HTS keeps advancing in north of Syria’s Aleppo
ALEPPO, Syria (North Press) – Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front), supported by al-Amshat and Hamza factions, continued on Thursday taking control of more territory at the expense of the Third Legion of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).
A local source told North Press, “Fierce clashes with heavy weapons are taking place on the road to the villages of Kafr Janneh and Qatmah in Afrin countryside between the HTS and its allied factions on one hand, and the Third Legion on the other.”
Meanwhile, the source said, “The Hamza Division faction shelled with artillery Kafr Janneh and Qatmah, which resulted in the injury of two civilians, in addition to severe material damage to the residents’ properties.”
The source added, “The SNA’s Levant Front faction managed, during the past hours, to regain control of the village of Turinde and a settlement near al-Shamia village, south of Afrin.”
The source continued, “The SNA’s Third Legion, along with Jaysh al-Islam, began to fortify its foothold in Kafr Janneh and Qatmah by constructing earthen berms, in addition to installing searchlights on the outskirts of the two villages.”
The importance of Kafr Janneh comes from being a strategic point to reach the city of Azaz, which is the gateway to the SNA-held areas.
On Thursday afternoon, the HTS took full control of the city of Afrin, following the withdrawal of Third Legion from the city toward Azaz city.