Levant crisis - III

pralay · Post by **pralay** » 16 Jan 2017 23:04

update:
DeirEzzor is split in two packets, airbase is isolated now.

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha 6m6 minutes ago
Ongoing clashes in the cemetery area in DeirEzzor where IS was able to assert fire control & cut road connecting to Airbase - Ninar FM

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 16 Jan 2017 23:13

Point is, they have a target-rich environment to wipe out the ISIS big-time.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 07:28

neither the airbase or the town has enough depth unlike aleppo situation to absorb too many advances behind VBIED attacks.
its a desperate situation.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 17 Jan 2017 07:55

Peto Lucem 7 hours ago: Russian airforce steps up its air strikes around #DeirEzzor to reverse recent #ISIL gains as Syrian military goes on the offensive. #Syria

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 09:52

those Frogfoots that newly arrived in Syria would have helped but the nearest base T4 has no support infra and still 300km out. only the Fencers and Platypus can make it and hit tactical targets.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 11:00

ruaf need to bring in backfires and blackjacks with FOAB type devices for the intimidation factor.

half measures and pussyfooting around will result in the fall of city and massacre of 1000s of people starving there.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 13:09

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 4h4 hours ago
No way of getting reinforcements to Deir Ezzor anymore. Helicopters can't land at the airport. If these soldiers don't hold; it's over.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 17 Jan 2017 17:52

2h ago:
Video footage of Syrian Army counter-offensive in Deir Ezzor https://aml.ink/jeXa0 #DeirEzzor #ISIS #Syria

BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) - The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a counter-attack in Deir Ezzor yesterday afternoon, targeting the Harabish District of the provincial capital after losing several points to the Islamic State terrorists.

4h:
Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 4h4 hours ago

ISIS attack was well-planned and executed.
7 replies 8 retweets 15 likes
Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 4h4 hours ago

It's a bit more calm in Deir Ezzor today. Some points recaptured in Harabish, but overall, it is still a difficult situation. The counter-attack was launched immediately after the Islamic State imposed fire control over the Syrian Arab Army's main supply route from the provincial capital to the military airport.

8 hours:

Just got word: Syrian Army recaptured some points near Harabish. They are trying to restore their supply line from Deir Ezzor City.

9 hours:

Al-Masdar News ‏@TheArabSource 9h9 hours ago

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/de ... c-airport/

Deir Ezzor in serious trouble as #ISIS besieges strategic airport https://aml.ink/ih3XG #DeirEzzor #Syria

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 17 Jan 2017 17:58

This is Stalingrad 2017 version, hain? The ISIS is caught out in the open in a final massive attack. Shatter them and they are finished I think: the road to Raqqa opens. On the ISIS side they have no fallback position: Mosul is untenable, Palmyra is untenable, Caliph Erdogan's Heart and Mind have been won over by Gen. Vodkov.

The Syrian side of course, faces genocide. Civilians are being burned to death.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 18:46

Reports say isis also being pushed out of north raqqa tabqa area. The al bab jihadis will be trapped if the expected saa move in east aleppo under the tiger comes through.

They are looking at the axis of raqqa deirazzor and alqaim as their last stronghold which is not in direct contact with the enemy. Hence urgently trying to take deirazzor.

The sdf is 40km n.e. of deir azzor but that shahdadi front is inactive

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 18:48

January20 looms. Isis would want to finish things by jan30 lest dt reverse his predecessors policy and bring his weight to bear on isis proportional to his huge weight.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 17 Jan 2017 20:18

DT has said he would 'bomb the Pakistan out of ISIS' on the campaign trail
he has also said that there are too many stupid wars in the ME

maybe he will suggest:

1. increase bombing
or
2. withdraw totally

like all DT policies, we really don't know as yet what he will do

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 17 Jan 2017 20:25

Get the Russians to buy JDAMs. Made in America.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 21:10

or get the SDF to provide the russians a airbase in eastern syria for Frogfoots and Hinds to operate from....100 k away from deir azzor

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 21:37

deir azzor has tall earth berms on most areas and isis lacks the indirect fire howitzers.......so if sufficient number of ATGMs and ZSUs can be arranged for and supplied with ammo, it will not be easy to overrun the defences.

SBVIED under cover of bad weather is their main play.

the indirect fire weapon both sides have is 81mm mortars. ISIS also perhaps has some Grad batteries ...

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Jan 2017 22:10

According to a military source in Damascus, the Russian Air Force has conducted over 85 airstrikes today, with most of the attacks taking place in the western countryside of the province.

The Russian Air Force is still conducting airstrikes at this moment, destroying a number of Islamic State vehicles, while also forestalling the terrorist group's progress near the provincial capital.

