SYRIA UPDATE
Delegated by President al-Assad, Azzam congratulates Armenian Orthodox denomination on Christmas
Delegated by President Bashar al-Assad, Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam offered congratulations to the Armenian Orthodox denomination which follows the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar on the occasion of Christmas.
https://sana.sy/en/?p=154928
Russia Reveals Number of Its Soldiers Supporting Assad
New statistics reveal the number of foreign fighters who were brought into Syria to support the Bashar al-Assad regime and to increase their combat experience. They indicate that more than 68,000 Russian soldiers, led by 460 generals are performing operations in Syria.
https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/47756/russia-reveals-number-of-its-soldiers-supporting-assad.html
Heads of Russia’s General Staff, US JCS discuss Syria - Russian Defense Ministry
"On January 4, there was a telephone conversation between the chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov and chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford. The two men exchanged opinion of the situation in Syria and struggle against terrorism and discussed other crucial issues of mutual interest," the Defense Ministry said. "The sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the existing channel of communication".
http://tass.com/defense/1038986
Authorities seize amounts of weapons left by terrorists in Homs countryside
https://sana.sy/en/?p=154896
Syrian Democratic Forces Capture Five Foreign Terrorists, Including Two Americans, In Euphrates Valley
34-year old Warren Christopher Clark, known as Abu Mohammad al-Ameriki, from Houston, U.S.;
-35-year old Zaid Abed al-Hamid, known as Abu Zaid al-Ameriki, from the U.S.;
-45-year old Alexandr Ruzmatovich Bekmirzaev, from Dublin, İreland;
-48-year old Fadel al-Rahman Cad, known as Abu Enam al-Muhajir, from Lahor, Pakistan;
-19-year old Abed al-Azem Rajhoud, known as Abu Omea al-Pakistani, from Sialkot, Pakistan.
https://southfront.org/syrian-democratic-forces-capture-five-foreign-terrorists-including-two-americans-in-euphrates-valley/
Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Enters Another Town In Western Aleppo And Neutralizes Two Turkish-Backed Groups
Atarib was under the control of two Turkish-backed groups, Thuwar al-Sham and Byariq al-Islam. Both groups are affiliated with the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement, which was defeated by HTS a day earlier.
By the late hours of the day, HTS managed to break the will of the militias defending the town and forced them to accept a surrender agreement, according to the Iba’a news network. Under the agreement, HTS will take over the town, while Thuwar al-Sham and Byariq al-Islam will be dissolved. Turkish-backed militants were also banned from entering Atarib.
https://southfront.org/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-enters-another-strategic-town-in-western-aleppo-and-neutralizes-two-turkish-backed-groups/
Senior Kurdish Official: Deal With Damascus Is Inevitable, Kurdish Forces May Join Syrian Army
Reaching a solution between the autonomous administration and the Syrian government is inevitable because our areas are part of Syria,” Redur Khalil told the AFP.
We still have some differences with the central government, which need negotiations with international support,” Khalil said.
https://southfront.org/senior-kurdish-official-deal-with-damascus-is-inevitable-kurdish-forces-may-join-syrian-army/
Military Situation In Southeastern Syria On January 5-6, 2019
https://southfront.org/in-maps-military-situation-in-southeastern-syria-on-january-5-6-2019/
Another U-Turn: U.S. May Keep Troops In Al-Tanaf Base
According to the official, National Security Advisor John Bolton, who is on a trip to the Middle East, will take the opinions of Jordanian and Israeli officials before deciding next steps, including how important the base is and whether it has to stay in its current location.
https://southfront.org/another-u-turn-u-s-may-keep-troops-in-al-tanaf-base/