Clashes Between Syrian Forces, HTS in Aleppo result in casualties
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Twelve individuals were killed and wounded in the western countryside of Aleppo in clashes erupted between the Syrian government forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra front) on Wednesday at dawn.
A military source told North Press that seven soldiers of the government forces were wounded and killed, and five HTS militants were wounded.
The clashes took place in tandem with mutual artillery shelling and flight by Russian aircrafts over the region, according to the source.
Military sources of al-Fateh al-Mubin Operations’ Room, led by the HTS, said the clashes occurred in Kafr Taal and Base 46 west of Aleppo.
HTS combat forces advanced towards the government forces’ positions, triggering fierce clashes, the sources added.
These clashes came at a time where there are efforts towards Syrian-Turkish normalization that spread resentment among people in the opposition-held areas.
On Tuesday, two military sources affiliated with HTS revealed that the group carried out an infiltration operation against Syrian government forces under the slogan “We will not reconcile” – in response to recent normalization efforts between Ankara and Damascus.
A week earlier, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, HTS’ leader, described the normalization as “a reward for the Syrian regime.”