Syrian Army Launches Offensive South of Aleppo
Pro-government forces launched a major offensive on insurgents south of Aleppo on Wednesday in the strongest military assault since the cease-fire more than one month ago.
The attack came after rebels from al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front shot down a Syrian warplane on Tuesday and captured the pilot.
In a statement reported by Hezbollah-affiliated news website al-Manar, the Syrian army said it was battling armed groups in areas south of Aleppo and was supported by “heavy and concentrated airstrikes,” Reuters reported.
The statement said the attack was a response to violations of the truce agreement and that “this fire will continue until all the militants surrender.” Notably, both al-Nusra Front and ISIS are exempt from the cease-fire.
Last week, al-Nusra Front captured Talat al-Ais – a strategic village overlooking the Damascus-Aleppo highway – killing dozens of Syrian soldiers and pro-government fighters, including 11 members of Hezbollah and 43 Syrian soldiers.
The fighting in southern Aleppo has put further strain on the already fragile truce. Opposition official Asaad al-Zoubi said the truce was “in danger of ending” due to government violations.
FSA Rebels Advance Against ISIS Near Turkish Border
Syrian rebel forces affiliated with the Free Syrian Army closed in on an ISIS-held town near the Turkish border on Tuesday, Reuters reports, after they seized a handful of villages in the area from the extremist group.
Rebels are now advancing toward the town of al-Rai, also held by ISIS militants, in an attempt to seize the group’s last foothold in the area. The area has been identified by the U.S. as a priority in the battle against ISIS.
The offensive includes a number of rebel groups, including the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad and Failaq al-Sham. Gains in recent days have mobilized several thousand fighters.
“The battles are continuing… we have been able to liberate several villages very quickly from the Daesh (ISIS) gangs and, God willing, will cleanse northern Aleppo,” Abu Yasser, a commander with Failaq al-Sham, told Reuters.
U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that rebel groups have managed to seize at least 16 villages in the area held by ISIS for the last two years.
First Syrians Leave for U.S. Under New Resettlement Program
The first Syrian family left for the U.S. from Jordan on Wednesday under the new “surge operation” resettlement program for Syrian refugees.
The family, consisting of Ahmad al-Abboud with his wife and five children, will have the chance to start a new life in Kansas City, Missouri. The 45-year-old from Homs had been living in Jordan for the past three years after fleeing his home town as a result of the devastating war.
“I’m happy. America is the country of freedom and democracy, there are jobs opportunities, there is good education and we are looking forward to having a good life over there,” al-Abboud told reporters. “I am ready to integrate in the U.S. and start a new life,” he added.
Al-Abboud was unable to work in Syria and earn a reasonable living for his family, which has depended on food coupons to survive.
President Barack Obama has pledged to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees by end of September. A resettlement center, where close to 600 people are interviewed every day, opened in Amman in February to help facilitate the process.
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Top image: Syrian refugee Ahmad al-Abboud waits with his family at the International Airport of Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, April 6, 2016. (AP Photo/Raad Adayleh)