Military events and political news. Did Russia save Bashar or was it involved in a new Afghanistan? Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed seven ISIS commanders in Syria, - Ministry of Defense
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Syria, October 3. SDF killed 30 IS 1 terrorists in Deir ez-Zor, residents Zamalki threaten to seize the group's food warehouses "Faylaq ar-Rahman" Due to high food prices, militants are shelling the peaceful settlements of Quneitra (FAN) in Syria Ahmad Marzouk(Ahmad Marzouq).
Russian Aerospace Forces: ensure the promotion of the SAA in Deir ez-Zor.
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and allied forces: They are shelling militant positions in Damascus and Quneitra.
"Islamic State": suffers losses in Deir ez-Zor, loses positions in Raqqa.
"Faylaq ar-Rahman": provoked a protest in Zamalka.
Kurds: killed 30 ISIS terrorists in Deir ez-Zor, advancing to Raqqa.
International coalition: struck the Al-Tawasiya neighborhood in Raqqa.
Damascus Province
Residents of the village Shutting down demonstrated against rising food prices. According to the Damascus Now news agency, the Syrians are threatening to seize the group's food warehouses. "Faylaq ar-Rahman", which controls this area of Eastern Ghouta.
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) continues to shell the positions of militants of radical groups in the areas of Duma, Ain Tarma and Khosh al-Salihiyya. One of the local sources reported this on his microblog on Twitter (@ShahbaPress).
Aleppo Province
Radical militants opened fire on a truck carrying gas cylinders in the Al-Ghufran mosque area in the city of Aleppo. According to a local source in social network Twitter (@nour.akkam.9), one of the cylinders exploded, causing a fire on the street of the administrative center of the region. There are no reports of casualties among the local population.
Humanitarian cargo from Iran also arrived in the regional capital, reports a source on Twitter (@sayed_ridha). 200 tons of food and basic necessities were delivered to Aleppo for the residents of the province.
Deir ez-Zor Province
Fighters Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) liberated 1 settlement of Lidzha from ISIS terrorists, one of the sources reports on his microblog on Twitter (@ClaudiaAlMina). The author of the publication notes that during the cleansing of the settlement, the militias eliminated 30 Islamic State radicals 1 . Earlier it was reported that the Al-Kubar area northwest of the city of Deir ez-Zor came under the control of Kurdish forces.
At that time Syrian Arab Army(SAA), under the cover of the Russian Aerospace Forces, continues to clear two parallel highways from Deir ez-Zor from IS terrorists Al-Mayadeen.
Twitter channel (@ClaudiaAlMina) reports that Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) advance in eastern Raqqa. The author of the publication also reports that Kurdish militia fighters destroyed a group of Islamic State terrorists who tried to penetrate the Semra settlement.
One of the military sources in the city of Raqqa reports on his Twitter account (@Botamba5) that the Air Force international coalition carried out a number of attacks on the Al-Tawasia quarter. Earlier it was reported that over the past 24 hours, 69 civilians have been killed in Raqqa under the fire of aircraft of the anti-terrorist alliance led by the United States.
Quneitra Province
Radical opposition militants are shelling the peaceful settlements of Ayub and Jeb in the suburbs El Quneitra. Writes about this information Agency Damascus Now on its Twitter page (@now_damascus).
One of the military sources on the social network Facebook (@mrkazgolan784) reports that Syrian Arab Army(SAA) is shelling the positions of anti-government forces in the area of the settlements of Naba al-Sakhr and Mashara using heavy artillery.
Iraq
The leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan has announced its readiness to hold parliamentary and presidential elections, Alsumaria News reports, noting that voting is scheduled for November 1. Let us recall that on September 25, the authorities of the Kurdish autonomy scheduled a referendum on the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan. According to the voting results, more than 90% of the population supported the creation of a new state.
Alsumaria News reports that 222 Iraqi refugees have returned from the Syrian Al-Hol camp to their homes in the province Ninewa.
Syria, October 3. The SAA, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, liberates two parallel roads from Deir ez-Zor to ISIS 1 Al-Mayadeen, 20 Raqqa civilians were killed by air force strikes international coalition, terrorists burned down seven ISIS media centers in Hawije. A military source reports this Federal News Agency(FAN) in Syria Ahmad Marzouk(Ahmad Marzouq).
Briefly about the results of the confrontation
Russian Aerospace Forces: support the SAA in the fight against ISIS in Homs, ensure clearing of terrorists from Deir ez-Zor, and strike at An-Nusra in Idlib.
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and allied forces: They are shelling militant positions in Eastern Ghouta and, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, they are advancing into Deir ez-Zor.
"Islamic State": counterattacked SDF in Raqqa, retreats to Deir ez-Zor.
Kurds: are shelling IS positions and have lost the Al-Fardos neighborhood in Raqqa.
International coalition: Strikes Raqqa, killing 20 civilians.
Openstreetmap.org / Federal News Agency
Damascus Province
On the territory of the Eastern Ghouta oasis Syrian Arab Army(SAA) continues to strike positions of militants of radical formations. Ghouta Media Center reports that the artillery of the SAR army is shelling the deployment zones of anti-government formations in the Aktai settlement. In addition, the Damascus Now news agency reports on its Twitter account (@now_damascus) that the Syrian Air Force is striking militant fortifications in the area Beit Jinn.
Earlier it was reported that in the southeast of Damascus province the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is confronting the group "Jaish Usud al-Sharqiya". During the fighting, Syrian army soldiers eliminated dozens of radicals, including two field commanders of the anti-government formation.
Homs Province
Near "Akerbat Cauldron" terrorists "Islamic State" 1 continue to make attempts to counterattack positions Syrian Arab Army(SAA). A local source on the social network Twitter (@now_damascus) reports that clashes between government troops and radical Islamist detachments were recorded in the north of the village of Umm ar-Rish. The Syrian army, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, is repelling attacks by ISIS terrorists, maintaining its positions in the region. Also, an attack by Islamic State militants was repelled by the SAR army, supported by Russian aviation, in the settlement of Abu Hanaya.
Deir ez-Zor Province
The Russian Aerospace Forces continue to ensure advancement Syrian Arab Army(SAA) in Deir ez-Zor province. A military source on Twitter (@Tigerforces01) writes that the SAR army, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, is clearing ISIS 1 terrorists from two parallel highways leading from the administrative center of the province of Deir ez-Zor to Al-Mayadin. Under the pressure of targeted strikes by Russian aviation, radical Islamists are retreating.
The Military Telegram channel (@NRVR11) writes that the Russian Aerospace Forces are striking the zones of deployment of Islamic State militants in the areas of the settlements of Al-Muhsin, Abulayl, Abu Omar and Bakras.
Idlib Province
Russian aviation continues to strike the zones of deployment of the radical Tahrir al-Sham coalition, controlled by militants Jabhat al-Nusra 1, in the province of Idlib. Damascus Now reports on its Facebook page (@dimashq.now) that the Russian Aerospace Forces are hitting Islamist positions in the southeast of the region. According to the news agency, as a result of the combat mission of Russian pilots, seven Tahrir al-Sham militants were neutralized.
Earlier it was reported that several civilians in the city of Addana were injured as a result of the detonation of an improvised explosive device planted by radical militants in a garbage container.
Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) are shelling terrorist positions "Islamic State" near the stadium in the city of Raqqa. The news agency Raqqa 24 writes about this. Fights between Kurdish militias and radical Islamists are also observed in the area of the An-Nawawi mosque. A military source on Twitter (@Q_Alenezy) reports that the casualties on both sides amount to about 20 people. Also, the Twitter channel (@ImadShamsy) reports that IS terrorists captured most of the Al-Fardos quarter, using “jihad mobiles” against the SDF.
Air Force international coalition attacked residential areas of Raqqa. According to a local source on Twitter (@ImadShamsy), the airstrike killed 20 civilians in the city. In addition, air strikes from the US-led alliance disabled two wells that supplied water to several neighborhoods.
Iraq
The Alsumaria News news agency reports that the Iraqi army, together with units people's militia launched a large-scale operation to identify and destroy sleeper cells of the “Islamic State” in the area of the village of Baqubah in the province Diyala.
Terrorists burned down seven Islamic State media centers located in the city Hawija, writes Alsumaria News. According to the news agency, documents containing information about the identities of terrorists belonging to the IS command in Hawija were kept in the burned headquarters.
Facebook.com/@raqqaliberation
Syria, October 3. The IS 1 commander, accompanied by three terrorists, fled from Deir ez-Zor to Kurdish-controlled territories, the YPG forcibly mobilized three civilians Hasaki, an FSA vehicle hit a mine in Daraa, a military source reports Federal News Agency(FAN) in Syria Ahmad Marzouk(Ahmad Marzouq).
Briefly about the results of the confrontation
Russian Aerospace Forces: support the SAA in Hama and Homs.
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and allied forces: with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, they are fighting with Al-Nusra in Hama.
"Islamic State": opened fire on peaceful neighborhoods of Deir ez-Zor, uses families of militants as human shields in Al-Mayadeen.
"Tahrir al-Sham" : confronts the SAA in Hama.
Syrian Free Army(FSA): Opposing IS in Daraa province.
Kurds: Forcibly mobilized three civilians from Hasakah.
Openstreetmap.org / Federal News Agency
Homs Province
One of the military sources on the social network Twitter (@PalmyraRev1) reports that to the east and south of Es Sukhneh there are fights between Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and "Islamic State" 1. Let us recall that ISIS 1 terrorists are attacking the positions of government troops in the east of the provinces of Homs and Hama in order to divert the attention of the Syrian army from the campaign to liberate Deir ez-Zor from ISIS. Government troops support the Russian Aerospace Forces. It was previously reported that Russian air strikes on radical Islamist zones caused significant damage to the terrorist organization.
Deir ez-Zor Province
Terrorists "Islamic State" opened fire on peaceful neighborhoods of the Al-Qusur district in Deir ez-Zor. According to a local source on Twitter (@ilyes768), 10 civilians of the unofficial capital of the “Caliphate” were injured as a result of the shelling of radical Islamists.
