Russian Airstrikes Hit Towns Along Syria-Turkey Border

Russian warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes against towns in northern Idlib Province, along the Turkish border. The strikes hit Qah and Sarmada, along with areas near Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

There was no word of casualties from the Russian strikes so far, though seven were reported slain in Syrian artillery fire at al-Atareb, which some reports from Turkey and its rebel allies tied to the Russian strikes.

Rebels tried to downplay the significance of the strikes, saying they did not see them as a prelude to new advances on the ground in Idlib. Rather, they say the Russians were trying to sow confusion with the latest strikes.

Though strikes into the rebel-dominated  part of northern Idlib aren’t unheard of, they usually have some intention, and so far it’s not clear they’ve accomplished anything, or set up any territory to change hands.