Levant crisis - III

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Apr 2018 07:07

This is north east of ghouta

Breaking: Syrian Army launches big offensive in eastern #Qalamoun after rebel group refuses to leave aml.ink/lYi-3 #Damascus #Syria

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 18 Apr 2018 07:27

Not a single photo seen of a downed cruise mijjile yet. That's troubling: they should at least have dragged out the remnants of one of the 72 Houris that fell on the Chemical R&D School.

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 08:59

From social media

European Parliament

Russian soldiers in Douma

China has condemned Syria strikes and will work with Iran if current US-Iran nuclear deal is cancelled.

Russian soldiers with Russian cranes to help building work in Syria.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Apr 2018 09:16

UlanBatori wrote:Not a single photo seen of a downed cruise mijjile yet. That's troubling: they should at least have dragged out the remnants of one of the 72 Houris that fell on the Chemical R&D School.

Thats a double edged sword , if they release photos that would contradict Pentagon which says not a single missile was downed and would hurt Trump big time Trump ego that has its own consequences , as we know today that Mattis wanted congress approval for the strike and Trump wanted a big show.

I would expect both Russian MOD and Pentagon will stick to their own claims , Russia wont show any downed missile parts officially unless those few from personal photos of soldiers gets leaked and Pentagon wont be able to explain how 104 missile just hit 3 targets

The Russians seems happy and they are content how Soviet and Russian AD could deal with the strikes and not a single loss of life ......The Russian or Syrian didnt make similar claims when Trump did the first strike at Syrian AB but now they have given actual break up of strike and intercept

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 09:50

I am surprised at how the strike completely bypassed key symbolic targets such as damascus international airport and shayrat, etc. Israel attempting strikes immidiately after Trumps shows who really is the desperate party in this club of aggressors.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Apr 2018 09:57

habal wrote:I am surprised at how the strike completely bypassed key symbolic targets such as damascus international airport and shayrat, etc. Israel attempting strikes immidiately after Trumps shows who really is the desperate party in this club of aggressors.

Israel thinks it has got a free pass to attack any targets in Syria as they see it fit based on the fact that they are judge and jury.

I think this may change of Russian Military personal gets mortally affected in Israel strike , So far Russia has not intervened in this taking it as Iran Israel issue

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 10:04

Lavrov still refers to western allies as 'friends', looks like our Lootyens elite are not only ones suffering from *elite rape™ bhaichara syndrome*.

Lavrov: We Have Lost Our Last Remnant Of Trust With Our Western Friends
https://www.fort-russ.com/2018/04/lavro ... n-friends/

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 10:13

Austin wrote: Israel thinks it has got a free pass to attack any targets in Syria as they see it fit based on the fact that they are judge and jury.

I think this may change of Russian Military personal gets mortally affected in Israel strike , So far Russia has not intervened in this taking it as Iran Israel issue

adding to what you said

https://southfront.org/israel-will-not- ... -minister/

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 10:31

Dumeir Airbase No less than 11 helicopters & 6 L-39s
http://wikimapia.org/m/#lang=en&lat=33. ... 328&z=15&m (from a few days ago)

It was an odd night in Syria alrite …. first Syrian MoD announced last night that some airbases were under attack, 9 missiles etc…all hit.

Syrian MoD is then said there was no attack, Syrian air defense members had a trigger happy moment and fired missiles at something that was not a missiles strike. IDF jets did violate Lebanese airspace last night and were tracked by Syrian AD.

Did Israel just test Syrian AD readiness ?

It clearly says the state of awareness and stress in the region, a power keg ready to explode.

Maybe something did happen and the Russians intervened and contacted Netanyahu and got some agreement and got the Syrians to bury the whole affair. A false alert could have lasted for only an hour but in this case the alert lasted around 12 hours.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Apr 2018 10:34

habal wrote:Lavrov still refers to western allies as 'friends', looks like our Lootyens elite are not only ones suffering from *elite rape™ bhaichara syndrome*.

Lavrov: We Have Lost Our Last Remnant Of Trust With Our Western Friends
https://www.fort-russ.com/2018/04/lavro ... n-friends/

Naming Enemies is Making them ........Just as we call our Paki and Chini collegue friends but deal with them on merits

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 10:44

So the question is how many slaps does Lavrov need to get before he pronounces someone an enemy ?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Apr 2018 11:05

habal wrote:So the question is how many slaps does Lavrov need to get before he pronounces someone an enemy ?

