"Idlib the Last Major Battlefield of the Syrian Civil War." Topic

"On Aug. 9, the Syrian army dropped leaflets on the province of Idlib telling residents that "the war is nearing its end" and urging them to cooperate with government forces. One showed grainy pre-war images of an old woman embracing a soldier; a young man studying; and a leafy, peaceful Damascus street: This is how we were before terrorism, it read. Then came photos of a destroyed neighborhood, a young boy carrying an unexploded shell, and women covered in niqabs and chained together. It's time to stop the bloodshed and destruction, another flyer said.

For years, Syria's defeated rebels have fled to the northern territory of Idlib, which was established as a "de-escalation zone" guaranteed by Turkey, Russia and Iran. As the government retook areas like Aleppo and eastern Ghouta, surrendering fighters and their families were sent to Idlib under a deal negotiated by the regime's ally Russia. Now it is the last major opposition-held region in the country–and the last major obstacle to President Bashar Assad declaring victory. His regime is sending tanks north and has scaled up air attacks in preparation for what could be the final battle in this seven-year-long civil war…."

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Amicalement
Armand

For those keeping score at home:

Idlib offensive to have largest build-up of Syrian Army troops, full list of troops
By Leith Aboufadel – 2018-08-16

BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army's long-awaited Idlib offensive is just days away, but the latter continues to send thousands of soldiers to this front in preparation for the operation.
According to a military source in Damascus, the upcoming Idlib offensive is to be carried out by the largest Syrian Arab Army force this war has seen.
The source continued that this Syrian Arab Army force is expected to exceed the total number of soldiers in southwest Syria offensive by at least 25,000 military personnel.
With their Sweida offensive wrapping up against the Islamic State (ISIS), thousands of more soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army's 1st, 3rd, 10th, and 15th divisions are expected to make their way north to the Hama Governorate.
The known forces participating in the upcoming Idlib offensive are as followed:
Syrian Arab Army
1st Division
3rd Armored Division
Qalamoun Shield Forces
4th Mechanized Division
39th Brigade
41st Brigade
42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces)
555th Brigade
7th Armored Division
9th Division
Shock Troops
10th Division
11th Tank Division
47th Brigade
60th Brigade
87th Brigade
15th Special Forces Division
18th Tank Division
67th Brigade
Republican Guard
105th Brigade
106th Brigade
Tiger Forces
National Defense Forces (NDF)
Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP)
Mhardeh and Suqaylabiyah divisions
Liwaa Al-Quds
Al-Ba'ath Battalions

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So what will the map look like in, say, 5 years?

Dan