Dr Tallha Abdulrazaq
@drtalabdulrazaq.bsky.social
Expert commentator & scholar of the Middle East and military affairs. Bylines: WaPo | Al Jazeera | Middle East Institute and many others.
Assad regime officers killed in the countryside of Hama today (confirmed via their service cards and tags):
1. Major Yazan Isma’il
2. Lieutenant Habib Zahir
3. Lieutenant Colonel ‘Alaa Ghassan Asaad
4. Lieutenant ‘Ali Sallum
5. Captain Muhammad Yahya Shadud.
1. Major Yazan Isma’il
2. Lieutenant Habib Zahir
3. Lieutenant Colonel ‘Alaa Ghassan Asaad
4. Lieutenant ‘Ali Sallum
5. Captain Muhammad Yahya Shadud.
December 3, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Assad regime officers killed in the countryside of Hama today (confirmed via their service cards and tags):
1. Major Yazan Isma’il
2. Lieutenant Habib Zahir
3. Lieutenant Colonel ‘Alaa Ghassan Asaad
4. Lieutenant ‘Ali Sallum
5. Captain Muhammad Yahya Shadud.
1. Major Yazan Isma’il
2. Lieutenant Habib Zahir
3. Lieutenant Colonel ‘Alaa Ghassan Asaad
4. Lieutenant ‘Ali Sallum
5. Captain Muhammad Yahya Shadud.
1. Lt. Ahmad Samir Barhum.
2. Lt. Ghadir Yousef Mahmoud.
3. Lt. Ali Hasan al-Barudi.
4. Lt. Alaa Hasan Ali.
5. Lt. Hasan Ali Bashlawi.
6. Lt. Yousef Ali ‘Asaf.
Assadist officers, all confirmed killed in the Hama countryside.
2. Lt. Ghadir Yousef Mahmoud.
3. Lt. Ali Hasan al-Barudi.
4. Lt. Alaa Hasan Ali.
5. Lt. Hasan Ali Bashlawi.
6. Lt. Yousef Ali ‘Asaf.
Assadist officers, all confirmed killed in the Hama countryside.
December 2, 2024 at 7:45 PM
1. Lt. Ahmad Samir Barhum.
2. Lt. Ghadir Yousef Mahmoud.
3. Lt. Ali Hasan al-Barudi.
4. Lt. Alaa Hasan Ali.
5. Lt. Hasan Ali Bashlawi.
6. Lt. Yousef Ali ‘Asaf.
Assadist officers, all confirmed killed in the Hama countryside.
2. Lt. Ghadir Yousef Mahmoud.
3. Lt. Ali Hasan al-Barudi.
4. Lt. Alaa Hasan Ali.
5. Lt. Hasan Ali Bashlawi.
6. Lt. Yousef Ali ‘Asaf.
Assadist officers, all confirmed killed in the Hama countryside.
Aleppo citadel, draped in the flags of Syria's revolution and Palestine, with the Islamic declaration of faith between them on the battlements.
Clear messaging from the anti-Assad rebels.
Clear messaging from the anti-Assad rebels.
December 2, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Aleppo citadel, draped in the flags of Syria's revolution and Palestine, with the Islamic declaration of faith between them on the battlements.
Clear messaging from the anti-Assad rebels.
Clear messaging from the anti-Assad rebels.
A captured Assad regime T-90 MBT in Khan al-Subul.
Meanwhile, battle lines are stabilising around Hama. The first major battle could be imminent, and events in the north of Syria could be influential on rebel reinforcements making their way south.
Meanwhile, battle lines are stabilising around Hama. The first major battle could be imminent, and events in the north of Syria could be influential on rebel reinforcements making their way south.
December 2, 2024 at 10:27 AM
A captured Assad regime T-90 MBT in Khan al-Subul.
Meanwhile, battle lines are stabilising around Hama. The first major battle could be imminent, and events in the north of Syria could be influential on rebel reinforcements making their way south.
Meanwhile, battle lines are stabilising around Hama. The first major battle could be imminent, and events in the north of Syria could be influential on rebel reinforcements making their way south.
