Syrian, Russian Strikes Eliminate Dozens Of Militants In Idlib & Aleppo (Video, Photos)

FILE PHOTO: Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft before departing for its permanent base in Russia from Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. © Vadim Grishankin / Sputnik

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) had carried out a series of operations against militants in the Greater Idlib region and the Turkish-occupied parts of the northern Aleppo countryside, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced on March 16.

In a statement, the ministry said that the joint operations were carried out in response to recent violations and attacks by the militants.

“The operations led to the complete destruction of terrorist sites and headquarters, and the killing and wounding of dozens of them,” the statement reads.

The ministry also released video showing airstrikes by the VKS against positions of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, the Ahrar al-Sham Movement and other groups. The video also contained footage of recent FPV drone strikes by the SAA against militants’ vehicles and equipment.

In recent weeks, HTS and its allies stepped up attacks from Greater Idlib on nearby government-held areas in violation of a ceasefire agreement that was brokered by Russia and Turkey more than three years ago.

On March 14, the Syrian MoD reported that five reconnaissance and attack drones launched by militants were shot down by the SAA over the countryside of Aleppo.

Overall, the situation in Greater Idlib remains very tense. Despite this, the SAA and its allies will not likely launch a ground operation in the region any time soon as such a move could lead to a dangerous confrontation with Turkey who maintains large forces there.

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