Rock Attack Hit Syria’s Greater Idlib Just Day After Russian Warning Of False-Flag Plot (Photos)

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A heavy rocket attack targeted the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib just a day after a Russian warning of a false-flag plot by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).  

A salvo of heavy rockets hit the outskirts of the towns of al-Fu’ah and Kafriya in the eastern countryside of Idlib on January 5. The two towns, which were once strongholds of government supporters in Idlib, are now populated by refugees and foreign jihadists.

Five people were allegedly wounded in the rocket attack, which also caused some material losses. The rockets used in the attack have not been identified, yet. Still, news sources based in Greater Idlib blamed the attack on the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

Major General Oleg Yegorov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation in Syria, warned on January 4 that HTS is planning to stage a false-flag operation in order to trigger return fire on a refugee camp in Greater Idlib and then to pin the blame on the SAA and its allies for the indiscriminate use of arms.

The Russian commander said that HTS militants are planning to open fire on the SAA near the towns of al-Atarib and Kafr Jum in the western Aleppo countryside in order to cause retaliatory fire on the nearby Kafr Dian refugee camp.

“The militants intend to circulate videos on the social networks showing alleged civilian casualties to blame the Russian and Syrian armed forces for the unwarranted use of fire means,” Maj. Gen. Yegorov said.

Despite the difference in location, the rocket attack on al-Fu’ah and Kafriya fit the plot that was described by the Maj. Gen. Yegorov.

The attack may have been a part of a false-flag operation by HTS, or a response to its plot. The terrorist group stepped up its attacks on the SAA and its allies in the last few weeks in what appears to be an attempt to sabotage Russia’s ongoing efforts to restore ties between Damascus and Ankara, who could soon pull its troops out from Greater Idlib to facilitate a new Syrian military operation there.

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