Levant crisis - III

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 17:35

high res map of Mosul front = nobody seems marked to the western desert

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 17:37

video a small unit of french army caesar 155mm SPH guns helping in mosul fire missions ... probably in contact with us/french sof further upstream

https://twitter.com/towersight/status/7 ... 2489583616

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 17:38

FSA has taken dabiq

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 17:39

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 17:41

Agathocle deSyracuse ‏@deSyracuse Oct 16
North #Aleppo: now #FSA captured #Dabiq from #IS, the interesting part is coming : Al Bab, a far bigger city everybody (SDF, FSA, SAA) wants

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha Oct 15
Sultan Murad Division commander Col. Ahmad Othman says rebels of Euphrates Shield will go to lift siege on Aleppo after capture of Dabiq

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 17:43

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha Oct 13
Turkish forces based in Bashiqa will not participate in Mosul offensive
PMU & Pesh will only participate in the countryside & not enter city

Agathocle deSyracuse Retweeted
Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha Oct 13
Squadrons from the US-led Coalition & Iraqi Airforces along with Iraqi artillery battalions will give cover fire for the Iraqi forces

Agathocle deSyracuse Retweeted
Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha Oct 13
The Kurdish PKK & Yezidi YBŞ groups will reportedly participate in Mosul offensive under the auspices of Baghdad

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 18:04

an article in german.

There is a stunning article, unfortunately only in German, explaining what is going on between Russia and the USA.
The writer argues convincingly that France probably set up a show that was agreed on with Russia beforehand. The aim is Appeasement for the EU to both USA and Russia.

http://analitik.de/2016/10/13/willkomme ... aren-welt/

It's been obvious for a week or two that there are at least a few adults among the elite and even in the US military that understand Russia is now quite formidable and the US could very well lose at every level of military escalation. However, I think there are still some who are pushing for more "kinetic action," and this would include Hillary, especially if she gets the wrong advisors. I'm still a bit worried about what will become of the 8-9000 ISIL receiving safe passage from Mosul. Will the US allow Russia and Syria to deal with them when they get close to Deir ez-Zor or Palmyra? Wounded animals can be very dangerous. The zombies are not yet aware how weak their military actually is, and there could be considerable political pressure to do stupid things. The author is correct, "This is the most dangerous time."

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 18:12

Interesting video clip on hamosh twitter. A French politician gives background on start of war against Syria. I love the reply that President Assad gives "We are not a French colony anymore. it isn't 1959. Tell him (Sarkozy) he can go fück himself."

https://twitter.com/Hamosh84/status/787396662373253121

It gives Dr. Assad much more credits to defend Syrian interest and its true allies. Not surprising to see Syrian allies so devoted to offer resources, soldiers, credit line etc...they know Dr. Assad was true to his word and he was not and is not afraid of any western power.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 17 Oct 2016 18:35

Lovely documentary on TV 5 Monde,the French channel (subtitled) on "Fin des Ottomans",the End of the Ottoman empire.Part 1 was on a day ago,it will be repeated.A must watch programme.The doc says that we're still feeling the effects of the fall of the Ottomans and cans ee it right before our eyes in the ME/Levant.

Russia is here to stay...permanently in Syria.The expansion of the Tartus naval base and its air base at Hmyeimim will ensure that the Assad regime stays secure.while expanding the Russian sphere of influence in the region.With Iran and the Hiz also in support,Russia has powerful allies on the ground too to defend its interests.

https://sputniknews.com/world/201610171 ... ase-clout/

Russia's Syrian Naval Base Offers it 'More Formidable Position' in Mediterranean
Grigoriy Sisoev

Russia's expansion of the Soviet-era naval facility in Tartus on Syria's coast into a full base is a major step, which will enhance the Russian navy's clout in the Mediterranean, political analyst Andranik Migrayan told Sputnik.

