Moments ago, the Syrian Arab Army’s 87th Brigade of the 11th Tank Division – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) – recaptured the town of Zayzoun in the Al-Ghaab Plains of the Idlib Governorste.

The capture of Zayzoun comes 72 hours after the Syrian Armed Forces conducted a major withdrawal from the towns located directly south of Frikka; this large retreat seemed to be pre-planned, as the SAA withdrew from the towns in a matter of two hours.

Two days ago, the Syrian Armed Forces launched a counter-offensive to recapture their lost territory, while also pushing south towards the town of Qahira.

The goal of this new offensive is to capture the city of Jisr Al-Shughour to the north; Kafr Zita from its western flank; Qastoun from its western flank; and Al-Sirmaniyah on the border of the Prophet Younis Mountains.

This will not be an easy task for the Syrian Armed Forces, as the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” and their allies from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Ansar Al-Sham are poised to maintain their territorial gains amid the persistent bombardments from the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF).

Currently, clashes are ongoing between the Syrian Armed Forces and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham at the town of Qahira; however, there have been no reported gains.