Trump may have given Syrian, Russian forces too much time to prepare for attack: experts

Institute for the Study of War

A map identifying key pro-regime military movements from April 8 – 12, 2018 following the deadly Syrian chemical weapons attack.

According to the ISW report, Syrian aircraft located on the outskirts of Hama, Homs, and Palmyra have relocated closer to heavily-defended airfields across Syria.

“Aircraft relocated from the Seen (Sayqal), Dumayr, Shayrat, and the T-4 (Tiyas) Air Bases to the Bassel al Assad International Airport in Latakia Province, the Nayrab Air Base outside Aleppo City, and the Damascus International Airport,” the ISW report states.

Russian and Assad regime forces have enhanced their air defenses around Syria’s capital, Damascus, and deployed short- to medium-range surface-to-air missiles to the Mezzeh Military Air Base, as well as other sites in the city.

“Pro-regime officials also reportedly issued an alert to the Syrian Arab Army to evacuate personnel and assets from military bases across Syria,” the report notes.