On Tuesday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) launched a large-scale offensive at the Syrian Government stronghold of Al-Safira, attacking the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) defensive positions inside the northern district of this strategic city located in Aleppo Governorate’s southeastern countryside.

ISIS began their assault at the northern district of Al-Safira, where they were able to capture several building blocks after infiltrating the Syrian Arab Army’s positions near Tal-Reeman-Safira axis; this prompted the pro-government forces to reinforce their second line of defenses in order to avoid being overrun by the terrorist group.

Following a series of intense firefights at the northern district, ISIS pulled-back some of their fighters after failing to penetrate the Syrian Arab Army’s second line of defense; this was followed by several airstrikes from the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF), who was originally grounded due to the weather conditions.

The terrorist group redirected their assault from the imperative towns of Tal ‘Arn and Al-‘Aziziyah to the city of Al-Safira in order to find another breaking point in the Syrian Arab Army’s frontlines; however, it appears for now, that ISIS has been repelled, despite repeated attempts to infiltrate into this Syrian Government stronghold.

If ISIS captures Al-Safira, they will not only cutoff the Syrian Arab Army’s main supply route to the Aleppo Governorate, but also, take control of the large army bases surrounding this city.