^^^^^ isis is expert at dispersal, hiding, tunneling and then concetrating under bad weather....so they wont sit in one place to be bombed, but more air activity might scare them off and disrupt their movements. one fixed area they cannot abandon is Jabal Thardeh overlooking the airport, gifted to them by the "mistaken" nato airstrike....a fitting candiate for a FOAB attack if the russians can get their old crates off the ground and into action. even a neutron bomb perhaps why not?

no radioactive distant fallout and does not damage infra. that hill is crawling with only ISIS.

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 18 Jan 2017 01:06

http://www.dw.com/en/turkey-seeking-up- ... a-37167340

Turkey seeking up to 142 years in jail for co-head of pro-Kurdish opposition party
Turkish prosecutors are seeking jail terms of 83 and 142 years for the co-leaders of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The leaders were arrested in November, drawing strong international condemnation.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 08:14

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha 11h11 hours ago
With today's advances, Iraqi Forces in eastern bank are now in control of all 5 (destroyed) bridges in Mosul

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 08:15

saa has taken over the Al fijah spring and waterworks to secure again the water supply of damascus . repairs underway

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 08:17

another one flushed into round white filing cabinet

Samantha PowerVerified account
‏@AmbassadorPower Samantha Power Retweeted US Mission to the UN
Speaking at noon on threat #Russia poses to US democracy & int'l rules-based order,& what we must do to confront it: http://bit.ly/2iFaLbv

US Mission to the UNVerified account
‏@USUN
At 12pm EST, @AmbassadorPower will deliver her last major speech as @USUN Ambassador. Watch live online: http://bit.ly/2iFaLbv

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 08:19

stage seems set for the PMU to shorten its lines and close in from the west on Mosul. PMU leaders are busy co-ordinating these moves and even Moqtada al Sadr seems to be in loop. Al baghdadi had declared himself the Khalifa at a mosque in this western shore. its a congested old city area

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 08:21

saa has restarted on the AlBab front - tiger reported to be in charge so its not sideshow anymore

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 08:28

ديرالزور24
‏@DeirEzzor24
Special source to #D24:
Fighting groups of #Daesh are elite groups from #Iraq specifically from (Jazira & Ninawa).

@DeirEzzor24 Jan 16
Special source to #D24:
Decision of #DeirEzzor battle was taken by main leaders of #Daesh (Shoura council).

ديرالزور24 ‏@DeirEzzor24 Jan 16
Local leaders of #DeirEzzor (Khair & Euphrates area) didn't had any idea about the operation in DZ.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 18 Jan 2017 08:46

maytham ‏@maytham956 10h10 hours ago

In a quick and surprising operation, #SAA and allies have liberated the university hostel on the axis of the cemetery in #DeirEzZor
6 replies 93 retweets 190 likes
Peto Lucem Retweeted
Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 13h13 hours ago

Russians have conducted more airstrikes in Deir Ezzor today than they did in the entire month of December.
13 replies 115 retweets 183 likes

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 11:07

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/2017 ... cus-kurds/

In light of the recent negotiations, Syrian Kurds have discussed creation of a Kurdish federation with Syrian government representatives.

© SPUTNIK/ HIKMET DURGUN Ankara Opposes Kurds’ Participation in Astana Talks on Syria - Deputy Prime Minister Russia is acting as a guarantor of their talks with the Syrian government on federalization. The representatives of the Syrian Kurdish political forces with the mediation of the Russian side are holding talks with Syrian leadership, regarding the formation of a Kurdish Federation in the north of the country. One of the negotiators, Kurdish politician Ferid Sedun spoke to Sputnik in an interview about how these meetings are being held with the Syrian leadership. “With the mediation of Russia, I and two other independent Kurdish politicians were able to meet with the Syrian government in Damascus. During the lengthy negotiations we discussed the creation of a federal system in the area of Syrian Kurds,” Sedun said. He further said that time will tell if their demand on the formation of the federation will be met. The representatives of the Damascus promised to consider it in the near future and inform the negotiators of the results of the negotiations soon. “We believe that the meeting was held in a positive way and we hope for a positive result. Before meeting with us, the representatives of Damascus met with the representatives of the Kurdish People's Democratic Movement at the Hmeymim Base inter alia includes the Party of the Democratic Union. We attach great importance to these contacts,” Sedun said. At the end of December, Russia invited 24 Syrian Kurdish parties, including representatives of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the Kurdish National Council (ENKS), for talks at its Hmeymim air base in Latakia, Syria to discuss the upcoming peace talks in Kazakhstan. ... 282

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/2017 ... cus-kurds/

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 11:56

weather in DEZ is clear for next 2 weeks - no rain or sandstorms predicted.
daytime 15c night 3c

so air ops can continue.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 11:56

Assads best bet is make a deal with the SDF arabs and land a force by air in shahdadi to activate that front 40km off DEZ rather than let the zombies gather unmolested. the Iraqi army pushing ahead to AlQaim will also help.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 14:56

Al masdar news
=============

Syrian helicopters were able to land and take off for the first time in Deir Ezzor since ISIS conducted its devastating offensive that cut the military base from the main city.

