On February 24 morning, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other Idlib groups supported by the Turkish Army launched a new attempt to capture the village of Nayrab from the Syrian Army. Turkish-backed rebels bedecked with ISIS insignias once again reached the vicinity of the village, but were forced to retreat under strikes from the Syrian Army and the Russian Aerospace Forces. Pro-Turkish sources complained that ‘regime troops’ are using mines, road blocks, fortifications and even trenches to protect their positions. The devilry of the Assad regime has no bounds.
In the evening, Turkish-led forces carried out a second attack on Nayrab entering its eastern part and engaging army troops in a series of clashes. The fighting in the area continued overnight and by February 25 Idlib groups have established control of at least a half of the town. Pro-Turkish sources claim that entire Nayrab is in the hands of Turkish-led forces. Pro-government sources say that the lashes are ongoing.
The attack on Nayrab took place amid the ongoing Syrian Army advance in southern Idlib, south of the M4 highway. Government forces have cleared over a dozen of settlements from Turkish-led forces since the resumption of the offensive in the area on February 23. In the course of this effort, Syrian soldiers captured 3 vehicles and eliminated up to 10 militants. The advance is ongoing.
On the same day reports appeared that 13 Turkish soldiers were killed in airstrikes in the area of the Syrian Army operation in southern Idlib. According to pro-Turkish sources and Russian media, the incident happened somewhere near the villages of Kafr Nabl, Bara and Kansafra. According to Turkish authorities, 21 Turkish service member had died in the Greater Idlib operation so far. If the February 24 incident is confirmed, the number of casualties of Turkish forces in their Idlib adventurism will overcome 30.
The developments on the ground demonstrate that even with a direct Turkish involvement Idlib groups have not enough resources to oppose the Syrian Army advance across the region. So, while they were concentrating their efforts on Nayrab, their defense collapsed on another chunk of the frontline.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his intention to meet with the leaders of Russia, France and Germany, on March 5 in Istanbul to discuss the situation in Idlib. This strange format, excluding Iran, another backer of the Damascus government and key player in the conflict, is likely seen by the Turkish leadership as a useful tool to make a ‘collective effort’ to pressure Russia over its strong support to the Syrian Army actions against terrorists. It also reveals that despite the recent decline of the EU involvement in the conflict, key EU states remain at least diplomatic supporters of terrorist factions operating in the country. At the same time, the initiative of the meeting itself demonstrates that Turkey is not so determined to turn its military threats against Syria into reality as it wants to demonstrate.
Russia isn’t going to stop its fight to help Syria against terrorists. Erdogan is wasting his whining breath.
Karen i hope it remain so because I am really obsessed with this unending meetings between Putin and terrorists master Erdogan.
From what I understand one agreement Turkey made during its meeting with Russia was to separate the terrorist groups in Idlib-and then Turkey didn’t do so. So I think that Mr. Putin is trying to get Erdogan to cooperate in riding Syira of terrorists-but of course Erdogan makes empty promises and breaks their agreements.
Erdogran agreed on separation of terrorist only to buy some time for rebels to resupply and develop new fortification lines, because older ones were overrun by SAA during previous large scale offensive. It was the only way he could stop fast progress of SAA. In reality, he never intended, nor had any chance, to perform separation on the field. HTS is by far largest and most dangerous rebel and terrorist group in Idlib. Trying to “separate” them would cause direct confrontation between them and Turkish forces, which equals complete PR disaster for Turks. Mind you – advocating protection and salvation of rebels, while in the same time you wage war against most powerful group.
Wow, good analysis. So all along he was lying in his teeth.Russia probably knew it, I figure, but had to try and are trying to go by international agreements and law, trying to negotiate rather than go to war right off the bat.
We hope so, but….
I do more than hope, brother. I pray. I think that’s what is needed
After reading the article linked above, I am really praying. Oh, Lord, help us!
Absolute superiority: who will stop Erdogan in Syria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F34to8HqqYo
Looks like a great video. I really like this news site, Wish there were English subtitles.
I read the article of the same title as the video so I suppose it is the same text following this video. I read the article translated in English by Google. Here’s the link. https://www.gazeta.ru/army/2020/02/21/12970135.shtml?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fzen.yandex.com
Thank you!
My computer translated the article at the link you provided. It doesn’t sound good if Turkey decides to attack Syria in force instead of using proxie terrorists. And Erdogan talked to Trump about it-hope Turkey doesn’t become the next proxie force of the US if the SAA drives out the terrorists from Idlib. Help, God!
You’re welcome.
Doing NATO’s bidding will prove costly to Turkey, in lives & economically.
A minor setback. I’m sure taking Nayrab was quite costly. I anticipate few more days of keeping the Turks occupied around Saraqib while the SAA clears south Idlib which is quickly becoming indefensible. In the meantime, the advancing rebels could be identified and destroyed by artillery & Air Force. SAA uses the proven strategy of allowing the rebels to attack and then capitalizing on the counterattack. Due to the large presence of Turkish troops in the region the rebels must be thoroughly grinded down prior further offensive operations in Idlib city region.
It would be nice to literally roast ( transform to ashes would actually be the outcome) a large group of terrorists clustered in a village like Nayrab with me of those amazing TOS thermobaric launchers…
They would… But what about the civilians?
There are no civilians in places like nayrab.
I really dont think there any civilians in the town. I’m sure the SAA pulled them back from the front.
It’s a trap set up by the SAA and Russians. Now the Turks and their lackeys will be paying a most powerful response. The SAA feign calculated defensive retreat, the terrorists- Turks move in , and when they do, their concentration places will be obliterated by air and land. It has always been a great tactical formula . It’s far easier to hit them hard in empty town , villages and cities than in the plains or on the move or hidden in massive tunnel systems.
