The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

18 days of military operations in Aleppo and Idlib: 1060 regime soldiers, Turks, rebels and jihadis killed, regime forces control the strategic M5 and capture 162 areas

Regime ground operation in both Idlib and Aleppo within the so-called “de-escalation” zone has accomplished its 18th consecutive day. The wide-scale military operation that was launched on the 24th of January 2020, with Russian support and supervision, enabled the Syrian regime and the Russians to achieve the operation’s major objective by controlling Aleppo – Damascus international highway completely.

This operation came under a cover of intense aerial and ground firepower represented by thousands of airstrikes, barrel bombs, rockets and artillery shells, which enabled the regime to capture more than 162 areas in both Idlib and Aleppo.

In Idlib, regime forces captured 101 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, Hantutin, Al-Jarrada, Al-Ruwayha and Al-Qahiryah, Khan al-Sobol town, Mardebseh, Al-Hartamiyah, Qamhana, Abu Juraif, Tal Khatrah, Tal Musaytif, Al-Kana’es, Karsyan, Hish, Kafr Mazdah, Jabbalah, Muqah, Al-Amudiyah, Armanya, Kafr Batikh, Dadikh, Luf, Anqarati, Jubas, Sannan, Zakkar, Tarnabeh and Al-Nayrab, Mardikh, Tal Mardikh, Kaddur, Al-Ruwayha, the Abandoned Battalion, Al-Balisah, Al-Wasitah, Kuwayris, Tal Al-Agher, Al-Mushayrafah, Tawil Al-Halib, Al-Raqim, Jadidat Al-Khatrah, Sheikh Idrees, Baj’as, Al-Rayyan, Tal Al-Rumman, Parisa, al-Hammamat, Tal al-Sultan, Om Sharshuh, al-Khashakhish, Tal Ibrahim, Jabal al-Taweel, Mas’adah, Ras Al-Ain, Shuha, Kafr Amim and Tal Rihan, Al-Rasafah, Islamin, Abu Al-Khashah, Tal Al-Tuqan, Jlas, Sheikh Mansur, Al-Duwayrah, Saraqeb, Afes and other eight villages, hills and positions in the eastern and south-eastern countryside of Idlib).

Meanwhile, regime forces managed to take control of more 61 areas in Aleppo: Khan Tuman, warehouses of Khan Tuman, Al-Khalidyah, Rajam, Hazmer Hills, Kherbet Kharas, Tal Al-Zaytun, Maarata, Al-Rashideen fifth sector, Zammar, Jazraya, Othmaniyah Kaberah, Talafeh, Tal Tabarez, Maharem, Khawwari, Al-Qal’ajiyah, Khalseh, Zitan, Berneh, Al-Huwayr, Abad, I’jaz, Sheikh Ahmed, Tal Karatin, Al-Zahiryah Farm, Al-Aaseriyah, Mak-hala, Rasm Al-Ward, Um Atabah, Rasm Al-Eis, Rasm Saharij, Jib Al-Kas, Bans, Al-Eis, Al-Eis Hill, Al-Kusaybiyah, Al-Bawabiyah, Al-Talhiyah, Tal Haddiyah, IKARDA, Al-Salihyah, Al-Barqum, Al-Zarbah, Al-Kammari, Al-Kalariyah, Kafr Halab, Al-Qanater, Kherbet Jazraya, Miznaz, Al-Rashideen 4th sector, Zaid neighborhood, Abu Shlim, Tal Klayriyah, Khan Al-Asal and other positions and hills in the area.

Observatory activists documented gross human losses in the ranks of both warring forces who have been killed in aerial and ground bombardment and fierce clashes since the 24th of January 2020. 405 jihadis among 545 opposition fighters were killed so far, in addition to the killing of 499 regime soldiers and loyalists of whom there are ten foreign militiamen loyal to Iran.

SOHR activists also documented the killing of 14 Turkish persons (13 soldiers and one civilian official) in rocket shelling by the regime forces on Turkish positions in Idlib countryside.