Russian forces carried out the biggest air strike over Idlib region in month

By TOC On Jun 15, 2020

DAMASCUS, (BM) – The Russian Air Force launched a powerful attack over northwestern Syria on the night of the 13th against the 14th of June, as their warplanes heavily targeted sites belonging to the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) and Hurras Al-Deen group, learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing AMN.

According to a field report from the nearby Hama Governorate, the Russian Air Force, with support from the Syrian military, unleashed several airstrikes over the Jabal Al-Zawiya region, hitting a number of jihadist positions along the southern Idlib front-lines.

The report said the Russian Air Force carried out several of their strikes over the front-line town of Al-Baraa, which has become the headquarters for the militants near the Jabal Al-Zawiya front-lines.

A source form the Syrian military said the Russian Air Force struck a gathering point for the jihadist rebels in Al-Baraa, resulting in heavy losses for the latter.

This attack by the Russian Air Force last night was the largest assault that they have launched since the start of the March 5th Moscow Agreement.

Tensions between the Syrian military and jihadist rebels have reached a month-long high, following a heavy attack by the Hurras Al-Deen group on the SAA’s positions at the Tanjara axis in the A-Ghaab Plain region of northwestern Hama.

Since this attack, the Syrian Arab Army has amassed a large force along the Jabal Al-Zawiya and Al-Ghaab Plain front-lines, prompting rumors of a new military operation against the jihadist rebels.

Background

In February, Turkey lost at least 62 troops killed in Syria, nearly 100 soldiers were wounded, dozens of Turkish armored vehicles were destroyed and more than ten drones, including drone, were shot down. Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of involvement in the deaths of Turkish soldiers, Russia rejects these allegations.

In early March, the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, concluded an agreement according to which a ceasefire came into force in the Idlib de-escalation zone.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad later said that if the US and Turkish military did not leave the country, Damascus would be able to use force.

The reason for the Russian-Turkish negotiations was a sharp aggravation of the situation in Idlib, where in January a large-scale offensive by the Syrian army against the positions of the armed opposition and terrorists began.

Government forces recaptured nearly half of the Idlib de-escalation zone and left behind a number of Turkish observation posts. After that, Ankara sharply increased its military contingent in the region and launched the operation “Spring Shield” to push the Syrian troops. Turkey is also supported by militants loyal to it.

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BulgarianMilitary.com
Editorial team
Source: AMN