Syrian government forces tighten control over Khan Shaykhun as opposition groups withdraw
Idlib – North-Press Agency
The Syrian government forces took control over the city of Khan Shaykhun and managed to besiege the armed opposition groups in the areas of Hama northern countryside, while the opposition groups justified their withdrawal by minimizing their losses.
The Syrian government forces took control over the majority of the city of Khan Shaykhun in the southern countryside of Idlib, on Thursday morning, while the southern outskirts towards Morek Turkish observation point remained uncontrolled by them.
Thus, the Syrian government forces have imposed a siege around the areas of Kafr Zita, Morek, Latmeen, Lataminah, Lahaya and other villages in the Hama northern countryside, which were considered by a Russian media field source as “have fallen militarily”, in this case.
Meanwhile, Russia-allied Syrian government forces continue their aerial and ground bombardment operations in the southern countryside of Idlib in order to continue their military advance in the area.
For his part, the spokesman of the National Liberation Front Naji Mustafa said in a special statement to North-Press that the armed opposition groups had to withdraw because of the intensive ground and air bombardment, and to minimize the number of casualties in their ranks.
Naji added that without the participation of the Russian forces in military operations, following the policy of scorched land, in addition to the Iranian forces and Hezbollah, the Syrian “regime” would have never made any advance towards those areas.
“However, we have caused casualties and damages to the Syrian regime forces,” Mustafa said.
As for the Turkish stance regarding the recent battles, Mustafa said: “Turkey is observing the situation closely,” stressing that Turkey is still providing military and logistical support for the Syrian armed opposition groups in Idlib.
The strategic importance of the city of Khan Shaykhun lies in its overlook over vital roads, making it a link between the eastern, western and northern Idlib countryside, while controlling the area is considered to be the first step in reopening the vital road between Aleppo and Damascus.