Lavrov is a professional diplomat not a Nikkie Halley who is Governor one day and lead diplomat another and has no control over her mouth or mind.

The day Professional Diplomats starts using such words as Enemy or No Hope or No Chance then that would be the end of diplomacy

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Apr 2018 12:18

perhaps IDF released unarmed harpy or mald type drones from over lebanon to test AD system syrian reaction.
a discriminating AD system would lie quiet after identifying the objects.

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 12:28

If that is indeed the case then the first attacks raised some doubts in the minds of the attackers, some loud doubts which their overzealous munna tried to dispel at first available opportunity.

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 12:39

Pearson Sharp
‏ @PearsonSharp
Apr 14

So the US targets 2 research centers with 76 missiles: one of those R&D centers was working on an anti ATGM system to protect Syrian tanks from US made TOW missiles.

Hmmm…
9 replies 102 retweets 146 likes

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 12:41

THE SYRIAN WAR IS DANGEROUS FOR THE WORLD: DISASTER ONLY MISSED AT THE LAST MINUTE.

The US plan was to hit Syria, cripple its military capability and effectively to destroy it completely. The Syrian allies were aware of this plan and had prepared for a general retaliation on various fronts.

Iran didn’t make any effort to hide its military preparations: targets were set against all US military bases in the Middle East and against the US’s closest Arab allies. which would unleash hundreds of missiles against selected objectives.

https://ejmagnier.com/2018/04/17/the-sy ... st-minute/

habal · Post by **habal** » 18 Apr 2018 12:43

SAA & allies amassing forces along Western bank Euphrates River for two weeks – planning crossing bridge recently constructed by Russian military near key town Khasham in Eastern Deir Ez Zor. If Syrian military does cross bridge, they will be within striking distance of Al-Umar Oilfields. The region hosts Deir Ez Zor’s largest oilfields, making its capture all the more important for Syrian government” (sooner or later showdown East Euphrates oil fields must occur – outcome depends on committed SAA force level and its air support.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970128001055

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 18 Apr 2018 20:55

Israeli intelligence reportedly says Trump's Syria strike failed, didn't take out much of anything

Israeli intelligence officials have concluded that the US, UK, and France's missile strikes on Syria's suspected chemical weapons sites were a failure.
Multiple Israeli government and military sources criticized the strikes effectiveness in hurting Syria's ability to conduct chemical attacks.
These officials also criticized President Donald Trump talking about the strikes beforehand.
The US and allies' strikes on Syria likely didn't change anything on the battlefield, and it's hard to know how much of the chemical weapons stockpile was hit.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Apr 2018 03:52

https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article ... un-region/

Tigers attack east qalamoun

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Apr 2018 06:22

Within Syria Retweeted

SouthFront @southfronteng
7h7 hours ago
One Of French Frigates Failed To Launch Cruise Missiles During April 14 Strike On Syria – Media http://dlvr.it/QPzRpF

UBCN covert reporters report that missile crew were reported to be in "Versailles" feigning food poisoning when asked to fire missiles. Macron also reported to be suffering same since phone call from Russian Ambassador.

Ali Özkök@Ozkok_ “The first salvo did not fire,” Army Col. Patrick Steiger, spokesman for the #French Joint Chief of Staff, told Defense News on April 18.

habal · Post by **habal** » 19 Apr 2018 09:02

BBC interviews British Admiral Lord West who says it’s clear Assad didn’t use chemical weapons because that would be an idiot move for him & no proof for it. BBC host then tells West to stop exposing the lies because it will help Russian disinformation!

habal · Post by **habal** » 19 Apr 2018 09:06

Evil Tyrannical Dictator™ Assad is at it again. Here he is forcing the Poor Innocent Oppressed People of Aleppo™ to endure a classical music concert in the cool of the evening.

He is killing his people with culture ? what could be worse than that. Don't you see.

