The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) – backed by the National Defense Forces (NDF) – has retaken the area of Al-Manasheer located northeast of the Hanano Barracks in the Aleppo Governorate, following fierce firefights over the last 2 days. The SAA and NDF were able to make significant progress in the village of Al-Bureijj, where they confronted the Islamic Front (Jabhat Al-Islamiyya) militants that infiltrated into this captured area.

Near the Al-Castillo Junction in Aleppo, the SAA and NDF took control of the Malaah Farms (Mazra’a Al-Malaah) after carrying out numerous operations in its vicinity. The SAA and NDF were assisted by the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF), who carried out a number of airstrikes on Islamic Front positions in this rugged area. According to field reports, firefights are still ongoing west of the Malaah Farms between the two parties.

After the Islamic Front destroyed the Al-Sultaniyyeh Mosque in the Old City of Aleppo, the SAA attacked the militants on the road that leads to the Aleppo Citadel and later asserted their control over the area after violent clashes. The Aleppo Citadel has experienced material damage on the northern walls after multiple artillery shells struck the historical site.

The SAA has begun a new offensive in west Aleppo that is geared to capture the villages of Banayyaameen and Bashkawi in order to alleviate the pressure on the Al-Zahra District. Not much detail has been given about the new offensive; however, a military source stated that opening up the Aleppo front at this time is crucial to the SAA’s success.