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Syrian government forces, backed up by the Russian Aerospace Forces, have liberated the village of Baghliyah and nearby hills from ISIS terrorist sin the eastern Homs countryside. Thus, the army and its allies outflanked Dabat Milli, Taliah Sharqiyah and deployed in a striking distance from Rasm Hamidah where clashes are now ongoing.
The general idea of this advance is to put additional pressure on ISIS terrorists north of the Homs-Palmyra highway and to contribute to a wider effort aimed at isolating and destroying a large ISIS grouping deployed at the town of Uqayribat. Pro-government units have been struggling to do this since June. However, ISIS has a strong defense and is not going to withdraw without the battle.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) Tiger Forces and pro-government Tribal Forces have liberated of Shinan and Abar al-Jeraih near the Euphrates River in southern Raqqah.
The advance followed reports that the SAA and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) made a deal dividing the spheres of influence in the provinces of Raqqah and Deir Ezzor on July 20. The agreement was reportedly backed by Russia. According to the agreement, the SAA and pro-government tribal forces will be able to gain areas in the southern and southeastern Raqqah countryside and the northwestern Deir Ezzor countryside without any resistance or antagonism from the SDF. This will allow government forces, backed by the Russian Aerospace Forces, to advance towards Deir Ezzor city from the countryside of Raqqah and Palmyra simultaneously.
Some 400 government fighters with battle tanks, multiple rocket launches and other equipment were allegedly deployed in Ukayrshah and Dahla near the contact line with the SDF. The total number of Tribal Forces fighters involved in the operation is about 4,000. The SDF allegedly abandoned plans to captured the western Deir Ezzor countryside.
If it’s true, the agreement will be an important contribution to a de-confliction scenario between the SDF and various pro-government forces. However, there could be some hidden terms and conditions behind the deal that may appear later. There is a lack of info from Raqqah provinces because of a strict media censorship imposed by the Syrian military. Meanwhile, the SDF avoids publishing info about its contacts with the SAA.
According to pro-Kurdish sources, the continued advancing in Raqqah city, repelled an ISIS attack killing 35 terrorists and seized a major part of Hisham Ibn Abdulmalik district. Some problems faced during the battle for Raqqah may be one of the reasons behind the alleged deal with the SAA.
“Spheres of influence” is typical US bullshit.
What has Russia to gain by doing this? It reneges on its statement that Syrian national integrity is sacrosanct and it is for the people of Syria to decide its fate. It is a major loss for no gain.
Russia and Syria have set up a system for separating those who support a political solution from those that seek to use violence. The result is a concentration of terrorists in the Idlib dumping ground. The US unwittingly has gone on board with this by supporting the ceasefire in south west Syria. Once SAA/Russia crosses the Euphrates to liberate the Arab towns of al Hasakah and al Qamishli from the tender ethnic cleansing mercies of the Kurds and the foreign mercenaries forming the Syria Defense Force (note ‘Syria’ not ‘Syrian’ as the SDF are largely foreign), the same established principle will be used.
If you want to see real spheres of influence, here is a Russian military map of the 4th de-escalation zone close to the Golan. What do you see? The Golan is Syrian all the way to the Sea of Galillee. The is the long term goal.
https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/colonelcassad/19281164/1221115/1221115_900.jpg
Looking Ahead: Controlling Both Sides of the Euphrates?
“… I do not expect any major offensive against al Bukamal, without the Iraq border protection it would be too risky and partially suicidal, the SAA and allies have more eggs to boil in Der ez Zor at the moment.
There is a growing theory that the Tiger Forces and allies will lift the siege of Der ez Zor and a force would cross the Euphrates toward the Iraq border and the oil wells in Der ez Zor, thus blocking SDF and ISIS, controlling both sides of the Euphrates and then, later one approach al Bukamal and the other ISIS presence in lower Euphrates from several directions.
That would give the PMU time to clear Tal Afra, Hawija and then the rest of Nineveh and Anbar.”
Al Sukhanah Liberated.
“… Confirmed, the 5th Corp entering al Sukhanah right now, it seems ISIS could not defend the town without the control NW hills.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=34.888466&lon=38.879929&z=13&m=b
This is great news for Syria and the thousands of people in Der ez Zor. One aspect of al Sukhanah is that it is one of the last important high ground toward Der ez Zor from this axis, most of the area ahead is flat desert with some wadis around.”
“… The implication of a safe al Sukhanah is devastating for ISIS in central Syria, ISIS will be blocked inside Homs and Hama and their defenses will collapse very fast after that.
On another side, the frontline will be tremendously reduced and with much more fire power concentrated to lift the siege of DeZ in the next few days.
All eyes on the confirmation of al Tabiyah liberation as well, then it would be the last exit from ISIS form central Homs/Hama.”
