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https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-25-2018-syrian-army-prepares-to-clear-abu-al-duhur-pocket/ The Syrian military is deploying reinforcements to northern Hama and eastern Idlib reportedly preparing to launch a military operation to clear the militant-held pocket there. According to pro-government sources, additional units of Liwa al-Quds and the Qalamoun Shield Forces have already been deployed there. The liberation of the pocket will allow the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies to eliminate the ISIS threat in the area and to
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-22-2018-abu-al-duhur-liberation-operation-olive-branch/ On January 20, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) officially launched a military operation in the area of Afrin and started conducting massive artillery and airstrikes on positions of Kurdish militias there. “‘Operation Olive Branch’ has been started on Jan. 20, 2018 at 5 p.m., in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region to establish security and stability on our borders and region, to eliminate terrorists of PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh [ISIS], and to
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-19-2018-syrian-troops-almost-closed-eastern-idlib-pocket/ On January 18, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Iranian-backed militias liberated the village of Qaytal fom Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra) in southern Aleppo and almost closed the eastern Idlib pocket. Late on the same day, ISIS reportedly captured thirty villages, including Rasm al-Dhaba, al-Muwaylah, abu Ajwa, Muakar Shamali, Huma, Najm Al-Zuhur, Umm Qurun and Rasm Arira, in northeastern Hama and southwestern Aleppo from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-16-2018-syrian-army-repelling-hts-and-isis-attacks-in-eastern-idlib/ The situation in estern Idlib is rapidly becoming more and more complicated for government forces as both ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) are simultaneously pressuring the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies. On January 15, ISIS captured a dozen villages southwest of the Abu al-Duhur airbase and conducted several hit and run attacks on government troops in the areas of Uwayjat Qana and Rasm Khushuf. Separately, clashes
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-15-2018-syrian-army-liberates-dozens-villages-in-southwestern-aleppo/ Russian forces eliminated a group of militants, which conducted the mortar attack on Hmeimim airbase on December 31, 2017, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on January 12. Russian forces used the 2K25 Krasnopol 152 mm laser-guided artillery munition to eliminate the group, according to the ministry. The ministry added that the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) uncovered a fixed-wing drone assembly and storage workshop in Idlib province. The workshop
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-12-2018-militants-counter-attack-in-southern-idlib-ends-in-disaster/ On January 11, so-called “moderate opposition” groups operating in Idlib declared an official start of the operation to assist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in its effort to counter the ongoing advance of government forces in the area of Abu al-Duhur. Faylaq al-Sham, Nour al-Din al-Zenki, Jaish al-Nasr, Jaish al-Nukhba, Ahrar al-Sham, the Turkistan Islamic Party, the Free Syrian Army’s 2nd Army were
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-11-2018-syrian-army-launches-final-push-to-capture-abu-al-duhur/ On January 11, the Tiger Forces, the Syrian Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) launched a final push to recapture the strategic Abu al-Duhur Airbase from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in southern Idlib. Government forces reached the airbase on January 10 after capturing the villages of al-Baiyaiyah, al-Dabshiyah, Zafr Sagheer, Zafr Kabeer, Bayaa Kabeera, Bayaa Sagheera, Um jorah, al-Buwyti, Rasm Ayed and Um Jareen. Since then, intense
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-10-2018-militants-defense-collapses-in-southern-idlib/ The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the Tiger Forces and their allies have continued to advance in the Abu al-Duhur Airbase area in southern Idlib and have liberated the villages of Jakusiyah, al-Rahjan, Miraya, Tamakh, Miyal, al-Adiliyah and others from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda). According to pro-government sources, the SAA also started a bombing campaign against positions of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-9-2018-russian-forces-disrupted-drone-attack-by-militants-on-its-bases/ On January 8 and 9, government forces re-captured over a dozen villages in southern Idlib, including Zifr Kabir, Zifr Saghir, Harmala, Burtuqanah, Ajjaz and Jahman from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda). In total, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the Tiger Forces and their allies have liberated over 400km2 in southern Idlib since the start of 2018. On January 8, the Turkistan Islamic Party
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-8-2018-syrian-army-liberates-large-area-key-town-in-southern-idlib/ Last weekend, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s defense collapsed in southern Idlib. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the National Defense Forces (NDF) and the Tiger Forces liberated the important town of Sinjar and the nearby villages including al-Nasiriyah, Jabal al-Kafi, Lubaida, Hawa, Sheikh Barakeh, Umm Mweilat, Tell Amara, Rasm Saaed, Kafrayya and Mutawassitah. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) did little to defend its positions in the area but released a statement accusing
