AlMasdarNews reports: Homs, Syria (10:15 A.M.) – The jihadist rebels, led by Jabhat Al-Nusra and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, launched a massive offensive in the northern Homs countryside on Monday night, targeting the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) positions near the small town of Al-Zara.
Jabhat Al-Nusra’s media wing reported that this latest offensive is meant to lift the large-scale siege on the northern Homs countryside.
So far, the jihadist rebels have managed to capture the Al-Madajin Checkpoint that is situated just north of Al-Zara after a short battle with the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces (NDF).
According to preliminary reports from the northern Homs front, the jihadist rebels are attempting to encircle the strategic Al-Zara Thermal Plant, which was under siege by the same forces two months ago.
Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) began conducting airstrikes over the Al-Rastan Plains in response to the attempted advance by the jihadist rebels.
