Russian Special Forces ambushed in Syria
Russian Special Forces were ambushed by Syrian rebels near the village of Khirbet al-Arus in the northwest of the Syrian Hama province, reported the Conflict Intelligence Team on Telegram.
According to the news agency Nors for Studies, a group of up to 23 Russian soldiers was ambushed. Several commandos were injured. However, on their official page, the militants reported that the Russians suffered casualties.
Nors for Studies also published photographs of items belonging to the Russian Special Forces. However, it has been impossible to trace these items back to a specific unit.
It was noted that the incident occurred on Saturday, May 25, 7.5 km from the place where war correspondent Oleg Blokhin photographed fighters that were allegedly officers of the Russian Federation’s FSB Special Purpose Center.
In Syria, north of the Hama province and south of Idlib, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s offensive has continued for several weeks, supported by the Russian military, despite the Russian Federation, Turkey and Iran agreeing to a de-escalation zone.
Reuters writes that Turkey has increased arms sales to the rebels after failing to negotiate a truce with Russia.
Turkey also launched a large-scale ground and air operation in northern Iraq against the Kurds.