Click to see full-size image. Via X.
Militants occupying the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib attempted to shoot down an An-30 reconnaissance plane of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) on October 13.
The militant fired two anti-aircraft missiles at An-30 while it was flying over the region. However, both missiles exploded far away from the plane which didn’t sustain any damage and continued its flight. Photos showing the plane and blasts from the two missiles were posted to social networks.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, was likely behind the failed attempt. The terrorist group is known to be in possession of different types of man-portable anti-aircraft systems.
The An-30 is equipped with a complex camera system and can carry other reconnaissance devices. It is typically used for photo mapping.
Click to see full-size image. Via X.
The incident came amid reports of a plan by HTS and its allies in Greater Idlib to launch a large-scale attack against the Syrian military in order to take advantage of the distraction caused by the ongoing Israeli war on both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
The An-30 was likely on a mission to gather intelligence on the movements of militants near the frontlines in Greater Idlib. The VSK intensified its flights over the region in the last few days in an apparent threat to HTS and its allies. The Syrian military also deployed reinforcements around the region.
Any attack from Greater Idlib would directly serve the interests of both Israel and the United States as it will put more pressure on the Syrian military and its allies.
Russian intelligence also warned recently that the secret services of the Kiev regime were active in Greater Idlib, providing arms to HTS and recruiting terrorists to fight in Ukraine.
Turkey, which maintains a large force in Greater Idlib, has reportedly asked HTS not to launch an attack and respect the ceasefire signed more than four years ago. However, the Syrian military and its allies, including Russia, appear to be preparing for a fierce battle.
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