Syrian Opposition Says Thwarts Regime Infiltration Attempt in Aleppo Countryside

Syrian opposition fighters in the Aleppo countryside. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Syrian opposition fighters in the Aleppo countryside. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Syrian Opposition Says Thwarts Regime Infiltration Attempt in Aleppo Countryside

Syrian opposition fighters in the Aleppo countryside. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Syrian opposition fighters in the Aleppo countryside. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Syrian opposition announced on Sunday that it had thwarted an attempt by the regime and Iranian militias to infiltrate areas of its influence in the Aleppo countryside.

The opposition also announced that it had carried out a surprise attack in the Latakia countryside, killing a member of the regime forces and wounding dozens of others.

Opposition activists said the armed factions thwarted the infiltration in the western Aleppo countryside amid fierce clashes and heavy artillery fire. Tanks and rocket launchers were used in the fighting that left eleven people dead and wounded from the regime.

The regime continued its shelling of the area. No reports of casualties among civilians were reported.

In Latakia, a leading opposition faction member said they launched a surprise attack in the al-Bayda region in the eastern part of the province.

Three military positions were destroyed and at least 20 regime forces members were killed and wounded.

The opposition figure said the operation was launched in retaliation to regime violations in civilian areas and its failed attempts at infiltrating opposition-held regions in northwestern Syria.

He revealed that three infiltration attempts were thwarted last month alone.

The attempts took place in Atarib city in the western Aleppo countryside, Jabal al-Zawiya in southern Idlib and Jabal al-Turkman and al-Akrad in the eastern Latakia countryside.

The infiltrations were carried out by the regime and allied Iranian and Afghan militias.

The developments took place as opposition factions were on high alert and as they reinforced their military positions along the contact lines with the regime in Idlib and Aleppo.

Fears have been high that the regime was preparing to launch a new military offensive, taking advantage of Türkiye’s recent attacks against the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces.



Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
TT

Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)

The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza and were examining whether another body recovered was also that of a captive.

Earlier, Israel's defense minister said that troops recovered the bodies of two hostages.

The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was brought to Israel on Tuesday after being discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It said troops uncovered information about Al Zaydani's son Hamzah that "raised serious concerns for his life."

Military spokesman Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military was looking into the identity of a second set of remains recovered.

Al Zaydani and his son were taken captive during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, among 250 hostages snatched by the group during its cross-border raid.

Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead.

The body's recovery comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire deal that would free the hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza.

However, Yosef and Hamzah Al Zaydani were believed to still be alive and their return could ramp up the pressure on Israel to move ahead on a deal.

Yosef Al Zaydani's name was on a list of 34 hostages shared by a Hamas official with The Associated Press that the group said were slated for release.

Many families of hostages say the continuation of the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages at risk. They have demanded throughout the conflict that Israel reaches a deal with Hamas to free their loved ones.