The first month of 2021 was marked by a new round of violence in Syria. The situation was especially complicated in Greater Idlib, northern Aleppo and in the central desert.
On January 8, ISIS terrorists launched a large attack on government forces in the eastern countryside of Hama. After a series of clashes with the Syrian Army and pro-government militias, terrorists captured a number of positions near the towns of Rahjan and al-Shakusiyah. As of January 12, ISIS cells retreated from these positions under pressure from the army. Nonetheless, at least 19 government troops and 12 ISIS members were killed in the clashes.
Meanwhile in the eastern countryside of Homs, ISIS cells destroyed a pickup of the al-Quds Brigade, a Palestinian pro-government group, with an improvised explosive device. According to pro-opposition sources, at least 44 pro-government fighters have been killed in the clashes in the desert area since the start of the year. The number of the eliminated terrorists is reportedly over 35.
Sources affiliated with Russia-linked private military contractors claim that the deterioration of the security situation in western Deir Ezzor is a result of the withdrawal of a majority of Russian specialists from the area.
At the same time, Iranian-backed forces continue their work to expand the Imam Ali Base near al-Bukamal. The base, operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is allegedly designed store precision-guided missiles in a network of underground tunnels in the area. The base was repeatedly targeted by Israeli and even US strikes in 2019 and 2020. Despite this, the strikes did not cause any major impact as the base’s military infrastructure has been steadily expanding.
January 9 also became the first day of 2021 when the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out strikes on terrorist targets in Greater Idlib. Strikes hit several hills in outskirts of the town of Kabani, which is known for being stronghold of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party. A day earlier, forces of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shelled Syrian Army positions in northern Lattakia injuring several soldiers.
These developments coincided with some strikes by some ‘mysterious aircraft’ that once again bombed Turkish-linked oil smugglers in northern Aleppo. This time the infrastructure of the smugglers was destroyed near the village of Tarhin.
The situation in neighboring Iraq is also not stable. Just on January 9, 3 supply convoys of the US-led coalition became targets of IED attacks in the central and southern regions of the country. These attacks are a logical continuation of the ongoing standoff between the US-Israeli bloc and the Iranian-led Axis of Resistance. Iranian-backed forces in Iraq conduct these attacks as a part of their campaign to force the US to withdraw its forces from the country.
While some expect that a Biden administration would be less interested in an increase of confrontation with Iran, there are no indications that the sides can fully settle their contradictions in any way in the nearest future. Therefore, the entire region will remain a battleground for the warring blocs.
“These developments coincided with some strikes by some ‘mysterious aircraft’ that once again bombed Turkish-linked oil smugglers in northern Aleppo”
Mysterious, huh? Perhaps russians are field-testing S-70 Okhotnik-B?
More likely Orion armed UAV’s….. these ones were delivered to the forces in the last weeks.
Israel been seriously bombing Der Ezzour region via flight plan over al tanf and making their presence known over Lebabon last few days….seemingly lots more USA coalition supplying and reinforcing convoys are happening more consistently in north east too…..Israelis acting even more in concert with USA to seal off the northeast??????? SDF seem to be be in a bit of a pickle by perhaps themselves still occaisionally assassinating sheik leaders of tribes that are opposed to SDF and want them and USA gone….and SDF causing trouble with locals….theiving motorbikes…enforced conscription .Russia in negotiation with one more tribe…..that looks hopeful.
It seems high time some other powerful and law-abiding nations helped Syria to defend itself. I can think of several nations that could provide a lot of well-trained soldiers.
It would be a good idea if enemy aircraft entering Syrian air space could be sure of being shot down.
This is front page nuclear news, but b/c the political crisis rages as its political capitol is swept under the rug and the bad news of the day goes unnoticed.
Are you all enjoying your latest South Front War Porn?
What is to be made of an incorrectly formatted quote (i.e. mysterious aircraft) without any reference to a source? At a minimum, it can be considered as non-substantiated.
Are people really not familiar with the aircraft identification technique referred to as WEFT Characteristics (i.e. Wings, Engine, Fuselage, and Tail)? Wasn’t that one of the first things learned in initial military training? What, exactly, is the mystery?
“Therefore, the entire region will remain a battleground for the warring blocs.”
What’s with this attempted manifestation of bad times ahead? Is the statement not indicative of a god complex? Are readers supposed to say “Amen”, “So be it”, or “Let it be so”? Have the South Front gods of war spoken, giving their edict? Do they cross their fingers and toes when making such pronouncements? Perhaps sitting in a lotus position while reciting a mantra is their preference.
South Front continues with its passive anti-Iranian stance (i.e. You don’t have to say anything negative about Iran. Just never say anything nice).