[48] The operation began on 29 August, with two Jund al-Aqsa suicide car bombings against Syrian Army checkpoints near the village of al-Lataminah.

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.

[1] Over the next 24 hours, the Syrian Air Force conducted 52 airstrikes,[1] which killed at least 20 rebels,[31] and soon after the Army managed to temporarily recapture one village, before they were pushed back once again.

[74] Afterwards, the rebel forces led by Jund al-Aqsa began an attack on the Alawite village of Ma’an, claiming to already have captured a small barrier to the settlement's north and 4 checkpoints to the east.

[90] On 13–14 September, rebel forces launched several attacks near Maardis and Ma'an and took control of a number of checkpoints, though their assaults on the towns themselves were reportedly repelled by the government.

[106] On 28 September, according to the Syrian Army, Jund al-Aqsa used chemical weapons against pro-government defenders as the group attacked and captured Karah.

[43] On 8 October, taking advantage of rebel-infighting in the nearby Idlib province,[110] the Army launched a counter-attack and recaptured 10 villages (including Qarah), several hills,[111][112] two checkpoints and an airfield.

[2] The military continued to advance towards other nearby villages, specifically Ma'an,[111] while a Russian air-strike directly hit a small convoy leaving Kawkab.

[140] Early on 24 October, clashes took place around al-Remelia, near Salamiyah,[141] while the government prepared a new assault to regain Taybat al-Imam and Souran from the rebels.

[143] The next day, the Army advanced west of Ma'an and recaptured Dharat Al-Fitas, Talat Khirbat and the Madajnah Checkpoint after pushing further towards the key town of Morek.

[144][145] Meanwhile, Jund al-Aqsa fighters executed Baha'a Al-Nizal, the leading commander of Jaysh al-Farouq in northern Hama, for unknown reasons.

[34] On 27 October, government forces advanced into Souran after capturing the nearby hilltop of Tal Al-Dour,[146] resulting in a fierce battle, which lasted until the rebels retreated, allowing the Army to secure the town completely.

[149] Between 28 October and 4 November, the military made advances north of Souran and Ma'an, capturing a checkpoint,[150] the village Al-Buwaydah and several hills.