Publications

Russia Security Update: November 3-10, 2015

November 11, 2015 - Hugo Spaulding

Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated on November 10 that Russia was developing nuclear-capable strike systems that could penetrate NATO’s planned missile defense shield in Europe. Russian-backed separatists reignited hostilities on the front line in eastern Ukraine after a two-month operational pause that coincided with Russia’s deployments to Syria. Russia may be escalating operations in response to a November 4 EU leadership statement indicating that Europe may extend sanctions beyond January 2016.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 31 - November 10, 2015

November 11, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande

Russian airstrikes continued to support regime ground operations in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Idlib, and Dera’a from November 9 - 10. Pro-regime forces relieved several hundred regime soldiers besieged by ISIS in the Kuweires Airbase east of Aleppo City on November 10 with air support provided by Russian warplanes.

Pro-Regime Forces Relieve Besieged Airbase in Symbolic Victory

November 10, 2015 - Chris Kozak

The Syrian regime and its allies reestablished a ground line of communication (GLOC) to the hitherto-besieged Kuweires Airbase east of Aleppo City in their first significant victory since the start of the Russian air campaign in Syria on September 30.

UPDATE: Posture of Syrian Regime and Allies: November 9, 2015

November 9, 2015 - Chris Kozak

Russia shifted military assets into eastern Homs Province, positioning at least five attack helicopters at the T4 (Tiyas) Airbase and additional rotary-wing aircraft at the Shayrat Airbase east of Homs City by November 4.

For additional information on Russian military activity in Syria, see: Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 29 - November 8, 2015

Iraq Situation Report: November 3 - 9, 2015

November 9, 2015 - Patrick Martin

ISIS demonstrated resurgent capabilities in nominally secure areas. 

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 29 - November 8, 2015

November 9, 2015 - Jennifer Cafarella
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed airstrikes in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, and Raqqa from November 6 – November 8. Credible local sources substantiated strike claims in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Homs, and Hama during this time period, but failed to verify reports of Russian airstrikes in Raqqa province. Russian airstrikes continued to support regime ground operations with limited effect.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 29 - November 8, 2015

November 9, 2015 - Jennifer Cafarella
Key Takeaway: The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed airstrikes in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, and Raqqa from November 6 – November 8.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 29 - November 8, 2015

November 8, 2015 - Jennifer Cafarella
Key Takeaway: The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed airstrikes in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, and Raqqa from November 6 – November 8. Credible local sources substantiated strike claims in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Homs, and Hama during this time period, but failed to verify reports of Russian airstrikes in Raqqa province. Russian airstrikes continued to support regime ground operations with limited effect.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 29 - November 8, 2015

November 8, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande
Key Takeaway: The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed airstrikes in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia, Homs, Hama, and Raqqa from November 6 – November 8. Credible local sources substantiated strike claims in Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Homs, and Hama during this time period, but failed to verify reports of Russian airstrikes in Raqqa province. Russian airstrikes continued to support regime ground operations with limited effect.

Russian Airstrikes in Syria: October 27 - November 5th, 2015

November 6, 2015 - Genevieve Casagrande
Key Takeaway: Russian warplanes continued to target core ISIS-held terrain in Syria following regime anti-ISIS operations in Homs and Aleppo. Russian airstrikes targeted ISIS’s positions in ar-Raqqa, Homs, and reportedly Deir ez-Zour from November 4 - 5. Local sources reported that Russian airstrikes targeted the ISIS-held town of Albu Kamal near the Iraqi border in Deir ez-Zour Province on November 5, claiming that the strikes killed over 50 civilians.

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