New Heroes.
“… It must be daunting for ISIS to deal with so many attacking axis at once, the tactic used by the SAA and allies lately is simply remarkable, a mix of blitzkrieg and out manoeuvring.
The war of aggression against the Syrians, Iraqis, Lebanese, Yemenis and Libyans are showing us new heroes and tactics, from the impressive Houtis destroying 1st world tanks with bare foot, Hizballah destroying a large al Qaeda group in a high mountain in 4 days, taking 19 KIA and killing over 200 hundreds, see the Tiger’s devastating flanking and out flanking tactics beating what was called the invincible desert rats (ISIS), it is impressive to see the wins and moreover it is impressive to see the several battle hardened armies that will most likely dominate the ME and north Africa for the next decade or so, the kind of experience these heroes are gathering is unique.
Deir Ezzor by the End of Next Week…
”… The latest official news are just confirming what was shared about a week ago, that the Tiger forces have advanced deep into the desert toward Der ez Zor in parallel move to the river and away from the cities there.
Hard to precise where the Tiger Forces front line is right now, but it seems solid and shaped as in the map below. By end of next week DeZ siege will be lifted.”
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.597019&lon=40.001221&z=10&m=b&gz=0;395590209;353873706;1318359;2688098;1730346;2336531;3089904;458898;3996276;0;2815246;11195;0;2135566
In this enjoyable lifestream SouthFront talks to Kevork Almassian, a native of Aleppo who lives since two years in Germany and runs the excellent Syriana Analysis. Outstanding free journalism. Respect!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oW_XcD33Z0
Something New!
Russian Artillery Units At Frontline With ISIS Terrorists In Syria
https://southfront.org/photos-russian-artillery-units-at-frontline-with-isis-terrorists-in-syria/
There are five 152 mm howitzer 2A65 (M1987), Maximum firing range 18 mi., with Russian crew.
Technically: In my opinion the presence of these high caliber cannons is just field practice for Russian artillery units.
Politically: Russian Army is involved directly in ground operations in Syria.
Are the Kurds making a move to get to DZ first?
“… No they are not, they have not the available forces to do it, and believe it would create a undesired (for them) situation of the Iraq PMU to entry Syria to take it first.
Important to note that Der ez Zor oil fields are the most productive and the larger oil fields in all Syria.
But we never know what the US regime has in mind regarding their puppet soldiers.”
The Liberation of Al Sukanah.
“… Al Sukhanah is a main crossroad, 4 key roads cross this city, call it SE, NE, NW and SW.
1) The NW hills were completely liberated, like Tulul’-el’-Kuriyat and Tulul’-el’-Mukhtafiya among others, while Mount Dahiq is not confirmed, this is a critical high ground in the area.
2) With the control of the two hills above “tululs”, the road from al Sukhanah to Hama/Homs through the mountains is cut off completely. (this is NW road). Technically, we can say ISIS in Homs and Hama are cut off from ISIS in the Euphrates, though the pocket is not completely sealed it is technically done.
3) The SW open ground is completely safe, the SAA and allies have reported control of the al Thania CP, al Safra, the Pomona Orchard and have entered the city by SW corner. This confirms complete control of the SW road (main highway).
4) There is no news or evidence that the SAA controls Jabal Tuntur, that is a high ground above the city and without the control of it, any attempt to control the city will be only temporally until this hill is safe.
5) The NE road is controlled by the Tiger higher up near al Kawm Oasis, but Mt Bishri is not completely under the Tiger control yet.
6) That leaves the SE road still open for ISIS to retreat, the road to al Shulah and Der ez Zor, based on the SAA position at the Pomona Orchard, the allied forces were only 3 kms from cutting it off, sealing the security of al Sukhanah.
As per previous key towns, such as Deir Hafer, Maskaneh, Resafa etc. ISIS must have booby trapped the city all over, it will take few days to clear it all, but 1st the control of Jabal Tuntur must be confirmed.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=34.901419&lon=38.836670&z=12&m=b
No matter what, the battle for al Sukhanah is, strategically, all but over, mop up and securing perimeter will be the key aspect moving forward. A key sign of a strong perimeter will be when the Najib & Doubayat gas fields are fully under the SAA, that would guarantee a strong defensive line against any ISIS raid from Mayaden or al Shulah.”
Euphrates.
“… Meanwhile, the Tiger Forces and the Raqqa tribal forces are rolling up north in the direction fo Der ez Zor, the Tiger Forces advancing in the desert area while the tribal force negotiating and liberating villages by the Euphrates, they crossed Raqqa-Der ez Zor Provinces and are a south of Maadan, somewhere inside the red box below. “
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.666222&lon=39.645538&z=11&m=b&gz=0;394800567;355665841;439453;1528950;0;0;1634216;61437;1476287;1121888