BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russian military are preparing to launch a massive offensive in the northwestern region of Syria, a source in Damascus told Al-Masdar News on Sunday.
According to the military source, the Syrian Arab Army, alongside the Russian Air Force, are preparing to storm and capture the 20 kilometer-deep deescalation zone that is situation between the Hama, Aleppo, Idlib, and Latakia governorates.
In particular, the Syrian Army’s first major targets in northwestern Syria will be the towns of Morek and Al-Latamnah in northern Hama and the Al-Ghaab Plain that is situated between northwest Hama and southwest Idlib.
The source said the offensive will be led by the Tiger Forces and they will be fighting alongside the 4th Armored Division and 5th Corps.
The Tiger Forces have led several major offensives in the past, including the operations to capture Palmyra, east Aleppo, East Ghouta, Daraa, and southeast Idlib.
The offensive is expected to be launched in the next two weeks as both the Syrian Arab Army and Russian military make their final preparations.
Despite the Syrian Army’s desire to launch this offensive, they may face heavy resistance from the Turkish troops that are currently positioned at 18 different observation posts across the demilitarized zone.
Turkey has made it clear they do not support any Syrian military operation in northwestern Syria; however, due to the recent expansion of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham in this region, Ankara may find themselves at odds with their Russian counterparts over the future of this part of Syria.
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