Syria Update.
Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has made significant gains in its efforts to liberate Idlib from the Jihadists.
Map as of 3 Feb 2020:
Map as of 10 feb 20:
The SAA's aim is to regain control over the M5 highway between DAMASCUS and ALEPPO city and the M4 highway between LATAKIA and SARAQIB. Syria's currency is in freefall and opening these highways is a vital step to revitalize the Syrian economy.
The SAA is currently attempting to envelop the Jihadists to the WEST of ALEPPO. The SAA using a pincer movement from the SW and NW of ALEPPO. As you can see, there is a classic cauldron forming there.
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"If you do not know what you are doing, neither does your enemy."
- - Joe Tzu
For over a week now, Sultan Erdogan has been sending his Army into Syria. He says it is to bolster the Turk observation posts that were allowed as per the Sochi Agreement. There are estimates of 6000 troops and 1400+ military vehicles, including tanks, APCs and artillery. SAA and Turks traded artillery fire today. Reports (not confirmed) of six Turk KIA and several more wounded. The Turks claim 100+ SAA KIA but there is no evidence at this time to support this claim.
On 3 Feb 20, either SAA or RuAF planes struck a Turk convoy WEST of SARAQIB:
35.868346,36.751833
Update:
Reports now of another convoy hit in the vicinity of AL ATARIB (WEST of ALEPPO). The convoy was transporting APCs. Initial reports said it was a Turk convoy but now sources say it was HTS/Al Qaeda. There was RuAF operating in the area at the time, so it's highly conceivable they struck another convoy.
__________________
"If you do not know what you are doing, neither does your enemy."
- - Joe Tzu
Last edited by Baron von Kriterium; 02-10-2020 at 02:18 PM.
For over a week now, Sultan Erdogan has been sending his Army into Syria. He says it is to bolster the Turk observation posts that were allowed as per the Sochi Agreement. There are estimates of 6000 troops and 1400+ military vehicles, including tanks, APCs and artillery. SAA and Turks traded artillery fire today. Reports (not confirmed) of six Turk KIA and several more wounded. The Turks claim 100+ SAA KIA but there is no evidence at this time to support this claim.
On 3 Feb 20, either SAA or RuAF planes struck a Turk convoy WEST of SARAQIB:
35.868346,36.751833
Update:
Reports now of another convoy hit in the vicinity of AL ATARIB (WEST of ALEPPO). The convoy was transporting APCs. Initial reports said it was a Turk convoy but now sources say it was HTS/Al Qaeda. There was RuAF operating in the area at the time, so it's highly conceivable they struck another convoy.
That Ferris wheel gets me. A stark reminder that war zones are where regular people live
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a. Turk/TFSA/FSA/HTS/Al Qaeda - whatever you wish to call them - shot down a SyAF Mi8 helicopter. They used a MANPADS although you might read some Turk sources state a Turk F16 shot it down. This is not likely due to the RuAF control of the airspace. All crew KIA. MANPADS use is a bit of a red line for Putin and the Russians because of the origin (Turkey) of the MANPADS and the Russian response has been devastating to Turkey so far. Basically, if you're on the wrong side of the Forward Edge of the Battle Area, you're a target, no matter what the patch is on your sleeve.
b. Turk/TFSA/FSA/HTS/Al Qaeda counter-attack at NAYRAB. The counter-attack failed and SAA retain control of the town.
c. RuAF/SyAF strafed a Turk/TFSA/FSA/HTS/Al Qaeda column in the vicinity of QAMINAS. Pic from the alleged airstrike:
Note the "Turkish Army" points in SAA-controlled territory. These are Turk OPs that have been surrounded by the SAA.
d. SAA effectively secure the M5 highway from DAMASCUS to ALEPPO.
e. SAA liberated KHAN Al-ASAL, a western suburb of ALEPPO. This town is significant to the SAA because it was here where Jihadists executed 50+ SAA soldiers in 2013.
From here, SAA should head NW to close the bulge.
f. RuAF attack IDLIB city.
__________________
"If you do not know what you are doing, neither does your enemy."
- - Joe Tzu
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Videos surfaced today of a skirmish between US forces and Syrian villagers in the vicinity of QAMISHLI, NE Syria.
BACKGROUND:
a. A US patrol enters the area at around 0850 local time and encounters a National Defence Forces (NDF) checkpoint. The road is blocked and the patrol prevented from continuing, even though US patrols have been along this road before. https://twitter.com/user/status/1227540757411717126
b. A clash takes place between the US patrol members and the NDF.
c. A person is killed and another wounded. Local villagers initially claim that the Americans shot a 14-year old teen. But, it can be confirmed that a 22-year old belonging to the local Ba'ath militia was shot.
d. US aircraft buzz the village. Smoke grenades or thermal flares are dropped.
e. Villagers gather around the American vehicles.
f. Shortly after, Russian forces arrive. Discussions take place with the Russians.
Videos surfaced today of a skirmish between US forces and Syrian villagers in the vicinity of QAMISHLI, NE Syria.
BACKGROUND:
a. A US patrol enters the area at around 0850 local time and encounters a National Defence Forces (NDF) checkpoint. The road is blocked and the patrol prevented from continuing, even though US patrols have been along this road before. https://twitter.com/user/status/1227540757411717126
b. A clash takes place between the US patrol members and the NDF.
c. A person is killed and another wounded. Local villagers initially claim that the Americans shot a 14-year old teen. But, it can be confirmed that a 22-year old belonging to the local Ba'ath militia was shot.
d. US aircraft buzz the village. Smoke grenades or thermal flares are dropped.
e. Villagers gather around the American vehicles.
f. Shortly after, Russian forces arrive. Discussions take place with the Russians.
Videos surfaced today of a skirmish between US forces and Syrian villagers in the vicinity of QAMISHLI, NE Syria.
BACKGROUND:
a. A US patrol enters the area at around 0850 local time and encounters a National Defence Forces (NDF) checkpoint. The road is blocked and the patrol prevented from continuing, even though US patrols have been along this road before. https://twitter.com/user/status/1227540757411717126
b. A clash takes place between the US patrol members and the NDF.
c. A person is killed and another wounded. Local villagers initially claim that the Americans shot a 14-year old teen. But, it can be confirmed that a 22-year old belonging to the local Ba'ath militia was shot.
d. US aircraft buzz the village. Smoke grenades or thermal flares are dropped.
e. Villagers gather around the American vehicles.
f. Shortly after, Russian forces arrive. Discussions take place with the Russians.
This all takes place over the course of several hours.
What is Arabic for 'you don't count for #### round here any more yankee, your President is our bitch so eff off back where you came from and leave it to the Russians'?
* Elements within a Turkish OP near DARAT IZZA, Western ALEPPO, used a MANPADS to shoot down another Syrian helicopter.
Crash site
* Syrian Army captures Regiment 46 Base. This puts the SAA about 6 km from the key town of ATARIB.
* It appears the SAA and YPG (Kurds) have opened another front to the NW of ALEPPO and are attempting to move SOUTH - likely on an ATARIB axis.
* SAA 4th Armored Division continues to push WEST through the western ALEPPO suburbs. This is tough, urban fighting and the Jihadis have significantly fortified their positions. This map is a possible future scenario, not actual progress:
*10 Turkish observation posts now completely surrounded in SAA-held areas.
*Russian airstrikes on various villages and towns in IDLIB.
__________________
"If you do not know what you are doing, neither does your enemy."
- - Joe Tzu
