Exploring the Objectives of Terrorists in Syria
The assaults on Aleppo and Idlib may serve as an effort to dismantle the ‘Axis of Resistance’ opposing Israel, and potentially rekindle the 2011 ‘revolution’. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The recent assaults on Aleppo and Idlib may serve as an attempt to disrupt the ‘Axis of Resistance’ against Israel and revive the protests seen in Syria since 2011.
In the past few days, foreign-backed terrorists in northwestern Syria have targeted Syrian army positions in the Aleppo and Idlib regions, while also shelling civilian areas in Aleppo itself. While regional media have been updating on these attacks and the Syrian and Russian counteroffensives, what's transpiring within Aleppo remains less clear. Media outlets associated with the terrorists assert that Tahrir al-Sham and its allies have seized numerous districts in western Aleppo, including the city center. However, their evidence—a series of brief videos showcasing terrorists in locations they claim to control—has been contradicted by footage of Syrians strolling through these neighborhoods, asserting that everything is calm.
To summarize the situation: On November 27, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Turkish-backed National Army factions initiated strikes in the Idlib and Aleppo countryside, calling it “Operation Deterrence of Aggression.” Al-Mayadeen, citing Syrian journalist Wassim Issa, reported that convoys of militants, along with equipment and munitions, entered via the Bab al-Salam crossing from Türkiye and moved towards the fighting fronts in western Aleppo and southern Idlib. Allegedly, Tahrir al-Sham utilized new weapons and equipment, including Ukrainian drones "reportedly acquired from Kiev’s intelligence services."
Since Thursday evening, terrorists have been shelling Aleppo University dormitories and districts in western Aleppo, leading to the deaths of four students and injuring many others on Friday. By that time, reports indicated that the Syrian Arab Army had regained control over several positions initially overrun by terrorists, while fierce combat continued on two fronts in rural Aleppo. Meanwhile, in Idlib, “armed groups are attempting to open a new axis after their failure to advance further toward the M5 international highway for all traffic from the south to Aleppo, through Hama and SE Idlib,” per Al Mayadeen.
The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces released a statement declaring their armed forces inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking factions, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries among their ranks, along with the destruction of numerous vehicles and armored units, as well as the downing of seventeen drones.
In a related context, terrorist organizations have been using their platforms to disseminate misleading information intended to instill fear in citizens. The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces cautioned citizens against accepting this misinformation and urged them to rely on news from national media and official sources.
As of late Friday, citing the Russian Coordination Center in Syria, Al Mayadeen reported that over 600 terrorists had been killed. This report clarified the ongoing Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeting terrorists in northern Aleppo and Idlib. These actions, reportedly backed by Türkiye, the US, and Israel, are seen as part of a broader effort to destabilize Syria and weaken the ‘Axis of Resistance’ against Israel. Significantly, these military actions began shortly after the so-called ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
A potential rationale for Türkiye’s involvement might be to compel Syrian President Bashar Assad to reconsider his position on normalization discussions with Ankara. Assad has previously rejected any negotiations while Turkish forces remain on Syrian soil. Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may have escalated military action to pressure Assad into compliance.
Another impetus for the assault could be an attempt to sever supply lines to Lebanese Hezbollah during the ceasefire with Israel. British journalist Vanessa Beeley, writing from Damascus, commented: “This attack has been spoken about and planned for since the beginning of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon... Now Syria will be the target to destroy weapons supply lines and manufacturing facilities that would rearm Hezbollah during the ceasefire. There will be attempts to destroy the land bridge infrastructure that brings materials from Iran, through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon. This includes essential humanitarian relief supply lines. Syria is the beating heart of the Resistance and must be protected at all costs.”
In addition, there have been renewed calls on social media for President Assad's ouster, echoing sentiments from the Western-orchestrated media campaign that garnered support for a violent "revolution" in 2011.
