Rebels Close in on Strategic Town in Idlib

Allied rebel groups took over the village of Nahlaya, Idlib, on May 20, less than 10km away from the strategic town of Ariha, one of the last government-held towns in Idlib. On May 19, pro-Assad forces retreated from a major camp, al-Masmouta, only days after rebels captured large swaths of the strategic Arba’in mountain as part of their campaign to seize Ariha.

Footage from the Islamic Front, an umbrella term for allied militia groups, shows fighters from Jaish al-Fateh and Ahrar al-Sham inside Nahlaya.

At 1’06" into the footage a fire can be seen, described as the regime’s artillery in flames.

At 1’12" a signpost indicates that Idlib city, Kurin, Faylun and al-Muqbila villages are under 20km away, distances that are consistent with the location of Nahlaya, a village less than 10km away from Ariha. Credit: YouTube/ The Islamic Front