Syria: Russian air force attacks jihadist and pro-Turkish positions south of Idleb

This photo taken on September 6, 2021 shows a plume of smoke rising from an aerial bombardment in the Jabal al-Zawiya area in southern Syria's rebel-held Idlib province.

AFP - OMAR HAJ KADOUR

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The Russian air force carried out raids on Saturday against the positions of rebel and jihadist groups in the province of Idleb, in northern Syria, report the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) and close sources damask. 

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With our correspondent in Beirut,

Paul Khalifeh

Russian fighter-bombers on Saturday attacked targets in Jabal al-Zawiya, a stronghold of pro-Turkish rebels and jihadists in southern Idleb province.

The planes massively attacked arms and ammunition depots under Hayat Tahrir al-Cham, the former al-Qaeda branch in Syria, according to sources close to Damascus.

Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports three waves of raids that left no casualties.

The Syrian army artillery in turn shelled the same areas targeted by the Russian air force.

Divergences between Turkey and Russia

The violations of the truce in the de-escalation zone come in a context of tension between Russia and Turkey, guarantors of the ceasefire in this province which is still beyond the control of Damascus.

The clashes multiply on the front line while the belligerents mass troops and send reinforcements.

The Turkish army has also reinforced its observation posts installed in the region in accordance with the

Sochi agreement

concluded in 2018 with Russia and providing for the end of the fighting between the rebels and the Syrian army.

Moscow and Damascus have raised the tone lately, accusing Turkey of failing to honor its commitments to keep rebels and jihadists away from the M4 highway, which crosses Syria from west to east.

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See also: Syria: pro-Turkish fighters targeted by Russian raids in the Afrin region

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