A Russian Su-24 strike aircraft in the sky over the Khmeimim airbase in Syria. Photo: Dmitriy Vinogradov / RIA Novosti
Warplanes of the Russian Aerospace Forces launched late on May 22 a series of airstrikes against targets in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib, which is occupied by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies.
The airstrikes hit the town of Kabani in the northern Lattakia countryside as well as the towns of Ehsim, Ruweiha and Shnan in the southern countryside of Idlib.
The targets were reportedly underground headquarters of HTS and its allies. The losses caused by the airstrikes remain unknown.
This was the first wave of Russian airstrikes to hit Greater Idlib in well over a month. The airstrikes were likely a response to ceasefire violations by HTS and its allies. The ceasefire in the region was brokered by Russia and Turkey more than four years ago.
In recent months, HTS and its allies stepped up attacks from Greater Idlib on nearby government-held areas in violation of the ceasefire.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies have been responding mainly with artillery and FPV drone strikes. Dozens of militants, including prominent commanders, have been killed or wounded.
The situation in Greater Idlib remains unstable. Nevertheless, the SAA and its allies will not likely launch a ground operation in the region any time soon as this could lead to a dangerous confrontation with Turkey who maintains large forces there.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
