Syrian pro-government sources denied on January 31 that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had reached the outskirt of the city of Saraqib in southeast Idlib.
A day earlier, pro-government sources, including the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) and activists with close ties to the 25th Special Forces Division, reported that the army reached Saraqib after capturing the towns of Kafr Battikh, Tell Mardikh and Jawbas.
These claims were apparently inaccurate, as the SAA is still in the town of Maarrat Dibsah, that is located 7 km to the west of Saraqib.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@Suriyakmaps) on Twitter.
In the early morning, the army attempted to advance towards the town of Luf, south of Saraqib. However, the attack was repelled by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.
Poor weather conditions and logistical problems are likely behind the army’s slow advance towards Saraqib. These issues will likely be resolved in a matter of a few days.
7 km away from Saraqib is just nothing. With a the strong Russia air support, this will be solve in one day, at most. Turkey’s terrorists must fly to Turkey (home) to save their life. I hope Putin stop pleasing Erdogan and do to enforce another cease fire on SAA-Russia-Iran-HEZBOLAH GROUND TROOPS.
If all goes well without any obstacles, SAA and its allies will need to reclaim the entire area on the eastern part of the M5 highway, starting from Al Rasidin 4 in Aleppo heading south to Tal Dibs in the south east of Idlib. Before they began operations to attack terrorists on the west side of the M5 highway. If the M5 has to be used as a new frontline, this needs to be done to secure the rear area. This can be done by pincer movements from two or one direction, from the north or from the south or by opening a new front by attacking simultaneously from the east by SAA forces and their allies there. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2a8bf32c3007d77a2f493ea5035685eb8565acdbcd176448cab518393e117b55.jpg
SAA should advance from the M5 highway and from the Tal Tuqan axis to meet up at the eastern gates of Saraqeb, so a large pocket to the south will be created, which will easily be liberated.