysh Al-Islam.

 

• Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham and Suleiman Shah Division have captured the centre of Ma’batli district and the villages of Shakatka, Arandah, Mirkan, Raja, Tarmousha and Mastaka in Ma’batli countryside, after the withdrawal of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” and Jaysh Al-Islam.

 

• Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham and Suleiman Shah Division have captured all positions of Jaysh Al-Islam in the centre of Jendires district in Afrin countryside, after the withdrawal of Jaysh Al-Islam.

 

• Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham and Al-Hamza Division have captured the villages of Deir Ballot, Aghjalah, Kafr Zait, Tallaf, Kawkabah, Bablit, Tel Hamu and Ferayriyah in Jendires countryside, after the withdrawal of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah.”

 

• Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, “Ahrar Al-Sham Islamic Movement” and Al-Hamza Division have captured the village of Qarzahil, Ain Dara and Tarandah in Shirawa district in Afrin countryside, after the withdrawal of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” and Jaysh Al-Islam.

 

• Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham has captured Maarsakah village in Sharan district in Afrin countryside, after the withdrawal of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah.”

 

• “Ahrar Al-Sham” and Al-Hamza Division have captured positions and posts of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” in Ghanamah, Zoughrah and Al-Hamran crossing in Jarabulus countryside in eastern Aleppo, after the withdrawal of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah.”

 

• “Ahrar Al-Sham” and Al-Hamza Division have captured the headquarters of “Al-Jabha Al-Shamiyyah” in Tel Battal in Al-Bab countryside, east of Aleppo.

 

• Al-Hamza Division has captured Al-Barouzah and Thalthanah villages in northern Aleppo.