Daesh takes control of 6 villages near Aleppo

Daesh yesterday seized six villages that had been under the control of the Free Syrian Army in the city of Azaz in the northern province of Aleppo.

Zakaria Qarsley, the field commander of the Syrian opposition’s Levantine Front, which includes factions of the Syrian armed opposition in Azaz, said that Daesh launched an offensive with heavy weapons on many of Azaz’s villages last night.

Qaresly told the Anadolu Agency yesterday: “Opposition forces tried to confront Daesh, clashes broke out between the two sides, and Daesh was able to seize control of the villages of Braghidah, Ghazl, Al-Bel, Sheikh Reih, Jarez and Tel Husayn.”

He added that the Free Syrian Army has started a large offensive against Daesh in order to regain control of the villages. “Violent clashes are currently taking place in the vicinity of Braghidah village.” On Saturday night Daesh penetrated the village of Hawar Kells near the Turkish border, he said.

Eight members of the Free Syrian Army died during the clashes, Qarsley said, adding that Daesh killed 20 civilians, mostly women and children. On the other side, nine Daesh militants were killed and many others were wounded.

Qarsley said that the Daesh fighters “were forced to leave the village of Hawar Kells because of a large number of them were wounded.”