[ Syria ] war report - October 29 - SAA and Pro-government forces attacks east Hama

Syrian Army liberates 3 towns in rural Hama leaving dead Nusra terrorists everywhere In operations that carry on just as much through the night as they do during the day, pro-governments forces have made a major breakthrough in northeastern Hama province against Al-Qaeda-linked militants. Over the course of the last 24 hours, Syrian Arab Army-led forces – backed up by Russian warplanes dropping some of the most powerful ordinance to date – have liberated three important settlements in northeastern Hama from Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra), killing dozens of the terrorist group’s fighters in the process. The three towns and villages that have been restored to government protection include Khirbeh Juwyid, Abu Laffeh and Teem al-Hawa. According to Syrian military-affiliated sources, pro-government forces killed some 30 Al-Qaeda-linked militants including three battlefield commanders and destroyed five terrorist vehicles in this latest operation. The jihadist commanders have been identified as Abu Anas Malek, Abu Abd Allah Taftanaz and Nour al-Shami. Syrian Army operations in northeast Hama, despite getting off to a slow start, continue to grow into scope, with more battle-hardened pro-government formations constantly joining the battle. One of the best militias available to the arsenal of pro-government forces has been sent to battle Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) in northeastern Hama as part of an expanding offensive operation throughout the region against Al-Qaeda-linked militants. The pro-government militia in question is the Qalamoun Shield Forces, a national paramilitary formations whose ranks, military capabilities and experience has swelled over the last several years. The Qalamoun Shield Forces have a near flawless battle record, having conducted engagements against ISIS and other militant groups throughout most of Syria. The unit is just as adamant in defense as it is vigorous in offense. Despite not officially being part of the Syrian Army (proper), the militia, in addition to acting competently on its own, also coordinates quite smoothly army units during major operations. The latest great success of the Qalamoun Shield Forces was against ISIS in eastern Hama where the militia – in coordination with other Syrian Army units – systematically annihilated Islamic State defenses around ‘Uqayribat in what was one of the toughest campaigns of pro-government forces to date, liberating dozens of villages and towns in the process.