Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #HTS

Most recents (21)

Excellent write-up by J. Flores at FRN on Russia going along with western narrative over the IL-20 jet downed on Monday.
That French frigate Auvergne shot down the plane is a long shot, but #NATO wanting to sever #Russia#France ties is nothing new. fort-russ.com/2018/09/full-a…
Summing up the facts that led to, and followed, the downing of a Russian IL-20 plane.

1/ #NATO has strongly opposed the #Idlib campaign from #Syria & #Russia, warning a response to a chemical attack and then – to secure an escalation – on any attack. maps.southfront.org/now-u-s-threat…
2/ One #NATO member also strongly opposed to the #Idlib campaign, but for all different reasons: #Turkey reinforced its backed rebels in Idlib with support (after striking out the #HTS on its books) and weapons.
reuters.com/article/us-mid…
Read 17 tweets
#US Senator Dick Black speaking to reporters at a #SAA position in #Aleppo: "Beyond this dividing line is Al Qaeda. They keep changing names, but it is Al Qaeda, the same group that did 9/11." He also proceeds to praise the Syrian soldier who is observing the enemy.
Senator Black on #HTS terrorists: "This is their final stand here in Idlib province. This is a very good time for us, for anyone who cares about terrorism. We have been fighting the War on Terror for 17 years with nothing to show, but the Syrian army has them cornered."
"The Syrian army cares very much about casualties, considering that what we have here is urban combat, a very brutal type of combat."

Senator Richard Black, ladies and gentlemen.
Read 6 tweets
THREAD: #SAA will soon launch #IdlibDawn operation to eliminate militants' presence in #Idlib, #Latakia, #Hama & W #Aleppo CS w/in green area (6,222 km^2).

Map shows vital targets, strategic mountain ranges & locations of #TAF/ #TSK military “observation” posts. #Syria 1️⃣
2️⃣ During FIRST stages of #IdlibDawn OP, #SAA will probably focus on 3 main axes:

1st: NW/W #Aleppo CS
2nd: N #Hama CS
3rd: NE #Latakia CS

#TAF presence will be seriously taken into account (as long as its existence); expecting certain pressure/isolation of #TSK posts.
3️⃣ FIRST AXIS; NW/W #Aleppo CS

Possible #SAA movements to secure #Anadan Plain & W Aleppo suburbs, forcing militants (#NLF) retreat towards Jabal Sem’an.

PS: The #TAF/ #TSK’s “Anadan” post is hereby bypassed from eastern axes. #Syria #IdlibDawn
Read 6 tweets
With #Daraa & #Quneitra province under full control. #SAA turn their eyes on N.W. #Syria : In the next days army will launch a new operation ( #IdlibDawn ) in order to liberate the remaining areas of #Latakia , #Hama , #Idlib & W. #Aleppo & eliminate #HTS rule (Dark green) (1)
Due to the extension of the frontlines (273 Km) & rebel control area (6428 Km^2) operation will be carried out in more than one phase & 4 different axis:
- #Latakia: #SAA 4th division objetive is expell rebels from their last areas of Latakia until outskirts of Jish Shugour (2)
-Ghab plains: #SAA objetive is the liberation of N.W. #Hama (especially Qalaat al-Madiq) & enter in the first parts of Zawiyah mountains for the future Jish Shugour battle
-North Hama: #SAA will open this axis in order to reduce most of #Hama salient (Morek is not included) (3)
Read 6 tweets
Just now getting around to reading the @UN’s report on AQ & #ISIS.

Some “analysis” of its content on the AQ in #Syria issue has been skewed, to say the least - with some aspects aggrandized & others underplayed.

Report: undocs.org/S/2018/705
@UN #pt: What clearly emerges from the UN report is an AQ *movement* weakened by internal inefficiencies, the consequence of which => a clear AQC undermining of #Nusra/#HTS & empowerment of alternative, loyalists within groups like Nusrat al-Islam (Huras al-Din+) & Ansar al-Tawhid.
@UN #pt: One strange thing came up… the UN report says Sami al-Oraydi & Abu Julaybib’s defection from ‘#Nusra’ resulted in the creation of a “new group under the name of Ansar al-Din.”

