Al Qaeda races reinforcements to South Idlib

(See my earlier post today, Syrian Army liberates al-Hobait, smashing key Turkish-backed HTS base, for background.) As to whether the Saudis are funding the latest al-Qaeda-linked group n Syria, well, it ain't Turkey I don't think, and I don't think the U.S. has more appetite for using AQ as proxy fighters in Syria. And I doubt it's the UAE or Qatar. And I can't feature the Germans doing it. [counting on her fingers] So I think that would leave Britain, France, or Saudi Arabia as chief financiers and weapons procurers. Or all three.  

Anyhow, from SouthFront, today:

The al-Qaeda-affiliated Wa Harid al-Muminin sent on August 11 large reinforcements to the southeastern countryside of Idlib to fend off the ongoing Syrian Arab Army (SAA) attack there.

A day earlier the SAA advanced in the region and imposed control of the key Sukayk hill. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its Turkish-backed allies failed to recapture the hill, or even to stop the army’s advance.

The deployment of al-Qaeda terrorists indicates that another attempt to recapture Sukayk hill could be in the making. Heavy clashes are already being reported in the region.

Wa Harid al-Muminin was formed last year by Jamat Ansar al-Islam, Horas al-Din, Jabhat Ansar al-Islam and Ansar al-Tawhid. Earlier this month, the terrorist coalition rejected the Sochi agreement or any political solution in Greater Idlib.

More on this topic:

• Syrian Army Eliminates Three Senior Turkish-Backed Commanders

[END REPORT]

The report is accompanied by another one of those situation maps that look like dog vomit to me, but for those who claim to be able to read situation maps:

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