According to breaking reports the United States has conducted major airstrikes on Idlib in northwest Syria, which came just after a fierce bombardment over the past days by Russian jets on the province.
The unconfirmed local reports say a large series of explosions on Saturday rocked the countryside just outside Idlib city in what is believed to have been US coalition missile strikes on the insurgent group Horas al-Din’s headquarters (Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria).
The reported strikes may have also targeted top commanders of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the powerful al-Qaeda affiliate operating in Syria, formerly the Nusra Front terror group, including most significantly America’s “most wanted” terrorist Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.
#BREAKING US attacks the Jihadist group Horas Al-Din in #Idlib: reports pic.twitter.com/iPFFIjVd5R
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) August 31, 2019
If confirmed the surprising coalition airstrikes would be hugely significant and an almost unprecedented development, given the White House has for years threatened to attack Syrian government and Russian forces over this very thing — aerial bombardment of Idlib.
According to local sources, eyewitnesses observed up to seven explosions before seeing a massive black plume of smoke rise high on the horizon.
At least 40+ militants of the Al-qaida faction “Guardians of Religion Organization” also called “Hurras al-din” including high-ranked leaders/commanders were eliminated in the airstrikes carried out by International Coalition forces.#Syria #Idlib #HTS #SAA #AQ #Al_Qaida #Turkey pic.twitter.com/ToZtHKGCNT
— Rojava Network (@RojavaNetwork) August 31, 2019
It’s believed that Horas al-Din and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham may have been holding a high level meeting at a headquarters base.
مصادر متقاطعة: طيران التحالف بقيادة أمريكا ينفذ هجوما بالصواريخ غرب الفوعة في ادلب، لم تتأكد أهدافه بعد وحديث عن قصف اجتماع لحراس الدين… pic.twitter.com/Cw5bdZ8vfD
— زمان الوصل (@zamanalwsl) August 31, 2019
According to Beirut-based Al Masdar News, dozens of jihadists have been reported killed in the attack:
The U.S. military reportedly bombed a group of jihadist rebels near the city of Idlib in northern Syria, local activists reported this afternoon [local time].
According to the reports, the U.S. fired cruise missiles at a base belonging to the Hurras Al-Deen group near the northeastern outskirts of Idlib city.
The reports said that dozens of jihadists, most of them foreigners, were killed during the U.S. military’s attack on the Hurras Al-Deen base near Idlib city.
#Idlib: At least seven seven explosions, targeting the headquarters of al-qaida “Guardians of Religion Organization” were reported a while ago. Report of International Coalition bombings.#Idlib #HTS #AL_qaida #SAA #Syria pic.twitter.com/PXXJ4sVsLX
— Rojava Network (@RojavaNetwork) August 31, 2019
The US coalition had actually targeted a jihadist base in Idlib province earlier this year, however, Saturday’s airstrikes if confirmed would mark a major escalation in US coalition counter-terror operations in Idlib.
developing…
via ZeroHedge News https://ift.tt/2MO49YB Tyler Durden