Syrian MoD Releases Footage Of Recent Strikes On Greater Idlib

A Russian Su-24 aircaft on a runway at the Hmeimim airbase in Syria. © Maksim Blinov / Sputnik

The Syrian Ministry of Defense has released footage documenting the November 6 strikes on the northwestern region of Greater Idlib, which is occupied by terrorist groups.

In a statement released on November 8, the ministry said that the strikes were carried out by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in response to recent violations of the ceasefire in the region.

The ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by Russia and Turkey more than two years ago, was violated by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies on several occasions over the last few days. Between November 5 and 7, seven Syrian service members, including three officers, were killed in attacks by the terrorists.

Heavy multiple rocket launchers of the SAA and VKS warplanes targeted several headquarters and training camps of HTS and its allies in the western outskirts of Idlib city during the strikes on November 6.

The large-scale strikes resulted in some 90 casualties. The Syrian MoD said that at least eight terrorists were killed. Some of the slain terrorists were foreigners.

The strikes were meant to deter HTS and its allies. Nevertheless, the terrorists escalated their rocket and artillery strikes on government-held areas around Greater Idlib after the strikes. This will likely trigger an even harsher response from the SAA and the VKS.

Despite the escalation, the ceasefire in Greater Idlib is still holding up. The agreement will not likely collapse as this could lead to a confrontation that none of the warring sides is currently looking for.

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