"Change of plans: Syrian Army to target three major areas in northwest Syria"

"The source did stress that negotiations between the Turkish and Russian governments are still ongoing ..."

Al Masdar News, August 23, 2018  

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:00 A.M.) – A source from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) told Al-Masdar News, tonight, that the military has no plans to attack the key town of Morek in northern Hama.

The source, who is currently at the front-lines in northern Hama, said that the Syrian Arab Army will instead focus on three major areas during their upcoming offensive:

1. Northwest Hama: The Syrian Arab Army is going to clear the last areas before the key town of Qala’at Al-Madiq in the Al-Ghaab Plain.
2. Southeast Idlib: The source said that the Syrian Army wants to clear the remaining towns around the Abu Dhuhour area.
3. Northern Latakia: This does not come as a surprise because the northern axes of the Jabal Al-Akrad and Jabal Turkmen regions are all that remain under jihadist control in northern Latakia.

Once these areas are captured, the Syrian Arab Army will begin the second phase of their offensive, which is more heavily concentrated on the strategic city of Jisr Al-Shughour in southwest Idlib.

The source did stress that negotiations between the Turkish and Russian governments are still ongoing at this time; it is very likely that a deal will be reached to set parameters on the upcoming offensive.

[END REPORT]

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