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 19 Apr 2018 09:32

Despite strikes, Syria's Assad can still wage chemical attacks: U.S. sources
https://www.yahoo.com/news/despite-stri ... 31980.html

... leaving the door open for more false flags and more airstrikes. Russians are incredibly naive if they think this is over. They might as well take a stand and ready the nukes, because diplomacy has completely failed.

Senators leave classified briefing on Trump's Syria policy 'very unnerved'
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/17/politics ... index.html

... very annerved at the prospect of peace. Clearly Trump will not be allowed to leave Syria. More confirmation the Deep State is firmly in charge (as if we needed more evidence).

habal · Post by **habal** » 19 Apr 2018 09:48

Next time they will have a gas attack inside USA homeland and then they can blame both Syria & Iran. 2 birds with 1 and Lavrov will be still lamenting about his western friends with a glass of vodka.

http://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php ... -suspected

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2018 10:28

Syria hands over to Russia two unexploded cruise missiles found after US strike - source

More:
http://tass.com/world/1000645

"Two cruise missiles that did not detonate during the US missile strike on Syria overnight to April 14 were found by the Syrian military. Both are in rather good condition. These missiles were handed over to Russian officer the day before yesterday (April 17)," the source said, adding that both "were sent to Russia by plane yesterday (April 18)

Wonder if these were SCALP or Tomahawk or JASSAM-ER ?

I recollect PAki giving Chinese a tomahawk that fell in the Desert in pAkistan during attack on Afghanistan

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2018 12:48

habal wrote:BBC interviews British Admiral Lord West who says it’s clear Assad didn’t use chemical weapons because that would be an idiot move for him & no proof for it. BBC host then tells West to stop exposing the lies because it will help Russian disinformation!

Good Video , When he says he as Navy Chief was under pressure in Bosnia campaign to do the talking of politician gives you an idea what these so call Intelligence of UK , French and US is all about.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2018 12:48

Bombshell: Professor Stuns MSNBC Panel On Syria

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Apr 2018 13:37

domestically produced goulan-1000 rockets @ IOC . each carries 400kg warhead

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 19 Apr 2018 13:57

How dare Assad conduct a concert in Aleppo without inviting the London Philaharmonic or the Boston Symphony. Subjecting his people to such torture of classical music,Philistine!

Here's the great masterplan of the "Arabs".Probably will be led by that ex-Paki CAS enjoying the fleshpots of Saudi hospitality.It's going to be fun to see this motley "Arab" army wade into Iraq and Syria a-ready to take on the Syrians,Hizbollah,the Russians and Iranian militias led by that Persian "Orenz of Arabia",Gen.Qassam Suleimani!

I doubt there will be a Paki contingent in the "Farce Arabia",they chickened out to fight in the Yemen a long time ago!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/201 ... -egypt-uae

Syria: proposal to replace US troops with Arab force comes with grave risks
Saudis confirm government is talking to Washington about raising such a force but plan faces obstacles and could worsen Syrian conflict

Julian Borger World affairs editor
Wed 18 Apr 2018
Donald Trump is keen to withdraw American troops. Photograph: Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images
The Trump administration is renewing an effort to replace US troops in Syria with an Arab force, but the proposal faces substantial obstacles and could potentially exacerbate the conflict.

The Saudi foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said his government was talking to Washington about raising such a force, confirming a report in the Wall Street Journal that said the new US national security adviser, John Bolton, had called the Egyptian intelligence chief, Abbas Kamel, to ask Cairo to play a part in building one.

There are about 2,000 US troops in Syria fighting Islamic State, but Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to withdraw them.

The idea of an Arab coalition force playing a role in Syria to combat extremist groups and contain Iranian influence has surfaced several times since 2015, but faces severe problems. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are bogged down in a brutal war in Yemen, and have little manpower and few military resources to spare.

They are also locked in a dispute with Qatar, another potential contributor to a force, while Egypt is much closer to the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria than its would-be Gulf partners.

Let's banish the term 'Arab world'. What does it mean anyway?
Neheda Barakat
Read more

Middle East experts said it was feasible Arab states could fund an army run by private contractors and possibly help recruit soldiers from developing countries such as Sudan. Erik Prince, a Trump ally who founded the and now advises the UAE, is lobbying to play a role, according to the Wall Street Journal.

A similar offer he made last year to replace US troops with private contractors in Afghanistan was turned down by the Pentagon.

