Escalating violence | Russian jets bombard al-Manara and Al-Fatatra villages in Sahl Al-Ghab, after jihadist groups captured them

SOHR activists say that Russian jets carried out several raids on the villages of Al-Fatatra and Al-Manara in Sahl Al-Ghab after jihadist groups took control of them, amid continued flights over the area.

Reliable sources have informed the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that jihadist groups affiliated with the operation room of “Waharid Al-Mu’minin” managed to take full control of the villages of Al-Manara and Al-Fatatra in Sahl al-Ghab, following shelling and violent clashes with regime forces who were forced to withdraw after the violent attack of the jihadists.

Meanwhile, battles continue between the two sides in the vicinity of the region and accompanied by intensive exchange of fire and shelling, with the flight of Russian jet over the area.

SOHR activists have documented the death of 19 people among regime soldiers and loyal militiamen, while the number of fatalities among jihadi groups reached 6, due to the intensive shelling and fierce clashes. The death toll is expected to rise as several injured are in a serious condition. Reported suggested that many others were killed.

On May 10, SOHR sources reported that regime forces regained control of the village of Tanjara (Al-Manara) in Sahl Al-Ghab in the north-western countryside of Hama, nearly 24 hours after losing the village to jihadist groups affiliated with the operation room of the “Waharid Al-Mu’minin “. The recapture was backed by an intensive and violent rocket attacks through dozens of rocket-propelled grenades and after several failed attempts. However, they were able to recapture it after midnight.

SOHR activists documented the death of 36 people among regime soldiers and loyal militiamen, while the number of fatalities among jihadi groups reached 19, due to the intensive shelling and fierce clashes.