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)
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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.



Hamas Stresses Acceptance of Dedicated Committee to Manage Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
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Hamas Stresses Acceptance of Dedicated Committee to Manage Gaza

Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)
Smoke rises during Israeli military operations in Al Shejaeiya and Al Tuffah neighborhoods, east Gaza City, 19 April 2025. (EPA)

The Hamas movement reiterated on Saturday its willingness to reach a comprehensive agreement that would include a full prisoner exchange in return for a ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the start of reconstruction efforts.

In a statement, it expressed readiness to immediately implement an Egyptian proposal to form a special committee of independent figures to manage Gaza following such an agreement.

The statement also confirmed that a Hamas delegation, led by senior official Mohammed Darwish, met in Türkiye with Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.

Kalin reiterated Ankara’s support for the Palestinian cause and its solidarity with the Palestinian people. He also emphasized his country’s firm rejection of Israeli expansionist policies and any new attempts at occupation or annexation, said Hamas.

Separately, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, announced Saturday that the fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander remains unknown.

In a statement, Qassam spokesperson Abu Ubaida said: “We managed to recover the body of a martyr who was tasked with guarding the prisoner Edan Alexander. The fate of the prisoner, along with the other captive fighters, is still unknown.”

Hamas said on Tuesday that it had lost contact with the group holding Alexander after Israeli forces bombed the location in Gaza where he was believed to be held.

Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli soldier from New Jersey, has been held hostage by Hamas.

“We are trying to protect all the captives and preserve their lives despite the brutality of the aggression,” Abu Ubaida said. “But their lives are in danger due to the enemy army’s criminal bombardment.”

He again accused the Israeli military of being responsible for the deaths of hostages — an allegation Israel has denied, instead blaming Hamas for killing those in its custody.

Alexander’s case was reportedly a key point of discussion in recent talks between Hamas leaders and US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, held last month.

In a related development, the Qassam Brigades published a video on Telegram showing an Israeli hostage alive. The video, lasting more than four minutes, shows the hostage seated in a confined space, speaking in Hebrew over the phone with family members and a friend, pleading with them to continue efforts to secure his release.