Russian full support and regional agreements bring 216 areas in Idlib and Aleppo under Syrian regime control in three weeks
Regime ground operation in both Idlib and Aleppo that was launched on the 24th of January 2020 in the so-called “de-escalation” zone has accomplished three consecutive weeks. Yesterday saw the most prominent developments as regime forces captured 32 areas in Aleppo suburbs and the city’s northern and north-western parts in few hours, following factions retreat. Now, Aleppo city is completely secured and empty of opposition rebels for the first time since 2011.
The wide-scale military operation that was launched on the 24th of January 2020, with Russian support and supervision, caused significant developments and shifts on the map of powers and influence. Under a cover of intense aerial and ground firepower represented by thousands of airstrikes, barrel bombs, rockets and artillery shells, regime forces captured more than 215 areas in both Aleppo and Idlib. The area also saw regional agreements led to the factions’ pullout from tens of the area.
In Idlib, regime forces captured 102 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, Maarrat Al-Na’saan 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 114 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, Arbikh, Sheikh Ali, Arradah, Arnaz, Al-Muhandiseen first countryside, Kafr Jum, Zahrat Al-Mada’en, Al-Shameko, Al-Muhandiseen second countryside, Al-Sawma’a roundabout, Urm Al-Sughra, Urm Al-Kubra, Jam’eyyat Al-Radwan, the 46th Regiment, Kafr Naha, the area of the scientific research center, Jam’eyyat Al-Kahrabaa, Aajil, Owayjil, Al-Mansurah, the northern Al-Rashideen, Sadiyeh, Police School, Al-Shuwayhana, Tallat Al-Shuwayhana, Kafr Da’el, Hayyan, Beyanoun, Tal Musaybin, Babis, Maarrat Al-Artiq, Bashtara, Jam’eyyat Al-Hadi, Haritan, Anadan, Kafr Hamra, the second Jam’eyyat Al-Kahrabaa, Jam’eyyat Azaar, Tal Al-Nabi Nu’man, Jam’eyyat Al-Fanar, Bashqatin, Beit Ghazi, Al-Houta, Qayloun, Jam’eyyat Al-Itihad Al-Arabi, Jam’eyyat Al-Muharibin, Majinah, Jam’eyyat Al-Zahraa, Layramoun, Yaqed Al-Adas, Kafr Basin, Sheikh Aqil 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. 499 jihadis among 659 opposition fighters were killed so far, in addition to the killing of 591 regime soldiers and loyalists of whom there are 18 foreign militiamen loyal to Iran, including four members of the Lebanese Hezbollah.
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.