Round 2 of the Islamist rebel counter-assault has begun inside the strategic city of Sheikh Miskeen this morning, as the Free Syrian Army’s (FSA) “Southern Front Brigades” and Jabhat Al-Nusra (Syrian Al-Qaeda group) attempt to recapture the Battalion 82 Headquarters in the central district.

According to preliminary reports from Al-Masdar’s military sources inside the 5th Armored Division’s headquarters in the city of Izra’a, Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army are storming the southern perimeter of the Battalion 82 HQ right now; however, he added that there have been no reports of the enemy infiltrating the Syrian Arab Army’s positions inside Sheikh Miskeen.

Over the last 72 hours, the Islamist rebels of Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Free Syrian Army have been on the offensive in order to recapture the territory they conceded to the Syrian Arab Army during last week’s massive assault on Sheikh Miskeen’s northern and eastern districts.

Yesterday, the Islamist rebels suffered heavy casualties in their failed bid to capture the Battalion 82 Headquarters; if they fail once again, this might provide the Syrian Arab Army with the opportunity to seize the entire city.

Currently backing up the Syrian Arab Army from above is the Russian Air Force – they have played a pivotal role in damaging much of the Islamist rebel defenses.