The Syrian government has launched a major offensive to regain control of the Hama to Aleppo supply route and the key city of Al-Safira in northern Syria, according to an update posted by Valerie Szybala and Charlie Caris, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Al-Safira is an important city for several reasons: it is a key location on the regime’s alternate supply route to Aleppo, in close proximity to the Kuweires military airbase, the Nayrab military airbase and Aleppo International Airport; and the outskirts of al-Safira are home to some of Syria’s biggest chemical weapons research, production and storage facilities.

The Syrian regime has moved into position and launched a devastating campaign of air strikes and bombardments, according to the ISW analysts. But the rebel forces have been reinforced and the battle in the al-Safira region is currently ongoing. If the regime is able to gain control of al-Safira, it will provide an important supply route and create the potential for future gains in northern Syria.

The full text of this latest Syria update by the Institute for the Study of War can be found at http://iswsyria.blogspot.com/2013/10/regime-counterpunch-in-southern-aleppo.html.

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