SAA Enter Strategic Sukhna Town. ISIS Withdraws-Reports- South Front

Pro-government forces fighters have reportedly entered Sukhna town in the Syrian province of Homs and pushed ISIS terrorists to start wihdrawing from this strategic town.

According to pro-government sources, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies entered the town amid an intense fighting with ISIS units. However, government troops, backed up by attack helicopters, were allegedly able to overrun the ISIS defense.

Earlier today, the SAA and allies took control of important heights overlooking Sukhna and established a fire control over the town.

Even if reports about the collapse of the ISIS defense in Sukhna is not confirmed, the ISIS units inside the town will remain in a very complicated military situation under a constant artillery shelling from multiple directions.

https://southfront.org/army-troops-enter-strategic-sukhna-town-isis-withdraws-reports/

Former Ahrar al-Sham Commander Assassinated in Idlib- South Front

On Thursday, unknown militants assassinated a former commander of Ahrar al-Sham Hammoud al-Rahal, Abu Malik, in front of his house in Maarat Souriyeen town in the eastern Idlib countryside.

Abu Malik had defected from Ahrar al-Sham three days ago and joined HTS. Opposition sources claimed that Abu Malik joined HTS after they had threatened to kill a number of his fighters imprisoned by HTS  if he did not defect from Ahrar al-Sham. However, these allegations have not yet been confirmed.

So far HTS and Ahrar al-Sham didn’t accuse any party of being behind the assassination. However the HTS-linked News Agency Abaa claimed that Abu Malik’s relatives attacked the homes of Al-Omar family – supporters of HTS – in the village of Marshmarin in southern Idlib countryside.

Abu Malik’s relatives accused Al-Omar family of being behind the assassination. The Abu Malik family members burned 10 houses and several cars that belongs to civilians from Al-Omar family and no one intervened to stop the assault.

HTS has agreed with the Abu Malik’s family to investigate the crime and prosecute the suspects in its Sharia courts. The assassination of Abu Malik shows how HTS is trying to exploit chaos and lawlessness in Idlib in order to impose itself as the savior of Idlib province.

https://southfront.org/former-ahrar-al-sham-commander-assassinated-idlib

Battle for Al-Sukhnah proves difficult as ISIL refuses to concede city- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:15 A.M.) – The battle for Al-Sukhnah has been ongoing for several days now and the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is finding the fight far more violent and intense than initially expected.

The primary reason for the fierce battle is the Islamic State’s (ISIL) refusal to give-up the city, despite being outnumbered and surrounded from two different flanks.

While the Syrian Army has entered Al-Sukhnah, they have been unable to advance past the southwestern corridor of the city, as the Islamic State’s front-lines prove difficult to fracture.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/battle-al-sukhnah-proves-difficult-isil-refuses-concede-city/

Syrian-Lebanese Border Is Cleared From All Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Members- South Front

The Hezbollah operations room announced on Thursday that the operation to liberate Jorud Arsal in Lebanon and Jorud Flitah in Syria have been finished.

The operations room announced in its official statement that the presence of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on the Syrian-Lebanese border has ended, thus the operation has achieved all its goals.

https://southfront.org/syrian-lebanese-border-is-cleared-from-all-hayat-tahrir-al-sham-members/

Syrian Army Advancing South Of Deir Ezzor, Deploys Reinforcements In City- South Front

According to the Hezbollah media wing in Syria, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has captured an area of 1 sq km southeast of the cemetery area in the city of Deir Ezzor. With this advance, the SAA cut off one of the most important ISIS supply lines connecting the terrorist group’s positions in the Al-Thardah mountain and its positions in the Sariat Junaid area.

Meawnhile, ISIS fighters attacked an SAA position in Resafa district. Furthermore, three civilians lost their life and 13 others were wounded as a result of ISIS shelling on the areas controlled by the SAA in Deir Ezzor city.

Russian and Syrian Air Force warplanes carried out airstrikes on ISIS positions in the villages of Al-Tibni, Sheha and Al-Buwitiah and in the salt mine in the northwestern Deir Ezzor countryside. Syrian and Russian warplanes also bombed several ISIS positions inside and around Deir Ezzor city and around the Deir Ezzor airport.

The SAA continues sending reinforcements to Deir Ezzor in order to strengthen its poisitions in the area and to foil possible ISIS attacks while the SAA garrison is waiting for the Tiger Forces and their allies pushing to lift the ISIS siege from the city.

https://southfront.org/syrian-army-advancing-south-of-deir-ezzor-deploys-reinforcements-in-city-photos/

Satellite pictures: ISIS destroys oil fields in Deir Ezzor- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:50 A.M.) – Satellite photos have been released on social media showing two oil wellheads that have been destroyed by the ISIS terrorist group.