But Prince may have more traction in the White House over Syria. Bolton has argued that the US has taken too much of the military burden in Syria and Arab states should supply troops and material assistance in the fight against Isis.

Meanwhile, the Saudi monarchy and its regional allies are uneasy that events on the ground in Syria are being dictated by external powers, none of which are Arab.

Emile Hokayem, the senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said: “The idea of an Arab expeditionary force emerges every couple of years, and it’s always seen as a politically brilliant idea to create a sense of ownership in the region.

“In reality, the politics of putting a force like that together are almost impossible.

“The question is: have the Saudis consulted the other countries before speaking on their behalf? The Saudis thought Egypt and Pakistan would come to help Yemen and they didn’t.”

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has launched an , which held its first high-level meeting last year, but it has not appeared to be intended for combat.

Charles Lister, the director of the extremism and counter-terrorism programme at the Middle East Institute (MEI), attended the inaugural conference and said the force was intended for training and assistance programmes, rather than combat operations.

Lister said there was “no precedent” for an Arab expeditionary force in Syria.

“It sounds like the Saudis are continuing to align themselves with President Trump and not speaking the 100% truth about their intent,” he said.

Any Saudi troops deployed to Syria would find themselves directly confronting Iranian fighters and their allies, which could prompt a dangerous escalation in the conflict.

Randa Slim, who directs the back-channel Track II diplomacy programme at MEI said: “It is one thing for the Saudis to pay for other ‘Islamic forces’ to do the job, and a totally different thing to send their men to a conflict theatre where they are bound to enter into direct confrontation with an entrenched Iranian-Hezbollah force.

Saudi prince sells image of evolving kingdom from DC to Hollywood
Read more
“The other factor to consider is: what is Turkey’s response to this proposal? I do not see Ankara welcoming the positions of Egyptian and/or Emirati forces on its border,” Slim said.

The Obama administration also looked at the possibility of Arab allies deploying counter-terrorist forces against Isis in Syria, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE were drawn into the battle for Yemen against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

Nicholas Heras, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said: “They preferred to send intelligence officers and money, rather than put troops on the ground.

“But for the Saudis, the trouble is their territory is being breached by Houthis every day. It doesn’t make sense for them to shift their ground forces when they have trouble securing their own border.”

Heras said it was more likely Saudi Arabia would seek to outsource recruitment to countries such as Pakistan and Sudan. “I’m sure the Saudis are up for fighting in Syria to the very last Sudanese soldier,” he said.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2018 16:05

Media: Western armistice achieved truce, militants will leave three suburbs

Подробнее на ТАСС:
http://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/5140991

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Apr 2018 19:12

another rugged bastion falls. talks are on in yarmouk camp to shift the ISIS to eastern syria without bloodshed and let them loose into the "ISIS reservation" there

al masdar
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:11 P.M.) – Besieged rebel forces holding out in the eastern mountains of Syria’s Qalamoun region have unconditionally surrender to the Syrian Army amid realization of an impossible military situation.

The development comes just two days after elite Syrian Army formations launched an all-out offensive in eastern Qalamoun that blitzed militant positions throughout the region and isolated a key rebel stronghold – the town of Ar-Ruhaybah.

Namely it was the Free Syrian Army-linked group Jaysh Tahrir al-Sham which at first refused to accept government surrender terms that has since issued a formal capitulation.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 19 Apr 2018 20:07

Philip, There was a Paki contingent stationed in Jordan after 1967 war.
They were used to crush the Palestine riots.

Karthik S · Post by **Karthik S** » 19 Apr 2018 20:08

What did UK do ? They don't have any ships that can fire Tomahawks. Their Type 45 carries only Aster SAM missiles. Did they risk their planes over Syrian air space?

habal · Post by **habal** » 19 Apr 2018 20:11

So whole western house of cards planned for Western Syria comes crashing down. You have to admire anglo-saxon genius in military planning for western syria.

