- The Syrian government forces, under the supervision of Russian forces, conducted in early October various military training exercises in the mountainous areas in the countryside of Latakia province, adjacent to Idlib in northwestern Syria.
- Opposition circles fear that the Russian training of the Syrian government forces on the outskirts of Idlib is part of preparations for a new military operation to take hold of new areas in northwestern Syria.
<span>Russia oversees Syrian forces’ military exercises in northwest Syria</span>
