Levant crisis - III

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 06:35

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Anti-ISIS forces gained ground west of Raqqa in a joint operation conducted by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and members of the US-led coalition Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Coalition helicopters airdropped US special forces and SDF fighters near Tabqa, a strategic town 40 kilometres west of Raqqa, “in order to retake the town” announced a statement on Wednesday from the SDF’s Wrath of Euphrates military campaign to isolate and liberate Raqqa. “The two ground forces were able to take the villages of Abu Huraira, al-Mushirfa, al-Karin, and al-Muhima,” on the southern banks of the Euphrates River, the statement detailed. The forces also cut the road linking Aleppo to Raqqa and further east to Deir ez-Zur. The coalition’s media office confirmed the operation in a statement issued Wednesday evening. The offensive was led by the SDF in coordination with the Syrian Arab Coalition and supported by the coalition, the statement detailed. “The Coalition supported this offensive with air movement and logistical support, precision airstrikes, Apache helicopters in close air support, Marine artillery, and special operations advice and assistance to SDF leadership.” A commander within the coalition hailed the bravery of the SDF forces. "It takes a special breed of warrior to pull off an airborne operation or air assault behind enemy lines," said Col. Joe Scrocca, according to the coalition’s statement. "There is nothing easy about this – it takes audacity and courage. And the SDF has that in spades." He added that the SDF are the most effective force on the ground. "It is the SDF on the ground, putting their lives at risk, and violently engaging the enemy," said Scrocca. "And it is the SDF, like the Iraqi Security Forces, who are making the sacrifice so that other Coalition nations do not continue to suffer the threat of ISIS terrorism inside our own borders." Tabqa dam is a strategic site that has been used by ISIS as a headquarters, training location, and prison. The SDF launched an offensive last December with the aim of taking control of the dam and surrounding area. They progressed within kilometres of the location by late January. There are fears that the dam, which has already taken some damage in the conflict, may burst, causing a disaster to communities living downriver. “The Coalition will take every precaution to ensure the dam's integrity,” the media office’s statement vowed. The coalition statement added that taking the dam will further isolate Raqqa “and give the SDF the strategic advantage and launching point needed for the liberation of the city,” as it is the extremist group’s last connection to its territory west of the Euphrates River. The US has stepped up its support for the SDF on the ground in northern Syria as preparations continue for an assault on the city of Raqqa, the de facto capital of ISIS. In March, a US Marine force was deployed to the Raqqa area to provide artillery support for the SDF. The 68-member global coalition is currently meeting in Washington where Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged greater commitment to the war with ISIS. “Now is the time to strengthen our shared commitment to security and invest in a fight in which we all have a say,” Tillerson said, adding that terror threats are outstripping the resources allocated and that military deterrence is only credible if the military strength is formidable. - See more at: http://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/mid ... xCjU7.dpuf

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 06:36

The syrian and turki ypgj and pkk are lefties
The shingali kurds are turk pasand. Could be closet islamists
The barzani kurds are pro dollar and turkic money more than islamist

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 09:28

There is a rolling stone mag article on ypgj. I had posted link. Pls google it up

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 09:31

Ömer Özkizilcik‏ @OmerOzkizilcik

One should also recoqnize that the current offensives could also be a "warning message" of Turkey towards Russia. #HTS is using turkish gear

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 09:33

Http://mobile.twitter.com/SY_newsagency ... 97/photo/1

Deir hafr surrounded.

Hts aq have made some gains in north hama. This is their annual ritual.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 12:18

Brett McGurk‏Verified account @brett_mcgurk 9h9 hours ago

DOD: Seizing Tabqa Dam will further isolate #Raqqa and deny #ISIS the ability to move fighters and supplies to defend dwindling strongholds

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 12:19

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 12:20

north hama offensive

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 12:25

Newroz pîroz be!‏ @UniteKurdistan 13h13 hours ago
Peshmerga Special Forces unit "Task Force Black" from South Kurdistan #KRG are being transported to #Kobani to support #Raqqa liberation.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7iiPXGXkAE2Y9Q.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7ih8FeXQAASvrQ.jpg

these are also called dizha terror and are khan & german trained and equipped for CT ops - many videos online. I think they are brought in due to skills in house raiding and urban warfare, which the arabs of SDF and kurds of YPGJ do not have.

they could also target ISIS emirs in isolated dens along the river with american helicopters and ospreys providing transport and firepower...a sort of localized ST6 and they can supplement american SF in directing air strikes and recon.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 12:28

I think trailers of raqqa movie are over and main show is about to start.

no B52 runs reported yet.

