PHOTOS: Fighters in a Turkish-rebel offensive celebrate in Bzaah in northwest Syria on Saturday — hours later, they were pushed out by the Islamic State

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UPDATE 1800 GMT: Fighting is continuing between the Turkish-rebel offensive and the Islamic State for control of the village of Bzaah, east of al-Bab.

The Turkish-rebel force, which briefly held Bzaah on Saturday before being pushed out by an ISIS counter-attack, claimed they regained part of the village including the roundabout between al-Bab and the town of Manbij.

However, ISIS denied the claim.

Street battles, reportedly from Sunday:

ORIGINAL ENTRY: A Turkish-rebel offensive has suffered another setback near the ISIS-held town of al-Bab in northwest Syria, as a pro-Assad force closes from another direction.

The Islamic State confirmed its recapture of the village of Bzaah, east of al-Bab, on Sunday. The Turkish-supported Free Syrian Army briefly moved into the village the previous day, only to be pushed out by an ISIS counter-attack.

A pro-opposition activist said two or three suicide vehicle bombs caused casualties and destroyed vehicles, as the Islamic State brought in reinforcements from Al-Bab.

The Turkish-rebel assault on al-Bab was launched in early December; however, it has struggled against ISIS resistance including suicide vehicle bombs and improvised explosive devices.

Last week, the Assad regime’s military command highlighted its own effort to take al-Bab, proclaiming that its advance had recaptured 32 towns and villages from Islamic State, as well as a 16-km (10 mile) portion of the highway from Aleppo city to al-Bab.

On Saturday, the regime claimed the capture of the village of Aran to the south of al-Bab.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said about 30,000 civilians have fled al-Bab and nearby areas since late December, while Khalil Abdelrahman said “approximately 10,000 families” have left.

Assad Meets Belgian MPs

In his first public engagement with politicians after claims that he suffered a “mini-stroke”, President Assad met Belgian MPs on Monday.

In a video released by the Presidency, Assad appeared to be speaking fluently, despite the lack of audio. However, he seemed to be restricted in movement on his left side.

ASSAD BELGIUM MPS

The President has made three appearances since he was absent from view between January 26 and 31, with sources saying he was treated in Beirut for a blood clot (see earlier entry).

White Helmets Rescuer Dies of Injuries

Zaher Al-Sourani, a White Helmets rescuer from Idlib Province has died of his injuries.

Al-Sourani was wounded in an airstrike that targeted a White Helmets center.

More than 150 volunteers have been killed since the group was formed in 2013, the large majority of them by Russian or regime aerial attacks.

Assad Makes “Surprise Visit” To Dispel Illness Claims

Trying to dispel claims of a recent “mini-stroke” suffered by President Assad, State media has posted photos of him visiting a resort near his hometown of Qardaha in Latakia Province in western Syria.

Media claimed the pictures of Assad and wife Asma were taken on Saturday at the Mountain Breeze Resort. The photographs were initially posted on the resort’s website, according to the reports.

ASSADS RESORT 02-17

With Assad away, the Speaker of the People’s Assembly, Hadiyeh Abbas, hosted a Belgian Parliamentary delegation in Damascus.

Speculation over the President’s health grew during his disappearance from public view from January 26 for five days. Citing a doctor in the American University Hospital in Beirut, a pro-opposition activist said Assad was treated for a blood clot. Tricked by a pro-opposition reporter posing as a regime official, personnel at the Shami Hospital in Damascus said the President had been admitted there, possibly before being flown by helicopter to Beirut.

See Syria Daily, Jan 31: Report — Assad Suffered “Mini-Stroke” with Blood Clot