One of the Islamic State commanders, accompanied by three other terrorists, fled from Deir ez-Zor to territories controlled by Kurdish paramilitary forces in the province Hasakah. Almanar News reports this. The news agency also writes that in the vicinity Al-Mayadeen Radical Islamists use their families as human shields during air strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
Daraa Province
Automobile Free Syrian Army(SSA) was blown up by a mine planted near a road in the Daraa Al-Balad area, Smart News Agency reports. Earlier it was reported that militants of the “free army” discovered and cleared a bomb planted by unknown persons under the car of the group commander Jaysh al-Yarmouk.
In the west of Daraa province, the confrontation between the FSA and ISIS terrorists continues. The settlements of Het and Sahm al-Jolan are at the epicenter of the clashes.
Hama Province
In the north of Hama province, confrontation continues between Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and militants of anti-government groups. A military source writes in his microblog on Twitter (@islamnedaa3) that the Syrian army is shelling radical positions in the vicinity of the city Al-Latamina. Earlier it was reported that in the northern part of the region, the army of Bashar al-Assad, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, is fighting the radical Islamists of the Tahrir al-Sham group, led by militants Jabhat al-Nusra 1. Russian aviation continues to strike areas where radicals are located, causing significant damage to Tahrir al-Sham.
Hasakah Province
To the southern part of the province Hasakah a shipment of weapons and ammunition has arrived from the United States, writes a local source on the social network Facebook (@AlhaskaVoice).
Kurdish fighters People's Self-Defense Units(YPG) arrested three civilians from the village of Ras al-Ayn, writes one of the military sources on the social network Twitter (@soheb1199). According to the author of the publication, young people were forcibly sent to military service. Earlier it was reported that armed confrontation had resumed in the south of Hasakah between Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) and ISIS terrorists.
Iraq
In the province Kirkuk The military operation of Iraqi government forces to liberate the city from IS continues Hawija. Earlier it was reported that Iraqi army soldiers, together with militia fighters, liberated a number of settlements in the nearest suburbs of Hawija from terrorists. During the cleanup, 200 Islamic State radicals were killed. Alsumaria News reports that the squad members "Hashd al-Shaabi" liberated the village of Hamira from radical Islamists. In addition, the military Telegram channel (@teamsmediawar_1) reports that militia forces managed to clear the Al-Fatah area south of Hawija from ISIS terrorists.
Syria, October 3. Under attack by the Air Force international coalition four civilians in Raqqa were killed, Tahrir al-Sham militants arrested a man in Idlib for criticizing the group’s actions, the SDF released eight militants from captivity Jaysh al-Islam V Afrin. A military source reports this Federal News Agency(FAN) in Syria Ahmad Marzouk(Ahmad Marzouq).
Briefly about the results of the confrontation
Russian Aerospace Forces: strike Tahrir al-Sham in Aleppo, bomb IS 1 in the east of Hama and Homs, ensure the advance of the SAA in Deir ez-Zor.
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and allied forces: confront militants in Damascus, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, repulse IS attacks in the east of Homs and advance to Deir ez-Zor.
"Islamic State": suffers losses in Deir ez-Zor, announced the killing of 10 SDF fighters in Raqqa, and continues to shell Salamiyah.
"Tahrir al-Sham" : arrested a resident of Idlib and caused protests in Aleppo.
Syrian Free Army(FSA): opposed to ISIS in the west of Daraa province,
Kurds: released eight Jaysh al-Islam militants from captivity in Afrin and are advancing in the northwest of Deir ez-Zor.
International coalition: Strikes Raqqa, killing four civilians.
Openstreetmap.org / Federal News Agency
Damascus Province
In the areas bordering Jordan in the southeast of Damascus province, fighting continues between Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and militants of the group "Jaish Usud al-Sharqiya". According to Almanar News, 10 border posts came under the control of the Syrian army. The news agency also reports that as a result of the confrontation, the anti-government formation lost several people killed and wounded, including SAR army soldiers who eliminated two militant field commanders. According to military sources, the strength of the opposition group in southeast Damascus is approximately 120 fighters.
Aleppo Province
The Russian Aerospace Forces launched a series of attacks on the zones of deployment of the radical group Tahrir al-Sham in the west of Aleppo province. This was reported by the military Telegram channel (@NRVR11).
It was previously reported that large-scale rallies were held in the western part of the region against the presence of radical militants controlled by "Jabhat al-Nusra" 1. Residents of the settlements of Darat Izza, Al-Atareb and Kafr Hamra took part in the protest.
IN Afrin fighters Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) released eight militants of the group from captivity Jaysh al-Islam. Almanar News reports this, citing a source in the ranks of the command of the anti-government armed formation.
Homs Province
In the east of Homs province, attempts by ISIS 1 terrorists to attack positions continue to be observed Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and divert the attention of government troops from the liberation operation in Deir ez-Zor. Local sources report that effective work The Russian Aerospace Forces allows the troops of Bashar al-Assad to repel attacks from the Islamic State. In addition, as a result of the fighting, the Islamic State is suffering significant losses in equipment and manpower.
The Smart News news agency reports that the artillery of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), based in Katibat Al Handasa, is shelling the positions of radical opposition groups in the city area Ar-Rastan. Earlier it was reported that mutual shelling between radicals was recorded in the vicinity of the village of Tall Bissa in the north of Homs province Jabhat al-Nusra and the Syrian army.
Deir ez-Zor Province
The Russian Aerospace Forces, together with the Syrian Air Force, carry out targeted strikes on fortifications and headquarters "Islamic State" in Deir ez-Zor province. Almanar News reports that Allied aircraft are bombing terrorist zones in the areas of Al-Muhasan, Sida Bin Muene and Tibat Shamiya, as well as in the outskirts of the city Al-Mayadeen. According to the news agency, dozens of terrorists were killed as a result of the combat mission. In addition, Russian and Syrian pilots destroyed several pieces of Islamic State equipment.
At this time, to the northwest of the city of Deir ez-Zor, fighters continue to develop their offensive Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF). According to Almanar News, the Al-Kubar region came under the control of Kurdish forces.
Daraa Province
Confrontation between militants continues in the western part of Daraa province Free Syrian Army(FSA) and terrorists Jaysh Khalid ibn Al-Walid related to "Islamic State" 1. According to the Almanar News news agency, the settlements of Het and Sahm al-Jolan are at the epicenter of the hostilities.
At this time, in the east of the region, militants of the “free army” discovered and cleared a bomb planted by unknown persons under the car of the group commander Jaysh al-Yarmouk. Almanar News writes about this.
Idlib Province
In the administrative center of Idlib province, militants of the radical Tahrir al-Sham coalition arrested a local resident for criticizing the group’s actions. This was reported by the Almanar News news agency.
In the city of Addana in northern Idlib, two civilians were seriously injured when an improvised explosive device planted in a garbage container detonated. One of the local sources writes about this on his microblog on Twitter (@AEJKhalil).
Terrorists "Islamic State" claim that they killed 10 fighters in the battles in the city of Raqqa Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF), and eight Kurdish militia snipers were wounded. The radical Islamist message was published by a military source on Telegram (@NRVR11).
Almanar News reports that the new Air Force strike international coalition Four civilians were killed in residential areas of Raqqa. Earlier, local sources reported that 45 civilians were killed under air strikes from the US-led alliance.
Hama Province
In the area of the settlement Sokha Clashes continue between Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and terrorists of the Islamic State. The Almanar News news agency reports that as a result of hostilities, soldiers of the SAR army, under the cover of the Russian Aerospace Forces, neutralized several dozen terrorists "Islamic State".
The Russian Aerospace Forces continue to carry out targeted strikes on the zones of deployment of radical Islamists in the east of the province of Hama. According to local media reports, the effective work of the Russian Aerospace Forces ensured the liberation of several settlements from IS.
At the same time, Islamic State militants continue to fire rockets at the city. Salamia. Military sources report that many civilians are being injured as a result of the terrorists' actions.
Tsk.tr / Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri
Syria, October 3. The leaders of ISIS 1 will redeploy Inghimasi units and suicide bombers near Deir ez-Zor. The Turkish army intensified shelling of Kurdish positions in the north of Aleppo province. Jaysh Al-Islam militants***** are threatening to attack Syrian Air Force aircraft with American missile systems, reports a military source of the Federal News Agency (FAN) in Syria Ahmad Marzouq.
Briefly about the results of the confrontation
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and allied forces: found themselves under fire from the Army of Islam in Eastern Ghouta; with the help of the Russian Aerospace Forces repelled two attacks by IS 1 in the outskirts Deir ez-Zor.
International coalition led by the United States: A US coalition airstrike on a residential area in Raqqa killed 45 civilians.
"Islamic State"(ISIS): shelling civilian areas Salamiya and other cities in the east Hams from rocket launchers; thrown under Deir ez-Zor suicide bombers, Ingimasi detachments, as well as a new batch of weapons and ammunition.
Jaysh Al-Islam: threatens to launch attacks from American anti-aircraft missile systems on Syrian Air Force aircraft east of Damascus.
"Jabhat Fatah al-Sham" 1*** (Jabhat al-Nusra): preparing to defend positions on the border with Turkey.
Kurds: came under fire from the Turkish army in the north of the province Aleppo.
Openstreetmap.org / Federal News Agency
Damascus Province
On the page of the anti-government group Jaysh Al-Islam on Twitter, information appeared that the militants of the group fired at the positions of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) near the village Khosh Ad-Dawahira, located in Eastern Ghouta 11 kilometers from Damascus.
In addition, the same source reports, the Army of Islam has deployed an American-made anti-aircraft missile system in the city area Thought, also located on the territory of the oasis. Thus, the militants are trying to prevent new airstrikes by the Syrian Air Force against their key targets in the area. It is noted that the air defense system operated by Jaysh Al-Islam is capable of destroying aircraft at an altitude of up to seven kilometers, with a destruction radius of 20 kilometers.
