The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc)

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Nov 2015 16:09

photos and details of russian syria logistical shipping going through bosporus
http://turkishnavy.net/

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 18 Nov 2015 16:13

Bomb a few rocks, a few buildings where everyone has left, declare victory and head home. Hollande says mission accomplished.
Actual achievement, if US stops TOW supplies to FSA and assorted chumps.. overnight the balance of power will shift.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Nov 2015 16:22

US supplied TOW missiles have taken out a few Iraqi army abrams tanks!

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Nov 2015 16:27

A newer Kilo Rostov-on-Don has also fired cruise missile @ Syria

http://files.balancer.ru/forums/attache ... 9z3hxs.jpg

Looking at the range of newer weapons fired in Syria its clear that Ruskies are using Syrian ops to battle test new weapons from simple dumb bombs to latest cruise missile fired from every asset they have

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Nov 2015 16:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow6d7e4od3k

issam zahreddin inspecting his ramparts and encouraging his troops in deir el zour. the republican guard 104 brigade is holding out there for a long time.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Nov 2015 16:34

India seeks targeted economic sanctions to curb terror funding

The Paris attacks claimed by ISIS are a “grim reminder” that terrorists have become very flexible in meeting their funding requirements, according to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Disrupting fund flow constrains the capabilities of terrorists and reduces their ability to execute attacks," Modi said at an Indian anti-corruption conference Tuesday.

"This involves putting in place both systemic safeguards, and targeted economic sanctions based on credible counter-terrorism intelligence," said the Prime Minister, adding that "there is an imperative need to focus our efforts to enhance international co-operation in the field of asset recovery for fighting crime, corruption and terrorism."

Globalization of organized crime is a great threat to the global economy and undermines fair business, according to Modi.

"Organized crime can hamper investment and economic growth. It can also infiltrate or control a large section of economy. Illicit funding promotes organized criminal activities like drug trafficking, arms trafficking, human trafficking and terrorism," he said.

At present, countries are limited by national boundaries and India is doing everything possible to hasten the adoption of a uniform global standard on Automatic Exchange of Information on a fully reciprocal basis, said Modi.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 18 Nov 2015 19:29

The US/West are now desperate to "steal the thunder" from Russia's awesome attacks against ISIS in Syria.It is why they are now dispatching post haste-as if an afterthought,warships ,etc. to the region.
Where were they earlier and what were they doing for the past two years? It is only after Russia took matters into its own hands and post Paris 13/11 that the US/West's hands have been forced. In trying to steal Russia's thunder,the West still wants regime change in Syria ,with the CaMoron saying that he will not support a UN resolution over Syria as Russia has another agenda diff. from Britain! That is the most foul smelling horse sh*t one has heard for ages.The Moron talks about "cutting off the head of the snake".but all he is achieving is "cutting his nose to spite his face".

The US/West have suddenly realized that Russia has taken control and centre stage with its devastating attacks against ISIS,it has covertly nurtured and supported along with its bum-chums the Saudis and co. These monarchies are conspicuous by their silence over recent events which has turned upside down their carefully planned strategy for the region and Syria. Sunni ISIS was created say some specifically to defeat the Hiz and emasculate Shiite Iran's influence in the region. With the ball slipping away from it and being picked up by Russia,the West is now in a desperate attempt to save face and claim that the savaging of ISIS is all due to it and not due to Russian mil action! Once ISIS is on the run and has covertly been given sanctuary in Saudi A,Qatar,Turkey,etc., it will proclaim "victory" like Dubya Bush's infamous "mission accomplished" statement on Iraq and attempt to fool the world yet again. The removal of Assad is critical to the US/West's strategy for the region,where its catspaws are the decadent,despotic Arab monarchies.

Russian Warplanes Destroy 140 Terrorist Targets in Syria
17:15 17.11.2015
Russia used 34 air launched cruise missiles during the strike on the terrorist targets in Syria, Russian General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov said Tuesday. The members of the US-led coalition were informed about the operation in advance, he added.

“During a massive airstrike today, 14 important ISIL targets were destroyed by 34 air-launched cruise missiles. The targets destroyed include command posts that were used to coordinate ISIL activities in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, munition and supply depots in the northwestern part of Syria,” Gerasimov said.

Russian Air Forces will be strengthened with advanced 37 aircraft, including eight Su-34 bomber jets and four Su-27 fighter jets, Gerasimov noted.