Rishi Verma · Post by **Rishi Verma** » 23 Mar 2017 12:50

Cross-postin'

brar_w wrote:Russia announces deepest defence budget cuts since 1990s

Wonder what 25% reduction in Def Budget will do to Russian involvement in Syria. Who's paying for the fuel, bombs, cruise missiles that Russia is raining down on Arab lands? $65B is peanuts!!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 13:11

Looks like syria will leave raqqa to sdf and deir azzor to sdf or iraqis. They will stop at maskanah then ckean out west aleppo before the main prize idlib

Southfront.
In East Aleppo, SAA falls back mainly on Tiger forces along with pro-government local fighting groups from the towns that has been already freed. This method allows SAA to shift troops faster to other fighting areas like Hama today.

ISIS manpower shortage has started to effect heavily on the battlefield. ISIS has to leave only 400 fighters to defend the whole area from Deir Hafer to Maskanah. Although terror units are well trained and good motivated they are poorly equipped solely relying on VBIEDs to break SAA offensive.

Some pro-government media sources claim that the East Aleppo operation will continue until the seizure of Maskanah. The operation is to lead to effective clearing of the entire eastern countryside of Aleppo and paving the way for further operations in the western countryside of Aleppo against Ahrar al-Sham and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Hayyan, Hreitan, Anadan, Rashideen, and Khan Al-Assal.

The SAA upcoming offensive in the western countryside of Aleppo will be more difficult because Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Ahrar Al-Sham are far better equipped than ISIS as they receive weapons and ammo, including TOW missiles, from US-backed Free syrian Army groups. However, the SAA has already got advantage as it controls Nubul and Zahra’a in the north and Al-Assad in the south.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 16:08

Reuters

Ten members of Egypt's security forces were killed when their vehicles were hit by two improvised bombs during a military operation against suspected militants in the Sinai peninsula, the army said on Thursday.

It said the security forces also killed 15 people and arrested seven others during the raid which it said targeted "highly dangerous terrorists" in the central Sinai area.

Egypt is battling an Islamist insurgency in the rugged and thinly populated Northern Sinai, which gained pace after the military overthrew President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 following mass protests against his rule.

The militant group staging the insurgency pledged allegiance to Islamic State in 2014 and adopted the name Sinai Province. It is blamed for the killing of hundreds of soldiers and policemen.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the former military chief who led the overthrow of Mursi, describes Islamist militancy as an existential threat to Egypt, an ally of the United States. Islamic State controls large parts of Iraq and Syria and has a strong presence in Libya, which borders Egypt.

A military spokesman said the security forces also found and destroyed half a tonne of TNT explosive, and seized two four-wheel drive cars containing hand grenades and hundreds of mobile phones.

(Reporting by Dominic Evans; Editing by Lin Noueihed and Tom Heneghan)

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 23 Mar 2017 17:08

http://www.voanews.com/a/russia-turkey- ... 77443.html

Russia Deals Major Blow to Turkey's Syria Policy

Moscow took Ankara by surprise when it deployed forces in the canton to monitor a cease-fire between YPG and the Free Syrian Army, which is backed by Turkey. On Wednesday violence erupted again. Ankara said one of its soldiers was killed by a sniper shooting across the border, prompting Turkish artillery to retaliate.

“Practically it means the end of Operation Euphrates Shield,” said former senior Turkish diplomat Aydin Selcen, who served across the region. "The military operation cannot move down south towards Raqqa, because there is the Syrian Arab Army or Assad together with the Russians. It cannot turn east towards Manbij as it’s suggested by the Turkish government. Why? Because there is [the] Syrian Army backed by … Russia and also you have the U.S. special forces there along [with] U.S. Army Rangers. Militarily it means the end of the operation."

US and Russia are fed up of smartpants Erdogan. Now Operation Euphrates Fart has nowhere to go.

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 23 Mar 2017 17:16

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... a-46320645
Turkey summons Russian chargé d’affairs over PYD attack on Turkey

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey ... sCatID=510

Turkey warns Russia following sniper fire from Syria

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hüseyin Müftüoğlu also reportedly expressed Turkey’s unease at Russian generals’ photographed wearing symbols of the PYD’s armed wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), on their uniform.