Meanwhile, militants of illegal armed groups, still resisting government troops, despite the regime without fire, continue to equip fortifications at their forward positions in the Ain Tarma and Jobar areas in anticipation of the next clashes with the SAA. This was reported by the Syrian portal Damascus Now. Let us remind you that the territories in the eastern suburbs of the capital have been occupied by militants almost from the very beginning of the Syrian conflict.
Detachments of the pro-American opposition group Jaysh Usud al-Sharqiya, remaining in the south of Damascus province near the border with Jordan, intend to maintain positions in the area of the Qabr El-Khatibe heights, according to the bandit’s website. It is noted that the militants are ready for active maneuvering actions as part of a new confrontation with the Syrian army. Military sources estimate that the group's strength in the region is approximately 120 fighters.
Aleppo Province
According to the Kurdish portal ARA News, the command of the Turkish army continues to actively supply illegal groups operating in the north of Aleppo province - Free Syrian Army(FSA)** and Ahrar al-Sham, which side with Ankara in the fight against the People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria. It is also noted that Turkish troops are systematically shelling strongholds of Kurdish fighters near the city Afrin, mainly at night and in the evening.
Militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra-led coalition 1 "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" meanwhile, they are preparing to defend their positions near the Turkish border in the provinces Aleppo and Idlib - at the Bab El-Hawa, Akrabat, Atma and Harim checkpoints. Let us remind you that Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and allied formations intend to prevent Turkish army units from entering the territories under their control. For this purpose, the leaders of the terrorist alliance sent about 1,700 militants to this area, military experts report.
Homs Province
Action "Islamic State" 1 made an attempt to capture the positions of Syrian troops in the city Es Sukhneh, located in the Homs province north of Palmyra. Thanks to the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the militant attack was repulsed.
The terrorists lost several units military equipment. It is also reported that significant casualties were suffered by IS militants during an unsuccessful attack on SAA positions.
Deir ez-Zor Province
Terrorists of the "Islamic State" made new attempts to attack the positions of government troops of the Syrian Arab Republic on the right bank of the Euphrates in the Deir ez-Zor area. About a hundred militants, supported by vehicles with large-caliber machine guns, twice tried to attack SAA strongholds near the heights in the south of the administrative center and not far from the crossing point of Syrian units to the left bank of the river. With the help of the Russian Aerospace Forces, government forces repelled both attacks, as a result of which IS units were forced to return to their original positions. At the same time, during the clashes, about 30 militants were neutralized, and several military pickup trucks of the terrorist group were also destroyed.
Thus, the Islamic State continues to stubbornly resist, hoping to hold onto the key oil-bearing area. To achieve this, the leaders of the organization continue to transfer weapons and ammunition to Deir ez-Zor, re-equip key positions and rotate forces on the front line. Thus, according to information that appeared in the closed ISIS chat on Telegram, the group’s positions near populated areas As-Suwar, Marrat, Jafra, Hasham, Harmošija and Kubar, elite Ingīmasi units and suicide bombers were redeployed. Mining was also organized highways in these areas in order to contain the further advance of Syrian troops.
Islamic State militants fired mortars at the Al-Qusur residential area in the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor. At least ten civilians were injured. Some of them are in serious condition, RIA Novosti reports.
The Twitter information channel (@MoroccanArab), in addition, reports that terrorists are improving their engineering positions and digging fortifications in the vicinity of the village of Khasham. Let us remind you that this locality recently came under the control of the government army of the Syrian Arab Republic thanks to the support of Russian military aviation.
A US strike on a residential area in Raqqa killed 45 civilians. Press TV reports this with reference to sources in the city.
According to the ANF News news agency, the fighters Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) eliminated 5 IS terrorists when they tried to escape from the city of Raqqa.
Hama Province
Detachments of the "Islamic State" surrounded by the SAA in the area Akerbata in the east of Hama province, they intensified shelling of peaceful areas of nearby cities in order to put pressure on the command of the Syrian army. Neighborhoods are subject to regular missile attacks Salamiya and Barry al-Sharqi, resulting in massive suffering for the local population.
The militants still hope to break through the blockade in this region. For this purpose, one of the leaders of ISIS, Abu Adnan, sent to Akerbat and the city area Jubb Al Jarrah additional militant groups, the news channel also reported on Twitter (@MoroccanArab).
With the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the Syrian military liberated several settlements from IS and eliminated a number of terrorists in the provinces of Hama and Homs. About this with reference to a source in
Syria, October 3. Residents of cities in western Aleppo demonstrated against Tahrir Al-Sham. Thanks to the Russian Aerospace Forces, ISIS 1 attack east of the city As-Sukhna in Homs was reflected. A suicide bombing occurred in Damascus, reports a military source of the Federal News Agency (FAN) in Syria Ahmad Marzouq.
Briefly about the results of the confrontation
Russian Aerospace Forces: carried out combat missions in the east of the province Homs; carried out airstrikes on ISIS 1 military targets in Deir ez-Zor.
Syrian Arab Army(SAA) and allied forces: exchanged fire with Tahrir Al-Sham northwest of Aleppo; with the help of the Russian Aerospace Forces repelled an ISIS attack east of As-Sukhny in the province Homs; Lost one of Hezbollah's commanders in a US coalition drone strike in the southeast Homs.
"Islamic State": organized a terrorist attack in the city Damascus; attempted to attack SAA positions east of the city As-Sukhna in the province Homs; lost military equipment as a result of air raids by the Russian Aerospace Forces in Homs; lost four villages near the city Hawija in the province Kirkuk V Iraq; suffered losses in battles with the Iraqi Armed Forces in the province Al Anbar.
Syrian Free Army** (FSA): attacked by unknown assailants near the city of Jarablus in the northern part Aleppo.
Tahrir Al-Sham: continued to fight the SAA in Eastern Ghouta; was subjected to airstrikes by the Syrian Air Force in the western part Damascus; under the pressure of the local population left the city of Darat Izza to the west of Aleppo.
Jaysh Al-Islam*****: suffered casualties during clashes with the SAA in the northeast Damascus.
Kurds: fought with IS in the area of the Al-Qasra settlement northwest Deir ez-Zor; continued clashes with IS in the Al-Fardos area in Raqqa; advanced to the village of Markada in the southern part of the province Hasakah; seized weapons of killed ISIS fighters in Raqqa.
International coalition: carried out strikes in support of the Kurds in the city Raqqa, as well as in the south of the province Hasakah, civilians were killed.
Openstreetmap.org / Federal News Agency
Damascus Province
In the Eastern Ghouta region, confrontation continued between government forces and various Islamist groups. As the opposition Twitter channel (QalaatAlMudiq) reported, in the area of the village of Khosh Ad-Dawahira, battles unfolded between the SAR army and the Jaysh Al-Islam formation. Several militants of the anti-government organization were neutralized. At the same time, in the neighborhoods of Ain Tarma and Jobar, clashes were observed between the joint forces of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and Faylaq Ar-Rahman. This was reported by a military source on the social network Twitter (GhoutaGMC).
The Syrian Air Force has resumed operations in the western part of the province. The fortified areas of Al-Nusra near the city of Beit Jinn were hit by SAR warplanes, the Telegram channel (NRVR11) reported.
In the afternoon, a police station located in the Al-Midan neighborhood of the city of Damascus was attacked by at least one suicide bomber. Some sources claimed that three radicals were involved in the attack. Presumably, Islamic State militants 1 based south of the capital were responsible for organizing the terrorist attack. As reported by the Damascus Now news agency, at least 17 people were killed as a result of the explosion.
Aleppo Province
In the western part of Aleppo, mass demonstrations by the local population took place against the presence of radicals from the Tahrir Al-Sham coalition. As reported by the Aleppo 24 news agency, the initial cause of discontent was the arrest of one of the members of local government bodies in the village Darat Izza. Under pressure from residents, the militants left the city, but expressed their intention to return with additional forces, after which radical detachments began to arrive on the outskirts of Darat Izza. In response to this, rallies also broke out in the settlements of Al-Atareb and Kafr Hamra, the Al Manar News news portal reported.
Not far from the Syrian-Turkish border near the city of Jarablus, the forces of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) were unexpectedly attacked. Unknown attackers opened fire at an FSA checkpoint, resulting in one of the Islamists being injured. According to local activists, the attack was initiated by the Kurds, but Kurdish portals did not confirm this information.
To the northwest of the provincial capital, mutual shelling was recorded between government forces and al-Nusra radicals. A local Twitter news channel reported an attempt by Islamists to enter the Al-Liramun quarter. However, the SAA managed to prevent the attack by launching warning strikes.
In the city Al Bab, located northeast of Aleppo, a court was held, according to which 23 civilians accused of aiding Islamic State terrorists were expelled from the territory of Al-Bab. This was reported by the Northern Syria Observer news agency.
Homs Province
In the east of the province near the key city As-Sukhna Islamic State terrorists have made a new attempt to attack strongholds of the government army. However, as reported by the news portal Damascus Now, as well as the Twitter channel (IvanSidorenko1), thanks to air support from the Russian Aerospace Forces, the attack by a detachment of the terrorist group was repulsed. Moreover, as a result of several sorties of military aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces, seven vehicles of IS radicals, as well as several militants, were eliminated.
As reported by the Telegram channel (NRVR11), mutual shelling between radicals was recorded in the north of the region near the village of Tall Bissa "Jabhat Al-Nusra" 1*** and government departments. No casualties were reported on either side.
Not far from the border with the province of Deir ez-Zor, an unexpected strike was carried out by a combat drone of the US international coalition. As a result, one of the commanders of the pro-Assad Hezbollah units was killed.
Deir ez-Zor Province
During the day, the Russian Aerospace Forces, together with the Syrian Air Force, continued to carry out air attacks on strongholds and military installations of Islamic State terrorists in various areas of the province. According to a source on the social network Twitter (chamya52), ISIS positions in the suburbs of the provincial capital, as well as the terrorist group’s firing positions near the settlements of Bakros Fokani, Al-Muhsin, Al-Mayadeen, Seyda Bin Mwenaa, Taiba Shamiya, Bucrus At-Tahtani. As a result of the combat missions, the IS radicals suffered losses in manpower and military equipment, the Euphrates Post news portal reported.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces**** (SDF) continued to develop an offensive northwest of the regional capital. The DeirEzzor 24 news agency reported new clashes in the area of the Al-Qasra settlement.
