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On July 11, warplanes of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) carried out a series of airstrikes on several positions in the towns of al-Rami, Mozra, al-Najeya and Kinda in the northwestern Idlib countryside. According to Syrian pro-government activists, the artistrikes targeted positions of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other radical armed groups.
A day earlier, SyAAF conducted a similar wave of airstrikes on HTS’ positions in the towns of Urum al-Jawz, Frikeh, Muhambal and Bsanqul, which are also in the northwestern Idlib countryside.
These airstrikes are likely a response to the recent attack on the SAA’s positions in northern Lattakia. More than 25 soldiers and officers of the SAA were killed as a result of the attack, which was launched by HTS and al-Qaeda-affailated groups two days earlier.
The de-escalation agreement in northern Syria allows the SAA to respond to any violation with military action. In the upcoming days, the Russian Aerospace Forces may join the SyAAF conducting own airstrikes on HTS and its allies in order to deter them.
