https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-march-15-2018-militant-advance-northern-hama-ends-failure/
On March 14, ten so-called “moderate opposition” groups launched a large-scale attack on positions of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in northern Hama and captured the villages of al-Hamamiyat and Karnaz.
According to a released statement, the attack was dubbed “Wrath of Ghouta” and aimed at assisting militants suffering setbacks in battle against the SAA in the Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta. Later, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham also announced via its Iba’a news agency that its members had supported the groups involved in the advance.
However, by the evening, Wrath of Ghouta had turned to be a failure for the so-called moderate opposition. The SAA retook Karnaz and al-Hamamiyat, captured a battle tank and, according to pro-government sources, killed up to 50 militants.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Ghouta itself, the SAA, the Tiger Forces and other pro-government factions liberated a half of Jisreen, reached the vicinity of Hamouriyah and entered the industrial area south of Douma. On March 15, the SAA continued its advance aiming to liberate and secure Jisreen and to tighten the siege on Douma.
The Turkish Army and the Free Syrian Army captured the villages of Al-Nira and Kafr Shil from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the Afrin area. However, Turkish forces did not advance on the road linking the city of Afrin and the government-held part of Aleppo province.
The Turkish media has released a series of videos showing YPG members preventing civilians from leaving the city of Afrin. Ankara says that this is a clear evidence that the YPG uses locals as human shields. Pro-YPG sources deny these claims.
Separately, on March 14, the Turkish military struck a checkpoint of the government’s National Defense Forces (NDF) in Nubl-Zahraa. 8 NDF members were killed. The NDF responded by shelling Turkish positions with Grad rockets.
Nikki Haley is gonna be so mad with you guys for killing her terrorists! Good job! Thanks for your great work!
Where did these guys get a battle tank?
What I admire about the Syria forces plus the allies how they keep improving the longer the war continues – setbacks are recovered quickly now.
They are a formidable force in the Middle East.
Mailman here. The policy of reconciliation, pursued assiduously by Dr.Assad and President Putin — despite much criticism for “foolish lenience” from their followers — has again proved its wisdom:
From AMN BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:10 A.M.) – According to preliminary reports from Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Jaysh Al-Islam have reached a reconciliation agreement in the East Ghouta.
The reports claim that the Syrian Army and Jaysh Al-Islam agreed to terms of a reconciliation agreement that would have the latter turn their heavy weapons into the government and Russian military.
Furthermore, seven rules were established:
Jaysh Al-Islam will agree to their release prisoners in Douma, including those from the Syrian Army.
Jaysh Al-Islam will hand over all of their heavy weapons to the government.
Jaysh Al-Islam will give the government and army full access roads to Douma; this will allow the wounded to be transported to local hospitals.
Those militants in Douma will decide whether they will go to Idlib, Daraa, or stay in the East Ghouta to settle their cases with the state.
Food staples and aid will enter Douma and a local police unit will be formed by civil leaders in the district.
State Institutions will start to work inside Douma after a “short period”. The basic services of water, electricity and sewage system will take priority.
Individual arms ownership will be organized within existing laws governing administered by the State.
The military source added that the Russians have mediated the terms between both parties.
[ “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” ― Abraham Lincoln ]
“Jaysh al Islam seems to have accepted the deal. Douma will be free. Rats on southern Ghouta are so toast.”
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-early-reports-indicate-jaysh-al-islam-syrian-army-reached-agreement-in-east-ghouta/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=push&utm_campaign=push+notifications&utm_content=English
“[…] backstage deals about Douma involving Russia, KSA and Syria. The deal is almost done. The recent RGs advance and full liberation of ar Rayhan (east of Douma) was the nail in JAI coffin, a sort of a checkmate, to put in a perspective the battle for ar Rayhan started in late 2015…yep 3 years and the terrorists defended it as best as possible, and most recently since day 1 of Damascus Steel ops, ar Rayhan was defended at any cost.
Back to the deal, it is a modified version of the deal in Wadi Barada and Darayya.
1) Cease fire and immediate release of all prisoners (civilians and SAA-and there are many, could be high hundreds).
2) Syrian Red Crescent would have free access to the city and bring medicine and food.
3) The terrorists have to give up all heavy weapons at once.
4) The terrorists and their family may opt to stay and reconcile, go to Idlib or go to Daraa.
5) The area would continue to be off limit, meaning under siege for 3 months before people could freely walk in and out of it.
The above was expected once Douma was cut off, it is predictable and expected by the Syrian Government. The deal, if closed, will be announced tomorrow or during the weekend.
The southern part of Ghouta has a different dynamics, but way less terrorists, with the TFs and RGs storming city by city, the terrorists won’t be able to defend areas that were never fortified before, meanwhile with estimated 20,000 civilians that left Hamouyiah today, a lot of intel will be gathered (as it happened in Aleppo) on tunnels and hide outs), making easier for the TFs to hunt down one by one.” (Canthama)
Chinook Down.
“Reports indicate that a US Chinook helicopter crashed near the phosphate plant Al-Qa’im, western Anbar. Nbrs of dead is not yet final,at least 7 US military killed.
It is very likely that it was a malfunction, weather in Syriaq has been good and bad for months and it could have impacted the chopper.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=34.283035&lon=41.160278&z=12&m=b
On another subject, I very much believe we will see many more “accidents” between 2018-2019 with US planes, not only due to the over use and age, but also due to the Resistance attacks. It is clear to all that the US will not be allowed to stay in Syria at will, it will suffer as the US suffered in ‘Nam, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan etc…US military will die much more frequently.
In Iraq, the discussion regarding NATO troops in the country is on going, believe Abadi won’t tack quick decision on that, but the subject has traction in Iraq congress and Abadi can be pushed toward, but then election is coming and the future is uncertain on who will lead Iraq.” (Canthama)