Syria: Army Strikes Supported by Russian Forces Against Radical Groups
Photo: Archive
December 3, 2024 Hour: 3:58 pm
With the support of Russian forces, the Syrian army has successfully destroyed weapon depots and strategic positions held by radical groups while reinforcing its defensive lines in the northern part of the country.
The Syrian Arab Army, backed by Russian aviation, is consolidating its operations against terrorist groups in the provinces of Hama and Idlib, located in the central-western region of Syria. According to official sources, recent offensives have neutralized over 1,300 combatants since the actions began last Friday.
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In the last 24 hours, missile strikes, artillery fire, and air bombardments have destroyed five command centers and seven weapon storage facilities. Reports indicate that among the destroyed items were depots containing high-tech drones sourced from Ukraine. These operations have allowed for the recovery of control over several strategic localities and have halted the advance of jihadist factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group considered a reconfiguration of the former al-Nusra Front.
The Syrian central command reported that these actions aim to ensure security in key regions of Hama and Idlib while cutting off supply lines for radical groups that have intensified their attacks since late November.
Local sources highlight the presence of foreign fighters within terrorist ranks, including members of the Ukrainian unit “White Wolf.” This group, linked to Ukraine’s Security Service, has employed advanced drones for reconnaissance and attack missions. The drones, equipped with high-resolution cameras and specialized armaments, have been used to target Syrian positions in Hama and Aleppo.
Preliminary reports suggest that collaboration between these fighters and HTS has been facilitated through agreements with foreign intelligence services. Additionally, there has been an increase in communication interference affecting the Syrian army, attributed to advanced technology deployed by these groups.
In response to the escalating violence, over 15,000 volunteers from Hama and nearby localities have joined the Syrian Arab Army to bolster both defensive and offensive operations. This local support has been crucial in containing advances made by terrorist groups in the region. Military sources report that Syrian forces, supported by their Russian allies, have advanced towards southern Aleppo and eastern Idlib with the goal of encircling radical fighters in strategic areas.
According to military command, the ultimate objective is to expel terrorists from these provinces and restore security in surrounding rural areas. Currently, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported a significant collapse within jihadist ranks stationed along the Khanaser-Athriya road as the Syrian army advances towards southern Aleppo in the direction of Al-Safira, marking “a strategic return to rural areas of that province,” according to Lebanese media.
On the political front, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation on Tuesday with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing the need to end terrorist aggression in Syria, as reported by the Kremlin’s press service.
The Iranian ambassador to Syria attributed this escalation to an attempt to reignite conflict in Syria and weaken its role in the region. They noted that it is not coincidental that this terrorist offensive coincides with a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Furthermore, they denounced that this offensive aims to destabilize what is referred to as the “Axis of Resistance,” composed of Syria, Iran, and allied groups in Lebanon and Palestine amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The current attack represents the largest advance by armed organizations against the Syrian army since signing the Astana agreements in 2020 by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Iran’s leadership—an accord aimed at establishing limits to prevent confrontations in specific regions of Syria. This treaty was reached when Moscow (an ally of President Bashar al-Assad’s government) and Ankara(supporting rebels) came to a ceasefire agreement.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: Al Mayadeen