In the pictures below, it can be seen that one of the oil wellheads was still burning at the time of the satellite image capture. The second oil well appears to have been destroyed some time ago (a creator can be seen where the explosive charge was laid to sabotage the site).

Based on geo-location data, the two oil wellheads shown below appear to be part of the Sijan Oil Field on the eastern side of the Euphrates River in Syria’s Deir Ezzor Governorate.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/satellite-pictures-isis-destroys-oil-fields-deir-ezzor/

ABD Büyükelçiliği: Suriye'de IŞİD'le savaşan gruplara tank vermedik- Sputnik News

ABD Büyükelçiliği'nden yapılan açıklamada, "ABD, Suriye'de IŞİD'e karşı savaşan herhangi bir gruba tank vermemiştir" denildi.

Bu hafta içinde basında çıkan haberlerde, ABD'nin IŞİD'le mücadele kapsamında YPG'ye tank yardımı yaptığı iddia edilmişti.

ABD Büyükelçiliği tarafından yapılan açıklamada, yardımların hafif silah ve mühimmat ile sınırlı kaldığının da altı çizildi.

https://tr.sputniknews.com/abd/201708031029550645-abd-buyukelciligi-suriye-isid-tank/

Fetih el Şam militanlarının tamamı Lübnan'dan Suriye'ye geçti- Sputnik News

Fetih el Şam (eski adıyla El Nusra Cephesi) militanlarının aileleriyle birlikte Lübnan topraklarından Suriye'ye geçiş süreci tamamlandı.

Sputnik'e demeç veren bir kaynağın aktardığına göre, Lübnan topraklarındaki mülteci kamplarında kalan son Fetih el Şam militanları ve  onlarla gitmek isteyen akrabaları Suriye'ye geçti.

116 otobüsle gerçekleştirilen tahliyeyle Fetih el Şam militanlarının Suriye'ye geçiş süreci tamamlandı.

Daha önce Sputnik'e konuşan bir Hizbullah kaynağı, yapılan anlaşmaya göre Lübnan'ın Arsel kentinden 7.777 militan ve aile bireylerinin ayrılmasının beklendiğini belirtmişti.

Taraflar arasında daha önce esir ve cenaze takası da yapılmıştı. 

3 Hizbullah mensubuna karşılık Lübnan cezaevlerinde tutulan 3 Fetih el Şam mensubu takas edilmişti.

https://tr.sputniknews.com/ortadogu/201708031029550118-fetih-el-sam-lubnan-suriye/

Moscow Says Safe Zones in Syria Facilitate Delivery of Humanitarian Aid- Sputnik News

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov held talks on Wednesday with UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, and stressed that the establishment of safe zones in Syria facilitated the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201708021056121021-moscow-safe-zones-syria-humanitarian-aid/

Russian, Syrian bombers, artillery and attack helicopters blast ISIS defenses around Sukhnah- AL-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:25 P.M.) – The Syrian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released a 2-minute video showing the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies advancing on the hills to the south and west of al-Sukhnah town in eastern Homs Governorate.

In the video can be see a wide range of heavy fire support assets of the pro-government forces being thrown into the battle. This includes attack helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces (RuAF), tactical bombers of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) and medium howitzers of SAA.

The footage also shows a close-up of ISIS defenses near al-Sukhnah that are quite literally built into the hills around the strategic town. To this effect, an intricately designed, interconnected ISIS bunker system with multiple fire positions is toured through.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-russian-syrian-bombers-artillery-attack-helicopters-blast-isis-defenses-around-sukhnah/

800 Israeli Layoffs as Hizbullah-Threatened Ammonia Tank Closes- Naharnet

Around 800 employees will be laid off in the court-ordered closure of a major Israeli ammonia storage facility previously threatened by Hizbullah, the owners announced Wednesday.

The head of U.S.-owned Haifa Chemicals, Jules Trump, told Israeli army radio the company was dismissing 800 workers in two plants that processed the ammonia.

"We have lost hundreds of millions of shekels (tens of millions of dollars) in recent months because, contrary to the promises of the government, there is no alternative solution on the horizon," he said.

The Israeli Supreme Court last week confirmed a ruling ordering the closure of the 12,000-ton facility located in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, giving the company until September 18 to empty it completely.

