Warplanes of the Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) carried out on January 11 morning a series of airstrikes on Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) so-called “security zone” in Idlib’s city center.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said that the Syrian airstrikes targeted the outskirt of the “Cultural Center” in the city’s center. Several headquarters of al-Qaeda-affiliated HTS are believed to be located in that part of the city.
Syrian warplanes also targeted the towns of Khan Assubul, Deir Sunbul, Sarmin, al-Nerab, Binish and the city of Ma`arat al-Nu`man, which are located to the east and south of Idlib’s city center.
The airstrikes came ahead of a new ceasefire that’s set to become active at today’s midnight. The ceasefire, which will cover all of Greater Idlib, was brokered by Russia and Turkey.
The Syrian airstrikes were likely a response to the recent provocations by HTS and its allies. The terrorist groups stepped up their rocket and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) attacks on Syrian troops around Greater Idlib after the announcement of the new ceasefire.
