Soleimani among Iran-equipped Iraqi fighting forces during Syrian offensive

IRGC-QF Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressing Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba fighting force members; claimed depiction in the southern Aleppo countryside appearing 13NOV15 on social media.

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 14NOV15:

The Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and Hezbollah began their long journey to Aleppo Governorate from the Syrian resort-city of Al-Zabadani in early September, marking the first time that the Lebanese Resistance has committed such a large force to a front so far away from the Lebanese border.

However, Hezbollah’s participation in the southern Aleppo offensive has played a pivotal role in the pro-government forces’ success as they have led the charge on the Islamist rebel defenses, killing several enemy combatants and capturing several villages in the process.

Over the last 72 hours, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary), Kataeb Hezbollah (Iraqi paramilitary), and Firqa Fatayyemoun (Iranian/Afghani paramilitary) – have captured the strategic towns of Al-Hadher and Tal Al-‘Eiss, paving the way for their forces to approach the Damascus-Aleppo Highway from the eastern flank.

Map depiction dated 14NOV15 detailing roughly 500 km2 area recaptured during IRGC-QF directed offensive SW of Aleppo.  [source: Al-Masdar News]

There are also reports IRGC-QF directed offensive has advanced to M5 highway, as depicted in this 14NOV15 situation map  [source: Peto Lucem]

Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi, Secretary General of Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba (HHN), conducting Friday prayers with HHN fighting force members. Photo claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force member equipped with Iranian-manufactured Toofan ("Typhoon') ATGM, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force member equipped with Iranian-manufactured AM50 anti-materiel sniper rifle, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside.

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force light infantryman, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside

Iran-backed Iraqi HHN fighting force light infantryman, claimed depiction 13NOV15 in the Aleppo southern countryside

Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) fighting force member equipped with Croatian HS Produkt VHS assault rifle. Note sleeve patch bearing likeness of LH Secretary General Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, as well as button bearing likeness of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Pro-Syrian government forces recapture, advance past Al-Hadner

Syrian pro-government forces on 12NOV15 in the surrounding area of Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Mahder News, dated 12NOV15:

On Thursday afternoon, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, Harakat Al-Nujaba, Kataeb Hezbollah, and Firqa Fatayyemoun – launched a decisive assault on the strategic rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher, capturing the entire city within 2 hours of beginning their large-scale assault against the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra”, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham.

The Syrian Arab Army and their allies were able to seize the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher after conducting several successful military operations this week, targeting the surrounding villages that border this imperative city in Aleppo’s southern countryside from its southern flank.

Following the capture of Al-Hadher, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and their allies pushed further west towards the other rebel stronghold of Tal Eis, striking the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham at the eastern flank before entering this town that overlooks the strategic Damascus-Aleppo Highway.

According to preliminary battlefield reports from Tal Eis, the Syrian Arab Army and their allies have eized most of this town; however, the reports surfacing of its capture have been denied by direct sources on the ground with the Syrian Armed Forces.

If the Syrian Army and their allies seize Tal Eis, the Islamist rebels will be in serious trouble as not only do they lose another strategic town, but also, the obstruction of their primary supply route from the provincial capitals of the Idlib and Aleppo Governorates.

COMMENTARY: There are reports this IRGC-QF directed operation has recaptured Musharfah ASl-Muray, Jabal Arba’een and related farms, Khirbet Al-Mazare’, Khirbet Nazha and Khirbet Al-Mashoosh, as well as claims for the recapture of Al Eis and Jabal Al Eis (see second map below).

A counterattack by Jaish al-Fatah ("Army of Conquest") is also being reported.

Pro-Syrian government forces are also attacking in the direction of Marj As Sultan South, what had been a Syrian military helicopter airbase in Eastern Ghouta, to the east of Damascus. This airbase sacked by insurgents three years ago.

Military situation in southern rural Aleppo, dated 12NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Military situation map IRGC-QF led operation SW of Aleppo, dated 12NOV15


Pro-Syrian government fighting force member before city limit sign for Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

Pro-Syrian government media corpsman bearing trophy flag of Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra,” at Al-Hadner

In addition to flag of Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra" is this flag emblem of "Free Syrian Army," inspected by Lebanese Hezbollah fighting force member at Al-Hadner

Imagery of recently recaptured Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

Syrian pro-government forces on 12NOV15 in the surrounding area of Al-Hadner, SW of Aleppo

Syrian pro-government forces artillery battery, SW of Aleppo

Russian VDV (Russian Airborne Troops) "Blue Berets" band members among Russian troops before and atop T-90 third-generation main battle tank, at Hmeymim Air Base near Latakia.

Russian VDV (Russian Airborne Troops) "Blue Berets" band members before T-90 third-generation main battle tank, performing for Russian troops at Hmeymim Air Base near Latakia.

Unverified imagery of Russian S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) battery acquisition radar 96L6 at Hmeymim Air Base near Latakia.

