PHOTO: Rebels counter-attacking Syrian forces near Rityan, north of Aleppo
UPDATE 1845 GMT: The Local Coordinating Committees report ongoing fighting around the three villages attacked by the regime on Tuesday.
The LCC says Syrian warplanes have attacked Rityan, retaken by the rebels yesterday after a brief regime occupation, with vacuum missiles.
The LCC added that the Sham Front captured 27 Syrian troops, including three Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers, near Rityan.
A pro-opposition activist claimed an even higher figure, with Hezbollah fighters among the captured:
Ratyan looks like it has been fully liberated after 60 #Hezbollah & regime militants surrendered to the oppo. #Aleppo pic.twitter.com/Pa7qHEaJhF
— Paradoxy (@Paradoxy13) February 18, 2015
Ahrar as-Sham and the Free Syrian Army has fired rockets, tank shells, and heavy machine guns on regime forces just outside Bashqwy.
Meanwhile, a local civil defense center says at least 20 civilians, including children and three women, were killed with guns and knives by regime troops and militia in Rityan. Almost 50 civilians who were trapped in the village were rescued.
The outcome of the Assad regime’s attempt to gain territory north of Aleppo with surprise attacks is still unclear, but initial success on Tuesday appears to have been followed by setbacks and heavy casualties.
See Syria Daily, Feb 17: Has Rebel Rocket Threat Stopped Assad’s Bombing of Civilians Near Damascus?
An initial assessment that the Syrian military’s main objective was to cut off rebels in Aleppo city, divided since July 2012, was misleading. Instead, the forces struck three villages in a quest to relieve pressure on the enclaves of Nubl and Zahraa, where Syrian troops have been surrounded and besieged for months.
The attackers — including Hezbollah, Iranian, and other foreign fighters — were initially able to take Bashqwy, Hardantain, and Rityan, threatening to cut out rebel supplies from the Turkish border.
However, the opposition regrouped as morning fog lifted. The rebels reportedly reclaimed Baskhwy and Rityan, with local citizen journalists saying the Syrian troops and militia “suffered heavy personnel losses; dozens are dead”. The Free Syrian Army said that its units had killed at least 25 troops; the Sham Front said at least 40 had been killed, supporting the claim with videos and photographs.
(Map: Syria Direct)
Regime warplanes reportedly pounded the area with vacuum missiles in an attempt to bolster the ground assault and then to hold back the rebel counter-attack.
Activists claim that Syrian militia killed civilians during their brief occupation of Rityan:
Footage from Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV of the initial stage of the regime offensive:
There were also battles closer to Handarat, on the main supply route to rebel-held areas of Aleppo. Jabhat al-Nusra claimed that it had repelled the Syrian forces at al-Mallah farms, killing scores of troops — graphic video has been posted.
And in Aleppo city, there were clashes in the regime-held western section, including al-Rashidin, with the Free Syrian Army claiming an attack that included tank shelling.
The number of regime dead is still uncertain, although claims of at least 130 slain are circulating. A pro-opposition activist said 52 rebels had been killed across the fronts in and near Aleppo.
Rebels fighting Syrian forces near Rityan:
Footage from Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV of the initial stage of the regime offensive:
Free Syrian Army attack in the al-Rashidin area of Aleppo city:
