PHOTO: Regime troops in Bahsa in the al-Ghab Plain in Hama Province
LATEST
- Rebels Take High Point in Quneitra Offensive
- Tribute to Photojournalist Killed by Islamic State Car Bomb on Thursday
- Aleppo Rebels Form New “Jaish al-Sham” to Consolidate Groups
- Video: Regime Airstrike Kills Civilians in Douma Near Damascus
President Assad’s military is claiming a significant advance on one of the three fronts of the regime-Russian offensive in western Syria.
On the third day of the offensive, the military said that it had taken two villages, Kafr Ajouz and Kafr Al-Dalbeh in the mountains of Jabal al-Akrad, near the important rebel-held town of Salma in northeastern Latakia Province.
The hilltop town of Salma, controlled by the rebels since 2012, overlooks Idlib Province and the city of Jisr al-Shughour on the Turkish border. Almost all of Idlib was captured by the opposition this spring.
Covered by bombing from the Russian air force, the Syrian army launched its offensive on Wednesday in a 20-km (13-mile) west-east salient in northern Hama Province. However, almost of its initial gains have been lost, with the rebels claiming the recapture of grain silos and attacks on the remaining regime-held village of Atshan.
On Thursday, another front was opened in between the northeast Latakia offensive and the Hama salient in the al-Ghab Plain, most of which was taken by the rebels as they moved through neighboring Idlib Province.
Pro-regime accounts are claiming that the offensive has claimed the town of Bahsa and the hilltop of Jubb al-Ahmar.
Fighting in northern Hama Province:
View near the disputed village of Atshan:
Russia: “60 Targets Destroyed, 300 Terrorists Killed” on Friday
The Russian military claimed on Friday that its bombing had killed 300 fighters — most of them with rebel groups — on the Hama and Latakia fronts and in Aleppo, Idlib, and Raqqa Provinces.
The Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff, Lieutenant General Igor Makushev, said Su-34 and Su-25 jet fighters carried out 67 sorties. He claimed six command-and0communication centers, six ammunition and fuel depots, 17 terrorist-training camps, three underground facilities, and 16 fortified sites were destroyed.
Pro-opposition activists confirmed that the Russians destroyed the headquarters of the Free Syrian Army’s Division 13, which has been prominent in destroying regime tanks in the Hama offensive:
HQ of an FSA 13th Division brigade was targeted by Russian jets near Khan Shaykhon today; 1 dead, several wounded, HQ completely destroyed.
— Sami (@Paradoxy13) October 9, 2015
A march in Idlib city condemns the Russian bombing:
The protesters of Kafranbel in Idlib Province chide Russia and Iran, burning the Russian flag. There is also a message to the “Friends of Syria”, such as the US and European countries, for allowing the Russian intervention:
Rebels Take High Point in Quneitra Offensive
Rebels have advanced in their offensive from Quneitra Province in southwest Syria towards the Damascus area, capturing the highest point in north Quneitra.
The rebels declared control of Tal al-Qab, also known as “UN Hill”, near the town of Khan Arnabah (see map), after fighting with regime militia on Saturday.
The hilltop position opens up the possibility of an advance into the valley, moving towards the Western Ghouta area near Damascus.
Rebels announced the offensive last month in an attempt to surround the capital, with the Jaish al-Fateh rebel faction pursing a parallel offensive on the northeastern side of Damascus.
Tribute to Photojournalist Killed by Islamic State Car Bomb on Thursday
Emma Beals of Mashable pays tribute to photojournalist Saleh Mahmoud Laila, among more than 20 victims of an Islamic State car bomb in Hreitan in Aleppo Province on Thursday:
Committed to telling the stories of Syria, long after most had decided it was no longer possible, he’d be there, the sharpest-dressed man on the front lines, snapping away. But if someone was injured, he’d be there too –– one hand on the shutter, one hand helping.
Saleh always looked after me when I went to Syria. He’d collect me from the border and drive me at breakneck speeds through the countryside to his family home or other safe houses in and around Aleppo.
He’d help me get access to difficult stories, feed me, and ferry me around, despite my disparaging comments about his driving. He took my safety seriously. He did the same for other journalists, both foreign and Syrian, despite being a journalist himself. Much of the best reporting from northern Syria in the last year or two has had Saleh’s guiding hand in it.
(Photo: Ahmed Deeb)
Leila was working for the Anadolu Agency when he was killed. He was badly burned a few months ago but quickly returned to journalism after his recovery in Turkey.
Aleppo Rebels Form New “Jaish al-Sham” to Consolidate Groups
Rebel commanders in Aleppo had formed the new bloc Jaish al-Sham to unite several factions.
The bloc includes several former commanders of the leading faction Ahrar al-Sham, including Abu Abderrahman (Mohammed Talal Bazerbashi), Yamin al-Naser, and Abu Abul-Abbas al-Shami. It reportedly has more than 1000 fighters.
The consolidation comes as the Islamic State took advantage of Russian bombing of rebels to capture areas east of Aleppo, including the Infantry Academy and several villages. Jaish al-Sham said it reclaimed one of the villages on Friday, working with Ahrar al-Sham, Faylaq Al Sham, Ahrar al-Sham, and Jabhat al-Shamiya.
Total number of fighters : More than 1000 men.
Video: Regime Airstrike Kills Civilians in Douma Near Damascus
The Syrian air force has killed more civilians in another of its regular airstrikes on Douma, northeast of Damascus.
The Assad regime has slain hundreds of people in the town since this summer, as they try to break the resistance of locals and rebels such as the leading faction Jaish al-Islam.
Rescuers take away a body:
