PHOTO: A regime complex in the Zahra section of Aleppo, attacked by a rebel vehicle bomb on Sunday

LATEST

MONDAY FEATURE

Video: On The Ground with the White Helmets Rescuers

Rebels have attacked again in and near Syria’s largest city Aleppo, putting more pressure on pro-Assad forces.

In a sudden assault on Sunday, the rebel bloc Jaish al-Fatah moved inside a cement factory (see map) used as a garrison by the Syrian military and its foreign allies.

On Sunday, attacks destroyed the first defense lines on the factory’s outer perimeter. Pro-Assad forces then called in Russian air strikes — some on their own positions, according to local sources — as rebels threatened to break into bunkers.

The Russian bombing “saved” the Syrian military and foreign militias, according to the sources. Rebels withdrew, but are expected to be preparing for a second assault.

Last week, rebels achieved a symbolic victory by breaking the month-long pro-Assad siege of Aleppo. The rebel bloc Jaish al-Fatah announced at the time that, having linked units, it would persist with attacks inside and outside the city.

The factory is east of territory seized by rebels in their 2 1/2-week offensive, including one of the regime’s largest artillery bases, an air force college, part of the town of Ramouseh, and a series of villages. It is also close to the southern ring road, cut by the rebels to impede the movement of men and arms by the pro-Assad forces.

Claimed photo of pro-Assad troops and an embedded journalist inside the Cement Factory:

REGIME FORCES CEMENT FACTORY 08-16

In western Aleppo city, rebels signaled a surge in the Zahra district with a large vehicle bomb. Pro-Assad activists and journalists insisted that the bomb was destroyed before it reached the target, but drone video showed a large explosion in a regime position.

Regime forces and rebels have fought for control of Zahra and nearby Layramoun since early 2015. The Syrian military had hoped that, with imposition of its siege last month, it could complete the takeover of the areas.

Aleppo has been divided since July 2012. The Assad regime — supported by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah — had hoped that it could finally suppress the opposition with the imposition of the siege and constant air attacks; however, the surprise rebel offensive at the end of July not only ended those hopes but threatened to cut off pro-Assad forces in western Aleppo city.

Russia’s Lavrov: Opposition Must Distance Itself from Nusra and ISIS

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has repeated the line that Syria’s opposition must distance itself from the Islamic State and the jihadists of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.

After talks with German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Lavrov said:

We believe that it is still necessary not to allow international terrorist entities to prevail here and to ensure the beginning of genuine and true negotiations between all Syrian sides.

We told our German friends about the steps that we are taking in contacts with the United States. We are convinced that a key goal is distancing the moderate opposition from the IS and Jabhat Al-Nusra. It’s alarming that many so-called moderate opposition members more often coordinate their actions with these terrorists.

Lavrov also continued Russia’s PR on humanitarian aid, amid its intense bombing in and near Aleppo, with the declaration that assistance could be brought via the al-Castello Road north of the city.

Russia, the Assad regime, and foreign militias established a siege last month with fire control over the road; however, a rebel offensive southwest of Aleppo has since broken the blockade.

The Russian Foreign Minister said:

We hope that with the participation of Russia and the US, other Western countries and countries of the region, and the UN we will be able to improve the situation of the civilian population and not allow militants to dictate their conditions.

Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu put out a vague statement promising cooperation with the US:

We are now in a very active phase of negotiations with our American colleagues.

We are moving step by step closer to a plan — and I’m only talking about Aleppo here — that would really allow us to start fighting together to bring peace so that people can return to their homes in this troubled land.

Darayya Council on Regime Use of “Napalm Bombs”

The local council in Darayya, southwest of Damascus, has issued a statement on the regime’s use of “internationally banned incendiary Napalm munitions”.

The Syrian military and foreign allies have tried for months to overrun the suburb, which has been besieged since November 2012, with thousands of bombs. However, the opposition has held out — earlier on Monday, it was reported that rebels had retaken alll positions seized by the regime in the past 48 hours (see earlier entry).

The local council cited bombardment of the last 90 days, including almost 1,800 barrel bombs and more than 700 surface-to-surface missiles, as pro-Assad forces took the farmlands providing food to endure the siege.

The council called again on the international community to “intervene immediately to stop this fierce war” and to provide necessary aid.

Abdul Hameed Derani of the Darayya Media Center said 22 barrel-bombs were dropped today and six surface-to-surface missiles targeted the town.

Kurdish-Led Forces: Our Next Fight with ISIS Will Be in Al-Bab

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces is already announcing its next target, following last Friday’s capture of the ISIS-held city of Manbij in Aleppo Province.

The SDF said on Sunday that they have established a military council to push the Islamic State out of al-Bab, about 50 km (30 miles) southwest of Manbij.

Led by the Kurdish militia YPG and supported by US airstrikes, the SDF took control of Manbij following a 2 1/2-month offensive.

See Syria Daily, August 14: Kurds-Led Force Hails Capture of Manbij from ISIS

The force also called on the US-led coalition “to back us in our struggle to liberate our land and our brothers from the Daesh [Islamic State] terrorists”.

Rebels Counter-Attack in Besieged & Bombed Darayya

Pro-opposition activists say that rebels — defying months of bombing, rockets, and ground attacks — have counter-attacked in the Damascus suburb of Darayya, regaining several positions.

The Revolutionary Forces of Syria Media Office said on Monday that rebels had retaken all points lost in the last 48 hours, despite rocketing and and “napalm-like” barrel bombs.

The Syrian military has cut off Darayya since November 2012 and, alongside foreign allies — had taken districts inside the town this year. However, despite thousands of bombs, it has been unable to establish full control.

Footage, posted today, of regime barrel-bombing:

Jaish al-Islam Claim Advance in Counter-Offensive Near Damascus

The rebel faction Jaish al-Islam has claimed an advance in a counter-offensive behind regime lines near Damascus, taking the village of Housh-Nari.

The counter-offensive was launched Sunday, with Jaish al-Islam asserting that it took weapons and heavy artillery and killed at least 40 regime troops.

The assault is in the eastern Qalamoun region, northeast of the capital, near the main highway from Damascus to Baghdad.

Jaish al-Islam is trying to counter a regime advance since the spring in its East Ghouta heartland near the capital, with the Syrian military and its allies taking much of the southern part.