Kızıldağ falls into hands of Russian-backed regime forces

Syrian government forces launched a fresh attack on Kızıldağ and the predominantly Turkmen region of Fırınlık early Saturday, re-establishing control over the strategic mountain.

The regime, backed by Russian air strikes, have ensured a firm control over the regions of Fırınlık, Burj al-Zaviye, Kızıl Dağı as well as the 17 Turkmen villages around the strategic hill.

The attack, resumed at 5 am on Saturday, mainly targeted Turkmen military positions based in Fırınlık and Kızıldağ. Local sources say fierce clashes are reportedly are still underway on Kızıldağ.

Troops, loyal to Assad regime, have regained the control in almost all of the Kızıldağ region while Syrian Turkmen forces have managed to establish control in the villages of Kümeyir, Saldır and Yamadı. Since the downing of the Russian plane in Turkish airspace, Russian forces have launched heavy assaults on every location along all military routes on the hill.

Turkmen brigades lost control of almost all of Bayır-Bucak after regime and allied forces captured Kızıldağ in early December. The regime has retaken control of Turkmen Mountain and strategically important hills overlooking the Turkish borders.

The control of the Kızıldağ has changed for four times in the recent two weeks. In the most recent assault the last week, armed Turkmen groups have enforced the control on the region.

Kızıldağ, about five kilometers from the Turkish border, has strategic significance as the highest peak in the region. If regime forces gain full control of the mountain, they could launch artillery fire on 10 villages.