Russian Su-25 attack aircraft take off from the Khmeimim airbase in Syria © Dmitriy Vinogradov / Sputnik
Early on January 20, warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a series of airstrikes on positions of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in the towns of Khan al-Sabil and al-Janudiyah in the southern Idlib countryside.
A Russian military source told the Sputnik news agency that the airstrikes were carried out in order to prevent the radical group from launching rockets at positions of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in northern Hama.
Earlier this month, the Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a similar preemptive strike on positions of Turkish-backed militants, who were defeated by HTS. The strike was aimed at preventing the radical group from capturing the weapons and equipment left in the militants’ abandoned positions .
Russia paused its aerial activity over the opposition-held areas in northwestern Syria following the September 17 demilitarized zone agreement with Turkey. However, radical militants didn’t respect the agreement. This likely forced Russia to resume its strikes in the region.
Recent reports indicate that Moscow and its allies may be planning to take their response a step further and launch a ground operation around Idlib if militants continue their destructive behavior.
Very good. I know that many are bound to “instant gratification” but as they say in boxing “timing beats speed”. Still we all hope that those cocroaches are dealt with sooner than later.
Timing is everything Tudor. That’s what my girlfriends have said anyway :)
IF the militants continue their destructive behavior. Now the terrorist scum of the earth, are elevated to militants?
Oh dear… everybody is a terrorist in this war. They all build on terror. And yes, even so they’re humans. If you forget so, you forget your own humanity. “Destructive behaviour” is, of course, baloney… it simply means, we’ll go in soon, no matter what.
You are absolutely right!! “If we forget” that we “forget our own humanity” !!!
I never forget that ! (If dead) they are “human” !!! If live…. than… they should be made “human” as soon as possible!
President Assad allies and troops are not terrorists.
All the anti Assad bandits , thousands from foreign countries who are paid and armed by the US Coalition of Terror are terrorists, in political terms and also the medieval barbarism they have inflicted on Syria.
you mistaking humanity with allowing sub humans to pollute the earth and live one more day to commit their crimes against humanity, pretending that this way you have not lost yours, been a coward to do what it takes when is called for, so spare me the sentiment.
As I mentioned earlier today, signs on the ground indicate that the Idlib pocket will soon be taken. First, the Turkey-backed militias have withdrawn or disbanded (seemingly being ‘defeated’ by HTS), not HTS keeps a nominal presence. In reality, when ground operations will start, little resistance will remain. Of course, Russian troops and Hezbollah will do the job. Asad-militias aren’t really disciplined enough for that kind of fighting; they also carry out too many revenge killings. Still, they will be allowed to loot and plunder, as usual. The Afrin pocket will remain longer, since it allows more pressure on the Kurds, which is fine for everybody. Hopefully there will be very few casualties (most are and will be civilian anyways). It is always sad to read most of the commons here… dehumanizing at its prime. Few ppl seem to realise this is a set scenario.
You can NOT make deals with terrorists. Not if you have the option of destroying them once and for all instead. Up till now the Russians havent wipe them out because mainly of Erdogan’s friendly relations with Putin and the deals in other matters between Russia and Turkey. Its game of balancing interests …for everyone involved…
“Recent reports indicate that Moscow and its allies may be planning to take their response a step further and launch a ground operation around Idlib if militants continue their destructive behavior”.
The Russians have had a 2 week Christmas break, that’s enough, it’s time to go back to work killing HTS extremists now, Christmas is over.