A brief explainer I put together when Aleppo was liberated. By the time it came out of the edit suite, the rebels had already acted on two of my points by moving on Hama to the south and towards Manbij to the east - they clearly weren't waiting for me!
youtu.be/dw6yjBY8jOk?...
youtu.be/dw6yjBY8jOk?...
Why is Aleppo Important to the Conflict in Syria?
YouTube video by The War Journal
youtu.be
December 1, 2024 at 8:54 PM
A brief explainer I put together when Aleppo was liberated. By the time it came out of the edit suite, the rebels had already acted on two of my points by moving on Hama to the south and towards Manbij to the east - they clearly weren't waiting for me!
youtu.be/dw6yjBY8jOk?...
youtu.be/dw6yjBY8jOk?...
Confirmed. One of my contacts has confirmed the rebels have now captured Tel Rifaat, northern Syria, and put the SDF to flight. This opens the door to Manbij, allowing SSG to govern from Idlib to Hassakeh, and maybe beyond.
December 1, 2024 at 1:40 PM
Confirmed. One of my contacts has confirmed the rebels have now captured Tel Rifaat, northern Syria, and put the SDF to flight. This opens the door to Manbij, allowing SSG to govern from Idlib to Hassakeh, and maybe beyond.
Assad regime Brigadier Ayman Milhim has been liquidated on the Hama front. This is confirmed.
December 1, 2024 at 12:02 PM
Assad regime Brigadier Ayman Milhim has been liquidated on the Hama front. This is confirmed.
Looks like a big battle is shaping up in Hama/Jabal Zayn al-Abidin. Syria regime forces have stopped running and have dug in.
Remember: in 1982, Hafez al-Assad killed 40,000 Sunni Muslims and razed Hama. There are many martyrs to avenge.
This battle will set the tone for the rest of Syria.
Remember: in 1982, Hafez al-Assad killed 40,000 Sunni Muslims and razed Hama. There are many martyrs to avenge.
This battle will set the tone for the rest of Syria.
November 30, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Looks like a big battle is shaping up in Hama/Jabal Zayn al-Abidin. Syria regime forces have stopped running and have dug in.
Remember: in 1982, Hafez al-Assad killed 40,000 Sunni Muslims and razed Hama. There are many martyrs to avenge.
This battle will set the tone for the rest of Syria.
Remember: in 1982, Hafez al-Assad killed 40,000 Sunni Muslims and razed Hama. There are many martyrs to avenge.
This battle will set the tone for the rest of Syria.
HTS emir Jolani issues a communique reminding fighters under his command to conduct themselves Islamically while capturing enemy territory, and gives assurances to minorities (the already miniscule Druze and Christian population).
He's had quite the makeover from his Al-Qaeda days..
He's had quite the makeover from his Al-Qaeda days..
November 30, 2024 at 7:36 PM
HTS emir Jolani issues a communique reminding fighters under his command to conduct themselves Islamically while capturing enemy territory, and gives assurances to minorities (the already miniscule Druze and Christian population).
He's had quite the makeover from his Al-Qaeda days..
He's had quite the makeover from his Al-Qaeda days..
Not only are rebels taking Hama, but Homs (next city south) is seeing locals revolting, as is Daraa, Suwayda & Qalamoun south of Damascus. Rival Assadist factions are clashing with each other and the Iranians in the capital.
All Syria is aflame with rebellion.
All Syria is aflame with rebellion.
November 30, 2024 at 7:06 PM
Not only are rebels taking Hama, but Homs (next city south) is seeing locals revolting, as is Daraa, Suwayda & Qalamoun south of Damascus. Rival Assadist factions are clashing with each other and the Iranians in the capital.
All Syria is aflame with rebellion.
All Syria is aflame with rebellion.
Reports of heavy clashes in Damascus. The coup attempt may be in progress.
Assad is reportedly in Russia, with his family possibly in the UAE.
His regime is falling like a house of cards.
Assad is reportedly in Russia, with his family possibly in the UAE.
