Rebel attack
Rebels from the al-Nusra Front launched an attack on Idlib city and al-Mastouma overnight in order to cut off the city from the south. [1] During this attack, suicide cars were detonated at four Army checkpoints surrounding the city, killing "dozens" of soldiers, [8] while rebels captured Tell al-Mastouma. [4] The Army later recaptured the hill. [5] According to the SOHR, 10 soldiers and nine rebels were killed on the hill. [9] The rebels also managed to infiltrate the city and seized the governor mansion and the police headquarters with help from members of the local police and people’s committees. [3] They took advantage of a power cut before dawn according to the Idlib police chief. [10] These buildings were recaptured by pro-government forces later that day after the rebels pulled out of the city. [1] According to an opposition activist in the city, the rebels continue to hold the surrounding checkpoints that they took in morning. [10]
According to the SOHR, at least 20 pro-government fighters, 15 rebels and four civilians were killed during the operation, while Al-Masdar placed the death toll at 21 government fighters (17 NDF and 4 Army) and 70 rebel fighters. [5] Casualties among insurgents include a Jund al-Aqsa sleeper cell, which was discovered after the military intercepted rebel radio communications, [5] and local rebel commanders. [3] Al-Nusra Front claimed that it also had cut off the city, captured 12 soldiers and seized two tanks during the operation. [1]
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