PHOTO: The landscape near Frikka in northwest Syria


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Rebels Defeat Another Regime Attack in Damascus
Photo Feature: Protecting Childhood — The Underground Play Area Near Damascus


The battle in the Idlib-Hama corridor in northwest Syria, which has been prominent since rebels took almost all of Idlib Province this spring, has surged in the past week with both a rebel offensive and a regime counter-attack.

Both sides are claiming victories in the latest fighting. State media and regime supporters say that elite Syrian forces have re-entered Idlib, trying to recover a key town lost at the start of last week’s surge by the rebel coalition Jaish al-Fateh. Pro-opposition activists asserted on Sunday that rebels have made another push in the al-Ghab Plain, which extends into Hama Province.

See Syria Daily, August 2: Can Regime Airstrikes Reverse the Rebel Victories in Northwest?

In April, Jaish al-Fateh began its challenge to the corridor, which connects Syria’s largest city Aleppo to the Mediterranean coast, after they took the provincial capital of Idlib city and Jisr al-Shughour on the Turkish border. Last week, it made a quick breakthrough when Syrian forces left the town of Frikka, their last major position in Idlib Province, on the east-west highway. The coalition also took more territory in the al-Ghab Plain.

However, Syrian forces regrouped and were bolstered by elite “Tiger” units and — according to many claims — Iranian-supported militia. They regained some towns in the Plain and, supported by intense airstrikes, challenged the rebels near Frikka and the Zayzoun thermal power plant. By Sunday, fighting was reported inside Frikka.

There was another twist yesterday when rebels reportedly launched more attacks in the west of the al-Ghab Plain. Claims are circulating that they have taken Fawru, near the town of Joureen.

At this point, the best assessment is that, after last week’s apparent collapse in Idlib, the Syrian military — probably with Iranian assistance — has shored up its immediate position. But the military situation is fluid, with no prospect at this time of a decisive victory for either side.

And then there is the larger question: after months in which it appeared the regime was losing its grip in the 4 1/2-year conflict — to the point where President Assad publicly neared acceptance of the partition of Syria — how significant will a victory in the Idlib-Hama corridor be for the resolution of the national battle?


Video: Renewed Protest Against Jaish al-Islam in Damascus Suburb of Saqba

A renewal of protest against the leading rebel faction Jaish al-Islam in Saqba, near Damascus:

There have been periodic demonstrations in the rebel-held area of East Ghouta over detentions and the regime’s siege, which has limited food and increased prices of basic goods.


Photos: Expansion of Refugee Camps on the Syrian-Turkish Border

Amid Turkey’s call for safe zones along its border with northern Syria, an analyst on social media offers evidence of the rapid expansion of refugee camps in Aleppo Province:


Syrian Warplane Crashes in Idlib Province — Scores Killed and Wounded

A Syrian warplane fell upon the town of Ariha in Idlib Province in northwest Syria on Monday morning, killing at least 28 people.

Ariha Today, a pro-opposition Facebook page, reported that another 55 people were injured by the crash of the Russian-made Sukhoi aircraft on a vegetable market in the town center. It said the crash was probably due to a technical error, as rebels have no effective anti-aircraft weapons.

South of Idlib city, Ariha was captured by rebels in late May as the opposition took almost all of Idlib Province.

(h/t to Abdurrahman Harkoush for reporting)

ARIHA 03-08-15


Officials: Air Cover for US-Trained Rebels v. Both Assad Regime and Islamic State

President Obama has authorized airstrikes to defend US-trained rebels in Syria from attacks by the Assad regime as well as groups like the Islamic State and the Islamist factions Jabhat al-Nusra, according to US officials.

The officials said the decision ended a months-long debate over the supporting role of the American military, with concern that the US-trained rebels could inadvertently start the first open conflict with Damascus.

The sources played down the chance of a confrontation with the Syrian military, saying that the regime will not challenge the US-supported units.

Last week, Colonel Nadim Hassan, the commander of the division with the 54 US-trained fighters, complained that the Americans had not given assurances of protection when the force entered Syria. Two days later, Hassan was abducted with up to 17 troops by Jabhat al-Nusra, and the Islamist faction attacked the division headquarters last Friday.

See Syria Daily, August 1: US War with Jabhat al-Nusra Escalates

Washington had also stepped back from a declaration by Turkey of safe areas in northern Syria along the Turkish border, saying that these were only to clear out the Islamic State and refuting any notion of safe havens or no-fly zones.

See Syria Feature: US Senior Officials — “No, We’re Not Supporting Safe Zones” along Turkey’s Border


Video: Rebels Face Regime Tank in Jobar in Damascus

Rebels, armed with light weapons, face a regime tank in Jobar in northeast Damascus:

The opposition has resisted months of regime bombardment and ground offensives in Jobar, 80% of which has been held by rebels since February 2013.