After 2 years of besiegement, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and National Defense Forces (NDF) have withdrawn from Wadi Al-Deif and Al-Hamidiyyeh, following a large-scale offensive launched by the Islamic Front (Jabhat Al-Islamiyya) in the Ma’arat Al-Nu’man District. The SAA and NDF soldiers retreated south after receiving orders from the Central Command to preserve human life and withdraw from the area.

According to a military source in Idlib, 37 SAA and NDF soldiers have been confirmed killed-in-action (KIA) and dozens of others reportedly missing-in-action (MIA). The leader of the field operations for the Islamic Front, “Abu ‘Ammar Al-Jazraawi” (Saudi), was also reported dead during clashes with the SAA at Wadi Al-Deif.

On the border of the Hama Governorate, the 11th Tank Division has continued its offensive near the strategic village of Khan Sheikhoun, killing scores of Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham (Falcons of the Levant Brigade) fighters north of Camp Kanamat. The 11th Tank Division has been able to chip away at Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham installments south of Khan Sheikhoun, while also, progressing in the strategic village of Kafr Zita located west of Morek.