DELIL SOULEIMAN
What Lies Behind Claims of US-Russia Clash in Syria In an interview with Sputnik, political analyst Andranik Migrayan of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations praised Russia's decision to create a naval base in Tartus, which he said will help the Russian navy expand its clout in the Mediterranean. The interview came after Russian Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov said early last week that Moscow will establish a permanent naval base in the Syrian port city of Tartus, home to a naval maintenance and support facility which was established by the Soviet Union in 1977. Also last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified an agreement with the Syrian government that allows Russia to use the Hmeymim air base in Syria indefinitely.

The agreement, which was signed between Moscow and Damascus on August 26, 2015, had been previously approved by both chambers of Russia's parliament. The document regulates the terms of deployment of Russia's air group in Syria. Among other things, it notes that the Russian air group is stationed at the Hmeymim airfield in Latakia province free of charge at the request of Syria. © PHOTO: RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY Everyday life of the Russian air group at the Hmeymim airfield in Syria. File photo Speaking to Sputnik, Andranik Migrayan specifically underscored the importance of the Russian Aerospace Forces' base in Hmeymim obtaining permanent status. © PHOTO: RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY This is How Russia Plans to Improve and Expand Hmeymim Airbase in Syria He said that "the Syrians saw it for themselves that the Russian Aerospace Forces proved to be very effective in Syria, where they made a decisive contribution to fighting terrorists." "But the Syrian army has yet to regain control of the country's entire territory, which is why having a permanent Russian base in Hmeymin is of paramount importance to the Syrians," he said.

As for the creation of a Russian naval base in Tartus, it will significantly strengthen the position of the Russian navy in the Mediterranean, according to Migrayan. "It can be called a drastic change because we have never had a full-scale naval base in the Mediterranean. Creating such a base in Tartus can qualitatively change the situation, and we will have a much more formidable position in the Southern Mediterranean," he said. He also suggested that the news about the Russian bases in Syria will irritate Washington and could provoke hysterics. "President Obama will be blamed for turning a blind eye to Russia expanding its clout in the region, from where Moscow may influence neighboring Gulf countries which are of importance to the United States and Europe as suppliers of energy," Migrayan said. He added that Washington, which saw Russia as a weak nation in the 1990s, currently reacts angrily to the Russian President's drive to determine the interests of his own country and defend its interests.

n an interview with Sputnik earlier this month, editor-in-chief of The National Defense Igor Korotchenko described Russia's decision to establish a full-scale base in Tartus as a "powerful move." Russia in Syria 'Indefinitely' What It is All About He said that first and foremost, the base will help to protect Russia's national interests and improve the country's geopolitical standing in the Middle East. He also said that the base in Tartus will provide a "reliable support area" to the Russian naval forces deployed to the region. "A full-scale base will help to improve logistical and technical support for our naval assets," he explained. Along with the Hmeymim airbase in nearby Latakia, Syria, the base in Tartus "will enhance Russia's foreign and defense policies," Korotchenko said, adding that they will also help to "neutralize any threats."

Related: Russian Senior Lawmakers Visit Military Bases in Syrian Hmeimim, Tartus Five Reasons Why Russia Needs a Military Base in Syrian Tartus Russia to Equip Navy Base in Syria’s Tartus With Air Defense, Anti-Sub Systems Warplanes Deployed to Hmeymim Will Protect Russian Ships in the Mediterranean

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/world/201610171 ... ase-clout/

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 17 Oct 2016 18:52

On a side note Assad is an ophthalmologist and has worked in West London in past. He was part of Syrian army as doctor also.

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 18:52

US and UK politicians now scrambling about in their self made foreign policy cesspit desperately trying to find some shred of justification for their war crimes, they even had the sociopathic nerve to discuss further 'sanctions' on Russia and Syria!

Barring these intellectually challenged individuals starting a major escalation in the conflict due to more insane ideas such as no-fly zones or attacking the SAA they must come to the conclusion that their dreams of regime change are over and the best they can hope for is northern area of Syria controlled on the east by Kurdish forces and a western buffer zone that keeps the megalomaniac Erdogan happy in his Turkish (safe zone) palace.

