Syrian Army reinforcements, supplies arrive in Deir Ezzor via helicopter- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:00 P.M.) – Syrian Arab Army (SAA) reinforcements poured into the Deir Ezzor Governorate, Monday, after several military choppers landed at the 137th Brigade Base near the western entrance of the provincial capital.

According to a military source in Deir Ezzor, at least six helicopters carrying reinforcements and supplies landed so far today at the 137th Brigade Base after making the short journey from the Al-Qamishli District of the Hasakah Governorate.

The reinforcements will be concentrated in the western part of the city, where they will aid the army in driving back the Islamic State (ISIL) terrorists from the Panorama area.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-reinforcements-supplies-arrive-deir-ezzor-via-helicopter/

Syrian Army preparing to kick ISIL out of central Syria- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:45 P.M.) – Zero hour is approaching for the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) offensive eastern Salamiyah, meaning the Islamic State’s (ISIL) presence in central Syria will soon come to an end.

With thousands of soldiers mobilized in eastern Hama, including their Tiger Forces, the Syrian Arab Army has its sights set on the strategic town of ‘Uqayrbat, which is their most important stronghold in the central part of the country.

Losing ‘Uqayrbat will be a major loss the Islamic State will not be able to recover from, as the town is situated along a strategic roadway that leads to the terrorist group’s stronghold of Sukhnah to the east and the Palmyra-Homs Highway to the south.

Once ‘Uqayrbat is liberated, the Syrian Arab Army will be able to close-in on the Islamic State’s long salient that stretches between the Hama and Homs governorates – ultimately, central Syria.

The pro-government units involved in this upcoming battle are the following:

• Tiger Forces (Cheetah Forces branch)
• Liwaa Al-Quds (Palestinian paramilitary)
• 11th Tank Division
• National Defense Forces (NDF)
• Qalamoun Shield (3rd Armored Division)
• Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP)
• https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-preparing-kick-isil-central-syria/

Ahrar al-Sham appoints new commander after al Qaeda defeat- Zaman al-Wasl

Once Syria's powerful Islamist group, Ahrar al-Sham movement has appointed new General Commander on Sunday after surprise defeats by former al-Qaeda group last two weeks in northern Syria.

Hassan Sofan, former Islamist prisoner who spent 12 years in notorious Saydnaya prison, is due to lead the movement that suffered defections and weakens after being expelled from its main strongholds in Idlib in the last two weeks by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance of jihadist groups led by formerly known as Nusra Front.

Ahrar al-Sham, the moderate rebel group that voiced support to the Syrian revolution and raised its independence flag, has faced criticism by Tahrir al-Sham which seemed to be preparing itself to major battle with Turkey and the U.S.-led coalition after the defeat of the Islamic State in Raqqa.

Rebel commanders told Zaman al-Wasl that Washington has no intention to fight al-Qaeda in Syria, giving the upper hand to 'Nusra’ in Idlib province by halting the CIA arms programme.

Tahrir al-Sham fighters who reached the border with Turkey have also sparked Turkey fears that vowed to deploy troop in in Idlib.

Meanwhile, activists have been demanding rapid reforms in the structure and the mentality of the Islamist factions in what suit the international developments and the new political map of Syria.

https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/28536.html

Thousands to leave Lebanon-Syria border zone under deal- Reuters

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Convoys of buses arrived on Monday to transfer thousands of Syrian militants and refugees from Lebanon’s border region into rebel territory in Syria in exchange for Hezbollah prisoners.

Under a local ceasefire between the Sunni Muslim militants and the Shi‘ite Hezbollah, about 9,000 fighters and their relatives were to leave.

With no sign of any buses leaving, the departure was delayed to Tuesday from Monday for “logistical” reasons including having to wait for the rest of a total of 98 coaches to arrive from the Syrian side, a Hezbollah media unit said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-lebanon/thousands-to-leave-lebanon-syria-border-zone-under-deal-idUSKBN1AG0KK

Lebanese security forces bust major ISIL sleeper cell- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:25 P.M.) – The Lebanese Internal Security Forces busted a large Islamic State (ISIL) sleeper cell in the northern city of Tripoli last week, the National News Agency (NNA) reported today.

According to an internal security memo, their forces identified members of the Islamic State that were working in favor of the terrorist group between Tripoli and Dinniyeh.

