Russian intervention in Syria 73 months on | Over 45 airstrikes in “de-escalation zone”…growing tension…routine patrols in NE Syria
At a time when Russia’s plans are proceeding with their 73rd consecutive month of involvement in the Syrian crisis, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has monitored and tracked the recent developments during the tenth month of the sixth year of the Russian intervention in Syria. These key developments can be summarized regionally as follows:
North-east Syria
In the past month, Russian and Turkish forces conducted four patrols, two of which were in Ain al-Arab countryside (Kobani) in Aleppo province.
The first patrol was conducted on October 11 when Russian and Turkish vehicles set off from Ashma village in the west of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) and toured the villages of Jarqali Fuqani, Qarran, Dekmidash, Kharkhuri, Boban, Saftak, Joul Bek until they reached Tel Sha’ir, four km away from Ain al-Arab city (Kobani), before they returned to the starting point, passing through the villages of Susan, Qula, Qarrah Qawi Tahtani, Bayander, Mashku, Jabnah and Jarqali Fuqani.
While the second patrol was conducted on October 18, as eight Russian and Turkish vehicles set off from Ghareeb village near the border crossing with Turkey, to the east of Kobani, and toured the villages and towns of Qarrah Mough, Jayshan, Kharabisan Tahtani, Etoyran Tahtani, and Baghdik. The patrol reached Khanah Bandarkhan in the western countryside of al-Raqqah, before it returned to the starting point, then the Russian vehicles returned to their base in the broadcast centre in western Kobani.
The other two patrols toured al-Hasakah countryside on October 7 and 21. The first patrol comprised four Turkish vehicles and four Russian others set off from Sherek crossing in al-Darbasiyyah countryside on the Syria-Turkey border, where it toured the villages of Dalilak, Malak, al-Abbas, al-Aliyah and Zahr al-Arab until it reached Kasra crossing in the south of Abu Rasin (Zarkan). The patrol was escorted by two Russian helicopters.
While the second patrol set off from Sherek village in the west of al-Darbasiyyah and toured villages in southern and eastern countryside of al-Darbasiyyah, before they returned to the starting point. The patrol was escorted by two Russian helicopters. During the patrol, the Russian and Turkish forces stopped on the road between Amuda and al-Darbasiyyah cities in al-Hasakah countryside, where Turkish forces stepped out of their vehicles and removed graffiti written by unidentified individuals on the border wall against the Turkish presents “Erdogan” and the Turkish government.
North-west Syria
In the past month, Russian fighter jets continued their airstrikes on the “de-escalation zone”, targeting various positions in Idlib, Latakia, Aleppo and Hama countryside with over 45 airstrikes on eight days, October 1, 3, 7, 12, 19, 23, 24 and 27.
These airstrikes hit positions in the following areas:
- Idlib province: al-Bara, Kansafra, al-Kendah, Hursh Basenqoul, Jisr al-Shughur city, al-Kufair outskirts and Qah area
- Hama province: al-Ziyyarah in Sahl al-Ghab in the north-western countryside of Hama.
- Latakia: Kabana, al-Khudur hill in Jabal al-Akrad in the northern countryside of Latakia.
The Russian airstrikes on the “de-escalation zone” left several civilians injured and killed a member of Hayyaat Tahrir al-Sham in airstrikes on Hursh Basenqul on October 7.
On October 4, SOHR activists reported hearing several explosions in the area of the Russian airbase of Hmeimim in Jablah countryside on the Syrian coastline, caused by air-defences fire, while attempting to intercept “hostile” missiles targeting the base. However, the nature of the attack remained unknown whether it was a rocket attack or a drone attack. It is worth noting that no missiles managed to reach their targets inside the airbase.
During the 73rd month of Russia’s military operations in Syria, Russian fighter jets carried out three attacks on the perimeter of the Turkish base in al-Twees area in the east of Mare’ city in the northern countryside of Aleppo.
Syrian desert
In the 73rd month of military operations in Syria, SOHR activists document the death of 31 ISIS members and injury of 50 others in more than 1,200 Russian airstrikes on their positions in the Syrian desert, mostly killed in al-Raqqah desert, Deir Ezzor, Homs and Aleppo-Hama-al-Raqqah triangle.
On October 21, tens of young men gathered in the SDF-controlled village of al-Jininah in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor where they set rubber tires on fire on the road to the village, after Russian forces and Syria Democratic Forces removed soil barriers with the aim to allow Russian patrols to cross into the region.
Meanwhile, “Deir Ezzor Military Council” brought in military reinforcement to the region and prevented the Russians from entering areas under the council’s control. It is worth noted that SDF mediated to persuade “Deir Ezzor Military Council” to allow the Russian patrols to cross through the regime, but the residents and the council forces expressed their rejection.
Moreover, tens of residents who also rejected the crossing of Russian patrols through their areas gathered in al-Hesan village. The Russian forces are stationed in the regime-controlled village of al-Hesayniyya separating regime-controlled areas from SDF-held areas in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor.
On the following day, October 22, SOHR sources reported that the Russian convoy, which planned to cross to al-Raqqah through areas under the control of “Deir Ezzor Military Council” before the council’s forces and residents prevented the convoy from passing through their areas, crossed today through al-Salihiyah crossing separating regime-controlled areas from SDF-held areas in the north of Deir Ezzor city. According to SOHR sources, the Russian convoy passed through unpopulated areas, under SDF protection, as it took al-Mazad road before crossing Abu Khashab desert to al-Raqqah.
SOHR sources said that Syria Democratic Forces escorted the Russian convoy from Deir Ezzor to al-Raqqah secretly at dawn, as they did not pass from the areas which experienced protests by the residents and alertness by “Deir Ezzor Military Council Forces” on the previous day.
On October 25, a landmine exploded in a Russian armored vehicle, while it was passing on the Oman-Damascus international highway between Sayda and Om al-Mayazen in the eastern countryside of Daraa province.
The blast wounded several Russian soldiers who were inside the vehicle, while Russian and regime forces were put on high alert in the region. Meanwhile, identity of the group who planted the landmine on the international highway remained unknown.
As months pass, the Syrians suffer the scourge of the Russian intervention, which seems to resemble a kind of revenge and retaliation against Syrians for protesting against the regime that committed the worst violations against its own people. At a time when the map of alliances and power balances is changing, Russia has become the ultimate winner, succeeding in helping the Syrian regime regaining control over about two-thirds of the country after losing control of most of its territory. Moscow used the pretext of “the war on terror” to commit massacres against civilians, and sponsored and struck agreements which soon after abandoned. Moscow and its war machine spilt in the blood of Syrians despite claiming to be “political mediator” or “broker” that can deal with all parties to the conflict.
With all recent changes in the balance of powers, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights renews its appeals to the international community to put pressure on Russia to stop its aggression against the Syrians, and to find a political solution to end the Syrian crisis that completed its tenth year.