Led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
, the jihadist rebel began their offensive this evening by storming the small town of Jibeen in the northwestern countryside of the Hama Governorate.Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham managed to overpower the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) troops that were positioned at Jibeen, forcing the latter to fall back towards the town of Mhardeh.
Following the capture Jibeen, the jihadist rebels began their attack on the key hilltop of Tal Malah; this prompted a heavy firefight between HTS and the Syrian Army.
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham ultimately took control of Tal Malah after killing several members of the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces (NDF).
The jihadist rebels are now pushing towards the government stronghold of Mhardeh, which is home to tens of thousands of people, including many displaced people from the area.