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Syrian Opposition Regains Control over Towns in Aleppo’s Northern Countryside | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Smoke rises near a damaged road in Dahiyet al-Assad, west Aleppo city, Syria October 30, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah


Beirut – Syrian opposition fighters, who are part of Euphrates Shield operations, are trying to regain control over several towns and villages in Aleppo’s northern countryside.

Reports revealed that ISIS regained their power of attack through controlling Akhtarin town.

Free Syrian Army’s Sultan Murad Division reported that during their battle with ISIS in Aleppo countryside, 14 militants were killed and two captivated.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that ISIS advanced in Aleppo and gained control back of 17 villages including Salwa, Ghor, Thalthana, Masodia, Baraan, and Baroza in Aleppo’s northern and northeastern country sides, making further inroads into the town of Akhtarin, three weeks after initially retreating from the city, where it reported that clashes were ongoing.

A militant told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that military operations now are aimed at liberating the villages that ISIS has control over, adding that Baraan, Thalthana and Tanuza were liberated.

Salih al-Zein, field commander at the armed opposition, told ARA News that rebel fighters, participating in Turkey’s Euphrates Shield Operation, have recently taken control over a number of towns and villages in Aleppo’s countryside.

In the past 24 hours, ISIS managed to recapture ten towns in Aleppo’s northern countryside in its largest attack since the beginning of Euphrates Shield in August.

Turkey announced that its forces targeted eighty ISIS locations as part of Euphrates Shield operation.

Leader at Sham Legion Abedlilah Tlas said that ISIS militants took advantage of the rainy weather and infiltrated into Akhtarin in Aleppo’s northern countryside. He added that Free Syrian Army (FSA) managed to kill a number of them while others fled the town following fierce clashes.

Informed sources at the Syrian Democratic Force (SDF), mainly formed of Kurds, reported that ISIS terrorists attacked four axes and were able to gain control over al-Rami field as well as three hills surrounding it.

Sources reported heavy clashes near the infantry academy during which ISIS militants tried to gain control over it.