Ongoing clashes in Jabal al-Akrad amid renewed bombardment by Syrian and Russian helicopters in Idlib

Military operations continue in the northeastern countryside of Latakia, coinciding with the continued escalation by the Syrian government and Russian air strikes on different areas of Idlib governorate.

Clashes between Syrian government forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other armed opposition groups continue on contact lines between the two sides in the area of Kabanah in Jabal al-Akrad, in the northeastern countryside of Latakia.

The fighting was accompanied by intensive and frequent shelling between Syrian government forces and opposition groups, which caused casualties on both sides.

Furthermore, the Syrian helicopters also targeted  the areas of Heesh, al-Tah, Maarat al-Numan, Deir al-Sharqi and Ma’rshurin with barrel bombs in the southern countryside of Idlib.

The aerial shelling on Maarat al-Numan killed 3 people, including a woman, and injured more than 6 others.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government forces targeted areas in Maaret al-Artiq and Kafr Hamra in northwest Aleppo, and the areas of Deir al-Sharqi and Kafr Sajnah, south of Idlib, causing material damage with no reported information on casualties so far.

The escalation coincided with the Kremlin talks regarding preparations for the upcoming tripartite summit in September in Ankara. The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov said that “the exact date will be announced in due course”.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry held Turkey responsible for what will take place in Idlib, accusing it of not being committed to Sochi agreements regarding Idlib.

“Anyone who impedes the safe exit of people, whether terrorist groups or those who back them, specifically the Turkish regime, bears full responsibility of the lives of those civilians,” said the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Soussan.