The battle for Aleppo is reaching its critical stages as the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) continues its offensive to recapture parts of the provincial capital that are under the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS), Islamic Front (Jabhat Al-Islamiyya) and Al-Nusra Front (Jabhat Al-Nusra). A year and a half ago, many thought the SAA would not be able to hold the city long enough to see Winter 2013 after their withdrawal from the Mennagh Airbase last August; however, following the SAA’s success in the Homs Governorate, much needed reinforcements would pour into the province to begin “Operation Northern Storm”.
Recent Rebel Gains and Attacks:
- Nubl and Al-Zahra: Jabhat Al-Nusra is attacking the Syrian Arab Army, National Defense Forces, and Hezbollah at the villages of Nubl and Al-Zahra. They have withdrawn from the southern front of these villages, but they are still attacking the eastern sector of Nubl.
- Ashrafiyyeh: The Islamic Front launched an attack on the Ashrafiyyeh Quarter, bombarding SAA positions near the fuel depository. They continue to attack, but have yet to breach the SAA’s frontline defenses.
- Marjah: The Islamic Front was able to retake approximately 3 building blocks the SAA controlled last week; as a result, they are now in control of the whole quarter.