"The Russian General Staff has developed a new plan of the air campaign [in Syria] which envisions deployment of 25 strategic bombers, eight Su-34 Fullback attack aircraft, and four Su-27 Flanker fighter jets," Army General Valery Gerasimov said.

Syrian army with the assistance of the Russian aviation managed to liberate 80 towns and regain control of the territory more than 500 square kilometers.
Syrian army readies for large-scale operation in Hama Governorate

Kweiris Airbase is ‘Biggest Achievement' of Syrian Army in Long Time
"In the Northern Syrian Province of Aleppo Syrian Army liberated 40 towns. Government troops deblocked Kweiris airbase and continue to expand security zone near the airport," Gerasimov added.

Ten imagery and signals intelligence spacecraft were deployed in order to improve the space intelligence capabilities in Syria, Russian General Staff chief Gen. Gerasimov said.

“Ten satellites are deployed. By redirecting several spacecraft and adjusting their orbit we now can photograph Syrian territory at required intervals,” he said.

The Islamic State militant’s ability to illegally export energy resources was severely hampered by Russian airstrikes, chief of Russian General Staff General Valery Gerasimov said.

ISIL Financed by 40 Countries, Including G20 Member States - Putin
"Several elements of the enemy infrastructure, including two fuel tanker truck columns, were destroyed by Russian Aerospace Forces aircraft, which resulted in “a severe decrease in militants’ ability to illegally export energy resources," Gerasimov said Tuesday during a report to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at the National Defense Control Center.

Russian Air Forces have conducted 65 sorties and destroyed six ISIL command centers, Gen. Valery Gerasimov said.

"Russian Air Forces based on the Hmeymim airbase in Latakia have conducted 65 sorties of 98 planned for the day. During the airstrikes were destroyed six terrorist command centers, eight arm depots, six oil depots and four facilities used to manufacture explosive devices and rockets," Gerasimov said.

Russian warplanes have destroyed 140 ISIL targets in Syria, Sergey Shoigu said. The number of sorties doubled, Shoigu added.

"The number of sorties was increased two times which allows us to launch powerful precision strikes against ISIL militants deep within the Syrian territory," the Russian Defense Minister said while briefeng the president on Syrian operation in the Russian National Defense Control Center.

Strategic bombers Tu-160, Tu-95MC and Tu-22 are involved in the Russian operation in Syria, the Russian Defense Minister said.

"Tu-160, Tu-95MC and Tu-22 strategic bombers with standard strike aircraft are involved in destroying of terrorist targets in Syria," Shoigu said.

Twelve Russian bomber jets Tu-22M3 have hit ISIL targets in the Syrian provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, Shoingu said.

“Today, from 2:00 till 2:30 GMT, twelve Tu-22M3 long-range bomber aircraft carried out strikes against ISIL targets in the provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor,” Shoigu said.

Russia will continue massive airstrikes on terrorist targets in Syria. Russia's actions in Syria made it possible for Syrian army to begin an offensive against terrorists.

Russian warplanes launched airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIL) and other militant groups at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad on September 30.

Since the beginning of the air campaign, Russian Aerospace Forces have carried out around 1,800 sorties, destroying some 2,700 terrorist targets, according to the General Staff. Several hundreds of militants have been killed, and dozens of command centers and depots have been destroyed.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151 ... z3rr5cLoA6

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Nov 2015 20:28

collection of oil tankers attack by ruaf

http://imgur.com/xYFhQcx

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Nov 2015 20:42

IS has published this image of the bomb design used to bring down the russian plane.
tallies with what Rus has found bomb went off in passenger compartment near the tail. not in cargo hold.
but since pax and crew were all russian + 4 ukrainian , who triggered that switch....perhaps a timer was there.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 18 Nov 2015 20:54

Singha wrote:I think france is indeed asking for a UNSC resolution, which will pass unanimously for sure. will allow every country in the world to send forces to atleast bomb the ISIS.

we should join the bandwagon and send a squadron to help in north iraq, base in south iraq. these field deployments are good to hone procedures and test our methods.

