Illustrative image
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and its allied armed groups have retreated from Al-Aswad Hill and the abandoned military point near it in southern Idlib, according to pro-government sources.
Following the retreat of the militants, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) reportedly established control over these points and strengthened its positions south of the village of Abu Dali. The SAA advance came after a day of intense artillery and air strikes on the positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the area.
Pro-opposition sources argue that the SAA advance is a tactical victory and does not change the situation in the area in general. However, this is untrue. Government forces are steadily isolating Abu Dali from the southern and eastern direction. When this is done, the SAA will likely start the storm of the village.
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