Often described as the last bastion of the Syrian rebellion, the Idlib Province is heavily controlled by al-Qaeda at this point. Over the past two days, monitors have reported some of the heaviest fighting in months, as Syrian troops and their allies were hit by al-Qaeda, and tried to rebound by pushing into the area around Maarat al-Numaan.
Early signs are that the fighting was high casualty, if not particularly decisive. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 69 people killed, with 36 pro-government fighters among the slain.
In the end, no territory ended up changing hands for long. Al-Qaeda had taken a few positions early on, but counter-attacks, backed by Russian airstrikes, reversed the course and returned things to the status quo.
Civilians in the area around the fighting fled to the extent that they were able. The fighting over Idlib is likely to continue going forward, with the Syrian government keen to end al-Qaeda’s presence, and reclaim control over the last territory held by rebels not affiliated with any foreign power.
Rebels or Al-Qaeda? Or White Helmet saints saving people from about 5,000 schools and 10,000 hospitals, while also providing public service of hygienic removal of beheaded bodies. Among other “rebels” we armed and supported is the group that filmed beheading of an 8 year old child. All US and UK taxpayer curtesy. Does our heart so much good just thinking how charitable we are. Much better then allowing Syria to take charge of territory and establish peace with the help of Russia.
Syria should know. If we cannot have you, nobody will!
“…rebels not affiliated with any foreign power(?)” Yeah, that’s not actually a thing. These bastards are all Saudi/US/Israel monsters by nature, and I’m not convinced that the pipeline of Western/Wahhabi aid ever stopped.
How much time have you spent in Syria, that you’re so sure not a single Syrian ever got fed up up enough with the existing regime to fight against it?
That is a good question. Considering the number of refugees from, Iraq, Palestine, Turkey, Afghanistan, or any other place rubbled, might be difficult enough, even for a Syrian, to know who is Syrian in the first place. In the case of an armed mercenary group, whom, even a Syrian, would be kinda nuts to ask them who they are, where they are from, and what are they doing.
Individuals, sure, but the groups? Even the ones I like have been compromised by the smorgasbord of foreign aid and entanglements. It’s like the Marines, sure there’s good soldiers, but they aren’t the shot-callers.