The way Indian media has overlooked the entire war, including genocide and slavery, it would be a decision that only the present govt can take. And if the ISIS is not bombed, the rats will come out and behave like normal people and form state like Pakistan and form mobs and shout that the French are intolerant/not-secular-enough/etc. It is important to bomb jehadis and get some much needed experience.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 18 Nov 2015 20:57

If you were on ground and a bomb were to fall nearby this is how it would look - Not sure this is aerial bombing ( as the video says) but the important place was missed and most of the rats survived as you shall see:

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Nov 2015 21:03

^^ Horrible Man

Singha-jee for you

Tu-22M3 dropping FAB-250

Tu-160M firing Kh-101 Cruise Missile

Tu-95MS Dropping Kh-555 Cruise Missile

Karan M · Post by **Karan M** » 18 Nov 2015 21:31

Singha wrote:US supplied TOW missiles have taken out a few Iraqi army abrams tanks!

some strategist someplace will spin it as a plus for US making iraqi govt aware of spurning US..

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Nov 2015 21:43

the footage of the rotary launcher on the Tu160 was really worth it.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Nov 2015 21:45

Russia's warplanes in Syria start hunting Islamic State tanker trucks — General Staff

http://tass.ru/en/defense/837584

MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Russian warplanes in Syria have begun hunting for Islamic State’s tanker trucks carrying crude oil and petroleum products, the chief of the main operations directorate of Russia’s General Staff, Colonel-General Andrey Kartapolov told a news briefing on Wednesday.

"I would like to point out that a decision has been made to let Russian planes fly sorties to search for tanker trucks carrying petroleum products belonging to terrorists in areas controlled by the organization calling itself the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia)," Kartapolov said.

According to the official, Russian warplanes have destroyed about 500 fuel tank trucks that were illegally transporting oil from Syria to Iraq for refining.

"Over the past years, the Islamic State and other extremist groupings have streamlined the operations of the so-called 'pipeline on the road' in the areas under their control," Gen Kartapolov said.

Reporters at the briefing were shown the photosn showing hundreds of fuel tank trucks form a column.

"In the first several days alone, our warplanes destroyed about 500 fuel tank trucks," Gen Kartapolov said. "This has considerably cut down the militants' capability for an illegal export of energy resources and, consequently, for getting the revenues for the contraband.".

Mihaylo · Post by **Mihaylo** » 18 Nov 2015 22:51

deejay wrote:If you were on ground and a bomb were to fall nearby this is how it would look - Not sure this is aerial bombing ( as the video says) but the important place was missed and most of the rats survived as you shall see:

Why do these rats yell out AoA in all such scenarios. Is it because they feel they are dead and use this as a code word to open the gates to the houris ? Never understood what is going on in their minds when yelling out AoA in the different scenarios

-M

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 18 Nov 2015 23:36

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_ItAPHJSUU

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 19 Nov 2015 00:05

wow, they have deployed the white swans ?! would this be their first blooding ?
seems the bear is really throwing in the kitchen sink at the ISIS. the plane attack probably looks like a big mistake now.

Sid · Post by **Sid** » 19 Nov 2015 00:56

Mihaylo wrote:Why do these rats yell out AoA in all such scenarios. Is it because they feel they are dead and use this as a code word to open the gates to the houris ? Never understood what is going on in their minds when yelling out AoA in the different scenarios

-M

They use AoA for both "Ohh GODDD (crap)!!!" and "Thank God (yaahooo)!!" situations. Its like north Indians calling everyone "bhaiya".

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 19 Nov 2015 01:05

Sid wrote:
Mihaylo wrote:Why do these rats yell out AoA in all such scenarios. Is it because they feel they are dead and use this as a code word to open the gates to the houris ? Never understood what is going on in their minds when yelling out AoA in the different scenarios

-M
They use AoA for both "Ohh GODDD (crap)!!!" and "Thank God (yaahooo)!!" situations. Its like north Indians calling everyone "bhaiya".

Don't do that.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 19 Nov 2015 01:15

Austin wrote:Russia's warplanes in Syria start hunting Islamic State tanker trucks — General Staff

http://tass.ru/en/defense/837584
MOSCOW, November 18. /TASS/. Russian warplanes in Syria have begun hunting for Islamic State’s tanker trucks carrying crude oil and petroleum products, the chief of the main operations directorate of Russia’s General Staff, Colonel-General Andrey Kartapolov told a news briefing on Wednesday.

"I would like to point out that a decision has been made to let Russian planes fly sorties to search for tanker trucks carrying petroleum products belonging to terrorists in areas controlled by the organization calling itself the Islamic State (outlawed in Russia)," Kartapolov said.

According to the official, Russian warplanes have destroyed about 500 fuel tank trucks that were illegally transporting oil from Syria to Iraq for refining.

