Levant crisis - III

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 01 Dec 2016 22:10

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity
Horrific news from #Mosul:

Reports that 15 kids were killed by a Da'ish sniper as they were escaping towards areas held by #Iraq's troops.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 01 Dec 2016 22:12

There are not enough camps around mosul to house 2mil people and its winter..so govt has asked people not to flee unless really needed. Without a roof over head and heaters, many will die if they camp in open

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 01 Dec 2016 22:28

Mother Agnes Mariam+ ‏@MotherAgnesMari
Rejoice #Aleppo you are going to be united again.families reunite. Violence will end. Time to regret but also time to build a better future

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson ‏@BorisJohnson
Devastating assault on eastern #Aleppo - immediate ceasefire needed. #Russia & #Iran must use influence on #Assad regime to end violence now

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 01 Dec 2016 22:36

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson ‏@BorisJohnson
Devastating assault on eastern #Aleppo - immediate ceasefire needed. #Russia & #Iran must use influence on #Assad regime to end violence now

any words on human rights and violence in Yemen?

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 01 Dec 2016 22:37

refugee tents in Saudi Arabia which are lying unused

these tents are primarily built for pilgrimage to Mina The pilgrimage occurs from the 8th to 12th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and that is when the enormous tent camp is used.

The rest of the year it is empty. that is for 361 days in a year they can accommodate large number of refugees

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 01 Dec 2016 22:51

Sounds like earthy daughter of soil type...

Mother Superior Agnes Mariam de la Croix[1] (born 1952), also known as Mother Agnes,[1] is a Christian nun. She is mother superior of the monastery of St James the Mutilated in Syria, a Melkite Greek Catholic monastery in the town of Qara in the Homs diocese. She is outspoken regarding the Syrian Civil War.

Early life

Syrian Civil War Edit

Mother Agnes Mariam has been alleged to have been involved in a Syrian government plot to kill the French journalist Gilles Jacquier who lost his life in Homs during 2012. A book written by his widow and two colleagues, in which the accusations are made, has led Mother Agnes to sue for defamation.[6] She has asserted that in Homs 80,000 Christians have become displaced by opposition groups, and has also said that the majority of fighters are from outside Syria. The latter claim has been disputed.[7] Interviewed by The Australian in October 2012, Mother Agnes said the rebellion had "steadily became a violent Islamist expression against a liberal secular society."[2]

Mother Agnes attempted to prove that Syrian opposition activists fabricated the videos showing victims of the Ghouta chemical attack in Damascus on 21 August 2013.[1] She has no formal training in analysing video evidence or the use of chemical weapons, but compiled a 50-page report in her hotel room which she subsequently issued.[8] Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, has used her claims to cast doubt over whether Assad's forces had been responsible for the Ghouta chemical attack, and Mother Agnes has been given time on the Russian RT station to convey her opinions.[9] Peter Bouckaert, emergencies director of Human Rights Watch, has said that her claims are entirely false, and that HRW has found no evidence that the videos were staged.[1] In 2013, rebels near the monastery warned her that extremist fighters wanted to abduct her, and helped her flee.[6] Mother Agnes acted as government liaison during the evacuation of Moadamiyah (then under siege) at the end of October 2013.[10] While up to 1,800 women, children and others were freed, according to rebel spokesman Quasi Zakarya, about 300 men were arrested by the government and have been forced to join the Syrian army.[10] According to a well placed government source she was in daily contact with Ali Mamlouk, chief of Syria’s National Security Bureau, and Jamil Hasan who heads the country's Air Force Intelligence.[10] According to Raya Jalabi in The Guardian: "Asked whether she considers Hezbollah and Iran – Shia entities which support the Assad regime – to be complicit in the fabric of foreign sectarian forces inside Syria, she said no, as 'Hezbollah isn’t coming in as a religious force, and is not committing crimes of a religious nature.'[8]

In late 2013, she toured the United States and visited Europe presenting her version of events in Syria.[8] Organised by the Syria Solidarity Movement, a non-profit organisation based in California, it was planned for Mother Agnes to speak at venues, mainly churches, on the west and east coasts.[11]

In November, she withdrew from speaking at the forthcoming British Stop the War Coalition's annual conference on 30 November[12] after two participants, Jeremy Scahill and Owen Jones, had decided not to speak at the meeting if it meant sharing a platform with Mother Agnes.[8] The commentator James Bloodworth, in his blog for The Spectator, described her as having a "pro-Assad take" on events in Syria.[13] Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, a Jesuit priest on the side of the Syrian opposition has said Mother Agnes "is very careful when she speaks and this is – and I wish to repeat and emphasize this – nothing more than a clever example of the lying, manipulative work of the Syrian regime. Sister Agnes states she is the head of a movement that is not present in the country and is called Musalaha or "Reconciliation". This is a serious problem because her interpretation of events is selective and she believes the revolution is terrorism

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 01 Dec 2016 22:56

http://aranews.net/2016/12/turkey-exclu ... -official/

Turkey excluded from Raqqa operation: Coalition official.

