Russian forces have started to take control of areas previously controlled by Iran-backed forces.
Differences between Iran and Russia, which have provided critical support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s war efforts, have become more apparent as of late. Critical points in Damascus previously controlled by Iran have now been taken over by Russia, and could lead to divisions among the Syrian forces and intelligence.
The Damascus Governorate, Baath Party General Headquarters, stock exchange and central bank located in the Seba Bahrat region which were previously guarded by Iran-backed Shiite militia and Assad’s Republic Guard are now protected by Russian forces.
In the Kefer Suse region, where the prime ministry and other ministry buildings are located, Russian troops are providing security. It is reported that Russian security units have also been placed in the prisons of Adra and Sednaya, the two largest jails of Syrian political prisoners.
On Tuesday a Russian troop deployment near the Lebanese border caused friction with Iran-backed forces, in what appeared to be a rare case of Russia acting out of sync with Assad's Iran-backed allies.
The United Nations voiced concern on Monday about an escalation in fighting and air strikes in Syria's Idlib province, where 2.5 million civilians have "no place else to go" within their homeland.Panos Moumtzis, U.N. regional humanitarian coordinator for Syria, called on major powers to broker a negotiated settlement to end the war and avoid a bloodbath in Idlib." "We worry about 2.5 million people becoming displaced towards Turkey ... There is no other location to move them to (in Syria)," he told a news briefing in Geneva.An aid convoy reached the town of Douma in the enclave of eastern Ghouta outside Damascus on Sunday, but the Syrian government did not allow U.N. staff to accompany it, Moumtzis said. Video: Regime bombing kills 17 civilians in IdlibRegime bombing kills 17 civilians in Idlib
UN fears for 2.5 million in Idlib, Syria as fighting escalates
Pressure for Iran to withdraw
Recent Russian calls for all non-Syrian forces to leave southern Syria have been seen as aimed partly at Iran, in addition to U.S. forces based in the Tanf area at the Syrian-Iraqi border.
Syrian opposition member Yusuf Hamed, who evaluated recent developments in an interview with Yeni Şafak, said that Russia had increased its activities in Damascus and along the borders in the last 20 days.
Russia is pressuring Iran-backed militias to withdraw from areas like Qusayr, Zabadani, Quneitra, Sayyida Zaynab and Darayya, said Hamed.
He also stated that there were efforts to nullify Iranian influence, particularly along the border, and troops were being deployed under Russian supervision in these regions.
At least two Syrian civilians were tortured to death by the YPG/PKK terrorist organization in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province, local sources said on Saturday.The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security reasons, told Anadolu Agency the civilians were abducted a month ago from the city of Deir al-Zour.Fahad Ammash al-Haji al-Naif, who was an engineer by profession, was abducted from a village of Deir al-Zour on suspicion of belonging to the Daesh terrorist organization, they said.The sources said the terror group delivered the body of al-Naif to his family two days ago and that signs of torture could be seen on his body.Saleh al-Ahmad al-Yassin, another civilian who was a pharmacist by profession, had been kidnapped over a similar suspicion from the town of Muhsin in the countryside of Deir al-Zour, they said.Turkish soldier succumbs to injuries after PKK clashAt least 14 PKK terrorists ‘neutralized’ in SE TurkeyAfter the abduction, Al-Yassin was taken to the Al-Omar oil field and then to an unknown destination in the northeastern city of Qamishli, the sources added.“YPG elements claimed that he died of a heart attack, but, signs of torture were clear on his body,” they said.Late last month, residents in Hasakah had protested against the YPG/PKK terror group for forcibly arming the youth in the city.The YPG/PKK is Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist network, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years.Listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, the PKK has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people.
Two Syrians tortured to death by YPG/PKK terrorists
Syrian forces may be divided
Abu Ahmad, who served in a senior intelligence position in the Syrian intelligence but defected and joined the opposition in 2013, told Yeni Şafak that differences between Iran and Russia may lead to division among Syrian forces and intelligence.
Ahmad added that there was a strong Iranian influence in Syrian intelligence and that intelligence chief Ali Memluk and Gen. Suheyl Hasan would be decisive figures during this period.
Russia is trying to remain on the Turkey axis, while Iran’s Qasem Soleimani and some figures close to Assad have different aims, Ahmad said. Suleimani heads the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, and is one of the most prominent and influential military figures.
At least 17 civilians were killed Sunday in raids launched by Syrian fighter jets on a hospital and on populated areas in the Idlib province. According to an Anadolu Agency reporter, the regime warplanes targeted civilians in the cities of Banash, Taftanaz and Ariha, and the villages of Ram Hamdan and Bani Ezz. The civil defense teams in Idlib reported that the regime targeted Al-Nour Children's Hospital in Taftnaz, killing five people, including three children.The bombing over Taftanaz killed another eight civilians, while two others were killed in a raid on Ariha and two in Banash and Ram Hamdan.Video: Regime bombing kills 17 civilians in IdlibSyrians return home for Ramadan holidayRussian airstrikes kill 44 civilians in Syria’s IdlibThe Civil Defense added that the competent teams transferred the wounded -- the number was not specified -- to medical centers close to the targeted areas.Idlib, which remains under opposition control, was designated as a "de-escalation zone" -- in which acts of aggression are expressly forbidden -- in May of last year.Nevertheless, the Bashar al-Assad regime and Russian forces have continued to carry out attacks on the region.
Regime bombing kills 17 civilians in Idlib
Cracks growing
The Russian airstrikes targeting the village of Zardana in Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib on Friday, which killed 42 with another 80 injured, is being interpreted as a message to Syria and Iran claiming that Russia will do what it sees fit.
Ahmad said that the Soleimani front will also continue to engage in various confrontational acts.
The number of civilians killed by Russian airstrikes in Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib has risen to 42 with another 80 injured, according to local civil-defense sources.Mustafa Haj Yousuf, head of the White Helmets civil-defense agency in Idlib, told Anadolu Agency the strikes had targeted the village of Zardana.According to Haj Yousuf, five members of the White Helmets were among those injured by the strikes, which, he alleged had hit residential areas.“The airstrikes were carried out by SU-24 Russian fighter jets dispatched from the Latakia airbase,” Syrian opposition groups said in a statement.Injured civilians were reportedly taken to nearby hospitals while local civil defense units carried out search-and-rescue operations.Idlib, which remains under opposition control, was designated as a "de-escalation zone" -- in which acts of aggression are expressly forbidden -- in May of last year.Nevertheless, the Assad regime and Russian forces have continued to carry out attacks on the region.
Russian airstrikes kill 42 civilians in Syria’s Idlib
Suspicious deaths
Syrian opposition member Hamed added that four senior soldiers, including 11th Division Commander Ali Mohamad Al Hussein, died under suspicious circumstances in the last 20 days. He added that Halil Necat, an Iranian officer deployed in Syria as a military consultant, had also died under suspicious circumstances in the same period.
Hamed also stated that tensions between Iran and Russia on the field would be reflected within the army.
Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.