In one of the central districts of the administrative center of the province - Al-Fardos - fierce fighting has resumed between Kurdish troops and Islamic State terrorists. As a military source reported on Twitter (olay6663), a small group of militants penetrated into territories previously occupied by the Kurds. Nevertheless, ISIS failed to succeed. According to the Twitter channel (ClaudiaAlMina), at least 12 terrorists were killed during the fighting. In addition, Kurdish forces seized weapons from ISIS fighters killed as a result of the clashes, a source controlled by the “democratic army” reported.
Hasakah Province
Over the past 24 hours, the armed confrontation between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Islamic State terrorists stationed in the southern part of the province has resumed. It was reported that Kurdish forces had advanced as far as the village of Markada, located near the border with the province of Deir ez-Zor. This was reported by the Twitter channel (soheb1199). Military aircraft of the anti-terrorist coalition also operated in this area. There were still no reports of losses from the terrorist group, but there was information that 17 civilians were killed under the attacks of the international alliance.
Iraq
The Iraqi armed forces and the Hashd al-Shaabi militia continued the military operation to liberate territories in the province Kirkuk. Fighting in the city area continued throughout the day. Hawija. According to a military source on Twitter (teamsmediawar_1), four settlements came under the control of the Iraqi army and its allies. In addition, as reported by the Iraqi News news portal, two IS leaders were killed. Meanwhile, as a result of combat missions by the Iraqi Air Force, several snipers of the terrorist group were destroyed.
In the province Al Anbar fighting took place around the city Ar Ramadi. The Twitter channel (HewarMaftuh2) reported that 12 units of military equipment of the radicals were destroyed.
1 The organization is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Thanks to the Russian Aerospace Forces, a terrorist attack east of the city of Al-Sukhna in Homs was repelled, and a suicide bombing occurred in Damascus, FAN reports, citing Syrian sources.
In the Eastern Ghouta region, confrontation continued between government forces and various Islamist groups. Yesterday, in the area of the settlement of Khosh Ad-Dawahira, battles broke out between the SAR army and the formation of the armed opposition. Several militants of the anti-government organization were neutralized. The Syrian Air Force has resumed operations in the western part of Damascus province. The fortified areas of Jabhat al-Nusra (a group banned in the Russian Federation) near the city of Beit Jinn were hit by military aircraft.
In the afternoon, a police station located in the Al-Midan neighborhood of Damascus was attacked by at least one suicide bomber. The explosion killed at least 17 people.
Not far from the Syrian-Turkish border near the city of Jarablus (Aleppo province), the forces of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) were unexpectedly attacked. Unknown assailants opened fire at an FSA checkpoint, resulting in one of the fighters being wounded. According to local activists, the attack was initiated by the Kurds, but Kurdish portals did not confirm this information. To the northwest of the provincial capital, mutual shelling was recorded between government troops and al-Nusra radicals. Islamists tried to enter the territory of the Al-Liramun quarter. However, the SAA managed to prevent the attack by launching warning strikes.
In the east of the province, near the city of As-Sukhna, terrorists from the IS group (banned in the Russian Federation) made a new attempt to attack strongholds of the government army. However, thanks to air support from the Russian Aerospace Forces, the attack of the bandits was repulsed. Moreover, as a result of the sorties, seven radical vehicles were eliminated, as well as several militants. Not far from the border with the province of Deir ez-Zor, an unexpected strike was carried out by a combat drone of the Western coalition. As a result, one of the commanders of the pro-Assad Hezbollah units was killed.
During the day, the Aerospace Forces, together with the Syrian Air Force, continued to carry out air attacks on strongholds and military installations of ISIS terrorists in various areas of the province of Deir ez-Zor. The positions of the Islamic State in the suburbs of the provincial capital, as well as the firing positions of the terrorist group near the settlements of Bakros Fokani, Al-Muhsin, Al-Mayadeen, Seyda Bin Mwenaa, Taiba Shamiya, Bukrus At-Takhtani, came under attack from the allies. The militants suffered significant losses in manpower and equipment.
In one of the central districts of Raqqa - Al-Fardos - fighting between Kurdish troops and terrorists has resumed. A small group of militants entered the territories previously occupied by the Kurds, however, the bandits were unable to succeed - at least 12 terrorists were killed.
In the Deir ez-Zor area, the army continues to clear urban areas, but as is quite obvious, optimistic statements about part of the city in one week looked somewhat ahead of reality. The experience of taking large cities by all participants in the war demonstrates that ISIS does not leave large cities so easily and the militants have to be pulled out of there for a long time and painfully. The only question is timing and sacrifice.
The SAA bridgehead on the northern bank of the river increased, including due to transported reinforcements and armored vehicles, but the delay in crossing the river and the diversion of part of the forces to repel ISIS counterattacks allowed the Kurds to gain the necessary momentum to make up the gap from the SAA and join the race for Deir ez-Zor oil.
In the area of the Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor supply route, fierce battles between “fire brigades” and ISIS units actively using suicide bombers continue. In my opinion, it is premature to talk about the complete repulsion of the militants’ offensive (there is conflicting information about the battles in the Kabaib area), but it seems that numerical and technical superiority will inevitably have an impact. The militants were unable to take Sukhna, but a number of small villages are still under their control.
In the direction of Mayadin, the SAA has resumed attempts to advance, which is also intended to deprive the militants of the opportunity to freely transfer reserves to other areas.
It appears that everything that is happening is part of a comprehensive US strategy to fight for zones of influence in Eastern Syria. It turns out very difficult.
A little retrospective:
1. On September 19-20, Al-Nusra launches a large-scale offensive in Northern Hama. The SAA is transferring some of its reserves there, including those that could be used for operations in the Deir ez-Zor area. The offensive was repulsed, but the fighting moved into the positional stage and the transferred forces were engaged in battles in the Maan area. The offensive is positioned by the militants as a protest against the agreements in Astana, which effectively divided Idlib into zones of influence to the detriment of the United States and Saudi Arabia.
2. Through the SDF structures, threats from the United States are voiced against the SAA and Russia. Russia responds by pointing out that the Americans are in contact with ISIS in order to ensure the transfer of territories to the Kurds and is bombing the Kurds in the area of the Koniko plant. Later, technical intelligence data is published indicating the presence of American equipment in areas controlled by ISIS. The US ignores these accusations.
3. Dies Russian general, commander of a marine brigade and several other military personnel. The Russian Ministry of Defense directly accuses the United States of passing information about the movements of Russian military advisers to ISIS. The command of the Russian group suffered a serious blow, which could also affect the command and control of troops in the Deir ez-Zor area. Formally, the US denies everything. Militants are killing the leaders of tribal groups that have entered into an agreement with the SAA.
4. ISIS counter-offensive begins, the Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor supply route is cut, and an attempt is made to capture Sukhna. The SAA is trying to maintain the tempo of the operation and continues to transport troops to the northern shore to develop an offensive towards the oil fields in the east.
5. Fire brigades begin clearing out ISIS raiding parties. The pace of the militant operation is maintained by the attack on Al-Qaryatein. In order to raise the morale of the militants, a message is issued to Baghdadi, who is supposedly alive. In combat operations, militants also use detachments transferred from Iraq. There are attacks in the Sukhna and T-2 areas. The SAA is bringing mechanized reserves into battle, and the militants are gradually being crushed. SAA and Hezbollah are suffering significant losses, as is ISIS. In Eastern Homs, a US UAV bombs Hezbollah.
6. As a result, within 2 weeks, the SAA and its allies were involved in battles with ISIS and Al-Nusra, as a result of which significant losses were suffered and the pace of operations in the Deir ez-Zor area and the border with Iraq was reduced. The offensive on Mayadin stopped and a stable front south of the Euphrates allowed ISIS to launch the forces accumulated in the Mayadin area for raiding operations against the extended communications of the SAA, using the operational salient between Deir ez-Zor and T-2.
7. Iran is now somewhat less actively involved in the Syrian events, as it is concerned about the problem of Iraqi Kurdistan, for a potential fight against which significant Hashd-Shaabi forces have been deployed to the central regions of Iraq (including to Kirkuk). Iran to last days sharply increased the concentration of its troops on the border with Kurdistan. It is possible (but not necessarily) that the complication of the situation in Iraq may affect the development of operations in the border areas of Syria, where Iranian “proxies” are usually in charge.
8. It appears that what is happening is part of a hybrid-network-centric war between the United States and the Russian Federation in Syria, where the militant offensive allowed the SDF to win back the gap near Deir ez-Zor, while the Syrians were dealing with problems in Northern Hama and Deir ez-Zor. It is not necessary that the United States directed these attacks, but the fact that they are using them to their advantage is quite obvious.
Race on the northern bank of the Euphrates. The front in the direction of Mayadin has stabilized. The Kurds are somewhat ahead of the SAA in the pace of advancement towards the eastern regions of the province.
The US bypass maneuver actually copies the actions of Syria, the Russian Federation and Iran when bypassing the American bridgeheads in Tabqa and At-Tanf.