Why do the cauldrons, Ukraine experienced, back in 2014 come to mind?
Good luck Syria.
Would you still be in Nerab?
If you’re SURE there aren’t any single civilian there, ok… GO ON!
Shame on Macron and Merkel. Well the French we mainly disapprove Macron by more than 80%. Macron regime has to finish. Maybe a day Syria and Russia will send troops to help us …
Israel hides behind the big Moron and agitates, while the Moron sheds blood & treasure. The REAL reason America killed Soleimani, he played a massive role in halting the spread of ISIS. Of course the USrael is mad at Iran for fighting ISIS …. ISISrael is OUR dog. ISIS never runs out of ammunition or explosives. ………….. WHY?! ISIS never, ever, attacks ISISrael ………………………………… WHY?! ISIS is completely surrounded by supposed enemies. Everyone of the countries surrounding ISIS is SUPPOSEDLY an ally of the USA. Time for the USA to take a good hard look at it’s “allies”. Our “intelligence” agencies should have identified and destroyed those who are supplying ISIS but have not …… WHY?! “our” Generals have not destroyed those who are supplying ISIS ………… WHY?! You know DAMN WELL WHO supplies their weapons, that kill American Troops. The FIRST thing a general that WANTS TO WIN a war does ….. is cut off enemy supplies. Time to clean out the Traitors. The chaos in Syria was winding down. The TRAITORS in the Pentagon had spent 24 months at $10MILLION a DAY bombing sand. ISIS continued to hold miles long parades of OUR equipment complete with flags on clear, dry, sunny days, and the TRAITORS in the Pentagon “could not seem to HIT them with any of those thousands of bombs”. .. Then the Russians came in and blew the ISIS asses off. Did you notice the parades ENDED. We had no problem with thousands of stealth tankers daily moving oil from isis-controlled areas to turkey(Erdogan’s SON), and on to the entity. Too bad Putin blew ’em up, blew ’em up real good! “Russia didn’t want Syria turned into a #FailedState like Libya & entered the war on Sept 30th 2015. They started bombing 100’s of ISIS oil tanker trucks and oil fields with just 35 planes. ISIS revenues were cut by 50% & things turned around. ISIS has ZERO antiaircraft abilities. the TRAITORS in the Pentagon could have dropped bombs from HOT AIR BALLOONS or BIPLANES ……. We KNOW who the Pentagon is working for and it is NOT America. That would be a “tragedy” for Israel and Turkey who are BOTH plotting to seize Syrian land for “greater” Israel and the “caliphate” of Turkey all the while genocidally flooding White, CHRISTIAN Europe with muslum invaders …………. they had to get that war going again …..
https://www.iobit.com/dk/driver-booster.php try this and there will nothing left of You verses. Worse then reading haddits in alfabetic order.
Erdogan is terrorist master.
He thinks he is anyway :)
Just like Molla and hesbullocks
When this fake civil started, the Chief of the Israeli Defence staff was quoted as saying with smile, “Assad will be gone in 6 months.” The plan was for Syria to become a failed state, and then Israel would then cross into Syria and occupy large swathes of its land for the Odid Yinon plan. Instead Israel is now surrounded with powerful spiritually motivated shia militias. Israel is left to try its best to keep the war going as long as it can, and when it finishes the Shia world will be on its doorstep. Not what Israel planned.
Wonderful when it all goes wrong.
Wonder how the Greater Israel Project is or is not coming along?
The second largest military in NATO, alabit one without nukes, is being effectively countered on it’s own border. And is providing minimal direct military assistance to the Jew’s proxy terrorists. It’s unfortunate that the Turks are providing any assistance at all in implementing the Jew’s Yinon forever war plan for Israel. The sooner that the Syrian war can be wound down, the US removed from Syria and Iraq, and a regional coalition formed to clear the IDF out of the occupied territories and implement UN and other international law resolutions against Israel. The better that it will be for the region, the Russian and American people, and humanity.
The right of return for displaced Palestinians needs to be implemented so that a referendum can be held outlawing Judaism in Palestine, dejudifying Palestine, disbanding the IDF, and replacing Israel at the UN with a unified Palestine. To help with extinction grade planetary dejudification so the planet is Jew free for the betterment of humanity. It’s time to get rid of those evil blood sucking Jew baby rapers. And put the Jew pedophile cannibal prostitutes in jail where they belong. To bring about the end of Israel and the end of Jews.
War of manoeuvre. Even better if the Turks end up attacking and bombarding empty buildings.
The missing elephant in the room is being noticed by the investment community, Trump can’t keep his composure and remain the dominant force in the ME by keeping clear of a NATO member in dire straits.
This is probably Putin’s and Brother Erdogen’s plan, Syria is over Libya is where the regional hierarchy of the ME will be established, the difference between Eastern dominance over Western is the fact that China and Russia will support israel but they won’t take steps to underpin the Jews militarily, the West of course will, if there is only a small price to pay.
Brother Erdogen will envite Trump to enter but Trump will decline
My fellow SF readers are getting really excited because it looks like we’re kicking the Jihadist butts to high heaven, we finally have the Turks on the Run, yee hah, we’re about beat them once and for all. LOL, it’s time to piss everyone off. Erdogan’s doing what any good military commander would do, but everyone seems to be misinterpreting his actions, I’m not though, taking back all the south of Idlib is good and we should do it, but holding onto what we liberate will be absolute hell in a few days time. The terrorist have just made another gain along the M4, San village is now in their hands, the next one in line will probably be Bjariz and then Saraqib, they really want the road.
“Erdogan Forces”? May God make “Erdogan’s Forces” victorious against their terrorist, barbarian enemies.