BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:30 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) capture of Tal Malah and Jibeen in northwestern Hama was short-lived on Saturday as a swift jihadist counter-offensive managed to reverse all of their advances.

According to a military source in northwestern Hama, the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and their allies from Jaysh Al-Izza were able to retake Tal Malah and Jibeen after raining down several missiles and artillery shells on the Syrian Arab Army’s positions.

Unable to fortify their positions on Tal Malah, the Syrian Arab Army was forced to retreat once the jihadist rebels began storming the hilltop and nearby town of Jibeen.

As a result of this counter-offensive, the jihadists have once again forced the closure of the main road linking the government strongholds of Sqaylabiyeh and Mhardeh in northwestern Hama.

The Syrian Arab Army is now launching a heavy barrage of missiles and artillery shells towards Tal Malah in preparation for another attack to capture this strategic site from the jihadist rebels and their allies.