Pro-Syrian regime forces have reportedly begun mobilizing on the outskirts of the de-facto autonomous Kurdish Afrin canton to prepare for an offensive aimed at striking rebel supply routes west of Aleppo.
“Regime forces and the militias supporting them continued to mobilize [in] large numbers… on a number of fronts in western Aleppo countryside on Monday in a bid to resume their assault on positions held by the armed opposition,” ARA News reported.
The Erbil-based outlet that closely covers northern Syrian field developments said the upcoming offensive will aim to sever rebel supply lines between the city of Aleppo and its western countryside.
The anticipated offensive would see the troops move southward from the Afrin canton, from where Kurdish-led troops have already staged a lightning eastward drive that seized a swathe of rebel-held territory above Aleppo.
Saleh al-Zain, an armed opposition field commander in northern Aleppo countryside told ARA News that “regime forces and groups of militants from the villages of Nubl and Zahraa are mobilizing large numbers of fighters on the outskirts of the villages of Bashemra, Fafertayn, Birad and Kiymar with the aim of storming western Aleppo countryside and cutting the Ma’aret al-Artiq-Babis road, as well as the Hawr-Yaqed al-Adas road in the direction of Qubtan al-Jabal.”