Not to my knowledge.

Ansar al-Furqan? Yes.
Also Ansar al-Tawhid.

Ansar al-Din is old/unrelated.
Read 3 tweets
Preparations appear to be underway for a pro-#Assad offensive on #Idlib.

12hrs of on/off air & artillery strikes vs. southeastern & western #Idlib & northern #Hama - see marks on map (original by @ETANA_Syria + my additions).

+ multiple large pro-regime convoys moving north.
@ETANA_Syria #pt: If/when any major military campaign gets underway, expect the #Assad regime (+ #Russia & #Iran-backed militias) to focus on these 2 fronts:

1) West #Idlib (Jisr al-Shughour)
2) N. #Hama/#SE #Idlib (Latamineh, Khan Sheikhoun, Kafrazita)

-> a gradual push ‘inland’ & north.
@ETANA_Syria Very good by @theIRC’s @DMiliband:

- The West must “re-assert” itself & protect civilians in NW #Syria & as a backstop, safe-routes should be opened for civilians to flee into #Turkey.

- UNSC must demand full access to S #Syria; for aid, monitoring etc.

washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-w…
Read 83 tweets
Fascinating, in-depth reporting by @AP on the #Saudi-#UAE coalition’s complex dealing with #AQAP in #Yemen.

- Key thought: this is the challenge #AQAP (& Nusra/#HTS in #Syria) poses, by embedding into & reflecting broader local dynamics.

apnews.com/f38788a561d74c…
@AP #pt: Just like #HTS in #Syria, #AQAP in #Yemen is not a wholly contiguous organization of committed global jihadis - it's strengthened itself by embracing local drivers & structures.

=> That provides opportunities for counter-actors, but they require [some] engagement to do so.
@AP #pts: Another parallel to #Syria is seen in how the extent of localism embraced by #AQAP may in fact have weakened its long-term durability; by leaving large swathes of fighters vulnerable to cooptation by adversaries/rivals.

For more, see @Dr_E_Kendall:

Read 3 tweets
This, ladies & gentlemen, is what happens when one writes about something one knows literally nothing about.

Complete nonsense, interspersed with lies & conspiracy theories made popular by far-left #Assad supporters & #Russia.

How utterly shameful.
#Syria Civil Defense = volunteer rescue service, whose members also provide medical care, de-mining, infrastructure repair & children’s safety education.

They've operated anywhere they can in opposition areas - to save lives & keep people safe.

= 114,000+ people saved till now.
.@ClarkeMicah says @SyriaCivilDefe are “closely associated with… al-Qaeda or… even worse” - based on what exactly?

An organization that works w. the U.S., UK et al., who espouse pro-democratic views & get evacuated by #Israel (etc. etc.) are somehow global jihadists?

Please.
Read 4 tweets
Amid #Assad regime offensive in south #Syria, worth bearing in mind its continued bombing of areas in #Idlib - also under a so-called “de-escalation zone.”

Having watched the southern zone dissolved w/o response from #Jordan or #Israel, #Turkey’s now warning #Idlib = “red line."
#Turkey has deployed its own armed forces to x12 “observation posts” fencing in opposition areas & enforcing de-escalation.

#Russia seems invested in stability in #Idlib - but for how long?

After #Deraa, will #Assad & #Iran destroy the last remaining “de-escalation zone”?
For now, expect periodic regime bombing raids & notably, also ‘spoiling’ attacks by fighters unrestrained by #Turkey’s iron grip.

