Russian forces retreat amid rising rebel offensive in Syria
"The military contingent of the aggressor state Russia fled from Hama and evacuated to the Humaymim base. The commander of the Russian coordination staff, Gen. Aleksandr Zhuravlev, admitted that the situation had gotten out of hand for the Assad regime," Ukrainian intelligence reported on Monday.
The opposition forces against the Russian-backed regime of Bashar al-Assad are actively moving south in the country. The first urban battles have occurred in Hama, Homs, and As-Suwayda.
Intelligence: Russians fleeing Damascus
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the first armed riots have started in Damascus. Russian military personnel and diplomats hastily began leaving the capital of Syria. "The Syrian defeat. Russians also left the military base in the city of Khan Shaykhun, leaving a significant amount of weapons and military equipment there," reads the communication from the Ukrainian military intelligence HUR.
On Sunday, Russian aircraft conducted airstrikes on the areas of Khan Shaykhun. "The probable goal of the attacks was to destroy Russian military equipment that switched to the side of opposition forces," believes the intelligence.
"In light of the panicked escape of Russian troops, news of the dismissal of the commander of the Russian contingent, General Kisely, widely spread on Arab social media," HUR reminds.
On Sunday, a channel affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Defence on "Rybar" reported that the commander of Russian forces in Syria, Gen. Sergey Kisel, was removed from his position after the capture of Aleppo by militants.
Colonel Vadim Baykulov, who commanded a unit of Russian special forces, was also summoned to Moscow. "He has to explain to his superiors why his subordinates suffered casualties, and military equipment in Aleppo was captured by the enemy," it reads.
The Supernova+ channel published a recording showing the destruction of a car with a Russian officer inside.
Rebel attack in Syria
Over the last 48 hours, the situation in Syria has significantly deteriorated. Rebel forces, including the Islamist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have taken control of most of Aleppo, the second-largest city in the country, and have begun an offensive towards Hama province.
In response to these actions, the Syrian army, supported by Russian air forces, launched counterattacks, conducting air raids on rebel positions. These attacks have resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
On Monday, Reuters reported that pro-Iranian Iraqi armed groups crossed the borders into Syria last night to support government forces. The fighters are headed to the areas where battles are taking place between rebels and Bashar al-Assad regime troops.
In the ongoing conflict in Syria since 2011, many parties are involved:
- Government Forces: Loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, supported by Russia and Iran.
- Rebels: Various opposition groups, including Islamist ones like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
- Kurdish Democratic Forces (SDF): Controlling northeastern Syria, often attacked by Turkey.
- Islamic State (ISIS): Although weakened, it is still present in some regions.
- International Forces: Including the US-led coalition conducting operations against ISIS.