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 23 Mar 2017 17:39

http://aranews.net/2017/03/turkey-attac ... -reported/

Turkey attacks Kurdish villages in Syria’s Afrin, dozens of civilian casualties reported.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 17:44

^^ I already mentioned. unless US or russia gives them grads and WLRs to take out turkish 155mm sites on the border, they will continue to periodically kill kurd civilians....

pic of SDF air lifted to Tabqa on tuesday night

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 17:44

Elijah J. Magnier‏ @EjmAlrai 51m51 minutes ago
More
What is happening around Damascus, Homs, & Daraa is a decision by #Turkey #SaudiArabia #Qatar (#USA blessing) to limit the Russian "victory"

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 17:59

one more bush fire about to start::

Al-Masdar News‏Verified account @TheArabSource 8h8 hours ago
More
Jihadist rebels mobilize in northeast #Latakia for new offensive https://aml.ink/nxGuV #Syria

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 18:06

BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:10 P.M.) – Minutes ago, Al-Masdar News was informed that the Islamic State (ISIL) fully withdrew from their last east Aleppo stronghold: Deir Hafer.

According to Al-Masdar’s Yusha Yuseef, the Islamic State forces withdrew from Deir Hafer prior to being fully encircled this morning.

Yuseef added that the Syrian Arab Army has not yet entered Deir Hafer due to security concerns over the large presence of field mines.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 19:35

Deir hafr has been taken by saa. Isis ran away before being cut off. Jirrah afb will fall soon i think.

A section of tigers have been sent to lead in north hama. The remainder will likely move on maskanah and claim that fertile region.

Sdf has taken tabqa dam. The town might still be in isis hands but will fall. The airbase is a bombed ruin.

So...saa will now deal with hama homs idlib and west aleppo...heartland of assadi syria

Sdf will take raqqa..what the tribes will do after handover is not known...sunni bantustan...assad pasand...turkic proxy who knows....iraqis will not allow 3rd and 1st option if they can

Sdf or iraqi pmu or both will need to clean up deir azzor to al qaim 100k belt

Lots of killing still to come

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 19:39

All these 100 bushfire stunts by turkiye and gcc will be capped and snuffed out in a month or two. Idlib nd west aleppo will be brutal fights though

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 23 Mar 2017 22:10

Kom News‏ @KomNewsCom
#BREAKING: Germany bans sale of tank defence systems to Turkey: CEO of defence company Rheinmetall - Kom News #Europe

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 24 Mar 2017 06:15

US, together with Saudis, and perhaps also Turkey - will try to draw a line around Raqaa to protect ISIS forces, under cover of pretending it to be a SDF enclave. They need to preserve the jihadi assets for unleashing on other targets, like against Iran/Russia, and AFG. The de-facto partitioning will also go along that line - ISIS-SDF base around Raqaa under US protection, backed by Turkey/SA. To the west Assad will be allowed to stabilize temporarily. Kurdi region drawn to N and E. All balancing each other.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 06:22

The current isis is like a mad dog who bites everyone and will be killed by sdf means. Sections will move to sinai and jordan desert or lie low in syrian desert south east of palmyra...none can police this empty quarter

The area will be kept as a sunni bantustan to create some new monster at opporune time to pressure both assad and abadi iraq. Contiguous to takiya jihadis in anbar for cannon fodder

Iraqi pmu is only one who might spoil this cute proposal by advancing up the euphrates to deir azzor and keeping a iron grip on anbar once done in tal afar. Assad will sign off on this soon as they are ready

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 06:27

Kataib hezbollah has already warned us to depart iraq after mosul. They need new bases in region. One is erbil in kurdistan. Second is raqqa in the middle. Third is already there an airbase near kobane.

brihaspati · Post by **brihaspati** » 24 Mar 2017 06:59

I dont think ISIS will be killed - and no jihadis are ever so mad as to completely destroy themselves. Paki fauz in '71 surrendered desperately after all the rapine/slave-camp/jarnailgiri. When it comes to saving their lives to bite another day, they will quickly grovel under US/Saudi feet. US will protect the core of ISIS - maybe remove the top few for public opinion and image, but rest assured the bulk of ISIS forces will be preserved. In Raqqa - and dubbed as SDF, or if too well known then shipped elsewhere in the desert, or shipped to the Daghestan front (which is active), and others to AFG. US always used the rank and file or lower echelons of its defeated enemy - just as it took over the Nazi intel/mil which swung around pretending whatever they did was out of hatred for "commies".