The ruling brought to an end a years-long legal battle over the site.

Residents and environmentalists had been warning of the risks of an accident or explosion at the container in the densely populated Mediterranean port city.

Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in 2016 that a missile strike on the tank would have the effect of a "nuclear bomb," increasing calls for its closure.

Nasrallah, whose group targeted the Haifa area in a 2006 war with Israel, echoed warnings from experts and activists cited in Israeli media that "tens of thousands of people" would be killed in case the container was struck.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/233677

Rusya'nın Şam Büyükelçiliği'ne havan saldırısı- Sputnik News

Rusya Dışişleri Bakanlığı, Rusya'nın Şam Büyükelçiliği'ne havan saldırısı düzenlendiğini açıkladı.

Açıklamada iki havan mermisinin Rusya Büyükelçiliği'nin sınırları içine düştüğü, iki havan mermisinin de elçiliğe yakın bir noktada infilak ettiği belirtildi.

Saldırıda can kaybı olmadığı, küçük çapta maddi hasar oluştuğu kaydedildi.

'SALDIRIYI KINIYORUZ'

Rusya Dışişleri Şam'daki Rus diplomatik temsilciliğine yönelik saldırıyı kınadı.

Bakanlıktan yapılan açıklamada "Rusya, teröristlerin Şam'daki yerleşim birimlerine ve diğer yoğun nüfuslu kentlere düzenlediği saldırıların barbarca olduğuna dikkat çekmişti. Bu saldırılar nedeniyle her gün siviller, kadınlar ve çocuklar hayatını kaybediyor" ifadeleri kullanıldı.

https://tr.sputniknews.com/ortadogu/201708021029534700-rusya-sam-buyukelcilik-havan/

Army Liberates Entire Sabkah Pocket In Southern Raqqah, Destroys Large Number Of ISIS Military Equipment: Syrian…- South Front

Syrian government forces have liberated a large number of villages and areas from ISIS terrorists in the southern Raqqah countryside, the Syrian Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

According to the minsitry, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies have liberated the entrie Sabkah pocket, including the villages of Hawija Shnan, Rahbi, Sabkha, Jabaliya and Rabia located near the Euphrates River.

330 vehicles, 3 battle tanks, 11 artiller pieces, 5 machine guns, 12 headquaters and 3 weapons and munition depots belonging to ISIS were destroyed during the operation in the area, the ministry added.

https://southfront.org/army-liberates-entire-sabkah-pocket-in-southern-raqqah-destroys-large-number-of-isis-military-equipment-syrian-defense-ministry/

Russian Embassy in Damascus Comes Under Mortar Fire by Terrorists- Sputnik News

Russia's Embassy in Syria's capital of Damascus came under mortar fire by terrorists on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Ministry revealed.

There have been no casualties in the attack, the ministry said, noting that the building sustained a certain level of damage.

Two mortar rounds fell on the territory of the Russian embassy with two more hitting close to the mission's perimeter, according to the statement released by the ministry.

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201708021056116023-damascus-syria-russian-embassy-mortar-fire-terrorists/

President Aoun commends Lebanese troops for liberating Arsal- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:00 A.M.) – Lebanese President Michel Aoun commended the Lebanese army on the liberation of the area near the town of Arsal on the Syrian-Lebanese border, when delivering a speech during the country’s Army Day celebrations, at the Lebanese Army Military Academy in Fayadieh, Monday.

Aoun said that the Lebanese troops “have all succeeded in dismantling numerous terrorist networks and cells, conducting preemptive strikes against terrorists and arresting dozens of them.”

He went on to note that Lebanon’s last victory was “the liberation of a major region on the eastern borders from the claws of dark organisations” as well as the re-establishment of security in the area.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/president-aoun-commends-lebanese-troops-liberating-arsal/

Government Forces Overrun ISIS Defense, Liberate Sabkah Village In Southern Raqqah- South Front

Syrian government forces, led by the Syrian Arab Army Tiger Forces and pro-government tribal forces, have overrun the ISIS defense in the southern Raqqah countryside and libearted the village of Sabkah, according to pro-government sources.

Sabkah had been used by ISIS terroirsts for conducting counter-attacks against government forces deployed in Ghanim Ali village and in the nearby area.

If confirmed, government forces will be able to secure the recent gains in southern Raqqah and to develop further their operation against ISSI in the administrative border area between the provinces of Raqqah and Deir Ezzor.

https://southfront.org/government-forces-overrun-isis-defense-liberate-sabkah-village-in-southern-raqqah-map

Syrian Army unleashes 50 Elephant rockets on rebels in eastern Damascus- Al-Masdar

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:55 P.M.) – As the battle for East Ghouta re-ignites following the arrival of the the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) elite 4th Armoured Division to the Damascus front, the SAA has since stepped up its bombardment campaign against militant-held areas.

