Thread by @ThomasVLinge

#Syria: for over two years the people of Maarat al-Numan have protested continuously against Jabhat al-Nusra (& synonyms #JFS, #HTS).

Now the city together with the whole Jabal al-Zawiya region of #Idlib are freed of jihadists, thanks to local #FSA & #JTS

#Syria: as #JTS and #FSA forces are also advancing around Atarib (W #Aleppo) and Maarrat al-Misrin #HTS is at risk of being split into two separate pockets. One east of the M5 highway and the other in the region between #Idlib city and the #Turkey border

#Syria: meanwhile #HTS is trying to counter the rebel offensive throughout "greater" #Idlib by attacking the town of Batabo, located just west of Atarib

#Syria: with #JTS fully adapting the #FreeSyria flag the #Idlib region is now basically a battlefield between the jihadists of #HTS and the rebellion who's ideology of revolution and anti-#Assad resistance freed the region from the regime back in 2012

#Syria: #HTS has pulled forces from the frontlines with the regime in both #Latakia and eastern #Idlib to fight #JTS. The jihadists are now besieging the rebel-held town of Hazano in retaliation for earlier defeats

#Syria: #JTS rebel forces have expelled #HTS from the town of Darat Izza in western #Aleppo after several days of fighting