It looks like a series of targeted strikes tore apart reserves, caused disorganization by “attacking headquarters,” carried out a massive information attack and forced the SAA to eliminate numerous “fires” in communications. In this regard, it will certainly be difficult for the SAA to maintain the same high tempo of operations that was observed in the first half of September in the Deir ez-Zor and Maadan area. Along the way, they put a spoke in the wheels of Iran, which is trying to take control of the Syrian-Iraqi border and strengthening Hezbollah. In this regard, Lavrov’s rhetorical question about who the United States is fighting with in Syria reflects the ambiguous behavior of the United States, which, under the guise of the war with ISIS, is waging a completely open fight against Russian and Iranian influence in Syria, which is becoming increasingly tough. The main thing here is not how many days the militants stayed on the highway near Shola and Sukhna, and not how long they can hold out in Al-Qaryatein. The main thing here is the struggle for momentum on the northern bank of the Euphrates, where the main prize is located, which can swing the strategic balance in one direction or another in the Syrian war in the confrontation between the Russian-Iranian and American coalitions. The militants and their actions are nothing more than a tool that is used in the interests of grand strategy. In much the same way, the United States tried to manipulate the Third Reich at the final stage of the Second World War in order to prevent the expansion of influence Soviet Union. So from a historical point of view, nothing new is happening. We are simply watching how the war with the Caliphate is gradually coming to an end and is being replaced by the next stage, when it is increasingly difficult for external players to coordinate their interests realized through various instruments of hybrid war. Contradictions appear more and more harshly and openly.
On the part of the SAA command and the Russian General Staff, it will be extremely important not only to complete the operations to eliminate the “fires” on communications (which I think is a completely working moment), but also to prevent a situation where, due to problems in central Syria or on the communications of the Deir group, ez-Zor, progress towards Deir ez-Zor oil will be suspended. This is one of those factors that will play a significant role in direct showdowns with the United States over the future of Northern Syria. Here Russia always retains the opportunity to use the factor of Turkey, which has long been inviting Russia to exert more significant pressure on the Kurds. But at the moment this option does not seem to be considered a priority.
Therefore, it is quite understandable why the command takes risks and continues to transfer forces to the other side in the event of problems in communications - there is a struggle for the pace of development of the operation, the result of which will have strategic consequences. As we see, this desire meets with very serious opposition. Hello to the adherents of friendship with the USA.
Eastern Homs. Al-Qaryatein.
By the evening of October 2, the army had regained control of the hills around Al-Qaryatein, which had been captured by militants after sleeper cells in the city itself and detachments came from the desert.
At the moment there are battles for the western part of the city. The militants’ operation itself, which had a rather complex design that involved the interaction of sleeper cells, reconnaissance of the SAA disposition in the area and the approach of reinforcements for the militants from outside, was apparently botched by intelligence (not the first time during the war), as a result of which they had to hastily transfer reinforcements from the provinces of Homs and Damascus to deal with the consequences. The militants will not stay in the city for long, but what happened reveals both the ongoing problems with revealing the enemy’s operational plans, and gaps in the filtering of Al-Qaryatein, where the underground presence of militants remained (or the hidden infiltration of militants into the city was allowed, which could be due to the gaps in the work of the local GB or facts of betrayal). As a result, several dozen Syrian soldiers and militias paid for their miscalculations with their lives, in addition to those who were able to fight back from the city and wait for reinforcements, who are now knocking the militants out of the city and clearing the field. There were also significant losses in material terms. According to estimates, about 300 militants are entrenched in the city itself + approximately 100-150 are active in the foreground. The Syrians have already concentrated about 1000-1200 people against them + the group is increasing due to suitable reinforcements.
Access road to Al-Qaryatein. Part of the hills around the city was already occupied by the army by evening.
A rather painful click on the nose, reminiscent of the bloody consequences of underestimating the enemy. ISIS did not miss the opportunity to remind that even in the conditions of the strategic defeat of the Caliphate, militant groups are still capable of inflicting very significant blows, and among the surviving militant commanders there are still those who are able to skillfully plan and carry out complex operations. In general, I would like to believe that they will draw conclusions from this story and will more closely monitor such plans of the militants.
Akerbat cauldron
The Akerbat cauldron continues to shrink inexorably. The militants are putting up the most fierce resistance in the western part of the pocket, where the units that have retained their combat capability have been pushed back. The fighting there is quite stubborn and the SAA is also suffering losses there, although the militants have very little artillery and heavy equipment left. Attempts to achieve the complete surrender of the cauldron with the removal of militants to Mayadin apparently did not lead to success, so the SAA is now striving to cut the cauldron into two parts in order to finish cooking the cauldron in parts. There are several kilometers left between the group advancing south of Akerbat and the troops moving from Eastern Homs. The militants’ attempts to unblock the Akerbat pocket by striking the SAA communications in Deir ez-Zor or raiding Al-Qaryatein, in my opinion, are beyond the operational capabilities of the militants. Reports spread by Caliphate propaganda that militants allegedly besieged T-4 (Tiyas airbase) are not confirmed by Syrian sources. The reason for rumors of fighting in the Tiyas area is apparently the ongoing fighting in the south of the Akerbat pocket, which is being fired by SAA artillery from positions north of T-4. There may also be some infiltration of militants through the walls of the cauldron to the south and southeast. It is also worth noting that in Eastern Homs, an American UAV struck Hezbollah positions - 9,200x, 15,300x. Perhaps this is “revenge” for the strike by the Russian Aerospace Forces on American “proxies” in the area of the Koniko plant.
Northern Hama.
The fighting on the front in Northern Hama continued in a positional manner. Militants after defeat in the battles of Maan and unsuccessful attempts cut off the ledge to the east of it, went on an active defense, holding the approaches to El Latamin and Morek, which are the key points of their position in Northern Hama. Both sides brought significant forces into the battle, which is clearly visible from active work Syrian Air Force and Russian Aerospace Forces. Active battles lead to significant losses on both sides with minor tactical successes - a fairly typical picture for the front in Northern Hama. However, the militants still achieved one strategic goal, forcing the SAA to transfer reinforcements here, which could be useful near Deir ez-Zor or somewhere in central Syria.
In Idlib itself, clashes between al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham continued without any definite result. Turkey has not yet sent the main forces to Idlib, limiting itself to armed police in the border areas. Perhaps they are relying on indirect support for Ahrar al-Sham, which should push Al-Nusra out of Idlib, taking advantage of the fact that a significant part of Al-Nusra’s forces are tied up in battles in Northern Hama and west of Aleppo.
Syrian-Iraqi border. T-2.
Efforts to advance to Abu Kamal along the Iraqi border have stalled for now. The militants quite skillfully counterattacked the positions of Iranian proxies in the T-2 area, as well as groups operating in the border area. Fighting with varying success led first to a slowdown in the pace of advance, and then to an actual suspension of the offensive. Iraqi advances north of Rutbah have similarly slowed. The advancing Hashd-Shaabi units were also drawn into maneuver warfare in the desert, and therefore ambitious plans for a rapid advance to Abu Kemal will be postponed to a later date. It can be noted that in fact these forces operating in the border area were excluded from the development of operations in the Deir ez-Zor area. The strikes were carried out in divergent directions, resulting in the formation of an operational salient between T-2 and Deir ez-Zor, which was used by the militants both for attacks on the Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor highway and for counterattacks on the group’s northern flank SAA and Iranian "proxies" advancing in the T2 area. It cannot be ruled out that a significant mistake was made here at the level of operations planning.
At-Tanf.
The Americans from the south are not particularly preventing this - they are reducing their presence in this area, focusing their strategy on Northern Syria. But they maintain a US special forces garrison in At-Tanf (about 150 people + up to 500 various militants) there. British special forces continue operations in the Syrian-Jordanian border area. The militant training camps in Jordan, which were supervised by the CIA and Jordanian military intelligence, were also not closed. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the United States is keeping the At-Tanf option in reserve in case of escalation in relations with Russia and Iran. There are no other reasons for the presence of American troops in this area; ISIS was driven out of here long ago. The SAA, taking advantage of the curtailment of militant activity and the closure of US forward bases, is slowly compressing the semi-ring around At-Tanf (without entering the “security radius” designated by the US), and is also moving along the Syrian-Jordanian border, which is facilitated by negotiations between Syria and Jordan on the subject situation at the border in the light of new realities. Ultimately, it is extremely important for Syria to take control of the border in the At-Tanf area in order to close one of the holes through which terrorists entered the country. The United States, in turn, will try to maintain this loophole in case its strategy in Syria changes.
Yesterday, the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria fired two Pantsir air defense missile systems to intercept two Grad MLRS missiles fired by militants in the province of Hama.
Original taken from diana_mihailova The Pantsir air defense missile system of the Russian Aerospace Forces intercepted two Grad MLRS missiles fired by militants in the province of Hama
On September 27, the top commander of the US-backed SDF, Rojda Felat, said in a video message that the SDF was attacked by a group of 100 ISIS terrorists dressed as SDF fighters. This incident allegedly occurred on September 26, and ISIS fighters came from some government-controlled territory near the city of Deir ez-Zor. Felat added that this is a sign that the attack was carried out with the support of the Syrian government. As a result of the fighting against ISIS, 28 SDF fighters are believed to have died.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about agreements on de-escalation zones in Syria
“As you know, agreements on four de-escalation zones in Syria were recently formalized in the Astana format, reached with the participation of guarantor countries - Russia, Iran, Turkey - and with the support of many other states. These agreements create the conditions for progress towards the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 on the basis of direct dialogue between the government and the opposition, combining their efforts in the interests of the speedy elimination of the terrorist hotbed, the establishment of peace and the preservation of the unity of Syria. The process itself in the capital of Kazakhstan is intended to create favorable conditions for promoting a political settlement within the framework of the Geneva negotiations. The urgent task today is to increase the supply of humanitarian aid and demining the liberated territories. “Everyone who sincerely wishes peace for Syria and its people, who sincerely wishes for the return of refugees to their homes, must join these processes with the leading role of the UN and without preconditions,” said Vladimir Putin.
The Chief of the Turkish General Staff met with the President of Iran and the Chief of the Iranian General Staff.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the UN Security Council demanding that the US-led anti-terrorist coalition stop crimes against Syrians. Excerpts from the message were reported on Tuesday by the SANA news agency.
“Syria condemns in the strongest terms the crimes committed by the so-called international coalition and terrorist groups against Syrian citizens,” the text says. — Syria demands that the UN Security Council fulfill its obligations to maintain international peace and security and stop the crimes of the international coalition against the Syrian people, as well as oblige countries to implement Council resolutions on countering terrorism.”
The European Union condemned the intensified airstrikes in Syria in recent weeks, without directly mentioning the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). A joint statement by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides was published on Tuesday. The word “Russia” is not mentioned once in the statement.