"Over the past years, the Islamic State and other extremist groupings have streamlined the operations of the so-called 'pipeline on the road' in the areas under their control," Gen Kartapolov said.

Reporters at the briefing were shown the photosn showing hundreds of fuel tank trucks form a column.

"In the first several days alone, our warplanes destroyed about 500 fuel tank trucks," Gen Kartapolov said. "This has considerably cut down the militants' capability for an illegal export of energy resources and, consequently, for getting the revenues for the contraband.".

this oil exporting capability of the ISIS seems to have survived all the "tremendous" US and saudi led bombings of the ISIS. WTF?? Isn't this one of the first things that anyone would target and take out to cripple the ISIS and it's war efforts??

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 19 Nov 2015 01:25

And only a couple of days ago when US bombed them only one third of a convoy were bombed after informing the truck drivers to vamoose!

Either orders were such that or very bad shooting skills.

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 19 Nov 2015 02:17

Isn't Jordan ~~secretly~~ openly buying oil from ISIS?

member_27991 · Post by **member_27991** » 19 Nov 2015 02:34

[/quote]

They use AoA for both "Ohh GODDD (crap)!!!" and "Thank God (yaahooo)!!" situations. Its like north Indians calling everyone "bhaiya".[/quote]

Or like Indians calling everyone 'Boss'

Sid · Post by **Sid** » 19 Nov 2015 02:41

Are these truck drivers ISIS goons or some regular folks who must abide by their masters commands else their families die back home? If its the later case then may god have mercy on them.

Also whats the destination for these mad max style fuel convoys? Hit the recipients and source will be left use less.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Nov 2015 05:43

They use AoA for "Ohh ******* (crap)!!!" Precisely what happens when a bomb strikes nearby. U really need 2 read "The Anderson Tapes".

ManishC · Post by **ManishC** » 19 Nov 2015 05:47

The four part (last TBD) series in Daily Beast an Insider's account of ISIS is a keeper:

Start here http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... s-spy.html

The oil business is intricate with even Assad being one of the clients of ISIS!

Oil, naturally, is a big source of revenue. ISIS controls of all of Syria’s eastern oil fields, making it the premier energy supplier for the country and a racketeer for fuel. The Bab al-Salameh crossing, which is now ISIS’s only means of entry into northern Syria, is responsible for feeding the entire caliphate, from Aleppo to Fallujah. “So imagine how many trucks are crossing every day,” Abu Khaled said.

Yet Bab al-Salameh is controlled on the Syrian side by the non-ISIS rebels, and of course on the Turkish side by the government in Ankara. Why can’t either simply shut down the crossing and deprive ISIS of its revenue stream?

“Because there is no choice. ISIS has the diesel, the oil. Last time, a little bit before Ramadan, the rebels closed ISIS’s crossing.” ISIS responded by turning off the tap. “The price of oil in Syria went up. The bakeries stopped because there was no diesel. The cars, the hospitals, everything shut down.”

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Nov 2015 06:22

Yes, but that is still no reason not to bomb the AoA out of them. ISIS supplies gas at $15/barrel to keep the price of oil down while conserving Saudi Arabian resources. So if they are so concerned about Syrian civilians, they should just supply oil from KSA directly to Damascus and Latakia. Anyway, ISIS fuel bijnej days are numbered.
As for civilian drivers of the fuel trucks being under duress. Yes, but at the first sound of aircraft engines it would be a good idea to exit the trucks and head for the sand dunes. A C-130 gunship flying along the side, or a Russian equivalent or a MIL-3x, is just the end of everything.

ManishC · Post by **ManishC** » 19 Nov 2015 06:31

But But Sir we want to depose Assad only. No oil for Bad Assad.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 06:45

sounds odd but a brand new AC130J has been written off after suffer $115 mil of damage during a test flight. due to some wrong rudder input it turned upside down and dropped 5000ft before the pilot could recover.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Nov 2015 06:57

Yippee! More jobs in Mahretta, Jawjah! Maybe dem yankee pilots done spilled their Doctor Pibb all over the delicate cotton upholstery. Not to mention their breakfast and lunch from both ends.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Nov 2015 07:04

Singhaji: What is the meaning/implication of Putinsky going to long-range bombers? These are not lumbering bomb-dumpers (OK, the turbo-prop Bears are) but high-speed, high-fuel-cost transonic/supersonic bombers. The swing-wing one is supersonic, right? Don't the Russians have any bomb-dump-trucks?

