Heavy Syrian, Russian Strikes Eradicate Militant Bases In Greater Idlib (Photos, Video)

© Sputnik / Iliya Pitalev

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) shot down armed drones launched from Greater Idlib and launched a series of strikes against the positions of terrorist groups in the region with support from the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced on October 18.

The ministry said in a statement that SAA air defense shot down six drones that attempted to attack military positions and residential areas in Idlib and Aleppo. Photos showing the wreckage of five fixed-wing drones and a quadcopter were released by the ministry.

In a later statement, the ministry announced that the SAA and the VKS launched a series of artillery and air strikes against targets of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, and its allies over the last few days.

One of the targets was a large base used to store and maintain armored vehicles as well as to manufacture vehicle-borne explosive devices.

The Syrian and Russian strikes wounded “dozens” of militants, the ministry said in its statement, listing the name of 16 others who were killed.

The ministry released video footage showing some of the pinpoint artillery and air strikes that hit Greater Idlib. The footage confirms that the strikes inflicted human and material losses on HTS and its allies.

The SAA and VKS resumed strikes on Greater Idlib following a drone attack that targeted the annual graduation ceremony at the Syrian Military Academy near the central city of Homs on October 5. The attack claimed the lives of 89 civilians and service members and left more than 277 other wounded.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the drone attack. Nevertheless, evidence indicates that HTS or one of its allies was responsible.

In addition to the strikes, the SAA has been amassing troops around Greater Idlib, including units from the 25th Special Mission Forces Division.

The elite division, more commonly known as the Tiger Forces, conducted a joint military exercise with the Russian military earlier this month and received military equipment, including dozens of M-46 130 mm towed field guns, D-30 122 mm towed howitzers and S-60 57 mm anti-aircraft guns.

The repeated provocations by HTS and its allies could eventually lead to the collapse of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey more than three years ago. The SAA and its allies may be preparing to launch a ground operation in the region.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

• Israeli Strikes Hit Aleppo Airport After Rocket Attack From Syria (Photos)
• Russian Airstrikes Hit Drone Launch Site, Other Targets In Syria’s Greater Idlib (Videos)