Click to see full-size image.
On October 4, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that different formations of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) conducted large-scale drills over the span of several days.
The drills, which mimicked a large offensive, began with a series of strikes with artillery, ballistic missiles and warplanes. Under the cover of the strikes, armored formations advanced across the frontline, while several commando units landed from helicopters behind enemy defenses.
While advancing, SAA troops repelled a counter-attack by the enemy. The troops then developed the offensive and were able to capture enemy territory.
Several formations from the SAA’s elite Republican Guard and 4th Armoured Division reportedly took part in the large-scale drills.
The drills attended by Syrian defense minister Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud Abbas, Major General Maher al-Assad, the brother of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as the commander of the Russian military grouping in Syria Colonel General Aleksandr Chaiko.
The SAA has been training nonstop for several months now. In July, the army elite 25th Special Mission Forces Division, mostly known by their former name Tiger Forces, held a tactical, live-fire exercise with the Russians military. More drills will reportedly be held in the upcoming few weeks.
With support from Russia, Syria appears to be preparing its military for a new confrontation. Turkey has been threatening the country’s northern and northeastern region, where US-backed Kurdish forces are in control. Some parts of the northwestern region are still occupied by al-Qaeda and its allies. And in addition to that, Israeli is escalating its attacks on the country.
MOREO N THIS TOPIC:
- Five Syrian Soldiers Killed Or Wounded In New Attack By HTS In Western Aleppo (Photos)
- Syrian Intelligence Officer Killed During Successful Raid In Daraa
