LATEST: Video — Foreign Fighters’ “Medical Unit” Aids Wounded Civilians Near Aleppo
Syrian forces raised the regime flag on the battlements of the 12th-century Crusader castle Krak des Chevaliers on Thursday after a three-month siege.
Insurgents withdrew from the castle following the regime takeover of the town of al-Hosn, the town below the fortress.
Claims of insurgent dead ranged from 11 to 40. At least 45 wounded were brought by Red Cross ambulances to hospitals in northern Lebanon.
Sources said that many of the casualties from the insurgent faction Jabhat al-Nusra.
Pro-regime media’s coverage of the fighting:
Other fleeing insurgents were chased by Syrian troops across Rajm Hussein, a small hamlet on the outskirts of the border town of Wadi Khaled. The regime troops also closed the Bqaiaa border crossing with Lebanon in both directions.
The capture of Krak des Chevaliers follows other gains by the Syrian military west of Homs and towards the Lebanese border this month, including the capture of the town of Zara.
Video: Foreign Fighters’ “Medical Unit” Aids Wounded Civilians Near Aleppo
The Chechen-led faction Jaish al-Muhajireen wal Ansar show their “medical unit” providing aid to civilians injured in the regime’s barrel bombings north of Aleppo city this month (Warning: Graphic Images):
(h/t Joanna Paraszczuk)
Friday Protest in Kafranbel Has Message for Obama About Russia
Friday’s protest in Kafranbel in Idlib Province, known for its posters, has a message for Obama about his weakness in the face of Russia — and a wish that the Republicans were still in the White House:
The town was hit by an airstrike just before the protest:
New Insurgent Offensive in Latakia Province
Insurgents have announced a new offensive in Latakia Province in western Syria.
The Islamic Front declared the al-Anfal offensive on Friday morning. Opposition fighters say they have already taken a border crossing at Kasab.
The last major offensive by insurgents in Latakia was in August. The opposition fighters took a series of villages and regime positions in the first weeks, but were then pushed back.
Video: Assad Forces Retreat From Insurgent Attack On Silo Barrier
Pro-Assad forces retreat from a silo barrier under attack by insurgents near Daraa in southern Syria:
Insurgents have been trying to clear the barriers as they gain ground in the south between Quneitra and Daraa.