“As a result of field follow-up and preventive security operations carried out by the Information Division of the Internal Security Forces, in a bid to monitor the activities of terrorist cells, especially those associated with the terrorist organization ‘Daesh,’ the said Division succeeded in identifying members of a seriously dangerous cell working in favor of ISIS inside Lebanon. The organization members were mostly in motion between the city of Tripoli and the area of Danniyeh in northern Lebanon,” the statement read.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/lebanese-security-forces-bust-major-isil-sleeper-cell/

Fetih el Şam militanları Lübnan'dan İdlib'e taşınıyor- Sputnik News

Lübnan'ın kuzeydoğusunda yer alan ve Suriye sınırında olan Arsel bölgesindeki Fetih el Şam (eski adı El Nusra) militanları kuşatmaya alındıkları Lübnan Hizbulah güçleri ile yapılan anlaşma çerçevesinde bugün aileleriyle İdlib'e gönderilecek. Öte yandan taraflar arasında bugün 'cenaze takası' da yapıldı.

Hizbullah kaynaklarından edinilen bilgilere göre, Hizbullah güçlerinin yaptığı operasyon karşısında zorlanan ve kuşatmaya alınan El Kaide'nin Suriye kolu olan Fetih el Şam militanları, Arsel bölgesini terketmek zorunda kalacak.

https://tr.sputniknews.com/columnists/201707311029499571-el-nusra-lubnan-idlib/

Air force kills ISIS terrorists, army advances into al-Sikhneh east Palmyra- SANA

Homs, Hama, SANA-Units of the Syrian Arab army, backed by the air force, carried out Saturday military operations against ISIS terrorists in Homs, Hama countryside.

A military source told SANA that the army’s air force killed a number of ISIS terrorists and destroyed two vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns in Aqerbat, Souha, Jrouh, Qastal Shamali and Qleib al-Thawr in Hama countryside.

Meanwhile, the army established control over Tal Um Khasm and al-Qleilat mountain to the south of al-Sikhnah near Palmyra after killing a number of ISIS terrorists.

Deir Ezzor

Army units engaged in clashes with ISIS terrorists’ groups in the surroundings of Deir Ezzor city from southern and western sides.

SANA’s reporter in Deir Ezzor said that the clashes took place at the surroundings of the Panorama area, the Airport, and Regiment 137, resulting in the death of many of terrorists, including Muawiya al-Faraj, an ISIS leader in Muhassan city.

Local sources in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor pointed out that all members of the so –called security office of ISIS in al-Hussenieh village were killed, including the terrorists Abu Abdullah al-Tunisi, Abu al-Hareth Shakra, and Abu al-Mutasim al-Diri, and that their bodies were found near al-Waha resort.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=110916

Lübnan’daki Suriyeli mülteci gerginliği yine tırmanıyor- Al-Monitor

Sosyal medyada Suriyeli mültecilere yönelik saldırı çağrıları ve asker tarafından gözaltına alınan mültecilerin işkenceyle öldürüldüğü iddialarıyla çalkalanan Lübnan’da gerginlik giderek tırmanıyor. Başbakan Saad Hariri de 15 Temmuz’da Beyrut’taki devlet başkanlığı sarayında yaptığı açıklamada durumu kabul ederek şöyle dedi: “Suriyeliler ile Lübnanlılar arasındaki gerginliğin giderek artığını gözlemliyoruz. Tüm ülke ağırlığı (mültecilere atfen) hissediyor”

Ekonomik ve toplumsal sorunlarla cebelleşen Lübnan hâlihazırda dünya çapında kişi başına düşen mülteci sayısının en yüksek olduğu ülke. Birleşmiş Milletler Mülteciler Yüksek Komiserliği’nin (BMMYK) verilerine göre Suriyeliler, Lübnan’ın yaklaşık 4-5 milyonluk mütevazı nüfusunun neredeyse dörtte birini oluşturuyor.

Lübnanlılar, özel sohbetlerinde ülkenin durumunu yerel halk ile Filistinli mülteciler arasındaki gerginlikle tetiklenen iç savaşla (1975-1990) kıyaslıyor. Lübnan medyası da sansasyonel haberlerle bu korkuyu sürekli canlı tutuyor. Ad-Diyar’da mayıs ayında yayımlanan ve Lübnan’da 300 bin hamile Suriyeli kadının bulunduğuna ilişkin haber de bunun bir örneği. Haberde bu yılın sonunda ülkedeki Suriyeli mülteci sayısının 2 milyonu aşacağı ima edilmişti.

