Elements of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) controlling Idlib and parts of the countryside of Hama and Latakia carried out an inghimasi shock offensive operation against regime forces in the al-Ghab Plain, northwest of Hama.

Telegram channels for military media within Tahrir al-Sham reported that the “exclusive” operation was executed today, Friday, July 19, by elements of the Zaid bin Haritha brigade, part of the Fatah al-Mubin operations room, on regime points in the al-Hakoura front in the al-Ghab Plain.

The operation resulted in several regime elements being killed and wounded, in addition to the destruction of two forward bunkers and the operation’s headquarters, as well as another military headquarters being destroyed by artillery shells before they withdrew to their positions. Affiliates close to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham also published a video showing the beginning of the operation and the initial clashes.

On the other hand, the SAM Syria account (concerned with reporting on regime forces’ activities and their military operations) stated that the “Syrian army” repelled a “terrorist” attack and foiled infiltration attempts by “inghimasi terrorist groups” from the “al-Nusra Front” organization (referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) towards points on the al-Ghab Plain axis.

According to SAM Syria, the attack began with dozens of rocket shells on villages and towns in the Hama countryside, which the “army” managed to repel. Violent clashes ensued in the morning hours with intense artillery shelling targeting the “terrorists'” supply lines and the “terrorist attack” areas, along with heavy artillery shelling targeting the “terrorists'” supply lines.

This operation comes after another that took place at the end of last month when elements of the special forces of the Coastal Brigade within the Ahrar al-Sham faction (part of the al-Fatah al-Mubin operations room) carried out an operation on regime sites in the Jabal al-Akrad area of northern Latakia countryside on June 30.

Inghimasi operations are attacks carried out by fighters behind enemy lines, beginning with infiltration or flanking regime points, engaging with their elements and killing them, and seizing their weapons. Some of these operations involve the total destruction of the military point’s building after the operation ends.

These operations are carried out by fighters in various brigades under the banner of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, primarily by elite forces trained for these operations, such as the Special Forces, Red Bands, Khalid bin Walid battalions, and Unit 82.

In contrast, northern regions of Syria witness targeting by regime forces accompanied by Russian raids, despite the area being subject to the Moscow agreement signed between Russia and Turkey, which halted military operations and battles since its signing on March 5, 2020.