Map 1: Updated situation map of Idlib, western Aleppo and northern Hama

1. Iranian-backed militias’ military bases.
2. Russian military police checkpoints around Idlib province.
3. International Highways crossing Idlib province (M4 and M5).
4. International border crossings with their current operating status and internal border crossings with their current operating status.
5. Areas targeted by regime forces, Russian air force, and Iranian-backed militias’ artillery in August 2018.
6. Sites of IEDs and assassination incidents that occurred in Idlib and western Aleppo Province in August 2018.

Notes:

-       M4 and M5 highways are considered one of the main strategic targets for any possible attacks from the Regime and his Iranian allies.

-       Internal border crossings are trading hubs between areas under regime control and areas under opposition control. Currently these borders are closed by the regime for different reasons, except "Qalat Al-Madiq" in Sahel Al-Ghab was partially opened in the last few days to allow the last IDPs convoy from the south to enter Idlib.

-       On 13 August, Russian Military Police took over both "Qalat Al-Madiq and Mourek" corresponding internal border crossing sites in regime areas replacing the Syrian Army’s 4^th Division (Affiliated with Iran).