SAA advances amid intense clashes in northern Hama and Deir Ezzor

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
3 Dec 2024 21:32
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The Syrian Arab Army intensifies operations against terrorist groups across northern Hama, Idlib, and Deir Ezzor, regaining strategic positions.

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Footage released by the Syrian Ministry of Defense showing previous precise and strategic operations against terrorists in the Idlib countryside and the northern Latakia countryside, Syria, on December 3, 2024. (SANA)

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) continues its strikes against terrorist groups, targeting their positions and convoys in the northern countrysides of Aleppo and Idlib, while reinforcements of various types continue to arrive for its units, according to a statement by the SAA and Armed Forces General Command.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the General Command confirmed that terrorist organizations had been targeted with a series of precise strikes over the past 24 hours. These strikes resulted in the destruction of an operations headquarters belonging to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and three warehouses.

The Syrian Armed Forces successfully eliminated more than 200 terrorists, including leaders from foreign nationalities, and destroyed or downed over 20 drones launched by the terrorists targeting safe villages and towns.

Elimination of 100 militants

The Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria announced on Tuesday that around 100 militants had been neutralized, and military equipment and an ammunition depot had been destroyed in the past 24 hours in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib.

In detail, strikes were carried out on terrorist gathering points, observation posts, shelters, air defense missile systems, multiple rocket launchers, ammunition depots, as well as their weapons and military equipment, during the last 24 hours, as announced by Oleg Ignatyev, Deputy Director of the Russian Reconciliation Center, in a press conference.

Oleg added that approximately 100 terrorists were neutralized, along with 12 tanks, 27 vehicles, 3 mortars, a command center, and an ammunition depot.

Intense clashes in northern and eastern Hama countryside

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported continued fierce clashes on two fronts in the northern and eastern countryside of Hama, northern Syria. At the same time, a new front has been opened against the SAA in the eastern region, specifically in the Deir Ezzor countryside.

Our correspondent noted that armed terrorist groups are attempting to outflank Hama and reach Mount Zain al-Abidin on the city's outskirts. This elevated position overlooks Hama, giving control over it through firepower from the elevated position.

These attempts have been met with intense resistance by the SAA, which has advanced into several towns and villages in the northern Hama countryside. This progress forced the armed terrorist groups to shift their focus to the eastern Hama countryside in an attempt to advance toward Mount Zain al-Abidin, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

The SAA utilized airstrikes and artillery to ease the pressure on its lines in the eastern Hama countryside and prevent the armed groups from approaching Mount Zain al-Abidin. It appears that Hama is the strategic target for these armed groups and their supporting states after Aleppo.

SAA advances toward Khanaser

Simultaneously, the SAA is advancing along the Aleppo-Khanaser-Athriya road after armed groups captured Khanaser and al-Safira, bringing them within 5 km of Athriya in the far eastern Hama countryside.

The SAA has regained the initiative, advancing to the outskirts of Khanaser, where clashes are ongoing. The army seeks to regain control of the area to establish it as a primary base.

According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent, after regaining Khanaser, the army plans to move toward Al-Safira, located at the southeastern end of Aleppo's countryside, near defense factories and the Scientific Research Center.

Humanitarian situation in Aleppo

Regarding the humanitarian situation, Aleppo has become a military zone marked by extreme caution and deserted streets. The city faces shortages of food and water, power outages, and severe communication disruptions.

The city has also witnessed a significant wave of displacement toward the coast, Damascus, and Homs, according to the correspondent.

Additionally, the Syrian Army conducted intense airstrikes targeting terrorist positions in Sarmin, Sarmada, and areas around Idlib City, focusing on sites previously occupied by HTS before the start of the military operation.

Deir Ezzor Military Council prepares for new attack

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that fighters from the Deir Ezzor Military Council, affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are gathering in the al-Maamel area to launch a new attack against the SAA.

This comes after the Syrian Arab Army thwarted the council's first attack, which was supported by US occupation firepower, successfully repelling assaults on seven villages on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

Our correspondent noted that Council fighters aim to seize these villages, push the Syrian Army to the western bank of the Euphrates, and eliminate its presence on the eastern bank. He added that further clashes, similar to those that occurred early Tuesday, are likely to erupt.

Regarding this "new front" opened against the SAA under US support, the correspondent reported that US forces provided heavy artillery support, launched airstrikes, and used attack helicopters to target SAA positions in the seven villages near the Euphrates.

Although the clashes subsided by morning, US shelling and assaults on Syrian Arab Army positions continued, particularly in Hatla and Husayniyah. Syrian Arab Army positions in Khasham were also shelled from the U.S. base at the Conoco oil field.

This escalation prompted groups from the Resistance factions to support the Syrian Arab Army on the Deir Ezzor front, particularly in the seven villages.

A Resistance source informed Al Mayadeen on Monday that reinforcements from Syrian Army allies within the Resistance Axis had arrived at the northern and eastern Hama fronts and the southern Aleppo fronts.

The source added that additional reinforcements in equipment and personnel would gradually arrive to support the Syrian Army in confronting the fierce terrorist campaign targeting Syria.