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The last ISIS stronghold in the province of Aleppo, the town of Maskanah, felt into hands of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) last night. The liberation of Maskanah is an important victory for the Syrian military.
Now, government forces, led by the SAA Tiger Forces, will be able to reach the province of Raqqah and too expand a buffer zone alongside the strategic Ithriyah-Khanasir-Aleppo road.
This also opens additional opportunities for operations against ISIS in the provinces of Homs and Deir Ezzor.
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A 10-minutes long video of clashes in eastern Aleppo:
I wonder what military airbase are they using to support the Tiger battalion in east Aleppo province? I see- much to my surprise- Gazelle’s being used in combat roles ( these helicopters are pretty much obsolete in the days of drones). Since the combat radius of Gazelles is fairly limited, it must be Kuweires airbase, as it is the only operational one close enough to the east Aleppo province.
In other order, pretty fertile lands the Tigers have managed to recapture from the head-chopping jihadist. Good news. Keep going south lads.
It would have to be Kuweires as it was liberated a long time ago. Plus, it is plausible that Aleppo airport is operational again and they get equipment through the airport as the Ithriya-Khannaser road is not 100% secure yet. I think you will find that after so many years of war, an army like SAA will use everything they have at their disposal (including drones in a limited capacity).
actually the brave and so much outnumbered syrian soldiers at the Kuwaires airbases resisted for years to all the attacks by terrorists who were never able to take it. but right the based was then so closely surround that they were not able to tun aerial operations
Actually helicopters playing very important role in any infantry support. Drones are only addition for the military to obtain enemy information.
Initially yes.
Not anymore. US has drones with radar guided missiles and even IS uses drones with bombing capacity. You are just three years out of sync.
Gazelles with rocket pods are useful.
The SAA Tiger force should continue South along the Highway 4 until they reach the HIghway 42, while ISIS is on the run. On one side the SAA will have river which could not be outflank, which is good. Than they should turn West and liberate all area along Highway 42 and between till the SAA reach Ithriyah-Khanasir-Aleppo road, this would secure the road, but also release many infantry and military hardware in this area. It would be good, if SAA have enough infantry to continue advance along highway 4, pass the Highway 42 to plugin the Raqqa escape road for ISIS, but this depends if SAA have enough manpower to support such action
I think the escape route is just for airborne attacks for now, The Tigers can’t be too far from Aleppo/Hama area, you have to remember Turkey is in Syrian territory and any chance they get, they will advance south. Also, Idlib is near Aleppo/Hama area, I do see them just hanging around the Salamiya area, clearing off the Homs/Hama border areas. I may be wrong.
I think Turkey would rather advance into Kurdish held territory. Also letting your main elite offensive force sit idle in the Aleppo area in case of Turkish meddling would count as a soft mission kill. Yeah, the SAA might get caught with its pants down with yet another Hama offensive if the Tigers were advancing towards Deir Ezzor, but at least they would have helped gain some important territory that they won’t gain having them sit idle near Aleppo.
You don’t need the tigers to do that though, in an open terrain like that, any force can perform. Hell, even FSA and ISIS performed and they didn’t have an airforce.
For now when there is calm in North, the SAA should continue as I wrote above. The Highway 42 is strategically important for SAA, because SAA can reach Idlib province using this highway in case need to.
In addition ISIS is on the run right now and most likely the SYrian desert is not very well defended by ISIS, therefore SAA can easy liberate a lot of land and the same time shrink the defence line.
You right, the peace and calm in Idlib and Western Aleppo and Northern Syria will not be for long. My understanding is the there fight going in Idlib, between different factions groups, therefore is calm on FSA and SAA front line. When the disputes ends and the FSA in Idlib rearm and regroup the we will see again FSA in action, but for now the SAA should continue free more land from ISIS
Never turn your back to a terrorist. Be cautious as you move!
See my comment from SRO that SDF started operation in North Idlib.
I thought exactly the same
Any videos of recently captured ISIS terrorists? Many terrorist were captured in the final stages of Aleppo offensive and there were initial interrogations filmed. Not seen any in open areas like Maskanah and DEir Hafer, maybe just the difference between urban warfare and the rest.
The only thing I can say is “congratutlation,” and go ahead do not stop. All hard and soft (moderated) terrorists must be eliminated. Only a war victory will bring peace. This will be a hard lesson to Israel aince now the destoyed Syria will arise as a strong capable armed country which will never forget this destruction caused by Israel (indirectly).
dreaming, dreaming or rather, phantasizing.
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice!”
While SAA is taking east Aleppo from IS, there are the first reports that SDF has had it with attacks out of north Idlib and elements of SDF (Jaysh al Thuwwar) started an incursion into north Idlib.
Scource : SRO