His regime is falling like a house of cards.
According to the Sham Media Network, a high ranking Syrian military officer has indicated there are officers who want to overthrow Assad to stop the rebels advancing beyond Hama.
Clearly, this wouldn't be acceptable. The regime is more than just Assad.
Clearly, this wouldn't be acceptable. The regime is more than just Assad.
November 30, 2024 at 5:52 PM
Reports of heavy clashes in Damascus. The coup attempt may be in progress.
Assad is reportedly in Russia, with his family possibly in the UAE.
His regime is falling like a house of cards.
Assad is reportedly in Russia, with his family possibly in the UAE.
His regime is falling like a house of cards.
According to the Sham Media Network, a high ranking Syrian military officer has indicated there are officers who want to overthrow Assad to stop the rebels advancing beyond Hama.
Clearly, this wouldn't be acceptable. The regime is more than just Assad.
Clearly, this wouldn't be acceptable. The regime is more than just Assad.
November 30, 2024 at 5:35 PM
According to the Sham Media Network, a high ranking Syrian military officer has indicated there are officers who want to overthrow Assad to stop the rebels advancing beyond Hama.
Clearly, this wouldn't be acceptable. The regime is more than just Assad.
Clearly, this wouldn't be acceptable. The regime is more than just Assad.
Incredible. I have been reliably informed that rebel special forces teams are now emerging OUT of Aleppo and linking up with the main forces coming INTO the city. Six neighbourhoods have been fully liberated, and more coming.
Aleppo is all but liberated from Assad's control.
Aleppo is all but liberated from Assad's control.
November 29, 2024 at 1:39 PM
Incredible. I have been reliably informed that rebel special forces teams are now emerging OUT of Aleppo and linking up with the main forces coming INTO the city. Six neighbourhoods have been fully liberated, and more coming.
Aleppo is all but liberated from Assad's control.
Aleppo is all but liberated from Assad's control.
Rebel forces are literally on the outskirts of Aleppo. This is a view overlooking parts of the centre (it's not a sprawling city, but it's a major one).
Assadists up and down Syria won't be sleeping easily, if at all, tonight.
Assadists up and down Syria won't be sleeping easily, if at all, tonight.
November 28, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Rebel forces are literally on the outskirts of Aleppo. This is a view overlooking parts of the centre (it's not a sprawling city, but it's a major one).
Assadists up and down Syria won't be sleeping easily, if at all, tonight.
Assadists up and down Syria won't be sleeping easily, if at all, tonight.
The rebels in Syria have made astonishing gains in the Aleppo countryside in the first true offensive in the last 4 years.
They're now knocking at Aleppo's gates. If they take/hold Saraqib, they'd have dealt a mortal blow to Assad's lines of communications to Aleppo.
They're now knocking at Aleppo's gates. If they take/hold Saraqib, they'd have dealt a mortal blow to Assad's lines of communications to Aleppo.
November 28, 2024 at 8:26 AM
The rebels in Syria have made astonishing gains in the Aleppo countryside in the first true offensive in the last 4 years.
They're now knocking at Aleppo's gates. If they take/hold Saraqib, they'd have dealt a mortal blow to Assad's lines of communications to Aleppo.
They're now knocking at Aleppo's gates. If they take/hold Saraqib, they'd have dealt a mortal blow to Assad's lines of communications to Aleppo.
Footage showing first Assad regime soldiers captured as POWs by rebels sallying out of Idlib towards Aleppo in northern Syria as part of "Operation Deterrence of Aggression".
They're shown being provided food and water.
youtu.be/1xSJVREtHkU?...
They're shown being provided food and water.
youtu.be/1xSJVREtHkU?...
Syrian Rebels Capture Assad Regime Soldiers Near Aleppo During "Operation Deterrence of Aggression"
YouTube video by The War Journal
youtu.be
November 27, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Footage showing first Assad regime soldiers captured as POWs by rebels sallying out of Idlib towards Aleppo in northern Syria as part of "Operation Deterrence of Aggression".
They're shown being provided food and water.
youtu.be/1xSJVREtHkU?...
