100 hours of military operations in Aleppo and Idlib: nearly 6,000 air and ground strikes, 26 areas fall to regime forces, and over 60,000 civilians displaced
Since military operations were launched under Russian supervision in Idlib and Aleppo on Friday evening, January 24, the regime forces achieved rapid advancements in Idlib.
During the past 100 hours, Syrian Observatory activists reported that the regime managed to capture 26 villages and towns: Telmans, Ma’ar Shmasha, Deir Sharqi, Deir Al-Gharbi, Ma’ar Shmarin, Ma’rata, Al-Ghadfa, Ma’ar Shourin Al-Za’alana, Al-Dana, Tal Sheikh, Sawami’e, Khirbet Mezyan, Masaran, Bsida, Taqana, Babolin, Kafr Bassin, Marhatat, Hamidia, Dar Al-Salaam, Salhia, Kafruma, Maarrat Al-Nu’man city, Wadi Al-Daif and Hantutin).
Accordingly, the regime forces became in control of nearly 40 km from Damascus – Aleppo International Highway within Idlib province, and 25 km only separate the regime forces from taking control of the entire highway.
Opposition factions still dominate nearly 57% of Idlib’s total area, while the remaining part of the province is under control of the regime.
Unlike Idlib, regime forces have not achieved any strategic advancement on frontlines in the western and southern countryside of Aleppo, after their fierce battles against opposition factions and jihadies.
Frontline areas in Khalseh and Khan Tuman, south of Aleppo, and Al-Rashideen, Ikthar Al-Bazzar and Al-Sahafiyeen in the west of Aleppo, have been witnessing hit-and-run clashes and exchange of control over positions and hills.
Regime ground operations in Idlib and Aleppo were supported by a cover of intense aerial and ground firepower. Since Friday, SOHR activists have documented more than 5975 air and ground strikes that targeted tens of areas in both Idlib and Aleppo countryside distributed as follows:
- Russian jets: at least 450 airstrikes
- Regime jets: over 495 airstrikes
- Regime helicopters: at least 381 barrel bombs
- Regime ground forces: nearly 4650 rockets and artillery shells
Observatory activists also documented gross human losses in the ranks of both warring forces who have been killed in bombardment and fierce clashes since Friday. 135 jihadis among 168 opposition fighters were killed so far, in addition to the killing of 147 regime soldiers and loyalists.
The military operations and intense aerial and ground bombardment forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their areas in both Aleppo and Idlib countryside. Activists informed the Syrian Observatory that over 60,000 civilians have been displaced in 100 hours, from villages and towns in the western countryside of Maarrat Al-Nu’man, Saraqib town and countryside, Ariha city and the rest of Jabal Al-Zawiya in Idlib countryside, and the western countryside of Aleppo.
Meanwhile, the International Community still turns a blind-eye towards the aggravated humanitarian catastrophe in the area and the regime and Russian policy of displacing more Syrians.