Russian warplanes target HTS-held areas in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Russian warplanes conducted on Wednesday airstrikes on areas controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS – formerly al-Nusra Front) in Zawiya Mountain, south of Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria.
A military source told North Press that “Russian warplanes carried out four dual airstrikes with high-explosive missiles on the outskirts of the town of al-Bara and agricultural lands between the towns of Kansafra and al-Mozara in Zawiya Mountain.”
The airstrikes targeted “residential houses when their residents were outside and agricultural lands,” resulting in material damage, according to the source.
The Russian airstrikes were accompanied by extensive reconnaissance flights conducted by their aircraft in the skies above the targeted area, as well as in the countryside of Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia, in northwest Syria.
Although the de-escalation zone in northwest Syria is subject to a Russian-Turkish ceasefire agreement signed in March 2020, the area witnesses frequent mutual bombardment despite the entry of the ceasefire into force.
In March 2020, Russia and Turkey reached an agreement in Moscow that stipulated a ceasefire, the establishment of a safe corridor, and the conduct of joint patrols on the M4/Aleppo-Latakia Highway.