Russian army storms Idlib, preparing a large-scale offensive
DAMASCUS, ($1=1,257.86 Syrian Pounds) – In recent hours, Russian air forces have launched several airstrikes against pro-Turkish troops controlling the M4 highway in the Syrian province of Idlib, learned BulgarianMilitary.com, citing its field source.
The source reports that a large-scale offensive is being prepared, judging by the concentration of a large military unit in the region. The military unit is part of the Syrian Arab Army [SAA]. Military experts say that judging by this accumulation of troops, a large-scale offensive is being prepared.
Currently, the entire area south of the M4 highway in the Syrian province of Idlib is controlled by pro-Turkish troops and groups. It was this part that was bombed by several Russian air raids. A source in the Russian news agency Avipro claims that in recent years there has been a large concentration of flights by Russian Tu-23M bombers in the area.
Information has emerged [unconfirmed – ed.] that Turkey has begun deliveries of missiles and ammunition through military convoys sent from Ankara. Some experts suggest that the future offensive will only aim to bring the entire M4 highway under full control by the Syrian Arab Army.
The civil war in Syria
The Syrian civil war has been going on for almost a decade. Attempts by movements such as the Syrian Democratic Forces to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have failed.
The Syrian democratic forces are armed by allies and the United States, while the Syrian army is armed mainly by Russia. Russia is the only country officially invited to Syria by President Bashar al-Assad.
In 2017, the United States launched a massive missile strike on Bashar al-Assad’s forces after a report emerged that the Syrian president had used chemical weapons to attack his people in the country. Syria and Russia deny such actions.
During his tenure, US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw much of US troops from Syria, leaving several troops to guard Syria’s oil fields on the pretext of “falling into the hands of Islamic State.”
With the withdrawal of the United States, Turkey comes to the fore, declaring it necessary to deal with the Kurds and the PKK movement in the northern part of the country, which borders Turkey. That is why Erdogan is sending troops in an attempt to build a stable and secure 30km zone between Syria and Turkey, which will prevent future terrorist attacks on Turkish territory, as it is.
Ceasefire
In February 2020, Turkey lost at least 62 troops killed in Syria. Nearly 100 soldiers were wounded, Syrian-backed forces destroyed dozens of Turkish armored vehicles, and more than ten drones, including drones, were shot down. Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of involvement in the deaths of Turkish soldiers, Russia rejects these allegations.
In early March 2020, the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed that 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 use military power.
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 several 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. Militants are loyal to Ankara and support Turkey.
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