Americans have more spine than doormat Putin.

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 01 Dec 2016 23:53

Bhurishravas wrote:^^ And that is why it would have been smart for Russia to cut to size a NATO allied islamist Turkey after the november 24 incident. All Putin needed to do was to arm the PKK/YPG in garb of fighting ISIS. A marxist leaning PKK/YPG was a natural ally.
Erdogan is not leaving NATO and is not a friend to anyone. Any weakening of Turkey could only have been good for Russia. They are historical enemies.
Putin the grand chessmaster is an idiot dictator.

The problem, which I pointed out at the time, is that Russia cannot win a conventional war with Turkey. They lack the decisive airpower advantage to pummel Turkey into submission, and no land route by which to invade. Russia also lacks the amphibious or airborne capability to invade by sea or by air. If Turkey closed the straits and launched a full invasion of Syria, Russia wouldn't be able to stop them. They'd be driven out of the country. Obviously this would have kicked off a full scale war between Russia and Turkey, a war that Russia couldn't win. To reopen the straits or save their own expeditionary force in Syria, the Russians would have had to resort to nukes and thus start WW3 with NATO, something Putin (being a rational player) was obviously not interested in doing.

This equation hasn't changed, thus Putin has to be clever and engage in intrigues behind the scenes. Unlike the US, the Russians don't have the luxury of simply bombing every opponent into oblivion. They play a weak hand as well as anyone ever could. It's actually pretty impressive how far they punch above their weight.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 02 Dec 2016 00:25

Israel gets into some action near damascus. where are those fabulous s-400's and 300's?

http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.756132

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 01:16

Where was the fabulous f16s when hezbollah was trumpeting its armour openly a few days ago

It seems here too the f16 launched a popeye missile pair from inside lebanon before turning tail. Ya never know what thd rus have passed on to damascus

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 01:21

It is unclear what is happening there. ^^
There are media reports Israel targeted IS and there are reports they targeted Hezbollah. Going by visceral hatred of Israel and Hbllah for each other later looks more possible, in which case one wonders why would Israel attack IS!
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/27/world ... .html?_r=0 (note covert ops by Israel to prevent delivery of arms to Hbllah)
Why would IS drag themselves into Golan heights war when Syria will be at receiving end and when they have traditionally claimed Golan height? Any clear cut explanations gurus?

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 01:23

look at this article : claims missile fired from Lebanese air space also Hbllah attacked !?!? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38155933

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 01:24

I think two or three separate incidents happened one involving is.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 01:26

So Israel fired missiles at IS/ followed / preceded by Hbllah / followed by Damascus

Gosh...

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 01:27

And this too...

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
SSNP has reported preemptive shelling on the area by IDF claiming it is to help FSA to infiltrate

Hassan Ridha
8h8 hours ago
Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
Acc to SMART News Agency, IDF entered area which falls under Jaish Khalid bin Walid control & reportedly evacuated prisoners from a prison

Hassan Ridha
8h8 hours ago
Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
Opp sources report that IDF soldiers entered Kafr Alma near Jamlah on the east side of Wadi Amiq, SW Daraa countryside

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 01:29

Maybe some of their moles or undercover in rebel ranks were outed and needed saving. Mossad and shin bet uses arab israeli citizens as undercover assets to infiltrate all sort of places

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 01:49

thanks for muddying water further Singha saar

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 01:52

According to BBC famous clown who also was a NGO / civil society member has been killed in an air strike in Aleppo, he was on mission of 'giving children smiles and refused to leave Aleppo' (RIP!)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38167190

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 02:00

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/ ... ut-of-food
Russia in talk with Syrian rebels to resume food & medicine supply to East Aleppo in Turkey
Acc to rebel spokesperson Russia at variance with Syria regarding how to end siege
The Russians are playing a double game,” said Bassam Barabandi, a former Syrian diplomat who is now political adviser to the opposition High Negotiations Committee. “They want to show themselves to be the superpower in the region, to broker a deal but, at the same time, they are bombing and killing everyone left in Aleppo.

“The Russians would prefer to have a ceasefire, to help their relations with Turkey and show they are interested in peace, but the regime and the Iranians - they don’t care. They want to take all of Aleppo. For the Russians, failing to achieve a ceasefire in Aleppo will show just how weak they are.”