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 07:41

Ivan Sidorenko‏ @IvanSidorenko1
#Syria #Hama Shadi Hulwe - Op to crush Nusras is ongoing after arrival of Brig Gen Suheil Hassan yesterday he is now leading the battlefield

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 07:44

Res Publica‏ @_paulo34
Therefore Tabqa dam is still under Daesh control, but not for long.

9

11

in reply to @_paulo34

7h
Res Publica‏ @_paulo34
north of the Dam. 2nd front is moving from south of the river, from east with heavy clashes on the international road from Aleppo to Raqqa.

9

11

7h
Res Publica‏ @_paulo34
ANHA: there are 2 SDF fronts moving towards Tabqa Dam. First one is moving from Little Sweidiyeh and has reached the Euphrates river(1)

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 07:48

Map of isis defence lines around raqqa....numerous water channels restrict freedom of attacker. The main armour thrusts have to be from east and north where terrain is dry and open. But infantry can cross river from south and harass in small pockets. Sdf has very limited barges or boats. Amrika gave them a few for manbij crossing

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 07:55

There are two dams one after another. Tabqa dam and Baath dam 10k downstream. Its a complex area with another river merging from north.

Us marines will be needed to plan moves. They fought up the tigris in ods and oif...through similar complexity

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 10:45

shows how stretched the syrian army is. the tiger forces are just about their only mobile offensive reserve..rest are holding formations around key places like damascus , aleppo west or north latakia or small garrisons in inactive fronts like below. the new 5th corps units once done with palmyra might be able to return and participate in Idlib. some desert hawk units were detached and sent to 5th corps a few months ago...they are also in the vast palmyra , eastern homs front.

syria looks like a small country on map but once you start dividing the polygon into 10 slices and each slice defines the perimeter of a active front, the total perimeter to be managed is huge.

its a miracle they are still holding it together, with only small units of hezbollah and iraqis for help.

The 'Nimr' Tiger‏ @Souria4Syrians 13h13 hours ago
So what do 20 soldiers with 2 tanks, 1 BMP, & a few technicals do when they're hit by an SVBIED & attacked by 100+ jihadists? They retreat.

With exception to some towns like Mahardah which has 800+ defenders mostly locals and Christian volunteers from nearby towns.

You want to know why Syrian Army is not holding in N.Hama?
- There are 12 to 30 soldiers defending each town/village. With 2 tanks/BMPs each

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 12:06

North hama has a lit of strategic depth but assad cannot afford to concede ground there. Very bad optics to let his civilians be massacred there incl druze christians and alawites who have been with him solidly. Hence tigers and part of 5th corps sent back to help

Its like india cannot afford to lose tawang or amritsar whatever be the cost

https://southfront.org/syrian-army-repe ... f-palmyra/

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 24 Mar 2017 12:37

Syrian T-90 withstood hit two anti-tank missiles

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 20:07

I saw another one where a speeding tank going perpendicular was fired on with a TOW. the missile hit just behind the tank and it escaped intact.

btw iraqis have found in mosul TOW missiles from isis, so its clear the FSA elements either sold them, gifted them ...

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 20:19

lots of allhuakbar but the t72 looks intact at end of it.

https://twitter.com/QalaatAlMudiq/statu ... 2956314624

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 24 Mar 2017 20:24

mhardeh, a town of around 10,000 mainly christians defended by 800 men a mix of residents , NDF, volunteers from nearby towns.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7rUwDDUwAA4r8i.jpg

faced with this , rebels claim they are not interested in the town but in military bases nearby

uddu · Post by **uddu** » 24 Mar 2017 20:30

Austin wrote:Syrian T-90 withstood hit two anti-tank missiles

This video only tells us that two ATGM's were launched against the tank. Not that it survived or is not damaged. After the second hit, nothing is visible.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2017 08:26

http://www.anfenglish.com/news/sdf-figh ... s-of-raqqa

arabi militias east of raqqa...they do the raider thing well, from long history of such warfare..4x4 have replaced camels and horses

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2017 08:39

a series of misdirected US airstrikes in west mosul seems to have killed 200+ civilians under heaps of rubble. they are being dug out now and buried in mass graves

https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/statu ... 8532114432