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

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 25 Mar 2016 06:58

Hero of Russian Special Forces Killed in Syria Operation

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160 ... z43sVV2FNU

According to the spokesman, "the officer carried out a mission in Tadmor near Palmyra for a week, spotting crucial ISIL facilities and providing precise coordinates for Russian airstrikes," as reported by RIA Novosti.

The spokesman stated that the soldier had been located and was surrounded by terrorists — and chose to draw their fire on himself.

"He died as a hero," the spokesman said.

The presence of Russian special forces, conducting target designation missions, was earlier confirmed by Colonel General Aleksandr Dvornikov, a deputy commander of the Central Military District in Russia and chief of Russia's campaign in Syria.

"I won't deny that our Special Operations Forces (SOF) are deployed in Syria. They conduct ground reconnaissance of pre-selected targets for Russian warplanes, assist in targeting warplanes in remote areas and perform other tasks," the general said. "Take into account," he added, "that corresponding forces from the US and other members of the [US-led] coalition are performing similar missions in Syria."

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160 ... z43sVes3PF

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 25 Mar 2016 07:03

"

Take into account," he added, "that corresponding forces from the US and other members of the [US-led] coalition are performing similar missions in Syria."

I would point out that we don't look to Russia for justification for anything we do.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 07:17

imo the progress east of euphrates has halted to nothing lately...which is not good because a vigorous 2 front attack would make it easier for both parties.
the kurds have all vanished to the north and their twitter accounts are full not of victories but nowruz dances!
the assyrian and arab christians are not willing to be part of the SDF and are mostly pro-assad(many fight with the SAA) so thats another point of friction..we already saw one instance in a town near hasakah.

the sunni arab armed tribes are pro- only themselves for most part and will be difficult to control in a bigger unit. they will extract their own vengeance on the IS when the time comes.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 07:22

the sunni kurds allegedly helped the ottoman turks massacre the armenian christians , so not surprising the remaining christians are suspicious...

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 25 Mar 2016 07:50

TSJones wrote:...

so what? it's a chicken sh** point about how often we bomb? who are you to question Obama's bomb rate?

saddam's forces were not the same as ISIS. saddam had way more equipment and infrastructure to bomb.

obama is after a political settlement. period. end of story. there was no political settlement wanted by bush jr. for saddam. we dropped concrete bombs for *years* before bush jr. wacked saddam.

and we're not leaving either. it's our meat and we'll cook it how we want it. missuss clinton may change things. or not.

bark at the caravan all you want.........

I see. Obama is looking for a political settlement with the ISIS (since Saddam's forces were not suicidal

). Cool.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 25 Mar 2016 08:13

different president different goals.../.

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 08:17

kurds cannot be trusted, they are NATO rats. But not a big problem, since if they misbehave a single FOAB can make them cower in their caves as they did to the Armenians. Can you believe it, these days they are making money giving guided tours to the descendents of armenians who have settled abroad, and spinning yarns about how they protected the ancestors of these immigrants by giving them refuge in their homes. ugghh. These are pakis with only a small twist.

b***c***s of highest degree. They will be sorted out proper when time comes, that is why Syrian kurds are extra cautious in not pi$$ing off assad completely despite USA mandates for them to do so. They always stop short of putting their dots and crossing their tees on orders from SD.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 09:41

stage seems set for clashes between peshmerga and PMF militias in northern iraq....who controls what turf...

Kurdistan #Newroz! ‏@UniteKurdistan 12h12 hours ago
BREAKING: #Peshmerga Forces near Suleyman Beg block Shia Militia thugs reinforcements from reaching Tuz Khurmatu.

Kurdistan #Newroz! ‏@UniteKurdistan 9h9 hours ago
Tuz Khurmatu's Mayor: Peshmerga are fully authorised to act against violence by Shi’ite militias.

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 25 Mar 2016 09:51

different president different goals

Nyet Comrade

different president, same deep state, ~~different~~ same goals, different paths

Here endeth the lesson

shaun · Post by **shaun** » 25 Mar 2016 10:46

TSJones wrote:"
Take into account," he added, "that corresponding forces from the US and other members of the [US-led] coalition are performing similar missions in Syria."
I would point out that we don't look to Russia for justification for anything we do.

have anyone here said other wise ?? hmmm.. troll too showing up complex

now that Bee Bee in See is increasing its "heart beat".

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 25 Mar 2016 12:35

Singha wrote:stage seems set for clashes between peshmerga and PMF militias in northern iraq....who controls what turf...

Kurdistan #Newroz! ‏@UniteKurdistan 12h12 hours ago
BREAKING: #Peshmerga Forces near Suleyman Beg block Shia Militia thugs reinforcements from reaching Tuz Khurmatu.

