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Syrian War Report – May 22, 2018: Damascus Is Secured, Daraa Is Next

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Late on May 21, Russian air defense systems, allegedly a Pantsir-S short to medium range system, launched at least four missiles at “unidentified” targets over the Khmeimim air base in Syria, according to local sources.

Later, the Russian military revealed that one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) had been shot down. No damage or casualties occurred as a result of the incident.

A similar incident took place on April 24 when Russian forces shot down at least two UAVs armed with projectiles.

The repeated UAV attacks on Russian facilities in Syria are another sign of the changing situation in the country. After a de-facto military defeat of militants in central Syria, they have shifted their activity to sabotage operations, which may allow them to get more public attention from the media and support from their foreign sponsors.

Syrian experts also believe that the possibility of terrorist attacks in the liberated areas is growing.

On May 21, the Syrian Defense Ministry officially announced that government forces had fully liberated southern Damascus from ISIS thus securing the entire countryside of the country’s capital. According to an official version, there was no deal with ISIS. However, photos and videos from the ground confirm that a group of terrorists and their relatives was indeed allowed to evacuate from the besieged area.

Reports also appeared that General Suheil ‘the Tiger’ al-Hassan, a commander of the elite Tiger Forces, has moved to southern Syria in order to prepare and oversee the expected operation against militants in the province of Daraa. However, this still has to be confirmed.

Depots with weapons produced in NATO member-states and production facilities for explosives have been found by the Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation and government forces in the settlement of Zaafarana in the province of Homs.

“We can see here a large number of gas masks, weapons produced abroad, for example, TOW-2 anti-tank guided missiles. The facilities are very well-equipped,” the center’s representative Andrey Nekipelov said on May 21 commenting on the discovered facility, which had belonged to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda).

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi announced that his country is going to keep forces in Syria at the request of the Syrian government and nobody can force Teheran to do anything because it “has its own independent policies”.

“Those who entered Syria without the permission of the Syrian government are the ones that must leave the country,” Qasemi noted.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened Iran with “the strongest sanctions in history” if Tehran does not comply with the initial list of 12 demands, which includes the withdrawal from Syria, disarming Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, halting support to Hezbollah and ending its missile program. In other words, Pompeo demanded from Iran to stop prusuing an independent policy in the region. Tensions between the US and Iran are increasing.

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Attrition47

Well done them Syrians.

Lupus

I am affraid when Daraa is liberated (what is very important) the map will look the same for a long time; Turkey and the US and both their puppet proxies shall occupy Syria like Zionistan does with Golan.

georgeking

One must take back what one can, the people of Syria are getting a bitter taste of what it is like to live in US Kurdish or Turkey Terrorist held areas. I believe the rape and pillage by the Turks is a cost Syria and Russia agreed to for now, to get them to take on the Kurds while blocking US, etc actions because of NATO.

Ma_Laoshi

Hmm; the Turks and their moderate friends have made themselves cozy in Afrin, and all Turkish talk about chasing the Yanks out of Manbij etc is long forgotten. So Erdogan got what he really wanted without Russia or Assad standing in his way, while simultaneously keeping his options open with Uncle Sam. In truth he may play the double game better than Putin.

Dr. Pro Liv

Those are only Turkish outposts on some parts of Idlib and nothing else. No Turkish troops there at all. Depends above all what is agreed in Astana between Russia Iran and Turkey about those regions of influence… US-NATO is another story. I don’t think Russia is for confrontation with US-NATO troops. All must go through U.N. to make pressure on them (US-NATO) to leave.

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Lupus

I ment Afrin, Azaz, Al Bab. Besides, there are many Turkish Troops in Idlib

Dr. Pro Liv

Again ….depends what Russia Turkey and Iran have agreed about the “regions of influence” or regions of control whatever they call that. I doubt that Turkey will challenge militarily Russians and Iran and walk all over that agreement at this point. They are in not good relations with US (over Kurds) and they can’t make new enemies from Russia and Iran now… also. True that Turks switch sides often but US-NATO doesn’t give them viable option….

VeeNarian (Yerevan)

Not so! The US cowards, will soon be attacked from 3 sides: Iraq, Syria and Turkey, with the backing of the Iranians and Hezbollah. They will be in for a proper roasting and toasting. If they have any sense, they will be running back to their McDonalds in Germany and Qatar. Run, baby run!

georgeking

One of the most brilliant moves by Syria in this USoA terrorist sponsored War was allowing the Terrorist to leave to other areas and take all their family members with them.

Thus removing the indoctrinated (most liked forced) wives and children that would have been more sleeper cells and future Terrorist in the liberated areas. TDK

Hide Behind

Just as U. S. and France are building permanent military bases, while increasing #s of personnel, in Kurdish area, what is to deter Turkey from doing same within Buffer zone? Yes it is Kurdish area and no longer a part of Syria. Syria will never be able to let guard down along any of its borders, and will still need a huge military, just in case. All this while not having any economic base to rebuild and while those Syrian wealthy fled when SHTF are coming back to exploit cheap labor and land/buildings, their money will remain in UAE or NATO nations banks, and be financed through them. Not exactly a group of patriots, more like vultures. Iran under heavy sanctions can I’ll afford to pay Syrian welfare rolls.

ελευθεριος βενιζελος

02.42..the type of vehicle???

velociraptor

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/sophisticated-russian-military-equipment-decimates-isils-fortifications-in-yarmouk-camp-video/

anti mines weapon

delbertino

ISRAEL MUST BE ANNIHILATED IMMEDIATELY ALONG WITH SAUDIS, US MILITARY AND UAE

delbertino

ATTACK ISRAEL IMMEDIATELY; THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE IN PROLONGING THE INEVITABLE

delbertino

WITHOUT A CLEAR CONSCIENCE AMERICA CAN DO NOTHING BUT DECEIVE MANKIND INTO BELIEVING THAT THEIR MURDEROUS AGENDA IS JUSTIFIED; THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOSERS; THEIR TIME IS SHORT; ROMAN POPE AND ISRAEL STILL MURDERING CHRISTIANS WHILE DECEIVING EVANGELICALS; JOHN HAGEE IS A FRAUD AND LIAR AND FALSE TEACHER, SINGLED OUT FOR EXTRA PUNISHMENT; REVELATIONS, FALSE TEACHERS

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