Syria Watch

The Syrian government has lost control of much of its Idlib Province, including the major city of Aleppo, to a sudden surge by a mix of anti-government forces. Russia appears to be scaling back its support of the Syrian regime or pausing to determine how to react. So far, no effective counterassaults have occurred, but the advances have finally been mostly halted.

Syria’s insurgency leader tours seized city of Aleppo, as fierce battles intensify near Hama – AP
Source Link
Excerpt:

The leader of Syria’s most powerful insurgent group Wednesday toured the seized city of Aleppo in a surprise visit, for the first time since the group captured large parts of the city last weekend, as fierce fighting intensifies in the government-led counter-offensive in northern Hama.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who heads jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, greeted crowds of supporters near the city’s iconic citadel as he smiled and waved in dark green military garb. Surrounded by masked gunmen in flak jackets, men and boys chanted “God is great” as he walked through the heart of Syria’s largest city.

The latest flareup in Syria’s long civil war comes after forces opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad ousted his troops from Aleppo, the country’s largest, as well as seized towns and villages in southern parts of the northwestern Idlib province.

Israeli strikes on Syria’s Palmyra killed 82 pro-Iran fighters– www.channelnewsasia.com
Source Link
Excerpt:

The UN deputy special envoy to Syria, Najat Rochdi, told the Security Council on Thursday that the bombardment was “likely the deadliest Israeli strike in Syria to date”.

Since civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria, mainly targeting the army and Iran-backed groups.

The Israeli military has intensified its strikes on targets in Syria since almost a year of hostilities with Iran-backed Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon escalated into full-scale war in late September.

Israel rarely comments on individual strikes in Syria but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to expand its presence in the country.