Kurdistan #Newroz! ‏@UniteKurdistan 9h9 hours ago
Tuz Khurmatu's Mayor: Peshmerga are fully authorised to act against violence by Shi’ite militias.

so it is not only Sunni vs others but also Shia vs Peshmagra and more !! Complete hotch potch .

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 12:55

Three weeks after losing the eastern countryside of the Khanasser Plains, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has decided to launch a large-scale counter-offensive to recapture several kilometers of territory in east Aleppo. According to the Russian Defense Minister, intelligence reports revealed that the terrorist group has mobilized a large force in order to counter-attack the Syrian Armed Forces near the strategic cities of Al-Bab and Deir Hafer. If true, this would be the perfect time for ISIS to attack the Syrian Armed Forces in east Aleppo; this is due to the large number of inexperienced soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) that have been tasked to replace the veteran “Tiger Forces” in the Al-Safira and Deir Hafer plains. ISIS has thrived in these scenarios (e.g. Tabaqa Military Airport battle); especially against inexperienced fighters from the Syrian Arab Army and National Defense Forces (NDF). The Russian Defense Minister did not provide any details regarding the date or time of this future ISIS offensive; however, it is likely to start soon in order to alleviate the pressure on Palmyra.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/is ... offensive/ | Al-Masdar News

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 12:57

One of Syria’s most decorated field commanders, General Ghassan Taraaf, has been deployed to the Deir Ezzor Governorate in order to oversee an important military operation that is set to involve 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard and a special operations unit comprised of 100 veteran soldiers. According to an Al-Masdar News correspondent in Damascus, General Ghassan Taraaf and his shock troops (approximately 100 soldiers) arrived to the Deir Ezzor Military Airport on Thursday morning after several successful military operations in the Qalamoun Mountains (Rif Dimashq) and the strategic city of Sheikh Miskeen (Dara’a). The Al-Masdar correspondent added that the Syrian shock troops are tasked with clearing the Deir Ezzor-Palmyra Road and the Deir Ezzor-Mayadeen; this military operation will be conducted alongside the 104th Airborne Brigade that is led by Major General Issam Zahreddine. On Thursday night, the Syrian Arab Army’s 104th Brigade launched a powerful night raid inside the provincial capital of the Deir Ezzor Governorate, targeting the territory under the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) control in the Al-Haweeqa and Al-Rashidiyah district.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/sy ... operation/ | Al-Masdar News

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 13:00

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha 34m34 minutes ago
#SAA take control of SyriaTell Hill near #Tadmor Castle - SANA

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 25 Mar 2016 16:21

John Kerry: We have a responsibility to join and destroy evil force

http://tass.ru/en/world/864988

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 25 Mar 2016 17:28

to oversee an important military operation that is set to involve 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard and a special operations unit comprised of 100 veteran soldiers. According to an Al-Masdar News correspondent in Damascus, General Ghassan Taraaf and his shock troops (approximately 100 soldiers) arrived

oh no, not the shock troops!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 18:00

Well the Syrian army on its own has withstood all comers without collapsing unlike the "US trained" Iraqi army which abandoned half the country in a day and ran to Baghdad in bloodless rout. Wherever the Syrians have lost ground they put up a fight atleast.

SAA has nothing to prove to anyone

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 18:17

You forget the Afghan army, again 'trained' by USA but left alone to fend for itself, without helicopters or fighters or drones or anything else worth value.

Not because of lack of funds, they have funds in plenty for all wrong causes.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:17

the castle has been taken under control...along with nearby hill with syriatel tower.

Al-Masdar News ‏@TheArabSource 2h2 hours ago
Reports indicate that #ISIS retreated from the Ancient city of #Palmyra northwards to Al-Amriyah district

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:19

^^ now is the time to seal the back gate of the farm to al-sukanah and club to death as many rats as possible

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:21

iraq and afghanistan have operated fairly significant air forces in the past . so finding educated people to be pilots cannot be a problem. khan is always able to find F-solahs to give right and left to east euros and TSP. but takes years to give the iraqis a half dozen and no gunship helos or A10 either ... if not for the Mi28, L129, hinds and frogfoots they'd be fighting today with next to no air assets.
and that cessna armed with 2 hellfires is a insult to a regular af.