They're shown being provided food and water.
youtu.be/1xSJVREtHkU?...
It's impossible to overstate the precarious situation Assad's forces find themselves in around Aleppo. This is no longer 2016.
Iran's Shia militias like Hezbollah are demoralised after the humiliating ceasefire in Lebanon and having watched Tehran leave their "allies" out in the cold.
Iran's Shia militias like Hezbollah are demoralised after the humiliating ceasefire in Lebanon and having watched Tehran leave their "allies" out in the cold.
November 27, 2024 at 2:42 PM
It's impossible to overstate the precarious situation Assad's forces find themselves in around Aleppo. This is no longer 2016.
Iran's Shia militias like Hezbollah are demoralised after the humiliating ceasefire in Lebanon and having watched Tehran leave their "allies" out in the cold.
Iran's Shia militias like Hezbollah are demoralised after the humiliating ceasefire in Lebanon and having watched Tehran leave their "allies" out in the cold.
A resident of Israel's Kfar Giladi settlement says of the Lebanon ceasefire deal:
“Apart from completely erasing these villages, and having no people there, there is no real physical thing that can make me feel safe."
Why is ethnic cleansing their go-to?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“Apart from completely erasing these villages, and having no people there, there is no real physical thing that can make me feel safe."
Why is ethnic cleansing their go-to?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Israeli anger at 'irresponsible and hasty' ceasefire - BBC News
Many displaced residents of northern Israel feel unease and mistrust over their PM's deal with Lebanon.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2024 at 12:36 PM
A resident of Israel's Kfar Giladi settlement says of the Lebanon ceasefire deal:
“Apart from completely erasing these villages, and having no people there, there is no real physical thing that can make me feel safe."
Why is ethnic cleansing their go-to?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
“Apart from completely erasing these villages, and having no people there, there is no real physical thing that can make me feel safe."
Why is ethnic cleansing their go-to?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
As an occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to provide security to Gaza aid convoys. Instead, Hamas are hunting down looters from crime families and killing them. In other words, Israel are inadvertently legitimising Hamas.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Gangs and 'ultra-violence' blocking south Gaza aid distribution
Aid workers say armed gangs operating within sight of Israeli forces are looting supplies, amid severe shortages.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2024 at 8:23 AM
As an occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to provide security to Gaza aid convoys. Instead, Hamas are hunting down looters from crime families and killing them. In other words, Israel are inadvertently legitimising Hamas.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I've been before dozens of judges in my time (always on the right side of the law, of course). Several can be quite funny, but I think Judge Robert Linford is my new favourite after listening to his withering put downs of racist rioters in Plymouth. Screenshots of judicial glory posted below:
August 15, 2024 at 9:01 AM
I've been before dozens of judges in my time (always on the right side of the law, of course). Several can be quite funny, but I think Judge Robert Linford is my new favourite after listening to his withering put downs of racist rioters in Plymouth. Screenshots of judicial glory posted below:
Pleased to see my article on the next generation of military rotorcraft being published in the latest issue of Defence and Security Systems International. I gleaned excellent insights from NATO's NGRC programme manager Cyril Heckel, who taught me a lot about the future of helicopters in NATO.
June 27, 2024 at 9:27 AM
Pleased to see my article on the next generation of military rotorcraft being published in the latest issue of Defence and Security Systems International. I gleaned excellent insights from NATO's NGRC programme manager Cyril Heckel, who taught me a lot about the future of helicopters in NATO.
As I argued here on Sky News about the US's useless airstrikes in Iraq & Syria last night, it's not only Trump who sees Biden as a doddering old fool, but Iran does too. I also remind everyone how Iraq was destroyed in 2003 for far less than what Iran does today but the US does nothing.
February 4, 2024 at 12:32 AM
As I argued here on Sky News about the US's useless airstrikes in Iraq & Syria last night, it's not only Trump who sees Biden as a doddering old fool, but Iran does too. I also remind everyone how Iraq was destroyed in 2003 for far less than what Iran does today but the US does nothing.