Tartışmalar son olarak Lübnan ordusunun 4 Temmuz’da dört Suriyeli erkeğin gözaltında öldüğünü duyurmasıyla alevlendi. Maktuller haziran ayı sonunda Arsal’daki Suriyeli mülteci kamplarına düzenlenen baskınlar sırasında 300’ü aşkın kişiyle birlikte gözaltına alınmışlardı. Ordu, dört Suriyelinin -Mustafa Abdülkerim Abse, Halit Hüseyin El Mileys, Anas Hüseyin El Hüseyki ve Osman Merhi El Mileys- “hava koşulları nedeniyle ağırlaşan kronik sağlık sorunlarından mustarip” olduklarını açıkladı.

Read more: http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/tr/originals/2017/07/lebanon-syria-tension-refugees-death-four-syrians-activists.html

Army General Command announces cessation of hostilities in Eastern Ghouta- SANA

Damascus, SANA- General Command of the Army and Armed Forces announced the cessation of hostilities in a number of areas in Eastern Ghouta in Damascus countryside starting Saturday.

The General Command said in a statement that the cessation of hostilities enters into effect in a number of areas in the Eastern Ghouta as of 22/7/2017 at 12:00 pm.

The Command added that any breach of the cessation of hostilities will illicit an appropriate response.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=110564

Three people killed in explosion of landmines in Homs, eight injured in terrorist blast in Sweida- SANA

Homs /Sweida, SANA – Three people were killed in the explosion of two landmines planted by ISIS terrorists on the road of Um Harteen al-Sharqiya village, 80 km east of Homs city.

SANA’s reporter in Homs said on Sunday that two landmines planted by the ISIS terrorists on the road between Um Harteen al-Sharqiya and al-Masoudiyeh villages went off, killing three people who were on motorcycles.

In a new breach of the memorandum on de-escalation zones, eight people were injured when explosive devices planted by terrorists went off in the northwestern countryside of Sweida province.

A source at Sweida Police Command told SANA that three explosive devices were remotely detonated by terrorists on Sunday morning on the road of Majadel/Um al-Zaitoun in al-Lajat area while a microbus was passing by, injuring 8 of the passengers and causing material damage to the bus.

The source added that the injured were transported to the National Hospital to receive the required treatment, indicating that they sustained wounds of varying severity.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=110152

Two drug dealers arrested, 115 kg of hashish seized in Homs- SANA

Homs, SANA- The Drug Combating Department arrested two drug dealers in Homs province.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said that the Department seized 115 kg of hashish that were in the possession of the drug dealers.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=110034

An Opening for the Syrian Regime in Deir al-Zour (Fabrice Balanche- The Washington Institute)

Events on the ground are fluid in the eastern Syrian city and province, but dynamics suggest Syrian forces and their backers will prevail over the Islamic State and U.S.-supported fighters.

Much recent speculation has focused on the future of Syria's Deir al-Zour city and province. A major cause of such speculation has been debate over the U.S. view of Iran's role in Syria -- in particular, its goal of creating a land bridge from Tehran to Beirut. Indeed, on-the-ground military movements suggest Deir al-Zour will be reconquered by the Syrian army and its allies.

CITY ENCIRCLED BY THE ISLAMIC STATE

In 2012, the Syrian army lost half of Deir al-Zour city and, quickly thereafter, the whole province to rebel forces. Whereas the government-held part of Deir al-Zour is connected by a road to Homs via Tadmur (ancient Palmyra), in May 2015 the Islamic State seized Tadmur, isolating Syrian army soldiers amid a vast territory controlled by the jihadists. Indeed, government-run land shrank after successive IS offensives. Previously, neighborhoods under regime control were supplied from the airport, but in January 2017 the government lost control of the road connecting the city to the airport, ending this arrangement. To stave off a final assault, Syrian-regime, Russian, and even Iranian forces are relentlessly bombing the IS frontlines with missiles. Thanks to helicopter support, communication with the outside remains possible, and cargo planes drop enough goods to feed the 100,000 civilians who still reside in the government-run area.