“In the last two weeks, Syria has seen the worst high level deaths in 2017 as a result of heavy air attacks targeting civilians and infrastructure, particularly hospitals and medical facilities in Northern Syria. Since September 19, aerial bombardment has intensified in the provinces of Hama, Idlib and Aleppo, killing hundreds of civilians and injuring many more. Among them are many women, children and rescuers who risk their lives to save people. This is a clear violation of international humanitarian norms and conventions,” Mogherini and Stylianides said, without specifying where they got the data on the victims.
In the past, EU officials have consistently referred in their statements to reports from the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (also known as the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights), a London-based multi-member organization which, according to its own publications, receives information based on telephone conversations with representatives of anti-government armed groups.
EU representatives called for the protection of civilians and ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Syria, and also advocated for expanding de-escalation zones, but said nothing about the need for all parties to the conflict to comply with the agreed terms of the ceasefire agreement.
As the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said on Tuesday, the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed 304 militants of the Islamic State organization (IS, banned in Russia) on the eastern bank of the Euphrates in Syria in two days, including the commander - a native of Kazakhstan - and about 40 militants from the North Caucasus.
Konashenkov added that “an air strike destroyed the gathering and training center for foreign mercenaries of the Islamic State, including about 40 militants from the North Caucasus, as well as a mobile sniper group of terrorists.” “Three command posts, nine terrorist strongholds, eight tanks, three artillery installations, 17 SUVs with large-caliber weapons installed (ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns, B-10 recoilless rifles, DShK machine guns), four ammunition depots were also destroyed,” the general specified. .
Airstrike by Russian Aerospace Forces on terrorist headquarters in Syria
An airstrike by the Russian Aerospace Forces on a militant ammunition warehouse
An airstrike by the Russian Aerospace Forces on a terrorist field command post in Syria
Destruction of a terrorist tank in Syria by an airstrike of the Russian Aerospace Forces
As part of the implementation of the Memorandum on the creation of de-escalation zones in the Syrian Arab Republic, control groups continued to monitor compliance with the ceasefire.
The situation in the de-escalation zones is assessed as stable.
The Russian part of the representative office recorded 5 cases of shooting in the provinces: Aleppo - 1, Daraa - 1, Damascus - 3.
The Turkish part of the mission recorded 2 violations in the province of Damascus.
During the day, the Center for Reconciliation of Warring Parties in the SAR did not carry out humanitarian actions.
Medical assistance was provided to 72 residents within 24 hours.
In total, medical assistance was provided to 58,112 residents.
During the day, 1 agreement on joining the cessation of hostilities regime was signed
The number of localities that joined the reconciliation process increased to 2,241.
The number of armed formations that have declared their commitment to accepting and fulfilling the conditions for the cessation of hostilities has not changed - 234.
Specialists from the Russian Ministry of Defense continue to work to stabilize the situation in Syria, as well as to establish peaceful life in war-affected areas.
During a counterattack by IS militants in the area of the village. Shula (Deir ez-Zor province), citizens of the Russian Federation were captured - Roman Vasilievich Zabolotny (Rostov region) and Grigory Mikhailovich Tsurkanu (Moscow region, Domodedovo district).
There were no incidents related to the capture or loss of Russian military personnel in the province of Deir ez-Zor or in other areas of Syria, the Ministry of Defense reported.
“All military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation located in the Syrian Arab Republic are performing their assigned tasks as intended,” the ministry said.
Viktor Vodolatsky, deputy chairman of the committee on the CIS, Eurasian integration and affairs of compatriots of the lower house of the Russian parliament, said that he is familiar with Roman Zabolotny.
According to him, he knows him well, as he was with him in Aksai in the squad, actively participating in the Cossack movement.
“I gave the task to the chief of staff of the Union of Cossack Warriors of Russia and Abroad to understand the information received, whether it corresponds to reality, and to establish the whereabouts of the Cossack Roman Zabolotny,” RIA Novosti quotes the deputy.
The Russian Foreign Ministry condemns the terrorist attack committed on October 2 in Damascus and expresses concern about attempts by extremists to obstruct the truce in Syria.
“We are extremely concerned about the recent increasing attempts by extremists to obstruct the processes of strengthening the ceasefire, normalizing the situation in Syria, providing the necessary assistance to the affected population, and reconstructing the main facilities of the Syrian civilian infrastructure,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its website.
The statement notes that Moscow “will continue, in coordination with the SAR government, a decisive fight against manifestations of terrorism on Syrian soil.”
Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrant Affairs Walid Muallem will visit Russia on October 9-11 to take part in a meeting of the permanent Syrian-Russian intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, which will be held in Sochi. SANA reported this on Tuesday.
Nurlan Makhsudov, arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks, traveled to Syria. The explosive device seized from him is identical to the one that went off in the metro in St. Petersburg in April of this year.
“During the investigation, it was established that the detainees lived in Moscow using forged documents. Their real names are Magomedhabib Gadzhiev and Nurlan Makhsudov,” said a source in the FSB. “Evidence of his participation in hostilities in Syria was found on Nurlan Makhsudov’s phone,” the interlocutor added.
Kyrgyzstan's special services announced the detention of a terrorist who was trained in Syria. As the press service of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan said, a man born in 1997, who underwent sabotage and combat training in Syria, was detained. Law enforcement agencies established that the detainee, detained in 2016, while staying abroad, was recruited and transferred to the SAR for training as militants.
Aleppo. The Russian military deployed a first-aid post and delivered humanitarian aid to the village of Aiyasha in Syria .
Idlib. In the city of Idlib, HTS commander Abu Elias was shot dead by an unknown assailant on a motorcycle. Local sources suspect Turkish intelligence services.
Hama. In central Syria, the “pocket” with surrounded militants is divided into two parts.
The Syrian army liberated the settlements of Abu Hanaya and Abu Habilat.
Homs. Fighting is taking place in the area of the Qasr al-Hare al-Sharqi intersection, east of the city of Suhknah, during which IS militants destroyed several units of SAA armored vehicles.
Additional reserves are being transferred to Qurayatain. Local sources say the city's residents, including the local militia (NDF), have massively supported IS.
Previously, many Christians lived in the city, but in 2011 they left the city, which is now populated by Sunnis.
It is confirmed that there were no army troops in the city as Qaryatein officially joined the reconciliation process.
The Syrian army has taken control of the Al-Mahr oil field in the eastern part of the province. Buraq al-Nashmi was also released.
Damascus. The IS terrorist group claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on Monday, October 2, in Damascus. The ISIS “news agency” Amaq reported this today, Associated Press reports.
The Syrian army is advancing in the Jordanian border area in the direction of the Tanf border crossing, which is about 60 km away.
Deir ez-Zor. The Syrian pro-government coalition, with the help of the Russian Aerospace Forces, has made some progress along the Deir ez-Zor – Al-Mayadeen highway.
The Russian Aerospace Forces carried out massive airstrikes against identified targets in the city of Al-Mayadeen.
SDF units took the village. Qabada, Wasiah, Tall Abu Fahd and Al-Kasrah.
Coalition aircraft near the city of Abu Kamal destroyed two tactical units and two IS vehicles.
The city of Deir ez-Zor has two tactical units and an IS vehicle.
Raqqa. Near the city of Raqqa, at least 50 civilians became victims of an airstrike by the US-led coalition, TASS reports citing the local news portal Suriya al-En.
According to the agency, several residential areas of the city fell into the shelling zone, and several more shells fell near the local school building. It is noted that most of the dead are women and children.
Official representatives of the coalition have not yet commented on this information.
Representatives of the Kurdish armed forces issued a statement on the situation in the city of Raqqa, the imminent liberation of which was expected a week ago.
Wrath of the Euphrates campaign spokeswoman Jihan Sheikh Ahmed said counterattacks by IS fighters began after about 100 IS fighters from government-controlled areas on the other side of the Euphrates entered the city. She also added that IS fighters used SDF military uniforms.
A source in the YPG associates the increased resistance of IS militants in the city of Raqqa with the fact that earlier the commanders of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ordered the release of captured IS militants, who subsequently returned to active hostilities.
In Raqqa, fighting is taking place in the areas of Al-Mooror, Al-Nahda, Al-Firdaws and Al-Kaharba.
Report from the refugee camp near the settlement. Ain Issa.
Coalition aircraft near the city of Raqqa destroyed 3 tactical units, 3 combat positions and 3 IS supply routes.
The Syrian army has made new progress in the fight against ISIS in the eastern pocket between the provinces of Hama and Homs.
Today, the SAR Army, with the support of the Russian Aerospace Forces, has achieved great success in Central Syria; the army men have returned a large oil field and a number of towns and villages after fierce battles with ISIS militants*.
At the beginning, the SAA liberated the village of Akash, located west of the city of Sokha in eastern Hama.
Later, government forces were also able to liberate Hill 7, which is located near an oil field.
The army cut the “Akerbat Cauldron” into 2 parts, knocking out militants from three settlements in the eastern part of Homs: Al-Qasmiya Al-Shamalia, Rabiah and Mgaizil, located northeast of Jubb Al-Jarra.
An unknown number of terrorists were killed during the offensive, after which engineering units began eliminating IEDs, booby traps and landmines previously planted by ISIS militants.
On the southern edge of the pocket, SAA fighters and their allies made a big breakthrough, recapturing the al-Mahr oil field after fighting with ISIS gangs who were forced to flee north to the al-Bilaas region.
At the same time, clashes also broke out east of the town of Salamiya; here government troops managed to liberate the city of Abu Hanaya, located south of Kulaib al-Thawra. Dozens of ISIS terrorists were killed and wounded during these offensive operations.
A complete cleanup of the entire “Akerbat Cauldron” is expected in the near future.
This is absurd, but Assad won
This is absurd, but Assad won the war in Syria
The Israeli Defense Minister spoke in a somewhat offended tone about the unfavorable course of the war in Syria for Israel.
