On Tuesday morning, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and its allies launched an a large attack against the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) in estern Hama in a firece attempt to assist anti-government forces in the ongoing battle for Deir Ezzor.
The joint militant forces stormed government positions in Ma’an, Tulaysiyah and Ash Shata. According to pro-militant sources, the SAA and the NDF were pushed to retreat from Tulaysiyah and Ash Shata. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) advance near Ma’an was repelled.
The Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Arab Air Force (SAAF) responded with multiple airstrikes on HTS positions across the northern Hama and southern Idlib countrysides.
The fighting is ongoing.
According to Syrian experts, the HTS-led operation pursues two goals:
- To undermine the Strian-Iranian-Russian-Turkish effort to establish a de-escalation zone in Idlib province;
- To assist anti-government forces in the ongoing battle for Deir Ezzor. The HTS-led advance should force the SAA to re-deploy large forces from the Deir Ezzor countryside and to halt its operation against ISIS on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. This contributes to the both ISIS and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.
The advance cannot be described as an effort to assist ISIS units encircled east of Salamiyah, north of the Homs-Palmyra highway because they are in a no-win situation there and the HTS advance cannot change this.
Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that Syria, Russia and Turkey have reached an agreement to conduct a joint offensive against HTS in the northern and southern parts of Idlib province. However, this is not likely because the large-scale operation in Idlib will slow down the SAA advance against ISIS in eastern Syria.
Turkey is reportedly withdrawing some of its proxies and journalists of pro-Turkish outlets from Idlib province.
#Turkey pulling out all its proxies, incl foreign fighters, from #Idlib.All Turkish correspondents were asked 2leave the #AQ controlled city
— Elijah J. Magnier (@ejmalrai) 18 September 2017
Russian Aerospace Forces destroy military equipment belonging to terrorists in the Hama countryside:
Photos of airstrikes:
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Click to see the full-size map
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That is exactly what the Kurdish military leader asked them to do yesterday and before.
no surprise if the yankees are playing dirty forever, helping their proxies
The SAA will probably have a handle on this in 24 hours. In the meantime, true colors are once again shown. This was not a good move by any involved in my opinion. I wish well to all.
SO Turkey is on board now, that would be big news IF true.
The Kurdish Independence vote referendum damn the torpedoes has sealed their fate and galvanized the Syrian coalition which up until now has been a watch and see holding pattern for a benefit of the doubt whether Syrian, Iraq citizens or Kurdistan.
That only thing that surprises me is that it took this long to happen. I was expecting yet another Hama offensive to happen for months now.
This back stabbing move was to be expected. To be honest I was wondering what the hell were the goatlovers waiting for. Crossing the Euphrates and Syrian-Iraqi joint operation to liberate the border, spell the end game for ISIL and large scale military operations in E Syria – unless US decides to double down and sends their Kurdish puppets to the slaughter. Next people on SAA list were HTS in Idlib. Judging by speed and efficiency with which SAA won the battle for Deir Ezzor, Idlib operation would be short and bloody experience for local Al Qaida. Now if Turks really reached a deal with Russia and pull out, closing all the border crossing behind them – HTS is already dead. They can only choose how they’ll be offed. It seems they went for Butch&Cassidy version. Good riddance for bad rubbish…
Dont be suprised when the HTS Idlib scum try another White Helmets FAKE chemical attack operation, when they are attacked.
Oy vey who would have thought, Al-Nusra, Kurds and isis all working together, all backed by israel, what a co-inki dink.
Yes, it’s all a mystery, is it not? NOT.
Curly:Weelll Coitainly! NYUK! NYUK !
amazing how these recon operators found targets in such an area. full of rows of trees its like loking for a needle in a hay stay
The Syrian alliance will handle this in due time. Sorry, Russia and Syria haven’t fallen for this crap before, why do these idiots think they’ll fall for it now? Just another frantic maneuver by the war mongers, flailing about in desperation.
What a massive failure this advance by HTS was, as 2 forward units from the Tiger forces are operating as advance reconnaissance alongside the regular Syrian Army and combined Air Forces were able to counter the attack with devastating effect. The SouthernFront needs to better understand that area has been steadily reinforced for this advance since it was planned over a month ago.They should stop making assumptions that it would draw from DE advance as this has already been prepped in advance and well planned for.
There are nicely coordinated other various attacks that are being neutralized in other parts, and yet they fail to mention all the other attacks. Haven’t seen any report on the attacks coming from the North in DE by the SDF and US special forces along with ISIS forces , while the US is providing medical aide in the form air ambulatory flights, to ISIS along the front as this was reported in Sputnik.
We all are guilty of being Armchair Generals as we have to remember all fronts are just not willy nilly ones and created the same day. All things are well planned in advance and necessary reserves , equipment , supplies, support and resources are all allocated properly for these campaigns.
Let the planning be done by the experts as I said we are only Armchair Generals and others are Armchair FieldMarshals.
Map? Where is this front?