This was never a revolution, nor was it solely about Assad. One must ask what sort of revolution destroys its own culture, heritage, and civilians, while aligning itself with the US and Israel, among others. During one visit to Aleppo in November 2016, prior to its liberation from terrorist forces, I learned from Dr. Zaher Hajo, the head of forensic medicine at a local hospital, that since the terrorists occupied Aleppo in 2012, they were responsible for the deaths of 10,750 civilians, with 40% being women and children.
During that same trip, I met with three Sunni leaders who were regarded as 'infidels' by al-Nusra due to their differing views. Dr. Kukeh said: “Those who are killing the Sunnis are the same who claim that they are defending the Sunnis. The shells that hit us daily are sent by them.” He also shared that he named his eldest son after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “because I love that man” and recounted how he was targeted for assassination in 2012 for opposing the terrorists' ideology.
The Aleppo university dormitories, recently targeted, were similarly struck in 2016. At that time, they housed over 10,000 internally displaced Syrians from areas of Aleppo and its outskirts, including regions occupied by terrorists.
In subsequent visits in 2017 and beyond, I witnessed the remnants of terrorist control in eastern Aleppo, gathered testimonies from civilians about life under their rule, and later observed the city beginning to recover and flourish under government control, with businesses reopening, ancient markets being restored, and life returning around the famous citadel.
Throughout the conflict, reports about terrorist control in Aleppo have been inconsistent. As mentioned earlier, images and videos appearing to show a terrorist presence in western Aleppo and the city center do not conclusively prove that these areas have been overtaken. It could be relatively easy for sleeper cell terrorists to capture images and videos and then retreat. Time will reveal the authenticity of their claims and whether they are part of psychological warfare aimed at demoralizing Syrians and turning them against their army and Russia.
It’s important to recall the General Command of the Army’s alert regarding misinformation. Making sweeping statements about the situation in Aleppo and its surroundings without solid evidence is both irresponsible and unhelpful. In an age driven by the rush to report “BREAKING” news with sometimes unverified snippets, discerning the truth becomes increasingly complex. Should the unthinkable occur and portions of Aleppo fall back into terrorist hands, it’s likely they would ultimately be defeated again by Syria, Russia, and their allies, just as they have been before.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
In the past few days, foreign-backed terrorists in northwestern Syria have targeted Syrian army positions in the Aleppo and Idlib regions, while also shelling civilian areas in Aleppo itself. While regional media have been updating on these attacks and the Syrian and Russian counteroffensives, what's transpiring within Aleppo remains less clear. Media outlets associated with the terrorists assert that Tahrir al-Sham and its allies have seized numerous districts in western Aleppo, including the city center. However, their evidence—a series of brief videos showcasing terrorists in locations they claim to control—has been contradicted by footage of Syrians strolling through these neighborhoods, asserting that everything is calm.
To summarize the situation: On November 27, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Turkish-backed National Army factions initiated strikes in the Idlib and Aleppo countryside, calling it “Operation Deterrence of Aggression.” Al-Mayadeen, citing Syrian journalist Wassim Issa, reported that convoys of militants, along with equipment and munitions, entered via the Bab al-Salam crossing from Türkiye and moved towards the fighting fronts in western Aleppo and southern Idlib. Allegedly, Tahrir al-Sham utilized new weapons and equipment, including Ukrainian drones "reportedly acquired from Kiev’s intelligence services."
Since Thursday evening, terrorists have been shelling Aleppo University dormitories and districts in western Aleppo, leading to the deaths of four students and injuring many others on Friday. By that time, reports indicated that the Syrian Arab Army had regained control over several positions initially overrun by terrorists, while fierce combat continued on two fronts in rural Aleppo. Meanwhile, in Idlib, “armed groups are attempting to open a new axis after their failure to advance further toward the M5 international highway for all traffic from the south to Aleppo, through Hama and SE Idlib,” per Al Mayadeen.
The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces released a statement declaring their armed forces inflicted heavy casualties on the attacking factions, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries among their ranks, along with the destruction of numerous vehicles and armored units, as well as the downing of seventeen drones.
