SYRIA UPDATE
Syria suspends work in institutions, closes markets except for foodstuff centers, pharmacies
As part of the government preventive and precautionary measures to prevent the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, Prime Minister Imad Khamis on Saturday issued a circular asking ministers to take the necessary decisions to suspend work in the ministries and its affiliated entities starting form tomorrow until further notice as long as the suspension does not constitute an obstacle to efforts to face the risks of the spread of the Coronavirus.
The circular reduces the number of workers in essential institutions to the minimum possible, and comes into effect from Sunday, March 22, 2020 until further notice.
Khamis underlined that the suspension of work does not include productive facilities and institutions.
The Prime Minister also issued another circular requiring governors to take the necessary measures to close markets and suspend all commercial, service, cultural and social activities.
https://www.sana.sy/en/?p=188607
All Eyes on Jisr al-Shughour as Syrian Army Amasses Large Force in Southwestern Idleb
The recent arrival of these reinforcements coincides with the deadline given by the Russian military to their Turkish counterparts about the withdrawal of all militant groups from the strategic M4 highway (Aleppo-Lattakia).
A source from the Syrian army confirmed earlier this week that the Russian military has extended the withdrawal deadline for the militant forces along the M4 highway.
https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/56837/all-eyes-on-jisr-al-shughour-as-syrian-army-amasses-large-force-in-southwestern-idleb.html
Military Situation In Syria On March 21, 2020 (Map Update)
A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham kidnapped several members of the Red Crescent near Idlib city;
Idlib militant groups received an additional funding from Qatar for operations against Syria and Russia;
ISIS claimed its cells assassinated 40 people and injured 8 others in Deir Ezzor province in the period from January to March;
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham is training new fighters using the ceasefire regime;
The Syrian Army deployed reinforcements at the 93th Brigade Base near Ayn Issa;
The Turkish military established a new fortified position near Bsanqul;
The M4 highway in southern Idlib remains blocked by radicals.
https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-syria-on-march-21-2020-map-update/
U.S. & French Ammunition Found At Former Hay’at Tahrir Al-Shame Position In Greater Idlib (Photos)
On March 21, Russian journalist Oleg Blokhin shared photos of U.S. and French ammunition which were found in a former position of al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Greater Idlib.
Blokhin’s photos show dozens of containers of 120 mm M933A1 mortar rounds, which are used in the U.S.-made M120. The mortar is a copy of the Israeli Soltam K6. This type of mortars was spotted before with the defunct U.S.-backed New Syrian Army (NSA) in southeast Syria.
https://southfront.org/u-s-french-ammunition-found-at-former-hayat-tahrir-al-shame-position-in-greater-idlib-photos/
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