Just in: The National Defense Forces (NDF) and Hezbollah forces have captured the strategic Industrial Area of Al-Zahra after fierce clashes with the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” on Friday morning.

The surprise attack was launched earlier this morning, when the NDF and Hezbollah simultaneously stormed the Al-Zahra Housing Association, capturing it from Jabhat Al-Nusra within minutes of their initial assault at this area located directly west of Bayanoun.

After the capture of the Housing Association in Al-Zahra, the NDF and Hezbollah progressed towards the Industrial Area, where they engaged Jabhat Al-Nusra in a half hour firefight that resulted in the latter’s withdrawal to the nearby village of Bayanoun amid the abrupt onslaught.

According to an initial report from a source in Aleppo, Jabhat Al-Nusra suffered over two dozen casualties during the NDF and Hezbollah attack.