In a related context, terrorist organizations have been using their platforms to disseminate misleading information intended to instill fear in citizens. The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces cautioned citizens against accepting this misinformation and urged them to rely on news from national media and official sources.
As of late Friday, citing the Russian Coordination Center in Syria, Al Mayadeen reported that over 600 terrorists had been killed. This report clarified the ongoing Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeting terrorists in northern Aleppo and Idlib. These actions, reportedly backed by Türkiye, the US, and Israel, are seen as part of a broader effort to destabilize Syria and weaken the ‘Axis of Resistance’ against Israel. Significantly, these military actions began shortly after the so-called ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel.
A potential rationale for Türkiye’s involvement might be to compel Syrian President Bashar Assad to reconsider his position on normalization discussions with Ankara. Assad has previously rejected any negotiations while Turkish forces remain on Syrian soil. Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may have escalated military action to pressure Assad into compliance.
Another impetus for the assault could be an attempt to sever supply lines to Lebanese Hezbollah during the ceasefire with Israel. British journalist Vanessa Beeley, writing from Damascus, commented: “This attack has been spoken about and planned for since the beginning of the Israeli aggression against Lebanon... Now Syria will be the target to destroy weapons supply lines and manufacturing facilities that would rearm Hezbollah during the ceasefire. There will be attempts to destroy the land bridge infrastructure that brings materials from Iran, through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon. This includes essential humanitarian relief supply lines. Syria is the beating heart of the Resistance and must be protected at all costs.”
In addition, there have been renewed calls on social media for President Assad's ouster, echoing sentiments from the Western-orchestrated media campaign that garnered support for a violent "revolution" in 2011.
This was never a revolution, nor was it solely about Assad. One must ask what sort of revolution destroys its own culture, heritage, and civilians, while aligning itself with the US and Israel, among others. During one visit to Aleppo in November 2016, prior to its liberation from terrorist forces, I learned from Dr. Zaher Hajo, the head of forensic medicine at a local hospital, that since the terrorists occupied Aleppo in 2012, they were responsible for the deaths of 10,750 civilians, with 40% being women and children.
During that same trip, I met with three Sunni leaders who were regarded as 'infidels' by al-Nusra due to their differing views. Dr. Kukeh said: “Those who are killing the Sunnis are the same who claim that they are defending the Sunnis. The shells that hit us daily are sent by them.” He also shared that he named his eldest son after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah “because I love that man” and recounted how he was targeted for assassination in 2012 for opposing the terrorists' ideology.
The Aleppo university dormitories, recently targeted, were similarly struck in 2016. At that time, they housed over 10,000 internally displaced Syrians from areas of Aleppo and its outskirts, including regions occupied by terrorists.
In subsequent visits in 2017 and beyond, I witnessed the remnants of terrorist control in eastern Aleppo, gathered testimonies from civilians about life under their rule, and later observed the city beginning to recover and flourish under government control, with businesses reopening, ancient markets being restored, and life returning around the famous citadel.
Throughout the conflict, reports about terrorist control in Aleppo have been inconsistent. As mentioned earlier, images and videos appearing to show a terrorist presence in western Aleppo and the city center do not conclusively prove that these areas have been overtaken. It could be relatively easy for sleeper cell terrorists to capture images and videos and then retreat. Time will reveal the authenticity of their claims and whether they are part of psychological warfare aimed at demoralizing Syrians and turning them against their army and Russia.
It’s important to recall the General Command of the Army’s alert regarding misinformation. Making sweeping statements about the situation in Aleppo and its surroundings without solid evidence is both irresponsible and unhelpful. In an age driven by the rush to report “BREAKING” news with sometimes unverified snippets, discerning the truth becomes increasingly complex. Should the unthinkable occur and portions of Aleppo fall back into terrorist hands, it’s likely they would ultimately be defeated again by Syria, Russia, and their allies, just as they have been before.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
