In 5 short days, the battle for northern Aleppo has easily exceeded the bloodshed of the previous battles fought in Syria between forces allied to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and jihadist groups loyal to the Al-Qaeda linked “Al-Nusra Front” (Jabhat Al-Nusra).

The battle for Mazra’a Al-Malaah was not short of blood and violence; this battle was propagated by Al-Nusra Front media groups to depict a significant victory for their forces and a demoralizing loss for the “Iranian” and “Afghani” militias fighting for the Syrian Government.

However, there were no “Afghanis” and no “Iranians” present at this battle; in fact, these “foreigners” that appeared in the Al-Nusra Front videos were fallen fighters from Kata’eb Al-Ba’ath (Ba’ath Battalions) and the National Defense Forces (NDF).

Those fallen fighters loyal to the SAA possessed identification cards from the Syrian Arab Republic – most of their identification cards read “Aleppo” for their respected residency.

The only foreigners to appear in the Al-Nusra Front promotional videos were their own militants; these same militants boast about their nationalities and their religious “Jihad” that has brought them to “liberate” Syria from the apostates (murtadeen) and infidels (kuffar).

Mazra’a Al-Malaah (the battle)

The militants from the Al-Nusra Front did achieve some success at Mazra’a Al-Malaah: according to Al-Mayadeen News, the enemy combatants captured 2 out of 48 farms at Mazra’a Al-Malaah; this included the strategic spring (Nabi) in Ard Al-Mallah.

Despite the success, the Al-Mayadeen field reporter, Khaled Iskef, reported that the NDF are still in full control of Handarat and most of Al-Malaah, following a counter-offensive in the afternoon.

Two Al-Nusra field commanders were killed during the battle for Mazra’a Al-Malaah: Ramadan Al-Daghestaani (from the Caucuses) and Abu Ahmad Al-Mushadaani.

Layramoun:

The SAA – in cooperation with the NDF, Liwaa Al-Quds (Jerusalem Brigades) and Kata’eb Al-Ba’ath – took control of the main government fuel depot the militants from the Islamic Front (Jabhat Al-Islamiyya) captured months ago near the Layramoun Roundabout; it belonged to the Sadkob Fuel Company.

Continuing their success in Layramoun, the SAA and their allies took control of the Jazz Mall after fierce clashes with members of the Islamic Front.

Hardatineen:

Fierce clashes persist near the village of Ratyan to the east of it – the Al-Nusra Front is attempting to break-through the NDF’s frontline defenses; it has failed thus far.

Deir Zeitoun:

Sporadic firefights in the western part of this rural village; however, the attack by the Al-Nusra Front has been repelled.

Other Areas:

The SAA has expanded advanced in a number of areas in west Aleppo, including Al-Rashideen, Mansoura, and the Al-Zahra Association Quarter.