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On March 23, 2023, Amjad, the official media outlet of Syrian jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), reported that special forces fighters from its 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab Brigade carried out a "qualitative operation" against several positions of the "Assad militias" at the 46th Regiment area west of Aleppo.
Amjad reported that the fighters attacked important sites of the Syrian army which targeted roads and houses of villages in the countryside west of Aleppo, destroying the sites and killing most of the people in it. The media outlet added that two fighters managed to outflank the military outposts and on its supply routes while the Special Forces carried out the "qualitative operation," resulting in the killing and wounding of several soldiers before the two "ascended" as martyrs. [1]
On March 24, the media outlet released photos showing preparations before the brigade set out for the attack and documenting the clashes between the Syrian soldiers and brigade fighters.[2]
Later that day, Amjad reported that more than 25 Syrian soldiers and officers were killed or injured, including three operatives of Lebanese Hizbullah and a colonel in Iran's IRGC.[3]
In the past few months, HTS has carried out many inghimasi attacks [commando-style operations behind enemy lines] against the Syrian military.[4]
[1] Telegram, March 23, 2023.
[2] Telegram, March 24, 2023.
[3] Telegram, March 24, 2023.
[4] See MEMERI JTTM Report: Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Escalates Assaults Against Syrian Armed Forces, Resumes Attacks Behind Enemy Lines, January 17, 2023.
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