Russian Airstrikes in Syria: September 30 - Octobe...: By Genevieve Casagrande and Jodi Brignola
Key Takeaway: Russian airstrikes near Aleppo targeted rebels from October 27-28 as the Syrian regime's ground offensives suffered setbacks. Syrian regime ground offensives against rebels in the southern countryside of Aleppo and against ISIS near the besieged Kuweires Airbase east of Aleppo City largely stalled following ISIS's offensive against the regime-held town of Safira in the southeastern Aleppo countryside on October 26. Russian airstrikes, however, largely concentrated in rebel-held areas south of Aleppo City and within the city center according to local activist reporting. Rebel forces have historically leveraged ISIS's offensives against the regime in Aleppo in order to advance against both the regime and ISIS elsewhere in the province. The intensity of Russian airstrikes in Aleppo may limit the Syrian opposition's ability to capitalize on regime's stalled offensive.