#HTS will remain internally divided on de-escalation -- the more regime bombings, the heavier the pressure for #HTS to respond = #Assad opportunity.
Read 26 tweets
PRESSER: #Russia's FM #Lavrov & #Jordan/ian FM Safadi:
1. Say they're satisfiedd w/ "close & useful interaction" over #Syria both in trilateral format (w/ #US in Amman) & via Astana where Jordan is observer.
Lavrov says #Rus appreciates JRD mediation b/n #SAA&opposition militants
2. #Lavrov, #Safadi discussed "some concrete measures of how to address issue of #Syria/n refugees in #Jordan."
Both reinforced need to comply w/ trilateral agreements over SW de-escalation zone,including,Lavrov stressed,"part on fight w/ #ISIS, #HTS that control 40% of the area"
3.#Lavrov said the SW zone "remains a priority" since as terrorists get driven out,conditions will be created for return of refugees,incl those based now in #Jordan.
#Moscow insists broad international coop needed to restore #Syria's infrastructure,create jobs...
Read 14 tweets
As expected, the #Assad regime - supported by #Russia & yes, #Iran-backed militias - is well into a pre-planned offensive vs. opposition-held areas in S/SW #Syria.

= Violating de-escalation zone agreement & with little/no word/response from the opposition’s foreign backers.
#pt: At least one pro-#Assad Shia militia group overtly backed by #Iran/#IRGC -- Liwa Zulfiqar -- has publicly proclaimed its ongoing role in the offensive in south #Syria.

No word or response from #Israel, as yet.

[via @hadialbahra]
@hadialbahra #pt: The U.S’s impotent role in #Syria has again been revealed for all to see & exploit…

June 21: @StateDept threatens “serious repercussions” for any offensive in the south.

June 23: @USEmbassyJordan tells FSA 'we don’t have your back' [via @AbuJamajem]

June 25-27: Silence.
Read 23 tweets
1/ Important Development: After weeks of intense fighting in #YarmoukCamp in South #Damascus an agreement has been reached between #HTS (Nusra) & #SAA for militants to leave, deal includes #Fua & #Kafraya, #ISIS are not involved

Here's the full story:
2. #HTS controlled areas of the #Yarmouk will surrender fully as the agreement for them to leave is set to come into effect tomorrow morning
3. #HTS Militants & their families are set to be deported to #Idleb, where there is a strong #HTS presence
Read 13 tweets
#Syria: for over two years the people of Maarat al-Numan have protested continuously against Jabhat al-Nusra (& synonyms #JFS, #HTS).

Now the city together with the whole Jabal al-Zawiya region of #Idlib are freed of jihadists, thanks to local #FSA & #JTS
#Syria: as #JTS and #FSA forces are also advancing around Atarib (W #Aleppo) and Maarrat al-Misrin #HTS is at risk of being split into two separate pockets. One east of the M5 highway and the other in the region between #Idlib city and the #Turkey border
#Syria: meanwhile #HTS is trying to counter the rebel offensive throughout "greater" #Idlib by attacking the town of Batabo, located just west of Atarib
Read 6 tweets
NEW - #Ahrar al-Sham & Nour al-Din al-Zinki have merged, creating Jabhat Tahrir Souriya, branded with “green” revolutionary flag.

- Ahrar leader Hassan Soufan = leader
- #Zinki leader Tawfiq Shahbuddin = deputy

“JTS” calls on other groups to join for greater unity.
#pt: What does “JTS’s” formation mean?

- Unlikely to be a full merger, but closer Ahrar-Zinki coordinating ties have been clear for months.

- Northern #Syria’s two biggest non-#HTS factions are compiling (with Syrian Islamic Council backing) pressure on #Jolani & HTS.
I’m told that x4 sub-factions of #HTS have agreed to join the newly formed Jabhat Tahrir Souriya (#JTS) and at least x5 others are negotiating possible terms.