The helicopters were able to bring in fresh reinforcements to fight against the ISIS offensive, whilst also carrying away some injured soldiers from the embattled city.

With helicopters being able to land again, more reinforcements are expected to arrive in the coming hours and days.

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It has not yet been revealed at this moment whether the helicopters are landing at the besieged military base, or whether the Syrian Army have secured a new landing area.

In the last four days since ISIS began its offensive on Deir Ezzor, the terrorist group has had over 200 fighters exterminated, whilst the Syrian Army lost between 50-75 soldiers according to conflicting reports.

....

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:45 A.M.) - The Islamic State's (ISIS) large-scale offensive in Deir Ezzor may have brought them success near the military airport, but the overall attack has proven incredibly costly for the terrorist group.

Over the course of 4 days, the Islamic State reportedly suffered more than 200 dead and several hundred wounded, a Syrian Arab Army official told Al-Masdar News on Wednesday.

In addition to high loss of life, the Islamic State has also lost a large number of armored vehicles and military hardware while storming the outskirts of the provincial capital and airport.

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Meanwhile, the official confirmed that the Syrian Arab Army lost a total of 76 soldiers during the 4 day long Deir Ezzor battle, with the majority of the casualties accumulating on Sunday and Monday.

The Deir Ezzor battle resumed this morning, when the Syrian Arab Army launched another powerful assault to recover the territory they lost to the Islamic State over the last 4 days.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 15:04

AL Mayadin is a daesh held town SE of deirazzor

The 'Nimr' Tiger ‏@Souria4Syrians 15h15 hours ago
Reports claim Al Mayadin hospital in #DeirEzzor governorate is piling up with ISIS causalities & there is now tension in the town

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 15:04

Daesh carries out a large-scale arrest campaign in the city of Al-Bukamal east of Deir Ezzor

Date: 5 / 1 / 2017
On Wednesday, Daesh intensively patrolled the streets of Al-Bukamal, during which they also raided several civilian homes, arresting a number of civilians.

A D24 correspondent stated that the organization arrested two civilians, Mohamed Ramzi and Sayah Khalifa, who work in money transfer agencies in the city.

It should be pointed out that the organization arrested during the night of the new year a civilian named Sari Sahab for celebrating the new year in his home with alcohol.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 16:31

number of foreign fighters in ISIS Iraq was 16,000 per recovered documents.
many came with wives and kids.

https://twitter.com/EjmAlrai/status/821635594795282432

a true movement, to be able to attract so many people.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 18 Jan 2017 18:47

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 2h2 hours ago

ISIS launches 4th assault on Deir Ezzor. Syrian Army back on the defensive.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 20:35

this is in the airport pocket

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha 3h3 hours ago
Some helis were able to land inside the 137th Base yesterday bringing supplies + reinforcements from Damascus despite coming under IS fire

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 18 Jan 2017 22:35

Military Advisor ‏@miladvisor 2h2 hours ago
RuAF 4xSu-24M,4xSu-25 & Su-34 bomber+Turkish AF 4xF-16 & 4xF-4 are involved in the aerial campaign agreed with Syrian authorities.

Military Advisor ‏@miladvisor 3h3 hours ago
Russia's MoD: Russian and Turkish jets have carried out their 1st joint raids in Syria's #AlBab on #ISIS positions.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Jan 2017 01:06

What a change in fortunes and alliances! Now Rus planes are needed to help Turkish Air Farce. Su-24s flying wing-2-wing with F-16s!!!

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 19 Jan 2017 06:30

Bassem ‏@BBassem7 1h1 hour ago
Syria in 2010:
5% Real GDP growth
5% inflation
26.9% debt to GDP
6.6 million tourists
12.2% increase in banks' lending
2.0B R/E projects

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 19 Jan 2017 07:32

I hadn't seen this b4. TSJi, whose side were these ppl fighting on?

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 19 Jan 2017 07:32

Singha wrote:number of foreign fighters in ISIS Iraq was 16,000 per recovered documents.
many came with wives and kids.

https://twitter.com/EjmAlrai/status/821635594795282432

a true movement, to be able to attract so many people.

ISIS has captured the hearts and minds of the Islamic world like no other movement before them. They tapped into something that lurks within the soul of every Muslim, everywhere. ISIS won't be the last Islamic movement to do this; they are a preview of what's to come.

Anywhere there are muslims, the ISIS-style phenomenon will resurface, again and again.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Jan 2017 08:05

in a few hours when saa had control over a heli landing zone, the senior most general in SAA Mohd Khadour who was earlier commander of the 17th div (based in raqqa and now deir azzor town) flew in and is onsite.

this is probably to raise morale and let everyone know assad is committed to the towns defence.

issam zahreddine is also moving around and seen in photos. I think there are 2 more generals there.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 19 Jan 2017 08:09