Started with protests in Daraa in 2011, the Syrian conflict rapidly turned into a war with a number of foreign powers supporting various militant groups (including al-Qaeda-linked) against the government of Bashar al-Assad. Since then, the country has been a point of instability in the Middle East.
Russia began a military intervention in Syria in 2015 after an official request by the Syrian government for military help against militant groups.This allowed the Syrian government to survive and to regain initiative in a battle against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda), ISIS and other militant groups.
I think with the palmyra offensive, Assad wants to reach Dez before the FSA or YPG does, and we all know that the crown jewel is Raqqa, and Assad wants to cut IS in two and make a larger stake in the east.
Nah. The SAA is on the move to deny ISIS roads south to Mayadin (along with picking up a few more gas fields). All the roads from the north end at or cross the Deir Azzor to Palmyra highway so the SAA is moving west from Deir Azzor to block those that bypass the city and east from Palmyra to regain control of that highway and it’s crossroads. From there the SAA can start moving north to clear out ISIS along the river and interior roads.
The US/FSA took control of the T2 to Palmyra highway and those leading east from T2 station and the airbase, leaving ISIS with only the river roads from Iraq and those bypassing Deir Azzor. The US/FSA appear to be heading towards the river to take control of a stretch to isolate Mayadin. The SDF then should start moving down the river that enters the Euphrates south of Deir Azzor to clear out that stretch and the east bank.
Yep, do that then keep moving north to regain control of eastern Idlib and southern Aleppo provinces so they’ll have more roads to Aleppo and force HTS to deploy more units to that sector. Seeing how they had a hard time getting any reinforcements down to the Hama Salient, being pressured along a long front should leave many areas short on defensive positions that can be exploited by the SAA.
I think with the palmyra offensive, Assad wants to reach Dez before the FSA or YPG does, and we all know that the crown jewel is Raqqa, and Assad wants to cut IS in two and make a larger stake in the east.
Very strategic
Nah. The SAA is on the move to deny ISIS roads south to Mayadin (along with picking up a few more gas fields). All the roads from the north end at or cross the Deir Azzor to Palmyra highway so the SAA is moving west from Deir Azzor to block those that bypass the city and east from Palmyra to regain control of that highway and it’s crossroads. From there the SAA can start moving north to clear out ISIS along the river and interior roads.
The US/FSA took control of the T2 to Palmyra highway and those leading east from T2 station and the airbase, leaving ISIS with only the river roads from Iraq and those bypassing Deir Azzor. The US/FSA appear to be heading towards the river to take control of a stretch to isolate Mayadin. The SDF then should start moving down the river that enters the Euphrates south of Deir Azzor to clear out that stretch and the east bank.
Taken East Homs/Hama, all will became simpler
Yep, do that then keep moving north to regain control of eastern Idlib and southern Aleppo provinces so they’ll have more roads to Aleppo and force HTS to deploy more units to that sector. Seeing how they had a hard time getting any reinforcements down to the Hama Salient, being pressured along a long front should leave many areas short on defensive positions that can be exploited by the SAA.