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 19:27

around 40 T-72 tanks are aiding the SAA in taking over palmyra. As per reports street-to-street fighting was underway since 18 hr ago and now SAA troops are now fighting at North East of city. Only small pockets of isis remain mingled within civilian population else it's more or less clear. Maybe isis was trying to escape to Deir-ez-zor via north east road but palmyra has been surrounded from 3 sides so there is no escape.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:27

Khaled Mohamad al-Asaad (Arabic pronunciation: [ɐlʔæsʕæd] Arabic: خالد الأسعد‎ (1932/1934[1][2] – 18 August 2015), also Khaled Asaad, was a Syrian archaeologist and the head of antiquities for the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He held this position for over 40 years.[3] Al-Asaad was publicly beheaded by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on 18 August 2015. He was 81 years old.

After detaining him for weeks, the jihadists dragged him on Tuesday to a public square where a masked swordsman cut off his head in front of a crowd, Mr. Asaad's relatives said. His blood-soaked body was then suspended with red twine by its wrists from a traffic light, his head resting on the ground between his feet, his glasses still on, according to a photo distributed on social media by Islamic State supporters.[10]

A placard hanging from the waist of his dead body listed al-Asaad's alleged crimes: being an "apostate", representing Syria at "infidel conferences", serving as "the director of idolatry" in Palmyra, visiting "Heretic Iran" and communicating with a brother in the Syrian security services.[10] His body was reportedly displayed in the new section of Palmyra (Tadmur) and then in the ancient section, whose treasures ISIS had already demolished

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 19:28

45 min video of a reporter on the battle field in der el zoor with the mad durze and other commanders
من الأرض | دير الزور 1: حرّاس المطار | 2016-03-24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CctnR58TAk

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:29

The 'Nimr' Tiger ‏@Souria4Syrians Mar 23
There are thousands of ISIS mines around #Palmyra slowing Army advance but SAA sappers are working around the hour to dismantle them

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 19:34

A recap of some recent developments over the past few months.

1. Fear of a Turkish invasion.

- DIDN'T HAPPEN

2. Fear of a Saudi invasion - either through Jordan or in conjunction with the Turks from the north.

- DIDN'T HAPPEN.

3. Russia "betraying" Syria due to to the Russian Federation downsizing its military involvement in Syria after 1/2 a year of continuous daily bombing of hundreds of ISIS/Rebel sites.

- DIDN'T HAPPEN. The Russians are still helping the Syrians with aerial power and covert elite Russian spetsnaz troops.

The war is in real terms over. Somone alluded a few months ago to a back door deal between the West and Russia whereby the rebels would be allowed to be defeated.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:41

they seem to have a small number of Mig21 or su22 at deir azzor base which fly up and help whenever a attack occurs.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:42

per any deal with west maybe raqqa has been left to the SAA. the kurds who are much closer and better placed, show no signs of even nibbling at the outer defences of the city

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 19:44

Russian MoD: March 22-24. 142 sorties over palmyra by russian planes.

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 19:55

ch****ya alert !!
"Israeli minister Akunis: "Brussels wouldn't be attacked if EU didn't boycott products made in the settlements "
http://www.globalresearch.ca/israeli-mi ... 08?print=1

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 25 Mar 2016 19:55

SAA is at Palmyra Castle. Latest map update from Peto Lucem

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 19:59

foxnews:

Friday -- as Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced the U.S. has taken out several senior leaders in recent days.

Abd al-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, also known as Abu Ala al-Afri, had a $7 million bounty on his head by the U.S. government.

Carter, speaking alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford, Jr., confirmed the death at a press conference Friday without going into the details of the operation.

Carter referred to the target by another nickname, Haji Imam, describing him as the ISIS finance minister. But the terror leader also was considered the man most likely to take over for ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, if he were captured or killed.

Carter said the terror group's paymaster was also killed. This is in addition to the group’s “minister of war” Omar al-Shishani, or “Omar the Chechen,” killed in a recent U.S. airstrike.

"We are systematically eliminating ISIS' cabinet," Carter said.

A U.S. official told Fox News that the Brussels terror attack earlier this week prompted the raid in Syria

--
^^ I do not understand the last line, what on earth were they waiting for ?

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 20:01

poor state of US State Dept

US State Dept Rep - Syria's army shoud not liberate Palmyra from ISIS?

land of the free indeedy

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 20:17

how to deal with isis prisoners in accordance with islamic laws.
this is for shias & nationalist muslims who oppose wahabbism
Remember, ISIS are muslims so treat them according to the same shariah law they are willing to kill and destroy for:

