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Syrian troops have liberated 7 villages from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in southern Idlib, according to pro-government sources.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF), led by the Tiger Forces, took control over the villages of Mashrafat al Khanazir, Ard az-Zurzur, Sham al-Hawa, Umm al-Khalakhil, Qulayat at Tuwaybah and Niha. According to local sources, a major part of these villages has been captured thanks to the massive air and artillery strikes on the militants’ positions.
Pro-opposition sources argue that an advance of the SAA and the NDF had led to multiple casualties among civilians, but little photos or videos are provided to confirm these claims.
In the coming days, the Syrian military will continue pressuring Hayat Tahrir al-Sham on the southern Idlib front and most likely liberate more villages in the area.
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