https://southfront.org/winter-protests-in-iran-2017-2018/ Today, the influence of the Iranian state and its set of values is growing in the Middle East and around the world. In late December, anti-government protests sparked across the country. Over 20 people were killed, hundreds injured and thousands detained because of clashes between security forces and the protestors. The protests emerged due to internal economic factors and the activity of foreign adversaries of Iran. The main factors
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-5-2018-militants-retreat-from-more-villages-in-southern-idlib/ On January 4, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Tiger Forces, backed up by the Russian Aerospace Forces, captured the villages of Rsm al-Abid, al-Fhail, Rubaida, Msheirfeh, al-Qasr al-Abyad, Rabeeah Musa, Haqiyah and Umm Rjaim Hill in southeastern Idlib. According to pro-government sources, at least 7 militants were killed and a vehicle was destroyed during the SAA advance. On the same day, the Sham Legion reportedly destroyed a
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-january-4-2018-russian-forces-suffer-casualties-in-khmeimim-shelling/ The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the National Defense Forces (NDF), the Tiger Forces and other pro-government factions, supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces, have achieved a notable progress against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in southern Idlib. Government troops have liberated the villages of Rajmel Mashraf, Umm Sehrij, Dreibiyeh, Mashrafat al Khanazir, Ard az-Zurzur, Sham al-Hawa, Umm al-Khalakhil, Qulayat at Tuwaybah and Niha
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-december-29-2017-militant-defense-collapses-near-abu-dali/ On December 28, government forces liberated the villages of Ad Dajaj, Tamat al-Khalifah and Mushayrifah and reached the southern vicinity of the militant-held village of Abu Dali. Abu Dali is controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and is one of the key militant defense points in the area. If Abu Dali falls into the hands of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), the
https://southfront.org/syrian-iraqi-war-report-december-20-2017-iran-deploys-reinforcemenst-on-syrian-iraqi-border/ Syrian government forces have continued to develop momentum in southern Idlib and liberated Tal Afghar from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda). Previously, government troops established control over Ruwaydah, Tall Khinzir, Zafaria, Shutaib and other points in the area. According to local sources, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is now regrouping its forces and preparing to attack government forces in southern Idlib and southern Aleppo. Iranian-backed
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-december-19-2017-syrian-army-advances-in-southern-idlib/ On December 18, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) liberated the village of Ruwaydah in southern Idlib from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda). According to pro-opposition sources, the SAA and the NDF were able to take control of the village thanks only to massive air and artillery strikes in the area. The advance followed a series of gains made by
https://southfront.org/syrian-iraqi-war-report-december-15-2017-syrian-army-tightens-siege-on-beit-jinn-pocket/ The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies have deployed a notable force for an operation against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in the province of Idlib. According to pro-government sources, the operation will involve the SAA, the Tiger Forces, the National Defense Forces (NDF), the 4th Armoured Division, the 8th Armored Division and the 11th Armored Division. In the first stage, the
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-december-14-2017-syrian-army-prepares-for-idlib-operation/ The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces have established control over the hilltops of al-Ahmar, al-Madjahan and al-Khazzan inside the Beit Jinn pocket in southern Syria. Thus, the SAA and the NDF are about to divide the Beit Jinn pocket into two separate parts. If this is done, the liberation of Mughr al-Meer by government troops will be just a matter of time. The SAA and
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-december-13-2017-trump-declares-victory-isis/ On December 12, ISIS conducted a surprise attack on the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) on the western bank of the Euphrates in the province of Deir Ezzor. According to reports, members of ISIS entered the villages of al-Jalaa, Saiyal, Salihiyah, Mujawdah, Abbas and al-Harsa. Clashes in the area continued on December 13. According to pro-government sources, ISIS was not able to develop the initial success and will be forced
https://southfront.org/middle-east-is-on-verge-of-new-conflict-following-trumps-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/ On November 28, SouthFront released a video analysis entitled “Would Anyone Profit From a New War in the Middle East?”. The video said that despite tensions in the region the possibility of a new war in in the near future was relatively low because no regional player was interested in it. The only side, which could be interested in the conflict, was the United States. Such a war will