Social media imagery appearing 12NOV15 depicting local Syrians at Latakia, expressing support for President Assad and gratitude for Russian military intervention.

Syrian pro-government forces relieve Kuweiris Airbase, advance at southern front

Members of SyAA "Cheetah Forces," unit responsible for spearheading the relief of Kuweiris Airbase

According to Chris Tomson at Al-Masdar News, dated 11NOV15:

[T]he Syrian Arab Army’s Tiger Forces (Cheetah Forces Team 6) finally managed to liberate Kuweiris Airbase after the area had been besieged for 35 months by the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS).

Currently, Tiger Forces are attempting to thicken the dangerously thin supply line that cuts deep into previously ISIS-held territory; however, this unit is set to be reployed to Hama, leaving the future of this base in the Deir Hafer Plains unknown.

On the southern front, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division and Hezbollah have captured approximately 250 square kilometers of territory in just one month of fighting the Islamist opposition fighters.

In the last 48 hours alone, the Syrian Arab Army and Hezbollah have captured 5 villages that are located south of the strategic town of Al-Hader while the Islamist insurgents were only able to recapture 1 village from the pro-government forces.

Syrian Army and Hezbollah soldiers on this frontline have seen themselves advance to areas which had previously been rebel-held since the summer of 2012.

According to Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 11NOV15:

On Tuesday morning, the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Mechanized Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, the Al-Ba’ath Battalions, and several Iranian and Iraq paramilitary units – expanded their control over a number of points in the southern Aleppo countryside after a series of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra”, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham.

The Syrian Armed Forces and the Lebanese Resistance began their assault in Markahalah, where they were confronted by a large contingent of fighters from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki at the eastern perimeter of this small village located directly west of Tal Mamou; this aforementioned village was captured by the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance the day before this successful assault.

Not long after they began their assault at this village, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance imposed full control over Markahalah, killing several enemy combatants from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki in the process of its capture.

Following the capture of Markahalah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance turned their attention to the isolated village of Maryoudah, where they once again broke-through the Islamist rebel defenses and imposed full control over this area that is located directly south of Al-‘Eis.

In the last 48 hours, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah have captured 4 villages from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, while only conceding the village of Talaylat to the Islamist rebels after a violent firefight at the strategic city of Al-Hadher.

COMMENTARY: Beyond the obvious symbolism and morale boost generated by the relief  Kuweiris Airbase, these multi-pronged Syrian pro-government attacks carried out with Russian/Iranian/Lebanese/Iraqi support are exacting a toll on Al-Qaeda (AQ), AQ-linked armed groups and ISIL. Where Syrian pro-government forces had previously been disadvantaged in the war of attrition with aforementioned armed groups, now enabled by RuAF fire support from the air and ground support from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, Syrian pro-government forces appear to have wrested back the initiative in this four year-old conflict. What's more, these military gains are sure to play out in the diplomatic sphere when conflict resolution talks resume on 14NOV15 in Vienna, Austria.

It must be said the Russians enjoy the advantage over the United States in possessing reliable ground force partners in the war against Al Qaeda and ISIL in Syria. The reliable ground partner of the United States in this conflict consists of Kurds, where a NATO ally provides limitations on the utility of this force as does its ethnic composition in advancing into Arab regions.

There also exists another Russian advantage in that Syrian pro-government forces rally behind the Baath government. This is in contrast to neighboring Iraq, where the United States is enmeshed in intra-Shia political struggles, as well as attempting to re-enfranchise the Sunni populace.

Military situation map for eastern Aleppo countryside, dated 10NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Iran-organized National Defense Force (NDF) members at recaptured Sheikh Ahmad village, near Kuweiris Airbase

Iran-backed Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah fighting forces flags appearing in the southern Aleppo town of Azzan

Fr. Gabriel Dawood, a Syriac Orthodox priest of the Cathedral of St. George in Damascus, with Syrian pro-government Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) light infantrymen at the ancient village of Sadad in Homs Governorate.

Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) light infantrymen audience before Fr. Gabriel Dawood

Flags of the Syrian pro-government Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) Christian fighting force, composed of members of the Assyrian/Syriac and some members of the Armenian communities in Syria.

T-62 main battle tank of Sootoro (Gozarto Protection Force) Christian fighting force, positioned at a frontline near Sadad village in Homs Governorate.

Hammer into anvil during 2015 Syrian Offensive: RuAF airstrikes and the Syrian pro-government ground force partners.

Soleimani in Aleppo during battles for Kuwieres Airbase and Al-Hadher

IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in claimed depiction at Aleppo; photo appearing on social media 09NOV15.

Among same series of photos as that above, IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani with Faleh Hassan Khazali (L), leader in Iran-backed Iraqi Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada fighting force.

Faleh Hassan Khazali is said to have lost an eye in battle during a previous tour of duty in Syria.

