The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – led by Jaysh Al-Thuwar – have struck again in northern Aleppo; this time, they have captured the village of Al-Faysal after an intense battle with the Free Syrian Army (FSA), the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra”, and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham.

Following the loss of both Al-Faysal and Al-Malkiyah on Friday, the Free Syrian Army’s leadership issued a statement that condemned the Syrian Defense Forces for cooperating with the Russians.

The Islamist rebels blamed the Russian Air Force for their losses on Friday, claiming the latter’s airstrikes over ‘Azaz greatly damaged defenses and helped propel the Syrian Democratic Forces to impose full control over Al-Malkiyah and Al-Faysal.

In addition to their airstrikes over the Turkish border city of ‘Azaz in northern Aleppo, the Russian Air Force also launched a series of airstrikes over the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) held border-city of Jarabulus; these air raids helped the predominately Kurdish “People’s Protection Units” (YPG) advance along the outskirts of this city that overlooks the vast Euphrates River.

Jarabulus is strategically located on the southern bank of the Euphrates River that separates Turkey and Syria; it is also ISIS’ last border-crossing into Turkey and if captured, this will leave the terrorist group without a primary supply route to their stronghold of Al-Raqqa.