Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Iran-backed Iraqi PMF buckle against opposing counteroffensive, SW Aleppo

Tinted section of areas claimed taken by FH, JaF and FsyA during counter-offensive against IRGC-QF directed forces  [source: archicivilians]

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 23NOV15:
On Monday morning in the southern Aleppo countryside, 16 Islamist rebel factions – led by Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest), Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Jaysh Al-Islam, Jaysh Al-Mujahiddeen, and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) – launched a powerful assault on several sites under the control of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their allies.
The Islamist rebels began their assault at the large village of Kafr Haddad, where they encountered a large force from Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary) and Kataeb Hezbollah (Iraqi paramilitary) that were protecting its southern flank.
Following a series of violent firefights, the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham broke-through Harakat Al-Nujaba’s frontline defenses and imposed full control over Kafr Haddad, Tal Al-Bakarah, and Tal Mamou.
Not long after capturing Kafr Haddad and its surrounding hilltops, the Islamist rebels – led by Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham – captured Tal Al-Banijayrah, Al-‘Aziziyah, Al-Makahlah, Al-Khariyah, and Tal Bajar; this left the strategic village of Al-Mariyoudah susceptible to an assault from the Islamist rebel groups.
However, the Islamist rebels did not attack Al-Mariyoudah; instead, they chose to attack the contested village of Burnah, seizing this site after a brief firefight with the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City.
COMMENTARY: The IRGC-QF directed push towards the besieged Syrian Shia enclaves at Kafarya and al-Fu'a appears to have been dealt at least a momentary setback, by an opposing force counteroffensive buckling sectors held by Iran-backed Iraqi PMF.

This counteroffensive follows the mobilization and commitment of opposing forces detailed above in the graphic rendered by "archicivilians."

Trophies of war depicted in Al-Qaeda Syria affiliate, including emblems of Iran-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Ansar Allah al-Awfiyya.

Also appearing on social media, imagery such as this emerged of Russian Federation T-90A third-generation main battle tanks aboard transporters, claimed depiction at the Aleppo front

4 comments:

interested party said...

As a long term novice I can say that the fighting abilities on all sides in this conflict have evolved enormously. Particularly at a tactical level. Come what may at the end of the Syrian conflict it will leave an enormous amount of highly experienced soldiers and leaders in the region. Experienced enough to mix it with the best trained professionals in the world.

Anonymous said...

indeed, that might be a real problem for security forces guarding Iran's borders.

however, it's less of a problem for professional militaries with advanced technological weaponry

Anonymous said...

This was the best shot that coalition of the rebels could deliver, but it appears that it has reach to a halt after not strategically significant initial gains. If they can not continue their initial momentum, they will be subjected to counter offensive supported by a massive air support that will determine the faith of the South Aleppo battle.

Anonymous said...

Not much of a "counter offensive"