Islamist rebel groups continue to advance in Syria. In addition to Russia, pro-Iranian militias from Iraq are also said to have come to the aid of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. But one leader contradicted such statements.
The report on militia units that had already been moved to Syria was previously distributed to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It said, among other things, that about 200 fighters had crossed the Iraqi-Syrian border since Sunday. The head of the militia alliance, Faleh al-Fayad, denied this. The so-called Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) do not operate outside Iraq, he said. The PMU is an Iraqi alliance of mainly Shia militias that was formed in 2014 to fight IS and is now a major political and military force in the country.
Moscow: “Of course we support Bashar al-Assad”
The Russian army’s first air strikes in eight years in support of Assad were by no means denied. According to activists, not only rebels but also civilians were killed.
On Monday, the Kremlin reiterated its continued support for the Syrian government. “Of course we continue to support Bashar al-Assad. Accordingly, we are continuing our contacts and analyzing the situation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Russian capabilities are declining
Russia’s intervention in the civil war stabilized Assad’s wavering power from 2015 onwards. However, Russian forces in Syria are no longer as strong as they were then, due to their war of aggression against Ukraine. Moscow was surprised by the offensive; Therefore, according to unofficial reports by Russian military bloggers, the commanding general in Syria, Sergei Kissel, was replaced.
Iran and Russia are the most important allies of Assad, who has been fighting for political survival for almost fourteen years. The president’s troops withdrew from Aleppo this weekend after the Syrian conflict flared up again and a surprisingly rapid advance by Islamist rebels took place.
Bloody offensive: hundreds already dead
Since the middle of this week, rebels led by the HTS have succeeded in capturing larger areas in northwestern Syria, including the city of Aleppo. Syrian leaders announced a counter-offensive. More than 400 people are believed to have been killed in the jihadist attacks, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish military alliance in northern Syria announced that it would evacuate Kurdish civilians from several areas of Aleppo province. “We are actively coordinating with all relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety of our people and facilitate their safe movement,” said Mazloum Abdi, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The people must therefore be taken to “our safe areas in the northeast of the country”.
Turkish-backed groups attack the Kurds
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists in the country, said on Sunday that around 200,000 Syrian Kurds were under siege by pro-Turkish groups. The fighters took control of the town of Tal Rifaat and some surrounding villages. The situation in northwestern Syria “developed quickly and suddenly,” Abdi said. “Our armed forces are facing intense attacks on multiple fronts.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
