SYRIA UPDATE
Turkish Observation Post Near Tal Toqan Is Besieged By Syrian Army, As Erdogan Sends More Troops, Equipment To Idlib
Turkish observation posts established in Greater Idlib to prevent the Syrian Army operation against terrorists are being encircled one by one. The most recent post was besieged by Syrian troops near Tal Toqan, east of the militant-held town of Saraqib. Saraqib is a well-known stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkistan Islamic Party.
Pro-government soruces expect that the Syrian Army will make even more gains in the area in the coming hours. So, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham & Co are in a critical situation.
The advances by government forces caused a strong negative reaction from Ankara and Washington. Turkey is actively deploying troops and equipment in the militant-held part of Idlib province. These forces are expected to be used to contain the Syrian Army offensive and rescue remaining members of Idlib radical groups from the justice.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even threatened the Syrian Army with a military action if it does not withdraw from the area near Turkish observation posts. In other words, Ankara wants the Syrians to abandon their own land and give up in the battle against al-Qaeda.
https://southfront.org/turkish-observation-post-near-tal-toqan-is-besieged-by-syrian-army-as-erdogan-sends-more-troops-equipment-to-idlib/
Military Situation In Syria On February 5, 2020 (Map Update)
A brief overview of the recent delopments in Syria:
Turkish President Erdogan threatened Syria with a full-scale military operation if the Syrian Army do not retreat from Turkish observation posts;
Syrian Army liberated Resafah and several nearby points from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham islolating Saraqib from the eastern direction;
The Russian Defense Ministry denounced reports about Turkish strikes on its Military Police near Tell Rifaat as fake;
Turkey continues deploying additional forces in Greater Idlib;
Pro-militant sources report mutliple airstrikes in southern and western Idlib.
https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-syria-on-february-5-2020-map-update/
Syrian Army Captures Several Areas in Idleb Despite Increased Turkish Military Presence
The Syrian Army achieved a sizable advance in Idleb on Tuesday when their forces began a new push on the Abu Jarif axis in the eastern part of the governorate.
According to a field report from eastern Idleb, the Syrian Arab Army captured a half dozen villages and towns on Tuesday following a fierce battle with the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.
The Syrian Army reportedly captured the towns and villages of Kuweres, Bleisa, Tel Aghar, al-Musheirifah, Jdeideh, and Tel Khatrah during their advance on the Abu Jarif axis in eastern Idleb.
https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/55842/syrian-army-captures-several-areas-in-idleb-despite-increased-turkish-military-presence.html
Developing Al-Bukamal border crossing revives trade movement with Iraq
On the trade exchange between the two countries through the crossing, Iskandar indicated that the exports are still limited, asserting that about 20 Syrian trucks cross via the border per a day. He added that 80 percent of the Syrian exports to Iraq are citrus, in addition to various kinds of food, metal and plastic industries, and clothes.
https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=184432
Syrian Army Storms Saraqib
Saraqib, the second largest city in southeast Idlib, is the main target of the ongoing SAA military operation. The city is located on the strategic M5 highway, which links the capital, Damascus, with Aleppo city, Syria’s industrial hub. Last week, the Turkish military established four posts around Saraqib in what was seen as an attempt to stop the SAA’s advance towards the city. The attempt was a failure, as army troops managed to reach the city’s western and southern entrances.
https://southfront.org/syrian-army-storms-saraqib/