Nusra Front Attacks Syrian Army's Positions In Idlib De-Escalation Zone - Russian Military

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2019) Militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) operating in the Idlib de-escalation zone attacked the Syrian army's positions near the settlements of Abu-Duhur and Abu-Sharjah, the Russian Defense Ministry's Reconciliation Center for Syria said.

"Jabhat al-Nusra gangs have simultaneously attacked positions of government troops near Abu-Duhur and Abu-Sharjah settlements," the Reconciliation Center's head Lt. Gen. Sergei Solomatin said.

Solomatin added that the terrorists had "penetrated the Syrian army's defense at a depth of up to 1.5 kilometers [0.9 miles] but were then stopped by the fire [of the Syrian army] and pushed back beyond the contact line."

"The militant attack near the Abu-Sharjah settlement was thwarted by the fire of the units of the Syrian Armed Forces. Having suffered losses, terrorists withdrew to their original positions," Solomatin stressed.

The Russian Reconciliation Center is in contact with Turkey, which is being informed in a rapid manner about the situation in Idlib settlements attacked by militants, he noted.