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 18:56

After being pinned down in Syria, the USA mischief machine is now slowly shifting attention to Yemen & Ukraine.

Sad news to what is now confirmed the death of "Motorola" a very popular DPR/Novorossiya commander, that always used the Syrian flag on his military gear. May the hero of Donetsk airport battle rest in piece.

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/10/breaki ... orola.html

https://lenta.ru/news/2016/10/16/motorola/

yesterday a chopper was downed by DPR (Donetsk People's Republic) where supposedly NATO "advisors" were inside it. Interesting aspect was that no chopper or drone is allowed, by Minsk II, on top of the wide, and not respected, safe zone bordering the two belligerent groups.
Today we heard about Motorola's assassination, and we should know that Kiev's junta had a prize on his head, as there is for Givi.

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 19:01

Yemen, here we come. -USA war machine

" 4,500 Sailors, Marines to Deploy from San Diego on Makin Island Ready Group "

http://timesofsandiego.com/military/201 ... go-oct-14/

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 19:18

Big daddy planning to finish the job which outsourced local goons could not

Yemen is deceptively bare and sparesly populated...just a bunch of hills and deserts..easy for nato airland forces

Just like Afghanistan lol

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 19:19

Sunni and Shia popular mobilization units pray together, this is a powerful statement and Sunni Shia solidarity will rebuild Iraq and prevent all schemes against the country and its land and resources:

https://mobile.twitter.com/IraqiSecurit ... 4401449984

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 19:22

Hezbollah confirms death of it's special forces commander Hatem "Haj Alaa" Hamada in Aleppo. He hails from Qmatiye in Aley.

Think he was leading the 1070 fight. RIP hero...

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 19:24

Egypt-Russia-Syria axis on the anvil.

"SANA reports that Chief of Syrian Intel chief Ali Mamlouk met deputy chief of Egypt Intel Khaled Fawzi (& senior security officials) in Cairo"

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 19:26

Abadi said the Turkish army inside Iraq is illegal, also said if they confront each other, the Turkish army will be destroyed by any means. Clearly stated yesterday in his Mosul battle speech that Turkey deliberated delayed the Mosul campaign.
The first town liberated in the Mosul campaign yesterday was exactly Bashiqa...were the Turkish troops are located.

Peshmergas have a lot of stake in this fight, but the vast majority comes form the various Iraq forces, several militias (Assyrians, Shia, Sunni etc..), besides ISF, army, police etc...are involved. The end results will be clear, Iraq Central Government will control Mosul, and soon will have Kirkuk back as well, it means Barzani will be losing ground, what he will do is anybody's guess at the moment, maybe he will become Turkish citizen...

habal · Post by **habal** » 17 Oct 2016 19:32

kafka: By deception you made an empire and by way of deception thou shalt lose your empire.

A brief of the completely surreal events happening in Syria:

the US betrayal of the agreement signed with Russia,
the US threats to attack Syria (in total illegality),
the crocodile tears about the humanitarian situation in Aleppo (and the blind eye to Yemen),
the mind-blowing hypocrisy of the US wanting to take the Syrians and the Russians to an international criminal court for war crimes,
the now absolutely open support for al-Qaeda (aka al-Nusra, aka Jabhat Fateh al-Sham aka Daesh) and the threats to arm them,
the open threats by Admiral Kirby to have Russian aircraft shot down, Russian cities bombed and Russians soldiers come back in body bags –

we now see an Administration which has gone completely “mental” over Syria and which does not even know what it is doing. To say that the 1000-4000 US servicemen and contractors currently deployed in Syria are “serving their country” or “defending democracy” or “our way of life” is simply laughable and everybody knows that. But nobody says a word about it. In fact, their presence in Syria is hardly ever mentioned.

This Kafkaesque slouching towards war with Russia is simply never discussed by any pundit or media outlet.

http://www.unz.com/tsaker/by-way-of-dec ... ur-empire/

Manish_P · Post by **Manish_P** » 17 Oct 2016 19:56

Hero ??

