The Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” (Victory Front) launched an offensive to recapture Handarat Hill in northern Aleppo on Saturday; this operation is being conduction in conjunction with their offensive at the Air Force Intelligence building in the Al-Zahra Association Quarter.

However, despite claims that Jabhat Al-Nusra captured the entire hill, the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Kata’eb Al-Ba’ath (Ba’ath Battalions) were able to maintain their positions near Handarat village and counter the militant advance.

Jabhat Al-Nusra attempted to break through the NDF’s frontline defenses via a suicide car bombing at the entrance of Handarat village, but the bomb was detonated prior to reaching its destination; this was followed by the NDF’s counter-attack at Handarat Hill.

Neighboring Handarat Hill, Al-Malaah Farms is the scene of another Jabhat Al-Nusra offensive to recapture lost territory the NDF was able to take control of over the last two weeks; thus far, it has been a violent battle, but very little progress for both sides.

Meanwhile, at the Al-Zahra Association Quarter, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) was able to push the Jabhat Al-Nusra militants away from the Air Force Intelligence building to the Great Prophet Mosque, killing 19 enemy combatants in the process.

On Monday morning, the militants of Jabhat Al-Nusra detonated a tunnel bomb under the historical Old Souq at the Al-Sweiqa neighborhood of the Old City, causing a huge explosion at 4 A.M. inside Aleppo City.

The Old Souq has been reportedly destroyed by Jabhat Al-Nusra this morning; this historical site can be traced back to the Mamluk Dynasty of Egypt.