SYRIA UPDATE
Syrian Army Eliminates Turkish-Affiliated Field Commander In Southeast Idlib
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has eliminated a military commander of the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL), opposition sources revealed on February 15.
The commander, identified by his nom de guerre “Abu Muslim Taoum,” was killed on February 9 in clashes with army units in the town of al-Taliyah in the southeastern Idlib countryside.
Abu Muslim was reportedly the commander of Jaysh al-Ahrar’s Special Forces.
https://southfront.org/syrian-army-eliminates-turkish-affiliated-field-commander-in-southeast-idlib/
New Batches of Displaced Families Return to Syria From Lebanon
In framework of the efforts exerted by the Syrian state for the return of Syrians displaced by terrorism, new batches of displaced families on Thursday returned from Lebanon through the centers of al-Dabbousyia, Jussyia and Jdeidet Yabous in the countryside of Homs and Damascus.
https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/56048/new-batches-of-displaced-families-return-to-syria-from-lebanon.html
Military Situation In Syria On February 15, 2020 (Map Update)
A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Turkish-led forces shot down a Syrian Mi-8 helicopter near Sallum Mallah;
Pro-government forces liberated Kafr Naha, Urm al-Kubra, al-Muhandisin 2, the Regiment 46 Base, Urm al-Sughra and several nearby points;
Militants reportedly lost up to 4 pieces of Turkish-supplied military equipment in recent clashes near Kafr Halab and Miznaz;
The Syrian Army opened a new front in western Aleppo attacking militants near Sheik Aqil Hill and Kafr Basin;
The Turkish military stepped up its presence around al-Atarib;
The Turkish Army established positions at al-Jeineh in he western Aleppo and Deir Sunbul in southern Idlib;
Late on February 13, the Israeli Air Force bombed Damascus International Airport and Eastern Ghouta.
https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-syria-on-february-15-2020-map-update/
Army engineering units dismantle landmines and IEDs planted by terrorists on Aleppo-Damascus Highway
Images
https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=185521
Syrian Government Forces Open New Front Against Turkish Proxies In Western Aleppo
On February 15, Syrian government forces opened a new front against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and other Turkish-backed militant groups in western Aleppo.
Additionally to advances in the areas of Urma al-Kubra and Kafr Naha, units of the Syrian Army (allegedly supported by the Kurdish YPG) attacked positions of Turkish-backed radicals near Sheik Aqil Hill and Kafr Basin. According to pro-government sources, army troops suppored by the Russian and Syrian airpower are aiming to encircle and clear militants remaining in the western Aleppo countryide.
For this purpose, they will need to take control of Kafr Basin, Babis and Qabtan al-Jabal. After this, the defense of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and their al-Qaeda-linked comrades will collapse. Supplies of MANPADs from Turkey are apparently not enough to change the situation strategically.
https://southfront.org/syrian-government-forces-open-new-front-against-turkish-proxies-in-western-aleppo-map/
Turkey Armed Syrian Militants With U.S.-Made Anti-Aircraft Weapons: Russian Military Source
Turkish Armed Forces deployed 70 battle tanks, 200 armored vehicles and 80 howitzers in Idlib. A large part of these equipment is allegedly being handed over to HTS terrorists.
“It is of particular concern that Ankara had provided the militants in the Idlib de-escalation zone with Turkish military uniforms,” the source added, according to RT.
https://southfront.org/turkey-armed-syrian-militants-with-u-s-made-anti-aircraft-weapons-russian-military-source/
President Bashar al-Assad chairs a meeting on the national project for administrative reform
The Minister of Administrative Development Dr. Salam Safaf gave a presentation on the results of work in the preparatory phase for the implementation of the national project for administrative reform in the Ministries of Local Administration and Environment, Public Works and Housing,and Finance, especially in the areas of human resource management.
The Minister of Public Works and Housing Eng. Suhail Abdul Latif and Minister of Local Administration and Environment, Engineer Hussein Makhlouf presented the new organizational structure of their ministries, which dealt with the problems faced by old dinosaur like administrative structures .
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Mamoun Hamdan clarified the gaps in the current organizational structure of the ministry and the procedures being worked on to correct these gaps.
http://syriatimes.sy/index.php/presidential-activities/46498-president-bashar-al-assad-chairs-a-meeting-on-the-national-project-for-administrative-reform