Turkey Deploys 30 Military Vehicles to South Idlib

Turkish army tanks make their way towards the Syrian border town of Jarablus (File photo: Reuters)
Turkish army tanks make their way towards the Syrian border town of Jarablus (File photo: Reuters)
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Turkey Deploys 30 Military Vehicles to South Idlib

Turkish army tanks make their way towards the Syrian border town of Jarablus (File photo: Reuters)
Turkish army tanks make their way towards the Syrian border town of Jarablus (File photo: Reuters)

Turkey deployed 30 military vehicles carrying tanks, weapons, and logistical materials to reinforce its presence at several points in southern Idlib, in northwestern Syria.

The reinforcements were moved from the Kafr Lusin crossing in northern Idlib and distributed to the points in Jabal al-Zawiya, to the south of the province.

The Turkish forces established many military bases and points in Jabal al-Zawiya to separate between the areas controlled by the regime forces and the opposition factions.

Ankara wants to prevent any military escalation and ensure the regime forces will not target Idlib.

Based on its agreement with Russia, Turkey withdrew its forces from a number of its points in Hama, Aleppo, and eastern Idlib, and redeployed them to the south of the governorate.

Meanwhile, factions of al-Fatah al-Mubin operations room bombed areas under the control of the regime forces in Jabal al-Zawiya.

The regime forces renewed their missile attacks on towns and villages of Jabal al-Zawiya in south Idlib, and al-Ghab plain in north Hama.

Forces of al-Bab Council and Syrian factions loyal to Turkey clashed at Ad-Daglbash axis, in al-Bab countryside.

The council forces bombed Abla and Hazwan villages in al-Bab countryside, while the Turkish forces attacked various villages in Manbij countryside, under the control of Manbij Military Council (MMC) forces.

The Turkish forces shelled the outskirts of Tal Rifat, al-Shahba dam, Nayrabiyah, and Samuqa villages, within the Kurdish forces' deployment areas in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

The pro-Turkish factions clashed with MMC forces, affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in the western countryside of Manbij.

The Turkish forces bombed villages in the northwestern countryside of Manbij, using more than 35 artillery shells.

MMC media center stated that the bombs were launched from the Turkish base in al-Yashli village, north of Manbij.



Israel Committing Increasing Violations in South Lebanon, the Bekaa

President Joseph Aoun meets with US Central Command Commander General Kurilla on Monday. (EPA)
President Joseph Aoun meets with US Central Command Commander General Kurilla on Monday. (EPA)
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Israel Committing Increasing Violations in South Lebanon, the Bekaa

President Joseph Aoun meets with US Central Command Commander General Kurilla on Monday. (EPA)
President Joseph Aoun meets with US Central Command Commander General Kurilla on Monday. (EPA)

The Israeli military has intensified its attacks on Lebanon - despite the ceasefire – expanding its operations beyond the Litani River to the Iqlim al-Tuffah region in the south and reaching the Bekaa Valley and the eastern border with Syria.

Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with a high-ranking US military delegation to discuss Israel’s repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the need to implement UN Resolution 1701.

The US delegation, led by General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, also included Jasper Jeffers, head of the technical ceasefire monitoring committee, other senior officers, and US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson.

Discussions addressed the security situation in South Lebanon and the progress of Israel’s withdrawal according to the agreed-upon timeline. A statement from the presidential palace noted that the talks covered the implementation of Resolution 1701, the coordination between the Lebanese army, international forces, and the ceasefire monitoring committee.

Aoun commended the cooperation between the Lebanese and US militaries, highlighting the US role in supporting Lebanon’s stability and development.

Later, the US delegation was joined by General Aroldo Lazaro, commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), French General Guillaume Ponchin, deputy chair of the ceasefire monitoring committee, and Acting Lebanese Army Commander Major General Hassan Odeh, who attended with a delegation of Lebanese military officers.

In the South, Israeli warplanes targeted areas between the southern towns of Arabsalim, Humin al-Fawqa, and Deir al-Zahrani. More strikes targeted the outskirts of Janta in the Baalbek district near the eastern mountain range, as well as border crossings between Lebanon and Syria in the areas of Qasir and Hermel. Israeli reconnaissance aircraft also flew at low altitudes over Tyre and its surrounding villages.

On the ground, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that an Israeli force, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, conducted sweeps in the Mufilaha and Ras al-Zuhr areas west of Mais al-Jabal.

The set fire to homes in Mufilaha and detonated 15 explosive devices. The Israeli military also carried out an explosion in Aita al-Shaab and fired heavy machine guns from their position in the Metula settlement toward the Khiyam plains.

In Mais al-Jabal, Israeli forces conducted extensive sweeps with automatic weapons, and a powerful explosion was reported in the town. The Lebanese army, which had planned to enter the town on Monday, consequently postponed its deployment.

The escalating Israeli violations have raised concerns that Israel may delay its withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon beyond the Blue Line within the ceasefire deadline.

Retired Brigadier General Saeed Qazah told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel currently has freedom of movement during the 60-day period without requiring the monitoring committee’s approval.

Referring to recent strikes in Janta and Humin, he explained that Israel had informed the Lebanese army about suspected Hezbollah movements and, upon receiving no response, carried out the attacks. He added that the US had assured Israel during ceasefire negotiations that it could conduct strikes anywhere in Lebanon if Hezbollah’s activities were deemed a threat.

Despite the violations, the Israeli army is expected to withdraw from areas south of the Litani River by January 27.

However, Qazah emphasized that this withdrawal is contingent upon Hezbollah surrendering its weapons and positions to the Lebanese army and relocating its fighters north of the Litani. He warned that if Hezbollah adopts the same approach it did in 2006, Israel may refuse to withdraw, citing concerns over its security.