 Fierce fighting ensued, after which, the rebels managed to swiftly capture several villages.The local pro-government National Defense Forces militia were sent into a sudden and uncoordinated retreat, which lead to the rebels capturing the town of Halfaya.Over the next 24 hours, the Syrian Air Force conducted 52 airstrikes, which killed at least 20 rebels, and soon after the Army managed to temporarily recapture one village, before they were pushed back once again.