Israeli warplanes reportedly struck Russian-made regime missiles in Latakia and a military base in Damascus; Lebanon claimed its airspace was violated. In Aleppo, regime forces took control of al Safira, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham clashed with a rebel battalion and stormed a school. Abu Hamza, the leader and founder of the al-Fatihoon min Ard al-Sham brigade, which is affiliated with the Al Nusrah Front, was killed in Deir Izzour; Hamza’s funeral was attended by his uncle, defected Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hijab. A rebel activist group said 120,000 people have been killed so far in the Syrian conflict.
Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.