The Islamic State was targeted by regime airstrikes, and clashed with Kurdish YPG fighters in Aleppo; was targeted by regime airstrikes while mobilizing for battle in Deir Izzour, where it also raided the houses of civilians; fought against the YPG in Hasakah, where a Tunisian IS emir is trying to make fighters in Gweran swear allegiance to the IS; and was targeted by regime aircraft in Raqqah, where an explosion was heard at an IS training camp near al Ekershi. The Al Nusrah Front and the Islamic Front battled regime forces in Aleppo, where they were joined by rebels and other Islamic groups; in Damascus; in Reef Dimashq; and in Hama. Al Nusrah said it had detained 43 UN peacekeepers because regime soldiers were being treated at a UN medical facility; the UN is in negotiations for the release of the 44 kidnapped Fijian peacekeepers and the lifting of “restrictions” on 72 Philippine peacekeepers who have been surrounded by the militants. Two Hezbollah fighters were killed and six were wounded during clashes in Qalamoun with the Islamic Front and Al Nusrah. The Islamic Front also battled regime forces in Deraa and Idlib.
