On Friday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 3rd Armored and 11th Tank Divisions – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Homs City – launched an assault on the town of Al-Duwayr in the Homs Governorate’s northern countryside, striking the Islamist rebels of the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) from their positions at the Homs Industrial District.

Following a morning of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels of Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army, the Syrian Armed Forces were able to impose full-control over Al-Duwayr after killing 13 enemy combatants and destroying their primary hideout inside this town.

The Syrian Armed Forces did not stop at Al-Duwayr: not long after taking control of the aforementioned town, the SAA’s 3rd Armored Division pushed into the strategic village of Dar Al-Kabeera, where they were confronted by a large force from Jabhat Al-Nusra and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham.

In addition to their assault on Dar Al-Kabeera, the Syrian Armed Forces continued their advance inside the integral town of Tayr Ma’lat, capturing 4 building blocks from the Islamist rebels of Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army, while also seizing their weapons and ammunition supply depot.

Despite the daunting task ahead, the Syrian Armed Forces have made considerable progress in northern Homs, as they continue their large-scale offensive to reopen the imperative Hama-Homs Highway.