The Free Syrian Army (FSA) – in coordination with their allies from the the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” – have launched a joint offensive to capture the town of Qanayah located inside the Al-Houla Plains of the Homs Governorate.

For the last two years, the militants from the Free Syrian Army and Jabhat Al-Nusra have been encircled by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and National Defense Forces (NDF); this assault will be geared to expand their control over this resourceful village and eventually push further west to alleviate their embattled fighters near the city of Al-Houla.

Unfortunately for the rebel groups, this offensive has been expected by the Syrian Armed Forces for quite some time; in fact, according to a military source in the Homs Governorate, the SAA Central Command was already informed by a mole in the ranks of the FSA that this offensive was set to begin in the coming days.

As a result of this information, the Syrian Armed Forces – predominately the National Defense Forces – have evacuated the civilians of Qanayah (mostly Alawi and Shi’i residents) from this area in preparation for the coming assault.

The Syrian Armed Forces are well-positioned inside the village and the recent arrival of reinforcements from the city of Masyaf will likely benefit the already entrenched soldiers inside of Qanayah and its surrounding area.