The staunch defense of Deir al-Zour put up by the Syrian regime and its allies is rooted in their intention to ultimately reconquer eastern Syria. This role has been entrusted to one of Syria's best generals, Issam Zahreddine, who relies on battalions of the Republican Guard, the elite troops of the Syrian army. In January 2017, hundreds of Hezbollah fighters were sent as reinforcements to Deir al-Zour, which had been mauled by an IS offensive. The National Defense Army, one of the Syrian regime's paramilitary forces, has mobilized all males older than fifteen in this effort. Also assisting the Syrian army are six hundred fighters of the al-Shaitat tribe, who are seeking to avenge the massacre perpetrated by IS against their villages.

http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/syrian-army-and-allies-bound-for-deir-al-zour

Army kills scores of ISIS terrorists, destroys their positions in different areas across the country- SANA

Provinces, SANA-The Syrian Air Force carried out intensive sorties against positions and fortifications of the ISIS terrorists in Badyiat Hmeimieh in the eastern countryside of Homs.

A military source told SANA on Thursday that a number of the ISIS terrorists were killed in the sorties and their equipment was destroyed to the southwest of Hmeimieh area.

Hama

The Syrian Air Force killed a number of ISIS terrorists to north of Jana al-Elbawei in Salamiyeh countryside in Hama province, inflicting heavy losses upon them in personnel and equipment .

Raqqa

The Syrian Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes against positions of the ISIS terrorists in the western countryside of Raqqa , destroying their gatherings to the south of Beir Abu Kobra, al-Fahdi Station and north of al-Zamleh, and killing scores of them.

Deir Ezzor

Over the past few hours, the Syrian Air Force carried intensive airstrikes targeting the ISIS hideouts and movement axes in al-Thardeh, al-Taim and Howeijet Katea areas and in the villages of al-Bghiliyeh and al-Juneineh and in the neighborhoods of al-Howeiqa and al-Hamidiyeh in Deir Ezzor.

A military source told SANA that the army airstrikes left a number of terrorists dead and destroyed their positions and barricades.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=109466

Army establishes perimeter around al-Hael oil field in Palmyra, Kills ISIS terrorists in Deir Ezzor- SANA

Provinces, SANA -Army and Armed Forces units, in cooperation with allies, achieved a new advance in pursuing the ISIS terrorists in the depth of the Syrian Badiya desert by establishing a perimeter around al-Hael oil field in the eastern countryside of Palmyra in Homs province.

A military source told SANA on Wednesday that army units are now 1 km away from al-Hael field in the countryside of Palmyra, and are

encircling the hideouts of ISIS terrorists in the field from the west, south, and southeast.

Later, units of army established control over three strategic points to the east of Jbab Hamad and kill a number of ISIS terrorists in Homs eastern countryside.

Deir Ezzor

An Army and Armed Forces unit targeted with artillery fire ISIS gatherings and movements in al-Bghiliyeh village

in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor, killing a number of terrorists from ISIS and destroying one of their vehicles.

SANA’s reporter in Deir Ezzor said that the Syrian Air Force carried out a number of airstrikes targeting ISIS positions in al-Thardeh

area, al-Taim Badia and the neighborhoods of al-Rashdiyeh, al-Hamidiyeh, al-Howeiqa, Howeijet Katea, and the villages of al-Jneineh and al-Bghiliyeh, leaving many terrorists dead or injured and destroying an artillery piece.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=109382

Authorities pursue 3 car bombs, destroy 2 before reaching their targets in Damascus- SANA

Damascus, SANA – After pursuing three car bombs, the authorities destroyed two of them at the Airport Road roundabout area in Damascus, while the third car bomb was surrounded in Bab Touma area where the suicide bomber driving it detonated it, killing and injuring a number of civilians.

In a statement, the Interior Ministry said that at 6:15 am on Sunday, terrorist organziaitons sent 3 car bombs with the aim of detonating them in safe neighborhoods in Damascus, but the authorities detected and pursued them to prevent them from reaching their targets, managing to destroy two of the cars at the Airport Road roundabout area.

The statement said that as the authorities were closing in on the third car, the suicide bomber on board detonated it in al-Ghadir Square in Bab Touma, killing a number of civilians, injuring others, and causing material damage to public andprivate properties.

The Ministry affirmed that it will remain vigilant to prevent terrorist attacks, calling on citizens to notify the authorities of any suspicious activities.

Local Administration and Environment Minister Hussein Makhlouf and Damascus Governor Bishr al-Sabban visited the site of the explosion of the two cars at the Airport Road roundabout, with Makhlouf saying that work is underway to repair damage to infrastructure, streets, and houses.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Nizar Yazigi visited injured people at Damascus Hospital and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Hospital, saying that the injuries ranged from slight to severe, and all of the injured are receiving treatment, and some have already left the hospitals after being treated.

http://sana.sy/en/?p=109172