The Defense Minister gave an interview to Walla in which he predicted that many countries will line up to improve relations with the Syrian regime.
According to Walla, Avigdor Lieberman called Assad’s successes in Syria, where, according to Lieberman, the bloodiest war since World War II, one of the main “absurdities” of the past year. Lieberman expressed hope that the United States will be more active in Syria and the Middle East in general, although it has a number of unresolved internal problems. “The more active the United States is, the better for Israel,” the defense minister said.
– zinc
He admitted that the Israelis, who are trying to prevent Iran from establishing itself on the northern borders of the Jewish state and break through the “Shiite corridor” to Mediterranean Sea, it is not easy on a daily basis to cope alone with the situation in the “northern arena”, where there are “Russians, Iranians, as well as Turks and Hezbollah” (the pro-Iranian movement of Lebanese Shiites).
Of course, from the Israeli point of view, an “absurdity” occurred, since it was assumed that ISIS would bind the Arabs for a long time internecine war. But ISIS is collapsing faster than expected, and as a result of the war, Iran not only was not weakened in Syria and Lebanon, but, on the contrary, strengthened its position. Hence the somewhat pessimistic assessments of the events taking place in Syria, where Russia and Iran have turned the course of the war in a direction undesirable for Israel.
Regarding the recognition of Assad’s victory in the Syrian war, the Israeli Defense Minister was far from the first major politician to recognize the new normal (you can recall former ambassador USA in Syria, which a few months ago declared that Assad was winning the war).
Recognition of Assad's victory does not mean that Israel has come to terms with it; it is simply forced to accept a new normal in order to continue the fight against Iran and Hezbollah in different, more difficult conditions for itself. Of course, there is also hope in the United States, which the Israeli lobby is trying in every possible way to incite against Iran.
Prisoners near Shola
ISIS militants posted a video with two captured citizens of the Russian Federation (Zavolokin Roman Vladimirovich, born in 1979 from the Rostov region and Tsurkanov Grigory Mikhailovich, born in 1978 from the Domodedovo region), who, according to the statement in the video, were captured a few days ago near the village of Shola (on the highway Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor), which was at the forefront of the first stage of the ISIS counter-offensive and was abandoned by the SAA almost immediately. Previously, on resources close to the militants, information was published about 2 or 3 Russian soldiers who were captured on the highway near Shola. There was also information that they had already been executed (beheaded or burned in Mayadin), but ISIS militants did not confirm this.
The militants do not specify who this is, so it is still not clear – these are regular army soldiers. PMCs or some civilian employees.
Taking into account the militants' practice towards prisoners, one cannot envy them. It’s not a fact that they are still alive, although the video appeared only today.
The Ministry of Defense released footage of the destruction of the command post and headquarters of terrorists (VIDEO)
The Russian Ministry of Defense on its official page published footage of the work of Russian military aviation in Syria.
Precision strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed the command post and headquarters of the militants, an ammunition depot and a terrorist tank. Let us remind you that on the morning of October 3, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the destruction of seven field commanders of the ISIS group in two days on the eastern bank of the Euphrates.
During these two days, 304 ordinary militants were also killed, and another 170 terrorists were wounded.
* Terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.
The Russian Aerospace Forces carried out powerful airstrikes against IS terrorists in Syria
The Russian Aerospace Forces killed seven ISIS commanders in Syria, - Ministry of Defense
The official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said that the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed seven field commanders of militants of the terrorist organization ISIS in Syria, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, in two days.
This is stated in the department's press release.
“Seven field commanders at various levels were destroyed, including Abu Islam al-Kazaki, a native of Kazakhstan, who coordinated the actions of ISIS assault forces in the Euphrates Valley,” Konashenkov said.
Over the course of two days, 304 ISIS* militants were also killed and more than 170 terrorists were wounded on the eastern bank of the Euphrates. In addition, the terrorist group’s collection and training center for foreign mercenaries was destroyed.
“Three command posts, nine terrorist strongholds, eight tanks, three artillery installations, 17 SUVs with installed large-caliber weapons (ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns, B-10 recoilless rifles, DShK machine guns), four ammunition depots were also destroyed,” Konashenkov added .
*Terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.
ISIS oil revenues plummet by 90%
The ISIS terrorist group's oil revenues have collapsed by 90% over the past 2 years.
If militants previously received $50 million a month, now income has dropped to less than $4 million.
Oil provided approximately half of the terrorists' income. ISIS* earned another $500 million from robberies and extortion of money from the population of captured cities.
The militants sold raw materials to intermediaries directly at the wells, from where they were transported for processing. And after that, oil products were either sold on the local market, or they ended up in the hands of smugglers and taken outside the zone where the extremists operated. Each year, such a scheme brought the militants more than $500 million.
The reason for the sharp drop in income was a significant reduction in the territory that the group now controls, targeted airstrikes on infrastructure related to oil production and refining, as well as on tank trucks.
According to American Colonel James Wark, for ISIS, the reduction in oil revenues is a “major failure.” They would like to create their own state and manage it, but now this is impossible.
At the end of September, the Syrian opposition announced that it had regained control of the large Conoco oil field in the Deir ez-Zor region.
* terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.
The FSB detained ISIS terrorists who were preparing explosions in the Moscow metro and shopping centers
ISIS made a new statement about the terrorist attack in Las Vegas
Through the “news agency” controlled by them, the terrorists report that Stephen Paddock, also known as “Abu Abd al-Barr,” who recently converted to Islam, is “a soldier of the Caliphate who responded to the call of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to attack the citizens of the “crusader” coalition.”
In total, during the attack, according to ISIS*, there was
According to official data, at this moment there are 58 dead and 515 wounded.
* Terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation.
Syria: “If there are three Russians nearby, you don’t have to be afraid of anything” - Russian military raises the morale of SAA fighters (PHOTO)
Deputy Sablin, who returned from Syria, spoke about how the Russian military is raising the morale of Syrian soldiers.
Speaking to the participants, Dmitry Sablin said that a few days ago he returned from Syria, where he traveled as the head of the deputy group for relations with the SAR parliament. During the trip, the Russian delegation visited various provinces and held a number of meetings with Russian and Syrian military personnel.
He said that the Syrians look at the Russians “like demigods,” and the Russian military simply by their presence raises the morale of the SAA fighters:
“If there are three Russians nearby, you can no longer be afraid of anything,” emphasized the first deputy chairman of the “Combat Brotherhood” .
“And there you understand that we are really special in some way,” Sablin added.
The deputy reminded those gathered on the “Combat Brotherhood Trail” of the words of President Vladimir Putin that there are countries where more people, there are countries with more advanced technologies, but Russia and its people are still in demand in the world, and this means a lot.
Military situation in Syria. 10/02/2017
In the Deir ez-Zor area, the army continues to clear urban areas, but as is quite obvious, optimistic statements about part of the city in one week looked somewhat ahead of reality. The experience of taking large cities by all participants in the war demonstrates that ISIS does not leave large cities so easily and the militants have to be pulled out of there for a long time and painfully. The only question is timing and sacrifice.
The SAA bridgehead on the northern bank of the river increased, including due to transported reinforcements and armored vehicles, but the delay in crossing the river and the diversion of part of the forces to repel ISIS counterattacks allowed the Kurds to gain the necessary momentum to make up the gap from the SAA and join the race for Deir ez-Zor oil.
In the area of the Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor supply route, fierce battles between “fire brigades” and ISIS units actively using suicide bombers continue. In my opinion, it is premature to talk about the complete repulsion of the militants’ offensive (there is conflicting information about the battles in the Kabaib area), but it seems that numerical and technical superiority will inevitably have an impact. The militants were unable to take Sukhna, but a number of small villages are still under their control.
In the direction of Mayadin, the SAA has resumed attempts to advance, which is also intended to deprive the militants of the opportunity to freely transfer reserves to other areas.
It appears that everything that is happening is part of a comprehensive US strategy to fight for zones of influence in Eastern Syria. It turns out very difficult.
A little retrospective:
1. On September 19-20, Al-Nusra launches a large-scale offensive in Northern Hama. The SAA is transferring some of its reserves there, including those that could be used for operations in the Deir ez-Zor area. The offensive was repulsed, but the fighting moved into the positional stage and the transferred forces were engaged in battles in the Maan area. The offensive is positioned by the militants as a protest against the agreements in Astana, which effectively divided Idlib into zones of influence to the detriment of the United States and Saudi Arabia.
2. Through the SDF structures, threats from the United States are voiced against the SAA and Russia. Russia responds by pointing out that the Americans are in contact with ISIS in order to ensure the transfer of territories to the Kurds and is bombing the Kurds in the area of the Koniko plant. Later, technical intelligence data is published indicating the presence of American equipment in areas controlled by ISIS. The US ignores these accusations.
3. A Russian general, the commander of a marine brigade and several other military personnel die. The Russian Ministry of Defense directly accuses the United States of passing information about the movements of Russian military advisers to ISIS. The command of the Russian group suffered a serious blow, which could also affect the command and control of troops in the Deir ez-Zor area. Formally, the US denies everything. Militants are killing the leaders of tribal groups that have entered into an agreement with the SAA.
4. ISIS counter-offensive begins, the Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor supply route is cut, and an attempt is made to capture Sukhna. The SAA is trying to maintain the tempo of the operation and continues to transport troops to the northern shore to develop an offensive towards the oil fields in the east.
5. Fire brigades begin clearing out ISIS raiding parties. The pace of the militant operation is maintained by the attack on Al-Qaryatein. In order to raise the morale of the militants, a message is issued to Baghdadi, who is supposedly alive. In combat operations, militants also use detachments transferred from Iraq. There are attacks in the Sukhna and T-2 areas. The SAA is bringing mechanized reserves into battle, and the militants are gradually being crushed. SAA and Hezbollah are suffering significant losses, as is ISIS. In Eastern Homs, a US UAV bombs Hezbollah.
