The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Syrian Army Shells Southern Idlib As Russian Warplanes Scout The Region

On May 1 afternoon, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) shelled militants’ positions in the Zawiya Mountain in the southern Idlib countryside.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the army launched a barrage of rockets at the towns of Fatterah and Sufuhon. Both towns are known to be under the control of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other terrorist groups.

“[The shelling] coincided with the flight of Russian reconnaissance planes in the airspace of the region,” the London-based monitoring group said in its report.

The rocket strike was likely a response to recent violations of the ceasefire in Greater Idlib. A few days ago, terrorists of the al-Qaeda-affiliated “Wa Harid al-Muminin” operations room shelled SAA positions in the region.

The ceasefire in Greater Idlib is a part of a wider agreement brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5. The agreement includes other important terms like the reopening of the M4 highway, between the cities of Lattakia and Aleppo. Turkey is yet to implement this term.

In spite of repeated violations and the delays in the implementation of some terms, the March 5 agreement appears to be holding. The collapse of the agreement could result in another confrontation between the SAA and Turkish forces in Greater Idlib.

Source: Syrian Army Shells Southern Idlib As Russian Warplanes Scout The Region – Russia News Now