Former Al-Qaeda Trainer in Afghanistan Killed in Idlib by the Syrian Army
The former Al-Qaeda trainer and Harakat 'Ahrar Al-Sham field commander, Hafs Al-Masri, was killed during the Islamist offensive at the provincial capital of Idlib in northern Syria.
Al-Masri – an Egyptian native – spent over three years combatting the U.S. Armed Forces and training Al-Qaeda militants in both Afghanistan and Pakistan before he turned his attention to Syria, where he believed his "mujahiddeen" were combatting the "murtadeen" (apostates) for the country.
The Harakat 'Ahrar Al-Sham field commander joins a long list of former Al-Qaeda operatives to be killed in Syria, including relatives of the 9/11 hijackers.
Syrian Army Takes Captures Most of Sakr Island in Deir Ezzor
The Syrian Arab Army's 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard has achieved a significant breakthrough at Haweeja Sakr in Deir Ezzor, as they captured almost all of the island after six grueling months of back and forth clashes with the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).
According to a military source, the SAA's 104th Brigade conducted a number of raids on ISIS positions in the northern sector of the Al-'Alaleesh Quarter of Sakr Island, killing 22 enemy combatants and destroying an armored vehicle mounted with a 14.5mm machine gun during their operations.
Continuing their progress in southern Deir Ezzor, the SAA's 104th Brigade progressed into the village of Al-Baanour, following their success in the Al-Shardah Mountains.
Fierce clashes were reported between ISIS militants and the SAA's 137th Brigade at the Al-Haweeqa Quarter in northern Deir Ezzor; this led to a number of airstrikes by the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) after a large ISIS contingent emerged near the eastern perimeter of the Al-Haweeqa Quarter.
Fighting was also reported in the villages of Al-Jafra, Al-Muri'iyah, and Al-Shoula; there was also firefights reported at the Rashidiyah, Al-Kanamat, Al-Sina'a, and Al-Rusafa Quarters of Deir Ezzor City.
ISIS Reenters Yarmouk Camp; Three-way Battle for Control
On Thursday morning, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) reentered the Al-Yarmouk Camp after being forced out last night by the Hamas-affiliated "Aknef Beit Al-Maqdis" militia; this attack resulted in ISIS' capture of three quarters of the district, including the Yarmouk Girls School, Palestine Mosque, 15th Street, and most of 30th Street.
ISIS also successfully entered the Al-Tadamon District located east of the Al-Yarmouk Camp, capturing the rebel-held territory and taking control of Palestine Street after clashing with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) backed "Palestine Liberation Army."
By noon on Thursday, Palestinian forces loyal to the SAA launched a counter-offensive at Al-Tadamon and Al-Yarmouk, where they were able to retake Palestine Street and 30th Street before nightfall dissipated the violence engulfing this volatile area.
According to a Palestinian source in the nearby Jarmana Camp, the militias that took part in the SAA-backed offensive were the PLA, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC), and Fatah Al-Intifada – these groups were originally in the Yarmouk Camp before the Syrian Conflict.
For Aknef Al-Maqdis, the recapture of the Yarmouk School Street became an integral battle, as ISIS' control over this area wedged the rebel forces without an outlet to retreat.
Aknef Al-Maqdis was successful in retaking Yarmouk School Street; however, ISIS was able to reestablish their control over the rebel part of 30th Street.
Fighting has died down in Al-Yarmouk and Al-Tadamon, but it is likely to pick-up on Friday morning.
almasdarnews.com/