1. Whatever they did to others, can be done to them--"An eye for an eye", unless they pay full reparations
2. If they did not surrender before the battle commences, then smite their necks (behead them); there are no male prisoners of war unless they surrendered before the battle
3. Women and children become the property of the Syrian state to be used as slaves, concubines and brides. This is 100% halal unless you want to condemn Muhammad himself.
4. Any properties get split, including ammo, 80% for the warriors who each get a proportional share, more for tank and crews, 20% for the commander in chief.
5. Any civilian person who refuses to submit their will in submission to the state will be required to pay a humiliation tax called "protection money" which if they fail to pay they lose all protection and it is free to kill, steal, rape and enslave said persons since there is no respect for their humanity as non-believers
6. Every gay Saudi who wears capri fatigues and likes being in an all male fraternity of terrorists should be rolled down a mountain (or thrown from a building in the modern interpretation)
7. If even one betrays Syria, all of them should be killed as collective punishment because as you know in Islam no one can pay for another's sins before God, but anyone can pay for the actions of others on earth in collective punishment
8. Innocent means muslim, so the inverse means only a non-muslim is innocent, this means that for spreading injustice in the land, all of them should have their hand and leg cut off on opposite sides of their body. This is their quranic due punishment dont deny the word of Allah lest you too be treated as a kafir. No, he who withholds the law is among the oppressors, so sayeth Mohammad!
Just as the flag of ISIS reads, Allah is the Messenger of Mohammad!
Those who love his message so much should be generously treated to it.

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 20:23

a russian spotter was killed in palmyra.

when isis closed in he called in airstrikes to his position thereby killing some isis and himself dying in process.

question: Was he discovered by US spy planes and satellites who picked up radio communication from the spotter and triangulated it.

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 20:32

US Media Hid Al Qaeda’s Syria Role - March 23, 2016

When Russian airstrikes began in Syria, the U.S. media falsely claimed President Putin had promised to hit only ISIS and instead attacked “moderate” rebels, but the dirty secret was that those rebels were working with Al Qaeda, writes Gareth Porter.

By Gareth Porter

A crucial problem in news media coverage of the Syrian civil war has been how to characterize the relationship between the so-called “moderate” opposition forces armed by the CIA, on one hand, and the Al Qaeda franchise Al Nusra Front (and its close ally Ahrar al Sham), on the other.

But it is a politically sensitive issue for U.S. policy, which seeks to overthrow Syria’s government without seeming to make common cause with the movement responsible for 9/11, and the system of news production has worked effectively to prevent the news media from reporting it fully and accurately.

The Obama administration has long portrayed the opposition groups it has been arming with anti-tank weapons as independent of Nusra Front. In reality, the administration has been relying on the close cooperation of these “moderate” groups with Nusra Front to put pressure on the Syrian government.

The United States and its allies – especially Saudi Arabia and Turkey – want the civil war to end with the dissolution of the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is backed by U.S. rivals like Russia and Iran.

Reflecting the fact that Nusra Front was created by Al Qaeda and has confirmed its loyalty to it, the administration designated Nusra as a terrorist organization in 2013. But the U.S. has carried out very few airstrikes against it since then, in contrast to the other offspring of Al Qaeda, the Islamic State or ISIS (Daesh), which has been the subject of intense air attacks from the U.S. and its European allies.

The U.S. has remained silent about Nusra Front’s leading role in the military effort against Assad, concealing the fact that Nusra’s success in northwest Syria has been a key element in Secretary of State John Kerry’s diplomatic strategy for Syria.

Read more ..

https://consortiumnews.com/2016/03/23/u ... yria-role/

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 20:36

how the SAA took over hotel area in palmyra
blow-by-blow account

source: Joene@Gjoene

1) IS launched counterattack on Hotel area SW of Palmyra. First VBIED was destroyed by Desert Hawks, second exploded at entrance.
2) IS send in large number of suicide bombers, violent clashes erupted and Desert Hawks retreated from the area.
3) After regrouping, Desert Hawks launched their own counter attack, completely destroying the IS force at the hotel area SW of Palmyra.
4) Desert Hawks are now in full control of the hotel area and are preparing to move onto the ancient city of Palmyra.

rsingh · Post by **rsingh** » 25 Mar 2016 20:40

habal wrote:poor state of US State Dept

US State Dept Rep - Syria's army shoud not liberate Palmyra from ISIS?

land of the free indeedy

Defeated,cornered,guilty and unintelligent. I am proud of our Babus for once.

habal · Post by **habal** » 25 Mar 2016 20:42

apparently today there was a brief showdown between jordanian air farce f-16 and russian air force in syria's southern border.

makes sense since battle is in palmyra and jordanians may be trying to resupply isis.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 25 Mar 2016 20:48

jordan is punching way above its pay grade here. but then they have allowed a free run to IS in their border areas whether for profit or ideology or both. even now in daraa who knows where the miraculous conception of ISIS appeared from nowhere...