Rebel and FSA groups at dawn today captured the strategic villages of Khalsa, Zeitan and Bernah in southern rural Aleppo after heavy fighting with Iranian-backed foreign militias that have suffered heavy losses in the past four days. Activists said that at least 40 pro-regime militants were killed in the town of Khalsa alone.
Alfateh Army, a coalition of rebel and FSA groups, on Friday resumed the offensive to capture the village of Khalsa. Rebels announced they fully captured the village at dawn today. They then made a push towards the villages of Zeitan and Barnah to the south, which soon fell after the Iranian-backed militias fled without resisting. Rebels said they captured two tanks and various weapons and ammunition during the liberation of Khalsa.
In rural Latakia, meanwhile, FSA fighters recaptured Alhayat hill and the villages of Ein Issa, Alqaramnilah, Shahroura, Kalz and Alsarraf in the Turkmen Mount area, killing and injuring many pro-regime militants and seizing weapons and ammunition. FSA fighters said they destroyed an ammunition depot belonging to regime forces in Zahia hilltop after hitting it with a Grad missile. FSA fighters also shelled regime positions in Albaidaa hilltop, achieving direct hits on targets. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Aleppo Media Center)
