This morning, Syrian government forces, led by the Tiger Forces, have launched a major assault on the militant stronghold of Taibat al-Imam in the province of Hama.
Following a heavy artillery shelling and a number of airstrikes, the Tiger Forces-led assault team entered Taibat al-Imam from the southeastern direction and engaged members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in an intense urban fighting.
Contradictory reports appear from Taibat al-Imam. However, it’s clear that government forces gained some ground inside it amid the continuied fighting. Some pro-government sources even argue that the Tiger Forces had captured over a half of the town, but this cannot be confirmed independently.
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A T-72 battle tank belonging to the Syrian Arab Army was reportedly hit by an IED planted by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
In turn, pro-HTS media outlets and activists are relatively silent. This partly confirms that militants are in a very complicated situation inside the town.
If Taibat al-Imam falls into hands of the SAA, militants inside Halfaya, Zilaqiyat and Hissa will be put in a very complicated situation and these sites will likely be also captured by government forces.
Pics of Tiger Forces members preparing (yesterday) for the storm of Taibat al-Imam were released by a media activist Ivan Sidorenko:
More (earlier pics):