1. Latakia turkomen, greywolf, chechen rebels.
2. Aleppo isis
3. homs jabhat al nusra
4. hama jabhat, chechens
5. qalamoun rebels
6. ghouta rebels
7. jordan border nato ops.

a multi pronged dagger tip pointed towards assad jugular

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Apr 2018 20:24

Austin wrote:Bombshell: Professor Stuns MSNBC Panel On Syria

Austinji, b4 adminullah's ALCMs come in, pls follow the advice given to Singhaji. In this case it is absolutely vital. Transcribe the good stuff from this link. What I have below is a very brief outline of what I heard: some kind BRFee should actually transcribe verbatim, it is very clear.

It plays a recording of Prof. Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, saying in response to the question:
Why are you saying that this is a dangerous situation?

His answer:

Before I answer that, I have to go back and discuss the context.

This started 7 years ago as a US MISTAKE. President Obama said he was going to change achieve regime change in Syria and get rid of Assad, and I went "huh? where is the policy for that? And I did predict that there was no way this was going to end well.

So the President sent in the CIA< who instigated (violence in Syria) and that eventually left the door open for ISIS and other entities. So this is all our doing, the Permanent State. At this point the President should follow his instinct and GET OUT of Syria. Stop supplying missiles. Stop bombing them. We have killed over 500,000 people, and displaced over 10 million.

And we have achieved nothing. And now we are in a direct confrontation with Russia and yes, it is a very dangerous situation.

Very long idiot-looking faces of the Talking Heads all round.

From St. Google:

Jeffrey David Sachs is an American economist and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, where he holds the title of University Professor, the highest rank Columbia bestows on its faculty. Wikipedia
Born: November 5, 1954 (age 63 years), Detroit, MI
Spouse: Sonia Ehrlich Sachs
School or tradition: Keynesian economics
Education: Harvard University (1980), Harvard University (1978), Harvard College (1976), Oak Park High School

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Apr 2018 20:26

ramana wrote:Philip, There was a Paki contingent stationed in Jordan after 1967 war.
They were used to crush the Palestine riots.

Mid-1970s actually. Memories in those nbds are long.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Apr 2018 20:33

Karthik S wrote:What did UK do ? They don't have any ships that can fire Tomahawks. Their Type 45 carries only Aster SAM missiles. Did they risk their planes over Syrian air space?

allegedly 4 tornado from akitori cyprus with total 8 storm shadow alcm
their trafalgar and astute subs can fire thawks also.

Karthik S · Post by **Karthik S** » 19 Apr 2018 20:44

Their subs can indeed fire, but they have very limited numbers, may be around 100. Would be surprising if they used TH in this strike.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 19 Apr 2018 22:43

Iran, Iraq, Syria, Russia hold 'anti-terrorism' meet

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami and his Iraqi counterpart Arfan al-Hayali listen to their countries' national anthems at the Ministry of Defense in Baghdad, Iraq, April 18, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

TEHRAN: Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia held a meeting in Baghdad Thursday of military and security officials to coordinate "anti-terrorism" efforts, the Iranian defense ministry said.

"Cooperation in intelligence between the four countries for common aims and anti-terrorism missions has been successful in restoring stability and security, and it should form the basis for future cooperation," Defense Minister Gen. Amir Hatami said in a statement from the Iraqi capital.

The "coalition" had played an "important role in the defeat" of Daesh (ISIS) in both Iraq and Syria, he said.

The meeting came the same day as Iraq said its air force carried out a raid on Daesh positions in Syria.

Tehran supports the Iraqi government and the Russian-backed regime in Syria in fighting rebel groups and militants by sending "military advisers" and "volunteers" from Iran and Afghanistan.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 19 Apr 2018 22:43

The French FFG failed to fire a single missile, so plan B, the second FFG present did the needful.One of the ASMs was either a dud or was unable to be launched from the 5 Rafales too.The French claim to have hit their targets, who knows.

The Brits...the RN's Type 45s are in sh*t street.Huge problems with their poweplants.All affected.They now plan to install 3 diesels in the space of the exg. two which is going to cost a bomb.Even their SSNs are experiencing
problems and they have zilch LRMP capability asininely the MOD sadistically cutting up their excellent Nimrods into pieces so they couldn't be recalled! It was when Ru Bears started buzzing their defences in the last two years
that a desperate plea for help was made to the hated French and Uncle Sam!

4 aircraft operating out of Cyprus is an indication of the huge capability of Little Britain today which is fast becoming the equiv. of a Yanqui mercenary farce like Blackwater.