Over the last 48 hours, the SAA has fired a total of fifty large-ordinance Elephant rockets at the defenses of Islamist rebels in the districts of Jobar and Ayn Tarma, all of which were delivered by artillery units belonging to the 42nd Brigade of the 4th Armored Division.

Two days ago, pro-militant media, on the receiving end of the bombardment, released brief video footage of the attack.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-syrian-army-unleashes-50-elephant-rockets-rebels-eastern-damascus/

Infighting looms in Idlib as ceasefire between jihadi groups falters- Al-Masdar News

DAMASCUS, SYRIA (4: 15 P.M.) – A fortnight after the two main jihadi groups controlling the southwestern Syrian province of Idlib have signed a ceasefire, an all-out infighting is looming following today’s showdown.

Local activists reported that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham militants stationed at a checkpoint south of Saraqib have intercepted a convoy of four trucks for Faylah al-Sham.

HTS militants seized the vehicles which were laden with weapons and ammunitions, and detained Abu Adas; Faylaq’s commander who was leading the convoy.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/infighting-looms-idlib-ceasefire-jihadi-groups-falters/

Syrian Refugees in Lebanon Hesitant to Return despite Opening- Naharnet

A committee of Syrian refugees in Lebanon's eastern border region says tens of thousands of the group will remain where they are despite an arrangement offered to them to return to Syria.

Khaled Raad, a member of the refugees' Coordination Committee with the Lebanese government, says the vast majority of the refugees in Lebanon's Arsal border region will not accept to return to Syria, for fear of war, hardship, and oppressive jihadist rule. He spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Lebanon and Syria are waiting for the final arrangements to be completed with al-Nusra Front militants to bus 9,000 fighters, their family members, and other refugees from the Arsal area to Syria's northwest, Nusra-dominated Idlib province.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/233623

Documents of the al-Qasimiya Court in West Aleppo Countryside: Translation and Analysis- Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi's Blog

In the northern rebel-held areas of Syria in particular, the notion of judicial independence tends to be elusive. The Dar al-Qada, for instance, has been officially characterized as independent but is widely acknowledged to be in reality the judicial wing of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and prior to that its main predecessor Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and in turn Jabhat Fatah al-Sham's predecessor Jabhat al-Nusra, Syria's al-Qa'ida affiliate. The Islamic Commission, another judicial body, is noted for its links to Ahrar al-Sham.

The documents translated for this post come from a judicial body called the Supreme Judicial Council, which, as I noted in a previous entry, announced the beginning of its operations on 30 July 2015 with a number of branches in Aleppo province, including the west Aleppo countryside locality of al-Qasimiya that is the focus of this post. Though the Supreme Judicial Council, like the Dar al-Qada, is officially proclaimed to be independent, its branches are linked to the factions that administer the areas in which these branches operate. Thus, in Azaz, where a branch of the Supreme Judicial Council existed, the court was de facto affiliated with the Shami Front, the main faction in control of Azaz. In al-Qasimiya, the court is de facto affiliated/linked with the faction administering the locality: Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki, which had previously signed up to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, only to split from it in light of the recent infighting in Idlib where Ahrar al-Sham suffered major defeats at the hands of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.

To sum up Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki: it has always been an Islamist but not jihadist group, while also gaining notoriety for corruption/criminality and adopting a 'go with the strong horse' policy as regards the relations it developed with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham and its predecessors, combined it seems with a naive belief that a merger in Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham could somehow uphold the interests of the 'revolution.'

The links of the al-Qasimiya court with Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki were confirmed by Ahmad Hamamer of the group, who pointed out to me that even when Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki was part of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, there was no change to the official affiliation of the court in al-Qasimiya (i.e. it remained officially affiliated with the Supreme Judicial Council and did not become a branch of the Dar al-Qada). The al-Qasimiya court's connections predate the formation of the Supreme Judicial Council: that is, there was already a court in al-Qasimiya affiliated with Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki before the Supreme Judicial Council was set up. More generally, it should be noted that Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zinki was close to Khalid al-Sayyid, the overall head of the Supreme Judicial Council who was killed in October 2016.

http://www.aymennjawad.org/2017/08/documents-of-the-al-qasimiya-court-in-west-aleppo