One day after countering the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” in the strategic village of Handarat, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and National Defense Forces (NDF) took complete control of Tal Madafa after intense firefights with the latter at this hill located northwest of the Al-Oweija District.

The control of Tal Madafa (located southeast of Handarat) gives the SAA and NDF countering Jabhat Al-Nusra, Jaysh Al-Mujahiddeen, and Harakat ‘Ahrar Al-Sham at Handarat village a much needed boost, as the latter 3 militant groups attempted to capture this hill for over a week.

There was a relative calm over the village of Handarat on Friday, as firefights lasted for only a few hours; this is likely due to volatile weather that grounded the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF), leaving the SAA soldiers without cover against the entrenched rebel fighters positioned inside the buildings in the southern sector.

Fierce clashes flooded the outskirts of Baskhoy, as Jabhat Al-Nusra and Jaysh Al-Mujahiddeen attempted to break-through the SAA’s defenses for 3rd time in 72 hours; however, they were repelled once again and left with a significant amount of casualties, including their field commander “Hikmat Abu As’ad.”