Syrian army bombarded Shoghour Bridge killing five civilians

Clashes have been erupted in the surrounding area of Syria’s Jober district in the eastern area of Syrian capital Damascus, as the Syrian opposition managed to destroy a tank possessed by the Syrian government. They also killed four elements loyal to Assad’s regime and injured dozens of them. Meanwhile, the governmental troops attempted to achieve advance in the industrial zone controlled by the opposition in coincidence with the bombardment of the districts of Jober, Teshreen and Qabon with missiles and mortar shells.

In Damascus’ countryside, the opposition factions managed to control Tel Dakwa from the grip of ISIS extremist group, as the governmental troops launched artillery attack against the towns of Erbeen, Ein Torma, and Zorikeya with no information over humanitarian losses. They also shelled a number of districts, including Assad district Jesreen village with no information about humanitarian losses. The governmental fighter jets threw bombing barrels on Al Daher Al Aswad area in Beit Al Jen town.

Elements of Tahrir Al Sham group attacked a number of sites controlled by Hezbollah in the western side of Qalamon, as they used heavy weapons and machine guns against the militants loyal to Assad’s regime. The attack led to the killing and injury of a large number of militants.

In Aleppo, the air force launched air raids on the city of Adnan and its outskirts in the northern countryside, resulting in injuries. The neighborhoods of Hurriyetan, Asia region and the town of Kfarhamra exposed to artillery shelling by regime forces, without reports of any injuries. In the western countryside, warplanes launched a raid on the city of Dar Azza, leaving many civilians injured, including children, in the town of Qabtan al-Jabal after a very violent missile attack. The town of Sheikh Aqeel was subjected to similar shelling. 

The air force also launched air raids on the town of Maskana in the eastern countryside targeted the cultural center, the municipality building and the vicinity of the Women's Arts Academy without giving details of any injuries.

In Raqqa, ISIS extremist group attempted to restore control on the military airport of Tabaqa, while Syrian Democratic Troops managed to prevent them. The clash led to a large number of killings and injuries among the extremists.

The Syrian army and allied forces advanced against rebels in western Syria near Hama city on Sunday, building on recent strategic gains in the area, a military source and a monitoring group said. Government forces captured the town of Halfaya and nearby villages, they said, taking back territory that rebels seized last year from forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

“We gained control of Halfaya and several hills in the area,” the Syrian military source said. “The army will of course continue its fight.” Boosted by Russian air strikes and Iranian-backed militias, the Syrian army has pushed into rebel areas north of Hama, expanding its control this week along the western highway that links Damascus and Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group, said the army began advancing into areas near Halfaya when rebels withdrew on Sunday, following intense battles and air strikes. Sources on the rebel side could not immediately be reached for comment.

Warplanes have pounded Halfaya and swathes of territory near the highway in a region vitally important to Assad’s government, which has shored up its rule in the populated west of the country. Rebel factions, spearheaded by jihadists from the former al-Qaeda affiliate and also including Free Syrian Army groups, have been fighting fiercely to defend the towns in recent days.

The army’s earlier capture of Soran, its northern gateway to Hama city, meant it had reversed most of the territorial gains rebels made in their major offensive last month.

With the help of its allies, the government has gained the military upper hand in the six-year war against the wide array of rebels, including some groups supported by Turkey, the United States and Gulf monarchies.