An Su-24 taking off from Hmeimim air base in 2015. IMAGE: Russian Ministry of Defense
On September 15, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out more than 12 airstrikes on militants’ positions in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
The Russian airstrikes hit positions located near the towns of Zurzur, al-Hammammah and Darkush in the western countryside of Idlib. The three towns are situated a few kilometers away from the border with Turkey.
اربع غارات على مخيم الارامل جنوب غرب مدينة #دركوش في ريف ادلب الغربي pic.twitter.com/HIQE8M0pnX
— Adam Abdullah (@tommycats4) September 15, 2021
#سورية
الطيران الحربي الروسي يستهدف بصواريخ فراغية محيط مدينة دركوش غرب إدلب pic.twitter.com/v6zffYaN7y— محمد العموري (@mohamedamory66) September 15, 2021
القصف الذي استهدف محيط بلدة #زرزور بالقرب نت مدينة #دركوش غربي #ادلب الان pic.twitter.com/jOWC7Ng4Ez
— Adam Abdullah (@tommycats4) September 15, 2021
#شاهد
لحظة سقوط أحد صواريخ العدو الروسي المجرم على محيط قرية #زرزور بريف #جسر_الشغور غرب #إدلب pic.twitter.com/A7cQQJopnn— ابن قاسيون (@ibnqasuoon) September 15, 2021
According to Syrian opposition activists, the airstrikes were conducted by three Su-34 and Su-24M warplanes. At least one of the Russian warplanes, a Su-24M, was armed with two KAB-500S-E satellite-guided bombs.
Su-24M over Greater Idlib today armed with what appears to be two KAB-500S-E guided bombs. pic.twitter.com/Augz7zmV6v
— Within Syria (@WithinSyriaBlog) September 15, 2021
The airstrikes were likely a response to recent violations of the ceasefire agreement in Greater Idlib, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey last year. Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies launch attacks from the region on a daily basis.
A day earlier, sources close to HTS claimed that several Russian service members were killed in an attack in southern Greater Idlib. These claims remain unverified.
According to several recent reports, the Syrian Arab Army and its allies may soon resume ground operations in Greater Idlib. Such a move could deter HTS and its allies. However, it will also provoke Turkey who maintain a large force in the region.
