PHOTO: The Free Syrian Army joins protesters in Kafranbel in northwest Syria to warn Russia


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Having largely held their lines against a five-front regime-Russian-Iranian-Hezbollah offensive, rebels have declared their intention for an attack of their own in western Syria.

The rebel coalition Jaish al-Fateh said again on Saturday that it will soon launch a push towards Hama city, Syria’s fourth-largest.

Despite facing the widespread assault since October 7 of Russian airpower and regime ground assaults supported by Hezbollah and Iranian-led units — including two fronts in Hama Province — rebels have concentrated resources and reorganized forces not only to withstand the attacks but to prepare for their strike.

The opposition appears to have concluded that the best moment to hit the Syrian military is when it is in “offensive mode”, because it will take time to regroup units. The tactic was effectively this spring in the al-Ghab Plain, in northwestern Hama Province bordering rebel-controlled Idlib, as rebels moved through the area.

A successful offensive would connect the current rebel-held pocket around Rastan with the opposition territories to the north. It would also cut off the Assad stronghold of Latakia Province on the Mediterranean from Damascus.

In addition to the two fronts in Hama Province, the Syrian military has tried to advance in northeastern Latakia Province, bordering Hama to the west; northern Homs Province to the south; and near Aleppo city.

Despite widespread Russian airstrikes, the ground attacks again struggled to establish progress on Saturday. Rebels contended that they had again destroyed several armored vehicles, having struck dozens of tanks, BMPs, and Shilka vehicle-mounted systems in the past 11 days.

State TV’s footage on the offensive in southern Aleppo Province, launched on Friday:

More Russian airstrikes on al-Ghanto in northern Homs Province on Sunday:

A bomb strikes a mosque in al-Ghanto:

The rebel-held area — the “Rastan pocket” — in northern Homs:

RASTAN MAP

(Map by Archicivilians)

Russia: 39 Missions on 49 “Terrorist” Facilities

The Russian Defense Ministry said its warplanes conducted 39 sorties on 49 “terrorist” facilities.

Major General Igor Konashenkov said the attacks “destroyed 11 command centres”, a factory producing explosive devices, three artillery positions, nine warehouses of weapons and ammunition, two bases for military vehicles, 15 field camps,and eight fortified areas.


Claims: Up to 300,000 Flee in 48 Hours from Aleppo Province Amid Regime Offensives

The UN says 35,000 people have fled Aleppo Province in the last 48 hours amid regime offensives against both rebels and the Islamic State.

However, local activists estimate that the number is far higher, with at least 100,000 and up to 300,000 leaving.

The regime-Russian offensive, with Iranian-supported troops and Hezbollah, opened a front south of Aleppo city on Friday.

East of the city, the Syrian military has moved into areas as the Islamic State has pulled back. The Assad forces is reportedly less than 8 km (5 miles) from Kweires Airbase, which has been under a lengthy siege by ISIS.


4th Iranian Revolutionary Commander Killed in 10 Days

Another Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander has been killed, according to Iran’s Basij News.

The body of Moslem Khizab, the former commander of a Guards battalion in Isfahan, will be returned to Iran on Tuesday. There is no information yet of where he was killed.

General Hassan Hamedani, the overall Iranian commander in Syria, was slain by the Islamic State near Aleppo on October 7. Two former commanders of Guards brigades died last week in the regime-Russian offensives in northern Syria.


Disease Fears Because of Regime Cut-off of Chlorine For Water Supply Near Damascus

Journalist Abu Muhammad al-Baradawi tells Syria Direct that disease could spread near Damascus because of the regime’s cut-off of chlorine to the water in the spring at Ein al-Fajeh in the Wadi Barada area.

Baradawi said the Syrian military imposed a blockade on Wadi Barada more than two months ago. Because of the lack of water purification, the risk of intestinal ailments is increasing, accentuated by the lack of clinics, medicine, and medical equipment.

Prevention of contamination is only possible by cautioning civilians to boil all water.


Cuba Officially Denies Sending Troops to Help Assad Regime

The Cuban Government has described a claim that it sent troops to Syria to support the Assad regime as “irresponsible and unfounded”.

A Foreign Ministry official denied and refuted “categorically” the rumor, spread by the US outlet Fox News from a Miami institute and an unnamed US official.

Spokesman John Earnest said on Wednesday that the White House had no evidence to support the claims.