6. As a result, within 2 weeks, the SAA and its allies were involved in battles with ISIS and Al-Nusra, as a result of which significant losses were suffered and the pace of operations in the Deir ez-Zor area and the border with Iraq was reduced. The offensive on Mayadin stopped and a stable front south of the Euphrates allowed ISIS to launch the forces accumulated in the Mayadin area for raiding operations against the extended communications of the SAA, using the operational salient between Deir ez-Zor and T-2.
7. Iran is now somewhat less actively involved in the Syrian events, as it is concerned about the problem of Iraqi Kurdistan, for a potential fight against which significant Hashd-Shaabi forces have been deployed to the central regions of Iraq (including to Kirkuk). Iran has sharply increased the concentration of its troops on the border with Kurdistan in recent days. It is possible (but not necessarily) that the complication of the situation in Iraq may affect the development of operations in the border areas of Syria, where Iranian “proxies” are usually in charge.
8. It appears that what is happening is part of a hybrid-network-centric war between the United States and the Russian Federation in Syria, where the militant offensive allowed the SDF to win back the gap near Deir ez-Zor, while the Syrians were dealing with problems in Northern Hama and Deir ez-Zor. It is not necessary that the United States directed these attacks, but the fact that they are using them to their advantage is quite obvious.
Race on the northern bank of the Euphrates. The front in the direction of Mayadin has stabilized. The Kurds are somewhat ahead of the SAA in the pace of advancement towards the eastern regions of the province.
The US bypass maneuver actually copies the actions of Syria, the Russian Federation and Iran when bypassing the American bridgeheads in Tabqa and At-Tanf.
It looks like a series of targeted strikes tore apart reserves, caused disorganization by “attacking headquarters,” carried out a massive information attack and forced the SAA to eliminate numerous “fires” in communications. In this regard, it will certainly be difficult for the SAA to maintain the same high tempo of operations that was observed in the first half of September in the Deir ez-Zor and Maadan area. Along the way, they put a spoke in the wheels of Iran, which is trying to take control of the Syrian-Iraqi border and strengthening Hezbollah. In this regard, Lavrov’s rhetorical question about who the United States is fighting with in Syria reflects the ambiguous behavior of the United States, which, under the guise of the war with ISIS, is waging a completely open fight against Russian and Iranian influence in Syria, which is becoming increasingly tough. The main thing here is not how many days the militants stayed on the highway near Shola and Sukhna, and not how long they can hold out in Al-Qaryatein. The main thing here is the struggle for momentum on the northern bank of the Euphrates, where the main prize is located, which can swing the strategic balance in one direction or another in the Syrian war in the confrontation between the Russian-Iranian and American coalitions. The militants and their actions are nothing more than a tool that is used in the interests of grand strategy. In much the same way, the United States tried to manipulate the Third Reich at the final stage of the Second World War in order to prevent the expansion of the influence of the Soviet Union. So from a historical point of view, nothing new is happening. We are simply watching how the war with the Caliphate is gradually coming to an end and is being replaced by the next stage, when it is increasingly difficult for external players to coordinate their interests realized through various instruments of hybrid war. Contradictions appear more and more harshly and openly.
On the part of the SAA command and the Russian General Staff, it will be extremely important not only to complete the operations to eliminate the “fires” on communications (which I think is a completely working moment), but also to prevent a situation where, due to problems in central Syria or on the communications of the Deir group, ez-Zor, progress towards Deir ez-Zor oil will be suspended. This is one of those factors that will play a significant role in direct showdowns with the United States over the future of Northern Syria. Here Russia always retains the opportunity to use the factor of Turkey, which has long been inviting Russia to exert more significant pressure on the Kurds. But at the moment this option does not seem to be considered a priority.
Therefore, it is quite understandable why the command takes risks and continues to transfer forces to the other side in the event of problems in communications - there is a struggle for the pace of development of the operation, the result of which will have strategic consequences. As we see, this desire meets with very serious opposition. Hello to the adherents of friendship with the USA.
Eastern Homs. Al-Qaryatein.
By the evening of October 2, the army had regained control of the hills around Al-Qaryatein, which had been captured by militants after sleeper cells in the city itself and detachments came from the desert.
At the moment there are battles for the western part of the city. The militants’ operation itself, which had a rather complex design that involved the interaction of sleeper cells, reconnaissance of the SAA disposition in the area and the approach of reinforcements for the militants from outside, was apparently botched by intelligence (not the first time during the war), as a result of which they had to hastily transfer reinforcements from the provinces of Homs and Damascus to deal with the consequences. The militants will not stay in the city for long, but what happened reveals both the ongoing problems with revealing the enemy’s operational plans, and gaps in the filtering of Al-Qaryatein, where the underground presence of militants remained (or the hidden infiltration of militants into the city was allowed, which could be due to the gaps in the work of the local GB or facts of betrayal). As a result, several dozen Syrian soldiers and militias paid for their miscalculations with their lives, in addition to those who were able to fight back from the city and wait for reinforcements, who are now knocking the militants out of the city and clearing the field. There were also significant losses in material terms. According to estimates, about 300 militants are entrenched in the city itself + approximately 100-150 are active in the foreground. The Syrians have already concentrated about 1000-1200 people against them + the group is increasing due to suitable reinforcements.
Access road to Al-Qaryatein. Part of the hills around the city was already occupied by the army by evening.
A rather painful click on the nose, reminiscent of the bloody consequences of underestimating the enemy. ISIS did not miss the opportunity to remind that even in the conditions of the strategic defeat of the Caliphate, militant groups are still capable of inflicting very significant blows, and among the surviving militant commanders there are still those who are able to skillfully plan and carry out complex operations. In general, I would like to believe that they will draw conclusions from this story and will more closely monitor such plans of the militants.
Akerbat cauldron
The Akerbat cauldron continues to shrink inexorably. The militants are putting up the most fierce resistance in the western part of the pocket, where the units that have retained their combat capability have been pushed back. The fighting there is quite stubborn and the SAA is also suffering losses there, although the militants have very little artillery and heavy equipment left. Attempts to achieve the complete surrender of the cauldron with the removal of militants to Mayadin apparently did not lead to success, so the SAA is now striving to cut the cauldron into two parts in order to finish cooking the cauldron in parts. There are several kilometers left between the group advancing south of Akerbat and the troops moving from Eastern Homs. The militants’ attempts to unblock the Akerbat pocket by striking the SAA communications in Deir ez-Zor or raiding Al-Qaryatein, in my opinion, are beyond the operational capabilities of the militants. Reports spread by Caliphate propaganda that militants allegedly besieged T-4 (Tiyas airbase) are not confirmed by Syrian sources. The reason for rumors of fighting in the Tiyas area is apparently the ongoing fighting in the south of the Akerbat pocket, which is being fired by SAA artillery from positions north of T-4. There may also be some infiltration of militants through the walls of the cauldron to the south and southeast. It is also worth noting that in Eastern Homs, an American UAV struck Hezbollah positions - 9,200x, 15,300x. Perhaps this is “revenge” for the strike by the Russian Aerospace Forces on American “proxies” in the area of the Koniko plant.
Northern Hama.
The fighting on the front in Northern Hama continued in a positional manner. The militants, after defeat in the battles near Ma'an and unsuccessful attempts to cut off the ledge to the east of it, switched to an active defense, holding the approaches to El Latamin and Morek, which are key points of their position in Northern Hama. Both sides brought significant forces into the battle, which is clearly visible from the active work of the Syrian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Forces. Active battles lead to significant losses on both sides with minor tactical successes - a fairly typical picture for the front in Northern Hama. However, the militants still achieved one strategic goal, forcing the SAA to transfer reinforcements here, which could be useful near Deir ez-Zor or somewhere in central Syria.
In Idlib itself, clashes between al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham continued without any definite result. Turkey has not yet sent the main forces to Idlib, limiting itself to armed police in the border areas. Perhaps they are relying on indirect support for Ahrar al-Sham, which should push Al-Nusra out of Idlib, taking advantage of the fact that a significant part of Al-Nusra’s forces are tied up in battles in Northern Hama and west of Aleppo.
Syrian-Iraqi border. T-2.
Efforts to advance to Abu Kamal along the Iraqi border have stalled for now. The militants quite skillfully counterattacked the positions of Iranian proxies in the T-2 area, as well as groups operating in the border area. Fighting with varying success led first to a slowdown in the pace of advance, and then to an actual suspension of the offensive. Iraqi advances north of Rutbah have similarly slowed. The advancing Hashd-Shaabi units were also drawn into maneuver warfare in the desert, and therefore ambitious plans for a rapid advance to Abu Kemal will be postponed to a later date. It can be noted that in fact these forces operating in the border area were excluded from the development of operations in the Deir ez-Zor area. The strikes were carried out in divergent directions, resulting in the formation of an operational salient between T-2 and Deir ez-Zor, which was used by the militants both for attacks on the Palmyra-Sukhna-Deir ez-Zor highway and for counterattacks on the group’s northern flank SAA and Iranian "proxies" advancing in the T2 area. It cannot be ruled out that a significant mistake was made here at the level of operations planning.
At-Tanf.
The Americans from the south are not particularly preventing this - they are reducing their presence in this area, focusing their strategy on Northern Syria. But they maintain a US special forces garrison in At-Tanf (about 150 people + up to 500 various militants) there. British special forces continue operations in the Syrian-Jordanian border area. The militant training camps in Jordan, which were supervised by the CIA and Jordanian military intelligence, were also not closed. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the United States is keeping the At-Tanf option in reserve in case of escalation in relations with Russia and Iran. There are no other reasons for the presence of American troops in this area; ISIS was driven out of here long ago. The SAA, taking advantage of the curtailment of militant activity and the closure of US forward bases, is slowly compressing the semi-ring around At-Tanf (without entering the “security radius” designated by the US), and is also moving along the Syrian-Jordanian border, which is facilitated by negotiations between Syria and Jordan on the subject situation at the border in the light of new realities. Ultimately, it is extremely important for Syria to take control of the border in the At-Tanf area in order to close one of the holes through which terrorists entered the country. The United States, in turn, will try to maintain this loophole in case its strategy in Syria changes.
