Russia intervenes with over 100 air raids against Isis in the Badia desert. Objective: to neutralize the militiamen, who are sowing panic among the soldiers. Especially after they raised the bar against the SAA

Russia has carried out over 100 air raids against Isis in the Badia desert in the last 48 hours. It has been confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). This is following the request for help from the Syrian army (SAA), pressured by the constant ambushes of IS jihadists in the area, who have recently raised the bar. Attacks on military, in fact, are not only increased; but they also become more persistent and violent. Not surprisingly, several soldiers were taken prisoner by the militiamen. Moreover, they have also begun to target buses carrying troops on the highways from Raqqa to Damascus and between Raqqa and Aleppo. There have already been several incidents in this regard in recent days, with numerous casualties between the SAA and civilians.

IS between Deir Ezzor-Hama, Raqqa and Aleppo has adopted a new strategy against the Syrian army and is prepared to face Russian raids

The Isis jihadists in the Badia desert between Deir Ezzor-Hama, Aleppo and Raqqa have changed their posture against the Syrian army. Until recently they adopted a purely defensive one, aimed at neutralizing any attempted attack by the SAA. Then, recently, they switched to one to a more offensive one. IS’s objective is twofold: on the one hand, to strike the soldiers in advance, in order to reduce their organizational capacity and force them to pursue the moves of the jihadists instead of anticipating them. On the other hand, fuel chaos and panic among the soldiers – to undermine their morale – and among the population, in order to maintain the support extorted by force. The Russian raids, however, despite being carried out almost daily, have so far not been as effective as hoped. This is because the terrorists expect them and have already prepared all the needed countermeasures.