IMVHO we should be very careful giving such titles to these characters

If the history of the ROP and that region is anything to go by, he was just another islamist jihadi who could not do anything against hindu kaffirs simply because there weren't any there

As far i am concerned he was just a thorn to be used to pick out another thorn

habal wrote:Hezbollah confirms death of it's special forces commander Hatem "Haj Alaa" Hamada in Aleppo. He hails from Qmatiye in Aley.

Think he was leading the 1070 fight. RIP hero...

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 17 Oct 2016 19:59

Erdogan is trolling US

Erdogan reminded the US that Saddam Hussein did not invite them in Iraq in 2003

https://ria.ru/world/20161017/1479391110.html

"The operation in Mosul participating countries, which have no relation to the region, on the sole ground that they invited to Baghdad ... Then why the Iraqi authorities are not denied to those who were in the country without any invitation? He invited if their (US) Saddam Hussein ? 14-15 years ago, but they are, nevertheless, entered the country spilled blood, killing more than a million people the powers are according to the unwritten laws that serve their interests, "-.. said Erdogan, speaking at the International Congress of legal Istanbul. His quotes agency Anadolu.

According to him, the fact that Turkey is trying to prevent the participation in an operation in Mosul, can be explained by the desire not to disturb the possibility of Ankara's plans to foment inter-religious conflict under the pretext of the IG. "We can not allow that someone faced Shiites and Sunnis," - then said Erdogan.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 20:29

great music from rocky 4
survivor - burning heart

Two worlds collide
Rival nations
It's a primitive clash
Venting years of frustrations
Bravely we hope
Against all hope
There is so much at stake
Seems our freedom's up
Against the ropes
Does the crowd understand?
Is it East versus West
Or man against man
Can any nation stand alone

In the burning Heart
Just about to burst
There's a quest for answers
An unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night
Rising like a spire
In the burning heart
The unmistakable fire

In the burning heart

In the warriors code
There's no surrender
Though his body says stop
His spirit cries - never!
Deep in our soul
A quiet ember
Know it's you against you
It's the paradox
That drives us on
It's a battle of wills
In the heat of attack
It's the passion that kills
The victory is yours alone

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:09

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 1h1 hour ago
Dozens of "Islamic police" members, including their leader, have been executed by Da'ish special forces loyal to Abu Bakr

More
Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 1h1 hour ago
UPDATE: The "Islamic police" revolt wasn't just over money. Turns out it was vs. Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi. Da'ish special forces put it down.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:10

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 2h2 hours ago
Reports that Da'ish commanders inside #Iraq's #Mosul are using mosques as HQs and arms depots, hoping that they won't be targeted.

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 1h1 hour ago
Intel from within #Mosul suggests Al-Sa'igh mosque in the Baladiyat neighbourhood in N. Mosul is Da'ish's ops centre.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:11

elements of the 9th div, one of 3 iraqi army divs involved

the outlying towns and villages are being rapidly overrun or islanded , so progress will be quick until the edges of the town where daesh ATGM and mortars will be in range

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:13

hopefully a good number of factional fights within daesh will cut down the number of these devils before iraqi army has to fight them.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:15

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 2h2 hours ago
BREAKING: Dozens of Da'ish militants dead in Hawijah as #Iraq's Air Force launch huge air raids on the city.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:15

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 3h3 hours ago
#MosulOp:

Reports that Da'ish militants are setting trenches full of oil on fire to block the vision of #Iraq's army aviation S. of #Mosul.

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 3h3 hours ago
Reports that civilians in Al-Hawd and Al-Lazikah revolted against Da'ish militants in the towns & killed 6 of them as #Iraq's army entered.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 17 Oct 2016 21:17

deleted

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:17

the frontline from south and east is around 10-20km from outlying areas of the city like airport.

they will probably advance to the city itself in a week after thrashing the outlying and isolated daesh units.

no idea what is happening west of city, no reports of anyone moving there.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » 17 Oct 2016 21:19

IndraD wrote:On a side note Assad is an ophthalmologist and has worked in West London in past. He was part of Syrian army as doctor also.