More to the point, are they now finding force concentrations sufficiently large, to go and dump from these bombers rather than strike aircraft with 4000-lb sortie payloads? Shomali Plain type defence lines around Raqqa and Aleppo? What's going on?

About the land war, remember that Colin Bin Powell and Norman Shwarzkpof needed a full 6 months of all-out airstrikes before they dared move the land forces across the frontlines in 1991. So I think it is quite logical that the Jaish-e-Assad would take a few months before being able to roll across and take major territory. Much of the green 'ISIS-dominated' parts in Syria are IMO bogus: Once the supply lines are cut, all these areas become untenable and the ISIS will get hunted down by the locals.

Provided Putin does not run out of steam, KSA and US will not be able to keep up an arms resupply fast enough - the Russkies will go down the priority list of target enough to be able to roam around looking for anything that moves - as they have now authorized their fighter to do with taking out fuel trucks.

Then it's all a question of resolve. Will the Russians strike KSA? Or use the opportunity to help the Houthis? Or are they running out of cash? Once their big fuel usage in Syria abates, they may decide that it is time to provide some Price Support for oil by, say, ensuring that little comes out of Saudi refineries.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 07:13

^ here http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/brand- ... 1743122173

Ulan, he has to work with what resources he has - Bears and Blackjacks were never converted to the role of dropping dozens of smaller bombs like the B1 and B52 were . this is their first colonial war. so they are restricted to dropping off ALCMs. it might take time to develop the adapter racks to pack them full of small bombs like the american planes. not strictly needed but war testing their new toys , proving old toys and sending a message out loud and clear that strategic aviation is there.

the Backfire can carry about 12 bombs internally(seen in video) and more under the wings(not used here). these can be useful, as their payload when wing bombs are used is twice of Su34 . useful for taking out large targets like those truck convoys.

ODS was preceded by a 1 month airstrike not 6 months but using 2000 aircraft.

I agree ISIS does not have manpower to control the countryside, they are sitting at some chokepoints and few cities along the euphrates and in mosul. a few airborne brigades can end their reign quickly but the iraqi militias,SAA and kurds are going to do this slowly, lancing the wound piece by piece and draining the pus. perhaps that is better as it guarantees more ISIS will be caught in the net , than a fast moving shakina campaign that bypasses many nodes and goes straight to Raqqa to declare victory...but then ISIS will melt away from other places.

also I dont think syria can accomodate more russian tactical aircraft unless some new airfield is added to the mix..the airbases are pretty poor in size and provision for parking spaces.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Nov 2015 07:16

The next issue to consider is the effect of an ISIS-rout next door, on Turkey's regime. Lots of angry ex-ISIS jehadis in Ankara's cafes, testing out their Schweppes-can bums. Going on pogroms against the Kurds may not play that well any more.

A Turkish Perestroika a la "Ayrab Spring" in the works? The Bosporus could use a Russian-stooge regime on either side of it, to keep those photos of warships out of the media.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 07:18

I figure turkey could divert the rage boys by directing them to hit the kurds(PKK). sort of if you cant hit the great satan, then hit the munna of the great satan.

turkish economy has to tank steeply and social discontent rise more for any regime change.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 07:50

RT: CHINA VOWS TO BRING ISIS TO JUSTICE AS CHINESE HOSTAGE CONFIRMED KILLED

a norweigan hostage also killed.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 08:08

just as I had predicted, the fight between Govt and non-ISIS will slowly draw down. must be FSA near damascus.

Ivan Sidorenko ‏@IvanSidorenko1 10h10 hours ago
#Syria #Damascus #الغوطة_الشرقية Reports that a 15 DAY CEASEFIRE Negotiated by Russia btw Militants & #SAA @ #East_Ghouta has been Accepted.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 08:09

meantime the YPG & sunni tribe alliance have matched the offensive in sinjar just across the border by putting pressure on ISIS in syria, incredible Hasakah and a adjoining area is still held by the Govt SAA it seems perhaps a informal pact with the YPG

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Nov 2015 09:40

link had video of Russian Bombing Oil Tankers and depot

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1584574.html

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Nov 2015 09:58

seems like IS was using 1000s of trucks for this line of work. lot more trucks to bomb for sure. good thing is there is only one highway along the euphrates with no cover, so no place to hide.

IS will keep the remaining oil for themselves. the citizens and hospitals depending on diesel to run generators will be hard hit.