Syrian War: News #23

Erdogan and Putin spoke on the phone on November 24.

HTS launched its offensive on November 27. I don't think these can be coincidences.

I didn't expect HTS to capture areas from the Syrian Army that quickly. It looks like the Syrian Army shows very minimal resistance and then they retreat.

After all this, I expected the Turkish Army to capture Manbij and Tell Rifaat, but that doesn't seem to be happening either. Turkish Army remains silent.

It seems that the YPG is filling the areas where the Syrian Army has withdrawn. Some sources say they have taken control of Aleppo Airport.

interesting things happening in Syria

morning wood, it makes me wonder why Russia wasn't this active with aerial bombing in Ukraine.



Edit: I have heard the SAA and SDF made an alliance

morning wood, it makes me wonder why Russia wasn't this active with aerial bombing in Ukraine.

It's simple. These guys don't have any decent AA systems.

| Syrian Defense Ministry issued a statement:

In recent days, terrorist groups affiliated with Al-Nusra, backed by thousands of foreign fighters, heavy weaponry, and numerous drones, launched a large-scale offensive attack on multiple fronts in Aleppo and Idlib.

Dozens of our soldiers were killed and others injured in intense battles with terrorists across a frontline spanning over 100 kilometers, as they work to halt their advance.

Faced with large numbers of terrorists and multiple battlefronts, our forces executed a strategic redeployment to bolster defensive lines, mitigate the attack, safeguard civilians and soldiers, and prepare for a counteroffensive.

In recent hours, terrorist groups managed to infiltrate significant areas of Aleppo’s neighborhoods but failed to establish strongholds due to the continued precision and intensity of our forces’ strikes.

We will persist in our operations to confront and expel terrorist groups, restoring state authority and institutions throughout Aleppo and its countryside.

Videos have emerged showing a huge number of wounded terrorists after our Aerospace Forces struck

The bearded men were jumping and rejoicing yesterday, but today, after a gift from our pilots, it’s not so fun

https://t.me/intelslava/70533

— (18+) / WATCH: Terrorists of HTS have started their ISIS practices, summarily executing a group of surrendered SAA soldiers in Aleppo Governorate

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/13087

— / NEW: The SDF (Kurdish forces) have entered Aleppo Intl. Airport and Nayrab, as well as other areas in Aleppo City, in order to help the SAA defend against HTS

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/13089

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 11:12]
— / Confirmed visual presence of HTS terrorists in Morek city, 25km from Hama

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 11:29]
— / NEW: HTS terrorists entered a Shia place of sacred mourning (Husseiniyah) in Aleppo and disrespected the sanctity of the Prophet's Grandson, Imam Hussain, by playing musical instruments inside

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 11:34]
— // NEW: Aleppo International Airport has been captured by HTS terrorists, after the Kurdish SDF did not put up any resistance

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 11:37]
Five years. Five years the SAA had time to prepare for this. Not a single roadblock, not a single trench, not a single minefield in sight in the entirety of Western Aleppo. What the hell were they doing?

This is sheer incompetence.

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 11:59]
Maybe he was onto something.

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 12:16]
— / NEW: HTS terrorists have reportedly captured Suran, the road to Hama now lies open

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 12:16]
— / NEW: HTS rebels have entered the Aleppo International Airport

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 12:20]
— / NEW: HTS terrorists have captured Halfaya, north of Hama, and they are enterint Muhradah

@Middle_East_Spectator

— NEW: Major convoys of the Syrian Arab Army are seen south of Hama

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/13103

— What seems to have happened, is that from the beginning, after two days, the SAA decided to withdraw and position itself at stronger 'defensive lines' West of Aleppo, with the intention of regrouping and preparing themselves.

However, HTS did not stop advancing, and reached these defensive lines much sooner than expected, when the SAA had not finished regrouping or positioning itself, and they were in total disarray. So once again, they decided to withdraw to a defensive line further in the rear, which was Aleppo itself.

Instead of stopping and preparing for the assault on Aleppo, which is what the SAA expected, HTS just kept advancing, and every single time HTS was nearing the SAA positions, the defenders were not ready and had not properly established themselves yet.

