Russian Warplanes Fly over Idlib on Syrian Revolution’s Anniversary

Demonstrations in Idlib marking the eleventh anniversary of the start of the protests in Syria (Reuters)
Demonstrations in Idlib marking the eleventh anniversary of the start of the protests in Syria (Reuters)
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Russian Warplanes Fly over Idlib on Syrian Revolution’s Anniversary

Demonstrations in Idlib marking the eleventh anniversary of the start of the protests in Syria (Reuters)
Demonstrations in Idlib marking the eleventh anniversary of the start of the protests in Syria (Reuters)

For the second day in a row, Russian warplanes cruised the skies of de-escalation zones in northern Syria. They flew over areas run by Syrian factions loyal to Turkey in northern Aleppo, stirring civilian fears of Russian raids returning as cities in northwestern Syria celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Syrian revolution.

“Over the course of 48 hours, about 40 sorties were carried out by Russian fighters over Idlib governorate and the countryside of Hama, Latakia and Aleppo, which are under the control of Turkey-backed Syrian opposition factions in northwestern Syria,” Idlib-based activists reported.

According to activists, about eight Russian reconnaissance planes flew over the airspace of Jabal Al-Zawiya in southern Idlib and the Al-Ghab Plain, west of Hama and the western countryside of Aleppo.

The fly over of Russian warplanes raised civilian fears of a return to the Russian escalation and casualties.

Col. Mustafa Bakour, a defected officer from the regime forces, said that there are several explanations for the Russian air activity in the airspace of opposition-controlled areas.

Firstly, the Russians could be training new pilots after most of those trained at Syria’s Hmeimim airbase were transferred to Ukraine.

Secondly, Russia could be sending the West a message that it is prepared to step up its operations in Syria if Western countries continue to support Ukraine.

Thirdly, the flyovers could be a warning to Turkey which had supplied Ukraine with Bayraktar TB2 warplanes.

Finally, the Russians might be sending a message to the Syrian opposition that the revolution has been defeated and that President Bashar al-Assad is the ruler of the country with Moscow’s backing.

The colonel did not rule out Russian warplanes staging raids to back these messages and turn them into a serious threat.



Lebanon Arrests ‘Parent Group’ Behind Rocket Launches toward Israel

Lebanese Army soldiers search a car at a checkpoint. (Directorate of Guidance) 
Lebanese Army soldiers search a car at a checkpoint. (Directorate of Guidance) 
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Lebanon Arrests ‘Parent Group’ Behind Rocket Launches toward Israel

Lebanese Army soldiers search a car at a checkpoint. (Directorate of Guidance) 
Lebanese Army soldiers search a car at a checkpoint. (Directorate of Guidance) 

The Lebanese Army has arrested members of what is believed to be the “parent group” behind recent rocket launches toward Israel, security sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The group was apprehended by Military Intelligence in a raid as they were preparing to fire rockets from southern Lebanon, in what appears to be part of a larger, coordinated campaign.

According to investigators, the detainees confessed to carrying out two rocket attacks in March—one launched from the area between Kfartebnit and Arnoun, and the second from Qaaqaiyat al-Jisr, both in the Nabatieh district. The projectiles were intercepted by Israeli defenses before reaching their intended targets in Metula and Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel.

The army announced Sunday that it had seized a number of rockets and launchers in a raid on an apartment in the Sidon-Zahrani area, and arrested several individuals involved in the planned operation. The military said the bust followed extensive surveillance and intelligence-gathering.

Security sources said the volume of weapons recovered suggests a larger logistical operation designed to supply multiple attacks. The cache included enough rockets and launch platforms to sustain repeated launches, rather than a single strike. The weapons were found stored in a residential area in the town of Aqtnit, in the Zahrani region near Sidon.

Investigators believe the cell is part of a broader Palestinian network operating in the South. The arrests were reportedly aided by information obtained from earlier detainees and ongoing surveillance. The sources confirmed that the suspects are now under questioning, with investigations being conducted under judicial supervision.

Following the March attacks, army units intensified security operations in areas north of the Litani River and ramped up monitoring of Palestinian camps, particularly Ain al-Hilweh and Rashidieh. Access to and from the camps has been placed under tighter scrutiny. The Lebanese Army is also said to be cooperating with Hezbollah in some areas, particularly along the southern frontier.

Military sources emphasized that the army’s actions reflect Lebanon’s continued commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the disarmament of all non-state actors south of the Litani and reserves military authority to the state.

The arrest operation has been met with praise from Lebanese political and military circles, who see it as a reaffirmation of the state’s authority and a message to the international community that Lebanon remains committed to preventing escalation with Israel.