The jihadist rebels launched another heavy attack on Russia's Hmeymim Airbase last night, targeting the northeastern perimeter of this strategic installation.
According to a source in Latakia, the jihadist rebels launched their attack
using armed drones late last night, prompting the Russian air defense to activate their rocket sirens.
The military source added that the armed drones
got within a few kilometers of the Hmeymim Airbase before they were intercepted by the Russian air defense.
Not long after the jihadist attack, the Russian Aerospace Forces resumed their military operations at the Hmeymim Airbase.
The Russian Aerospace Forces would then carry out a large number of airstrikes over the Islamic State's (ISIS) pocket in southwest Syria.
For the jihadist rebels that launched the assault on the Hmeymim Airbase, they will likely come under attack by the Russian Aerospace Forces later this week, as the latter intensifies their strikes on the northern countryside of Latakia.
Comment: This is the
eighth such attack this month:
According to Elijah Magnier, these attacks are one reason why Russia is eager to retake the territory still held by al-Qaeda in eastern Latakia:
Although there is no time allocated to end the ISIS pocket, military commanders believe it might take less than two months to end ISIS's control completely. That is also linked to the following battle expected in the north of Syria after the month of September, where preparations are ongoing for the biggest, last battle in Syria.
Russia is already preparing for its share in rural Lattakia and the high ground surrounding Jisr al-Shoughour and the Lattakia province under the control of Jabhat al-Nusra. The reason why the Russians are determined to liberate the area is mainly due to repetitive armed drone attacks against its main military base and airport in Hmaymeem, also the centre of coordination with Moscow.
Comment: This is the eighth such attack this month:
- Russian military downs unidentified drones near Khmeimim Airbase in Syria - UPDATE: Militants launch third drone attack (July 1-3)
- Russian air force launches massive attack on jihadists after Hmeymim attack - UPDATE: Russia's airbase comes under heavy attack again (July 5-6)
- Unidentified drones attack Russian airbase in Syria two days in a row (July 21-22)
According to Elijah Magnier, these attacks are one reason why Russia is eager to retake the territory still held by al-Qaeda in eastern Latakia: