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Executive Summary for January 10th

We review the key developments in Syria, including pro-government forces approaching a strategic rebel-held air base in Idlib, more than 20 killed in airstrikes near the capital, and Russia suggesting the U.S. played a role in a drone attack on its bases in Syria.

Published on Jan. 10, 2018 Read time Approx. 3 minutes

Syrian Army Approaches Strategic Rebel-Held Air Base

Syrian troops and allied forces drew near to a strategic rebel-held air base in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported.

Pro-government forces are now 3 miles (5km) south of Abu Zuhour air base in eastern Idlib, which rebels captured in 2015, the U.K.-based SOHR monitoring group said.

The advance comes after pro-government forces seized more than 100 villages from rebel groups in southern Idlib and adjacent territory in northern Hama after launching an offensive in the area in late October.

Pro-government forces are fighting a wide array of rebel groups, including the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham alliance, the dominant political and military force in Idlib.

More than 70,000 people have fled the government’s assault, moving deeper into Idlib province in recent weeks to escape the fighting, the Guardian reported on Tuesday, citing U.N. figures.

Idlib, the only province in Syria under complete opposition control, has been designated a de-escalation zone by Russia, Iran and Turkey. In October, Ankara dispatched troops to the northwestern rebel enclave to enforce the so-called de-escalation deal.

On Tuesday, Turkey criticized the Syrian government’s push in Idlib, saying that it was undermining attempts to reach a political solution to the conflict, Reuters reported.

“Regime forces are hitting the moderate opposition with the excuse that they are fighting Nusra (Islamist militants). This attitude scuppers the political solution process,” Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying.

Local Turkish media also reported that Ankara summoned the Russian and Iranian envoys to Turkey on Tuesday to express its disapproval of ongoing military operations in the insurgent-held province.

More Than 20 Killed in Damascus Suburbs

At least 24 people, including 10 children, were killed in airstrikes on a besieged rebel stronghold near the capital Damascus on Tuesday, Agence France-Press reported.

It was not immediately clear whether Russian or Syrian government warplanes were behind the attacks, which targeted a number of districts in the Eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus.

Citing the SOHR, AFP said the deadliest strikes landed in the suburb of Hammuriyeh, killing 13 civilians, including seven children.

The Syrian government has escalated its airstrikes and artillery attacks on the last rebel holdout near the Syrian capital since late last month. According to the SOHR, more than 157 civilians have been killed there since December 29.

Tuesday’s airstrikes on Eastern Ghouta came as the head of the U.N.’s office for humanitarian affairs (OCHA) made his first visit to Syria, to discuss improved access to besieged populations in the country.

Mark Lowcock met with Syrian foreign minister Walid Muallem in Damascus on Tuesday, according to AFP.

Moscow Hints at U.S. Involvement in Drone Strike on Military Base

Russia suggested on Tuesday that the U.S. played a role in an attempted drone attack on its bases in Syria, the Associated Press reported.

Russia’s defense ministry on Monday claimed that its air and naval bases in western Syria came under attack by 13 armed drones over the weekend. A statement released on the military’s Facebook page said that the small drones were destroyed before they could lead to any casualties or material damage.

Russia did not blame any specific country but said in a statement on Tuesday that data for the attacks could have been obtained only “from one of the countries that possesses knowhow in satellite navigation,” the AP said.

It added that it was a “strange coincidence” that a U.S. military intelligence plane flew over the Mediterranean near the two Russian bases at the time of the attack, the AP reported.

The U.S. denied any involvement.

“Any suggestion that U.S. or coalition forces played a role in an attack on a Russian base is without any basis in fact and is utterly irresponsible,” said Marine Maj. Adrian Rankine-Galloway, a Pentagon spokesman.

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