LOC01:10
22:10 GMT
AMMAN, June 22 (KUNA) -- US-made Humvees have been seen for the first time in Syria in the battles between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), on one hand, and other Islamist and secular opposition forces, on the other.
The High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV or Humvees) were used by ISIL in its attacks on the positions of the rival groups in Halifa village, on the northern outskirts of Aleppo city, north Syria, on Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.
ISIL also used the vehicles in its battles to control Al-Ra'ei and Akhtarin towns in the last two days in its drive cut the supply route of the rival groups controlling Aleppo city.
The militant group has apparently captured these vehicles from the Iraqi army during the battles raging in north Iraq since June 10.
Earlier today ISIL captured Ekthar and Ma'lan villages in the northern outskirts of Aleppo, some 20 km away from the Syrian-Turkish borders, two days after controlling towns of Thelthana, Thalathyniyat Al-Barouzeh, Abla and Al-Thaher in Aleppo governorate.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Revolution General Commission (SRGC), an umbrella of 40 Syrian opposition groups, said tonight its fighters managed to recapture several towns to the south of Aleppo and forced the two pro-regime Iraqi Shite militias of Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq (AAH) and Al-Nujabaa to flee back into Iraq.
The opposition fighters attacked the regular troops' camps on Azzan mount, the air defense battalion, Sheikh Najjar and the Aleppo Central Prison which the regime turned into military barracks.
The attacks resulted in a yet to be specified number of casualties among the regular troop ranks and the destruction of a tank, according to a SRGC statement. (end)
tk.gb