#Syria #Idlib
Read 67 tweets
#SRO | ANALYSIS - Strangely (or not), the only important group inside rebellion factions in N-#Syria to be sceptical about #Turkey use of rebels is... #HTS (1).
#SRO | ANALYSIS - Despite escorting here and there some #Turkey vehicles, #HTS became, slowly, the main defender of the #Syria rebellion independance... (2).
#SRO | ANALYSIS - So, don't be surprised to see #HTS still being important in hearts in #Idlib : many aren't so happy to become #Turkey new annexed territory... (3).
Read 5 tweets
Just about a fact that all of us knew about for weeks : the massive withdrawal, without important losses for rebellion factions, frm E-#Idlib was well prepared by #Turkey (1).
Wer'e going to see now frontlines to stabilize with regime to concentrate firepower on Liwa al-Aqsa [Wilayat Hama] remnants and rebels to fortify M5 side under #Turkey new "border posts" (2).
! IMPORTANT ! For those caring about Fuah - Kafraya pocket : just remember, contrary to previous years, no one of rebellion factions, including hardline #HTS or #TIP fired on this pocket last weeks despite losses east... (3)
Read 6 tweets
In case you forgot - the #Assad regime continues to use chemical munitions on civilian areas.

This morning, a chemical gas attack hit the besieged #Douma suburb of #Damascus - mostly women & children affected.

A similar attack hit Douma 9 days ago. #Syria
Civilian vehicles, packed with furniture & personal belongings, were targeted by regime strikes today, as civilians fled bombing in SE #Idlib.

This is #Assad’s “war on terrorism.” See for yourself. #Syria
#Russia & #Assad launched a huge escalation in bombing in #Idlib over the weekend - 150+ airstrikes reported yesterday alone.

Multiple hospitals destroyed and this Neo-natal unit evacuated.

Heartless, criminal violence.

Read 14 tweets
We started a new year (I hope the last) of the Syrian civil war. But 2017 has been the most important year & the result of inflection point of the war in 2016 with many political & military developments : (1)
The first military operation of #SAA was Wadi Bara (23/12/2016 - 29/1/2017) which finished with the evacuation of rebels from Wadi Barada & the North montainous area in the border with Lebanon. At the same time other forces advanced in E.Ghouta reaching some parts of Hazrama (2)
#SDF started the second phase of #WrathOfEuphrates operation on December securing the West flank of #Raqqa plains (3)
Read 47 tweets
Regime forces and allied militias captured strategic Abu Dali village and Hamdaniyah village from Syrian rebels and #HTS. Regime is also assaulting on #Athsan: wikimapia.org/#lang=tr&lat=3…
Abu Dali was a black market hub where civilians and rebels bought important stuffs from corrupt regime local warlords. After assault of #HTS into the city, this supply road was cut
Regime forces and allied militias captured Tal Maraq:
Read 9 tweets
#AbuDuhur Offensive: expected scenario by @NorsForStudies with 2 main fronts (Sinjar road & W. #Khanasser) to take Airbase & isolate NE. Hama pocket.
Troops movement suggest large-scale assault is imminent.
General mobilization declared. Op. room yet to be formed.
#AbuDuhur offensive: the first Tiger Forces-led assault opened a new front S.-SW. of #AbuDali, seizing several locations incl. ex-Air Defense base & Tell Aswad. Areas witness clashes tonight.
#Pt. #FSA Jaish Izza & Free Idlib Army announced the death of 4 of their fighters while repelling Regime attacks.
Read 245 tweets
Amusing & sad seeing some analysts continue to naively read shady & complex developments through a strictly black/white lens - as if things in the world of jihadism occur along slick, clean lines.

It only shows your analytical immaturity.

Look deeper. #Syria
Jabhat al-Nusra (pre-#JFS) was a movement of several ‘wings.’

When Nusra leader #Jolani was presented w. an ultimatum in mid-July 2016 (break from AQ or face 30%+ defection), there then began a furious debate throughout #Nusra’s command structure about the group’s future.

1/10
Within #Nusra’s Shura Council, the subject of moving away from AQ was almost 50:50 - with several of the group’s most senior leaders insisting *no.*

As the debate bled down through Nusra’s regional commands, differing proposals gained weight - like 'Chinese Whispers.'

2/10
Read 12 tweets

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