Takfiri Militants Unleash Brutal Assault on Shiite Villages near Aleppo
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – In a heinous act of aggression, Takfiri militants targeted the steadfast Shiite villages of Nubl and al-Zahraa with relentless rocket and mortar fire, aiming to break the spirit of their resilient inhabitants who have long endured the brunt of extremist hostility.
Nubl and al-Zahraa, nestled in the northern countryside of Aleppo, once again became the frontline of Takfiri brutality as terrorist factions launched a barrage of rockets and mortars.
These two villages, symbols of defiance and unity, have faced years of siege and isolation at the hands of extremist groups seeking to obliterate their existence.
Local residents described the latest assault as one of the fiercest in recent memory, targeting civilian homes and infrastructure in areas devoid of military or security presence.
A Syrian resident, standing amid the rubble of his neighborhood, told Tasnim News Agency’s correspondent: “They want to uproot us, but our roots run deeper than their hatred. We will not abandon our land.”
These attacks, orchestrated by the terrorist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) (formerly known as Nusra Front) and their allies, come amidst their broader operation against Aleppo, marking an intensification of their longstanding campaign against Shiite communities.
“The resilience of Nubl and al-Zahraa is legendary. For years, these villages withstood prolonged sieges, their people refusing to surrender to starvation or bombardment. The extremists' hatred was met with unyielding faith and unity, as the villages became bastions of Shiite pride in the face of Takfiri terror,” another resident said.
A doctor at Hazrat Zahraa Hospital in Aleppo recounted the grim toll of the latest onslaught: “Civilians are bearing the brunt of this violence. Many are critically wounded, and several have embraced martyrdom. Yet their spirit remains unbroken.”
The Takfiri ideology, rooted in sectarian hatred, has repeatedly sought to erase Shiite identity, but the courage and determination of these communities have turned every attack into a story of endurance and defiance.
The people of Nubl and al-Zahraa stand as a testament to the unshakable resolve of Shiite communities, who draw strength from their faith and heritage to resist the forces of darkness.
In the face of devastation, their message remains clear: "We are here to stay. No force can silence our prayers or dim the light of our heritage."
The Syrian National Army, a coalition of Takfiri militants and Turkmen factions, has allied with Tahrir al-Sham, led by Mohammad al-Jolani, signaling a significant shift in northern Syria’s conflict. This alliance includes extremist groups like the Hamza Brigade and Sultan Suleiman Battalion, previously at odds with Tahrir al-Sham.
Formed in 2019, the National Army merged with the National Front for Liberation, a coalition of 11 opposition groups tied to the Free Syrian Army.
Operating in Idlib with external support, this coalition underscores the region's complex dynamics, uniting extremist factions under a shared strategy to strengthen their influence in Syria’s ongoing war.