This led to a perpetual scenario where the SAA withdraws to deeper defensive lines, but the HTS simply catches up with them, and they once again retreat. Now, the command structure and communications have collapsed, and every division / brigade seems to be making its own decisions.

The only actual resistance we saw from the SAA was in Anadan and Western Aleppo Countryside during the first two days, and in Tadif, South of Al-Bab, because those positions were already dug in and somewhat prepared for defense. The HTS advance is simply so fast, that the SAA is in total chaos and cannot make a proper plan.

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 12:56]
— NEW: The Syrian Arab Army is seen leaving Hama, retreating towards Homs.

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:07]
— NEW: All educational activities and public gatherings in Homs have been suspended.

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:09]
— // NEW: Russia's Foreign Minister made an urgent phone call to the Foreign Minister of Iran, regarding the developments in Syria

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:11]
All SAA units have left Hama.

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:13]
I hope the Syrian government realizes that if the rebels reach Homs, then Latakia and Tartous will practically be encircled.

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:20]
— / BREAKING: The Syrian Government has made an official appeal to Iran for immediate military intervention

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:22]
You want us to intervene while you do not even defend a single position?

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:27]
— // NEW: Russian and Iranian military officials are urging the Syrian Arab Army to make a stand in Hama, and to not leave the city under any circumstance, at least not without resistance – 'we need to buy time', says one Russian advisor

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:36]
The message is clear, DO NOT abandon Hama without a fight.

Let's see if the SAA received it.

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:39]
— Syrian Defense Ministry: 'We have not left and will not leave Hama, this information is falsely being spread. Our units are stationed north and east of Hama, prepared to counter any terrorist assault. Russian and Syrian warplanes continue to bomb terrorist gatherings and positions.'

@Middle_East_Spectator

Middle East Spectator, [30/11/2024 13:55]
— / NEW: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will land in Damascus tomorrow to meet with Assas personally, and the Syrian Foreign Minister

@Middle_East_Spectator

— / NEW: HTS fighters have entered Hama outskirts, the battle for the city has begun

https://t.me/Middle_East_Spectator/13118

This is not a about fighting anymore. It looks more and more as some kind of pre-arranged agreement or even a coup. Big territories are being left behind without any meaningful resistance.

I am assuming Assad got briefed with Russian intel about what manpower and equipment they are to deal with, and necessary amount of force the Russians will provide to thwart the rebels before he flew black to Syria. If you are really in trouble you would stay in Russia.

If Iran an Russia allow this...smh

This is beyond fighting at this point. Some sort of an ongoing coup looks more likely , than anything else. Russia should start negotiating with Alawite elites about organizing defense of Latakia region and, just in case, have plans for evacuation of Hmeim airbase and Tartus naval base. Iran fucked up big time this one. Sukheil al Hassan is a proven pro-Russian man and him and his boys should be evacuated to Latakia. Aside from some sort of deus ex machina event, it is every man for himself.

Also, another stab in the back to Putin from his партнеры. Erdogan with his "watermelon seller" calculations has outplayed our dear chess player once again.

SAA reinforcements arriving to Hama


At this point I am starting to believe Russians are easy to bribe, Maybe Russia should raise their salaries?

This failure doesn't have anything to do with Russians, per se, but with SAA and Iranians.
With that said, Kisel was relegated to Syria because his **** ups in Ukraine. This system has to stop and all incompetent officers should be at least retired, if not dishonorably discharged or even sent to serve prison time when their guilt is proven. Instead, now they are just being shuffled around and sent either to Syria or to command units in the rear.

Edit: another remark

Interesting thing to notice is complete absence of Iranian strike drones. Considering that these guys don't have any legit AA systems, some 50-60 strike drones would make a carnage.
In a bigger picture, Iran once again talks a lot and loud, but doesn't back it up with actions. Russia should take that into consideration, when planning anything serious.

Latakia is Russian clay, nobody is getting evacuated from there

But rest of it is disposable and honestly pretty useless

It's just sand

Oh, i completely agree. Keep Latakia and region around it and ditch everything else. As i said, Assad and Iranians fucked this up.