Bashar reminds me of Michael Corleone of Godfather fame. He had to come back from London to fill in for his brother who was the heir apparent and died in a Lamborghini accident....By all means he has done his father whom Kissinger once said was a Genius proud.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:31

Iraqi PMU English ‏@pmu_english 4h4 hours ago
#BREAKING - #Iraqi Special Forces have captured #Mosul sulfur factory from #ISIS in helicopter raid

Iraqi PMU English ‏@pmu_english 8h8 hours ago
#BREAKING - #Iraqi Special Forces backed by 9th Armored Division Abrams tanks advance 6km south of #ISIS held #Mosul

Iraqi PMU English ‏@pmu_english 8h8 hours ago
Civilians in #Mosul continue to provide #Iraqi #PMU whereabouts of #ISIS via information phone number 195 despite ISIS threatening them

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cu7fPvAUsAEFbU4.jpg

video - iraqi 9th division on the march across the desert south of mosul
https://twitter.com/pmu_english/status/ ... 8473518081

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 17 Oct 2016 21:33

they are using tube and rocket artillery on outlying ISIS positions with no civilians and leaving point targets inside the city to amirkhan planes with guided bombs.

I guess this is a chance for hollande saar with his 3 rafales to lob a few AASM too. and UK to use 3 tiffies...to provide niche support to the 200 amir khan planes involved

inside the city, the tanks can hit targets from 2km away as precision fire.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 17 Oct 2016 23:02

Blue Circle is S-400 Radar Coverage 600 km and Red one is Missile range 400 km

The S-400 engages targets at distances as far as 400 kilometers and heights of up to 27 kilometers (or higher with newer missiles). This is enough to cover at least 75 percent of Syrian territory, along with the airspaces of Lebanon, Cyprus, half of Israel and a vast part of Turkey.

The S-400’s radar has a range of 600 kilometers and is capable of discriminating even objects moving on the ground, such as cars and military vehicles.

S-400 radar covers Syria, western regions of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, nearly all of Israel and Jordan, Egypt’s northern Sinai, a large part of the eastern Mediterranean and Turkish airspace as far as the capital Ankara.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 18 Oct 2016 01:26

I'm not sure why you are so impressed with the Russian s-400. as soon as they fire on US or Israeli planes those SAM sites are going to be history. you seriously think those sites can't be jammed and attacked? do you think the US isn't testing and practicing for this?

on another topic, here is a leftist take on Yemen's missile force.

https://warisboring.com/to-threaten-shi ... .xil1vcxlw

it's an interesting article.

Bheeshma · Post by **Bheeshma** » 18 Oct 2016 01:43

Yeah and as soon as S-400's are fired on American ships and planes are not coming home? Who is impressed? Americans are stupid but not stupid enough to kill themselves for ISIS or Turks or Sand Niggers as you call them.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 18 Oct 2016 02:01

I see that we have our Experts assembled here: Small question.
Are there no Maternity/Children's/Pet Hospitals inside Mosul I wonder.. IOW, why do the ISIS need trenches?

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 18 Oct 2016 02:10

Sweden rules that flying the ISIS flag is NOT a hate crime because the terror group shows contempt for everyone rather than specific groups

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z4NNR2uaOj

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 18 Oct 2016 03:59

Seems very sensible. Another Oiropean nation mutates into
Oiropakian

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 18 Oct 2016 04:03

UlanBatori wrote:I see that we have our Experts assembled here: Small question.
Are there no Maternity/Children's/Pet Hospitals inside Mosul I wonder.. IOW, why do the ISIS need trenches?

mistakes are made on hospitals. a trench is harder to hit and thus generally safer.

Vietnamese used spider holes through out their territory as well as their famous tunnels. worked pretty well for them.