Syrian army starts liberation of Khan Sheikhoun

SANAA, Aug. 20 (YPA) – The Syrian Arab Army has entered the key city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province, as part of a new and highly successful offensive against Al-Qaeda linked rebel forces in northern Syria.

The Al Mayadeen television network reported on Sunday that the Syrian forces had entered Khan Sheikhoun as part of their attack on positions held by Wahhabi terrorist organisations Jabhat al-Nusra and Jaish al-Izzah, both of which are linked to Al-Qaeda.

The city was originally taken by rebel terrorist forces in 2014, and ever since was held as a key base for rebel activities in the war against Syria.

On August 5, after a violation of the ceasefire agreement by the Al-Qaeda forces, the Syrian Arab Army announced that it would start a new offensive meant to liberate key areas of Idlib governorate.

On August 11, the Syrian army liberated al-Hobeit and Sukeik, and on Sunday announced it had driven the foreign-backed terrorists out of the Kafar Aidum hills.

According to al-Watan newspaper, Syrian government forces have taken control over 18 settlements in Idlib governoratate and killed 1,257 terrorists, including 400 foreign mercenaries, over the past three weeks.

E.M