(Zaman Al Wasl) Regime army and auxiliary forces have reached taken control of the town of Jab al-Khafi in Aleppo’s eastern countryside. The move brings them in direct contact with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units in Aleppo’s countryside. The regime takeover comes as part of a campaign launched in areas under Islamic State control eastern Aleppo’s countryside. The campaign began on Saturday and continues.
The above map shows the latest field developments as of Monday 27 February 2017. The map highlights the regime in control of Jab al-Khafi and indicates several changes in the region. The Islamic State forces areas of control in eastern Aleppo have shifted north and south. The regime forces border on areas under the control of the American backed People’s Protection Units for the first time. By taking control of Jab al-Khafi, the regime cut off, albeit temporarily, the route before the Euphrates Shield forces to advance to the heart of Aleppo’s eastern countryside.
The new field situation is the result of the regime and auxiliary forces fast movement into Aleppo’s eastern countryside under the command of Brigadier General Suhail Hassan. The changes in Aleppo’s countryside raises questions about the possibility of new clashes and new alliances. It is unclear if the Kurdish forces will participate in these clashes, if the forces will fight with or against the regime, or if the forces will fight against both the regime and the Euphrates Shield forces. These scenarios do not negate the possibility of these different sides fighting against the Islamic State forces. The Islamic State forces in the meantime are being forced to relinquish control of the areas under their control in eastern Aleppo’s countryside and slowly treat towards their stronghold in al-Raqqah.
The regime army and auxiliary forces taking control of Jab al-Khabi may ignite a battle in the region and among the different parties involved. It may also generate new understandings and alliances, hidden or public, which may preserve the interest of certain parties.
The developments of Monday come hours after fighting erupted between the Turkish backed Euphrates Shield forces and the regime army and auxiliary forces in the environs of Tadef in Aleppo’s eastern countryside. Tadef is located south of the city of al-Bab which the Euphrates Shield forces recently gained control of following extensive fighting with the Islamic State forces. According to opposition factions participating in the Euphrates Shield campaign, they killed 25 regime army and auxiliary forces fighters in battles on Monday.
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