A Russian Su-24 strike aircraft in the sky over the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. Photo: Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti
On September 5, a series of Russian airstrikes hit the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib amid heavy clashes between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The airstrikes targeted positions of HTS and its allies in the outskirts of the town of Fatterah in the southern Idlib countryside.
Videos showing the last wave of airstrikes as well as several previous aerial attacks on Greater Idlib were released by Russian and Syrian news sources.
The airstrikes were reportedly carried out by the Russian Aerospace Forces in support of the SAA, which is carrying out a limited operation to improve its defensive positions along the front. The operation was launched by the army following a series of attacks by HTS and its allies, including a tunnel bombing on August 26 that targeted a position near the town of Milaja and claimed the lives of some 11 soldiers.
The SAA is conducting a similar operation in the western Aleppo countryside. The operation began after HTS and its allies launched a large-scale attack on the 46th Regiment Base on September 3. As of September 6, army troops have secured several key positions near the town of Kafr Taal.
Dozens of Russian airstrikes hit HTS and its allies in recent weeks in response to violations of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib. Despite this, the terrorist groups are not backing down.
The escalation in Greater Idlib could eventually force the SAA and its allies to launch a large-scale ground operation. This will likely lead to a confrontation with the Turkish military, who maintains a large force in the region under the pretext of observing the ceasefire.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
