FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft before departing for its permanent base in Russia from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. © Vadim Grishankin / Sputnik
On July 9, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) carried out a series of airstrikes on the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib in what appears to be a response to recent ceasefire violations.
Several airstrikes targeted hills surrounding the town of Kabani in the northern countryside of Lattakia. The town is an infamous stronghold of al-Qaeda factions, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The terrorist group is the de-facto ruler of Grater Idlib.
#عاجل : الطيران الحربي الروسي يشن ضربات جوية عنيفة على محاور الكبانة بريف اللاذقية الشمالي وسط تحليق لطيران الاستطلاع الروسي في سماء المنطقة#الإعلامي_باسل_الحموي
للمتابعة تلغرام 👇 https://t.co/osoANzk3yM pic.twitter.com/dmKdEPQxKE— باسل الحموي (@TmNcMDmxFGerFf5) July 9, 2021
عاجل موقع Now Lebanon 🇱🇧 بالصورة مباشر
غارة لطيران الحربي الروسي تستهدف محاور الكبينة بريف اللاذقية الشمالي . pic.twitter.com/BwNVFdVq3R— Now Lebanon 🇱🇧 (@NowLebanon2) July 9, 2021
An unspecified target in the outskirts of the town of Josef in the southeastern Idlib countryside was also targeted by Russian warplanes. HTS maintains a strong presence in this part of Greater Idlib.
غارة جوية روسية تستهدف حرش بلدة جوزف في ريف ادلب الجنوبي . pic.twitter.com/sHU6hrjDHD
— ميلاد فضل (@freeehsem) July 9, 2021
The results of the Russian airstrikes are yet to be revealed. HTS and its allies don’t acknowledge their losses in most cases.
The airstrikes were likely a response to recent ceasefire violations by HTS. Over the last 48 hours, the terrorist group shelled several government-held towns and villages in Greater Idlib with improvised rockets and artillery.
Turkey, which is responsible for implementing the ceasefire agreed upon on March 5 of last year, is doing nothing whatsoever to hold HTS and its allies accountable. In fact, some of the recent ceasefire violations were carried out with weapons supplied by Ankara.
hts swine were obviously obliterated in numbers. Another successful day for RuAF. 👍
Where can we sponsor these bombs and pilots and their crews? Can we arrange to write our names on them before they are loaded onto planes? Whack a mole cannot go on forever, what is the end game? Why cannot SDF and SAA join forces and expel Turkey and their proxies? The brainwashing will only go on until there is no way to free the mind of Syria. Is Iran the only blocker? Why is there Hague involvement when all sides are guilty? Can we offer immunity then a broker a peace deal, between SAA and SDF. Create a new future for Syria will all sides involved without the crimes against humanity plaguing international consciousness. Offer immunity and join forces, its done all the time in our courts.
Condolences to the fallen wahabimossad and CIAisis operators. May they rest in pieces…