Note wall map in background of Aleppo, Syria.

Military situation in eastern Aleppo countryside, dated 09NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Zero Hour Approaches the Kuwieres Military Airport: Cheetah Forces Reportedly 1km Away by Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 10NOV15:

It took the Syrian Arab Army’s “Cheetah Forces” approximately one month to cross 20km of rough terrain and the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) defenses inside the Deir Hafer Plains of the Aleppo Governorate; however, this large-scale offensive has finally paid off for the Syrian Armed Forces as they approach the besieged Kuweries Military Airport.

On Monday afternoon, the Cheetah Forces – in coordination with the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Ba’ath Battalions) – finally broke ISIS’ frontline defenses at the northern district of Sheikh Ahmad, resulting in the pro-government forces overrunning the terrorist group’s positions and imposing full control over this strategic town in the Aleppo Governorate’s eastern countryside.

Military situation in southern rural Aleppo, dated 08NOV15  [source: Peto Lucem]

Syrian Army and Hezbollah Flank the Rebel Stronghold of Al-Hadher in Southern Aleppo by Leith Fadel at Al-Masdar News, dated 10NOV15:

The Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Armored Division – in coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Aleppo City, Kataebat Al-Ba’ath (Al-Battalions), and several Iranian and Iraqi paramilitary units – recaptured the imperative villages of Talaylat and ‘Aziziyah after a series of intense firefights with the Islamist rebels from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, and Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham on Monday morning.

Following the recapture of Talaylat and ‘Aziziyah, the Syrian Armed Forces and Lebanese Resistance entered the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher with very little resistance from the Islamist rebels of Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki, who later appeared to combat the pro-government forces as they attempted to press deeper in the southern district of this southern Aleppo city.

With the Syrian Armed Forces and the Lebanese Resistance inside the rebel stronghold of Al-Hadher, several Islamist fighters from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham and the Syrian Al-Qaeda group “Jabhat Al-Nusra” arrived to help out their embattled comrades push back the pro-government forces before they advance any further into this rebel stronghold.

If the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Division and Hezbollah can take control of Al-Hadher from the Islamist rebel fighters, they will be in position to obstruct the strategic Damascus-Aleppo Highway that leads from the provincial capital of Aleppo to the provincial capital of Idlib; this is considered one of the main supply routes for the Islamist rebels in the aforementioned provinces.

Iran-backed Iraqi Harakat al-Nujaba fighting forces, claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-backed Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), claimed depiction near Aleppo, Syria

Iran-organized Syrian National Defense Forces, claimed depiction at recently recaptured Ghamam village in Latakia countryside.

IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani and Allied arab fighting forces during Syrian offensive

Social media imagery of Iranian IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani and allied arab fighting forces, participating in Russia-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL:

IRGG-QF Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani addressing Lebanese Hezbollah troops at Latakia Governate Syria, participants in the Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

It has been suggested the location of Syria for Soleimani's whereabouts during the recent funerals in Iran for IRGC Brig. Gen. Hossein Hamedani, KIA in Syria during battle with ISIL.

Lebanese Hezbollah fighting formation armed with Iranian DIO DIO S-5.56 equipped with telescopic sights, during address by IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani at Latakia Governate, Syria.

Lebanese Hezbollah troops provide appearance of all-volunteer professional fighting force

Iamgery of Iranian-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle equipped with M40 recoilless gun, claimed to be operated by Lebanese Hezbollah at Al-Ghab during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive.

Lebanese Hezbollah troops, claimed to be engaged on the Northern Hama front during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.


Lebanese Hezbollah soldiers claimed depiction at various locations during current Russian-supported Syrian offensive. Left soldier equipped with Dragunov SVD-S sniper rifle, left soldier equipped with AK-type assault rifle.

Heavily armed members of Iran-backed Iraqi-Shia militia group outfitted in what may be IRGC-supplied BDUs, claimed depiction at or around Aleppo during the current Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Iran-backed Iraqi-Shia militia group members equipped with what may be Toofan ("Typhoon") Iranian-variant of BGM-71 TOW launcher.

Iran-backed National Defense Force members, claimed photographed 13OCT15 at Quneitra Governate upon recapture of Tal Ahmar.

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade members, a Shia-Syrian formation of the Syrian National Defense Force (NDF)

Technicals belonging to Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade, a Shia-Syrian formation of the Syrian National Defense Force (NDF), at Aleppo Governate.

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade member equipped with PKM type general purpose machine gun, at Aleppo Governate

Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade vehicle equipped with ZPU-4 anti-aircraft gun, at Aleppo Governate

Background, right: T-55 tank among members of Iran-backed Imam Al-Baqir Brigade at Aleppo Governate

SyAA/NDF members claimed photographed at recently captured Ashtani village in Hama, during Russian-supported Syrian offensive against Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda aligned armed groups and ISIL.

Photos: social media, internet