TEL RIFAT, Syria
As part of its Operation Dawn of Freedom, the Syrian National Army (SNA) on Sunday seized the Kuweires Military Airport in Aleppo, cutting off the PKK/YPG terror group's logistics line between Tel Rifaat and Manbij.
In response to the terrorist organization's plan to create a terror corridor between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria, the SNA took control of the Kuweires Military Airport.
With the SNA's capture of the airport, which houses military aircraft and air defense systems, the PKK/YPG terror group's logistics line between Tel Rifaat and Manbij was disrupted.
The airport had also been targeted multiple times by Israel.
Also, as part of the operation, the SNA took control of three villages and a hill from terrorists in Tel Rifaat.
Syrian National Army launches operation against PKK/YPG terror group
The Syrian National Army (SNA) launched an operation to counter the terror group PKK/YPG's plan to establish a terror corridor between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria, according to security sources.
Tensions have resurfaced in northern Syria after anti-regime armed groups recently captured second biggest city of the country, Aleppo.
As opposition forces began their operation toward Aleppo, Syrian regime forces lost control of significant territories in a short time. This prompted the Syrian regime to seek support from the PKK/YPG terrorist organization against the opposition, paving the way for the terror group to gain ground.
The Syrian regime began to hand over the lands under its control to the PKK/YPG forces located east of the Euphrates. Consequently, a large number of PKK/YPG terrorists and heavy weaponry were transported from east of the Euphrates to Aleppo.
The PKK/YPG terror group considered the Syrian regime's surrender of territories as an opportunity and attempted to establish a terror corridor between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria. However, the plan was thwarted by the SNA.
Noticing the terrorist organization's maneuvers amid the opposition groups' advance toward Aleppo, SNA launched "Operation Dawn of Freedom" and quickly entered the field.
The SNA disrupted the PKK/YPG's efforts to establish a terror corridor by cutting off the route between Raqqa and Aleppo, blocking the link between Tel Rifaat and northeastern Syria.
Situation in Tel Rifaat
YPG/PKK terrorists, with air support from Russia, seized control of Tel Rifaat and some surrounding settlements in February 2016.
The terrorist organization displaced nearly 250,000 civilians from Tel Rifaat and its surroundings, forcing them to take refuge in areas near the Turkish border.
From Tel Rifaat, the YPG/PKK terror group launched attacks on settlements within the Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch regions, as well as on positions held by Turkish security forces ensuring safety and opposition fighters.
The PKK/YPG terrorist organization, which occupied the district of Tel Rifaat, had collaborated with the Assad regime and its supporters to maintain control of the area.
With the advance of anti-regime armed groups into the center of Aleppo, regime forces withdrew from Tel Rifaat.
Airstrikes by Syrian regime on Idlib province kill 4 civilians
Airstrikes by the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes on Idlib’s city center killed four civilians, local sources reported on Sunday.
The attacks, which began early Sunday morning, involved at least nine airstrikes on the Idlib city center, according to an opposition-affiliated aircraft observatory.
Civil Defense sources said preliminary findings indicate that four civilians lost their lives and 20 others were wounded in the attacks.
The airstrikes, which targeted a marketplace and residential areas, caused significant damage.
Armed anti-regime groups advance towards Hama province in Syria
In Syria, armed groups opposed to the Assad regime have moved towards Hama province, following their advances in Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
For the past four days, anti-regime groups have been in conflict with the regime forces, continuing their progress across the country.
Having regained much of Aleppo city and all of Idlib province from regime forces, the armed groups are now advancing towards Hama, which lies to the south of Idlib and is under regime control.
In the evening, the groups captured the town of Khan Shaykhun in southern Idlib and continued advancing, taking control of several towns in northern Hama, including Taybat al-Imam, Kafr Zayta, Kafr Nbouda, Hilfaya, Qalat Madiq, Latamneh, Soran, Kirnez, Mardes, Hamaiyet, and Termala.
The armed groups also took control of Morik, a key district on the M5 highway.
Currently, the opposition groups are positioned about 8 kilometers (5 miles) from Hama city center, where they are continuing to clash with regime forces.
Opposition forces seize Aleppo International Airport in Syria
Armed opposition groups fighting against Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria on Saturday seized Aleppo International Airport, which the regime forces had left to the PKK/YPG terrorist group, according to local sources.
The sources said that the regime forces withdrew from the city this morning, leaving the airport located in the eastern part of the city to the opposition armed groups.
After the opposition groups entered the center of Aleppo, the regime forces had left some strategic locations in the city to the PKK/YPG terrorist organization.
Clashes erupt in Syria’s Deraa as regime forces open fire on protesters
Regime forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad opened fire Saturday on demonstrators in Syria's southern province of Deraa who were supporting the advance of anti-regime armed groups.
Local sources reported that dozens of people gathered in the Inkhil area of Deraa to back the progress of anti-regime forces.
The regime forces responded by firing live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
