On Friday night, sources from the National Defense Forces (NDF) at Al-Mastouma reported the capture of Koreen by the Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” after fierce clashes with the militants from the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” at this town in western Idlib.

According to the NDF sources, the Tiger Forces attacked Koreen after breaking through Jabhat Al-Nusra’s frontline defenses at the hill adjacent to the town; this was followed by a complete withdrawal by the Islamist group to the north in order to avoid the swarming soldiers from the Tiger Forces.

Al-Masdar News is still waiting for official confirmation from the Tiger Forces; however, if true, the Syrian Armed Forces would be in prime position to besiege the provincial capital of Idlib.