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 02:02

This news is all over

Turkey and Russia search for Syria cease-fire formula Turkey's importance can't be denied in that case ! http://www.militarytimes.com/articles/t ... re-formula

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 02:06

Syrian rebels in secret talks with Moscow to end Aleppo fighting
Turkey-facilitated negotiations without US show how Washington could become sidelined

Four opposition members from rebel-held northern Syria told the Financial Times that Turkey has been brokering talks in Ankara with Moscow, whose military intervention on the side of President Bashar al-Assad has helped turn the five-year civil war in the regime’s favour. Russia is now backing regime efforts to recapture the rebel’s last urban stronghold in Syria’s second city of Aleppo.

“The Russians and Turks are talking without the US now. It [Washington] is completely shut out of these talks, and doesn’t even know what’s going on in Ankara,” said one opposition figure, who asked not to be identified.

However, the negotiations are riven by the tensions between Ankara and Moscow. Russia confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Putin spoke with Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the Turkish leader said he was seeking Mr Assad’s overthrow. A Turkish official, who asked not to be named, said talks over an Aleppo ceasefire were derailed after Mr Erdogan’s comments caused a Russian delegation to abruptly cut off talks while waiting for Mr Erdogan and Mr Putin to speak.

Though the talks have made little progress, they underline the shifting political dynamics in the Middle East. Regional actors now seem more willing to bypass Washington to seek out pacts with Russia, which is keen to develop the image of a rising power that can help broker such deals.

https://www.ft.com/content/bc167c3a-b71 ... acd97f622d

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 02 Dec 2016 02:15

Reports that IS is using water as weapon and has destroyed water distribution system in Mosul: those trying to get near are facing snipers . Mosul w/o water for days now.

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 06:46

the missiles launched by Israel had their seekers jammed and thus fell harmlessly by the wayside. Not clear which assets involved in jamming the Israeli missiles.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 07:46

^^ that would be difficult as its a F&F missile with no midcourse update and features INS and IIR imaging .. surely GPS too for INS accuracy improvement.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 07:52

massive victory for erdogan

Yusha Yuseef ‏@MIG29_ 8h8 hours ago
#Aleppo , Source :
Syrian army and Aliies with nujaba withdraw from Sheikh Saeed

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 07:54

agitpapa ‏@agitpapa 9h9 hours ago
Turks making another desperate attempt to enter Al Bab now as SAA moves nearer. Big battle in progress, lots of Turkish arty.
0 replies 6 retweets 2 likes

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 07:56

some claim ISIS leaders could be hiding near Albukamal-Qaim area which is very quiet and safe haven. it is around 75km SE of deir azzor

I guess the PMU will eventually have to break the dungheap and see what beetles fall out.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 08:00

all tea leaves point to a operational pause and some negotiated exit talks for the leftover rebels - brokered by their patrson saint turkey. so nothing much will happen in next 1-2 weeks. meantime the refugee camps setup by UN , red crescent etc will ramp up and stabilize. relatively intact areas like Hanano housing are being cleaned up, demined and citizens brought back in batches.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 08:03

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 02 Dec 2016 08:23

it's the s-400'ski and 300'ski. they are clearly winning the war.

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 08:41

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 08:44

It has been confirmed that the murder of the civilians at the Jib al-Qubeh safety corridoor was carried out by Omar Salkho & the al-Zinki gang.

https://twitter.com/ShehabiFares/status ... 0379187200

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 08:49

#Aleppo: The civilians return to the housing Hanano in Aleppo after rehabilitation Russian demining units completed its work

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 08:52

Erdog is da dawg

ErDog Smokes Allies

US, German Military Officers Killed in Turkish Airstrikes in Aleppo

“Michel Israel from the US state of California, also known as Robin Akri, and Antoun Lesjek, also known as Vazana Juan, from Germany were killed in the Turkish air raids on Kurdish positions in the Western part of Manbij city on November 26,” the council announced.

The council declined to reveal any further detail about the two, including their mission in Northern Syria. Both the US and German armies have deployed spies and military trainers in Northern Syria.

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950911000854

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 08:56

@EHSANI22 so if u add 2 perf storm your thread from 24 aug we get today’s tragedy?

I have been reporting on city of my birth #Aleppo. Yesterday, Bilal family had its 42nd member die

The picture shows the grave of one of the extended Bilal family who had all three sons die fighting for the Syrian Army

This family is Sunni. It has been in Aleppo for 300 years (originally from Turkey). It is made up of 500 families who lost 42 men so far

Their last casualty was in Sheik Saeed yesterday. He bled to death before Syrian Army was able to retrieve him from that vast district

What motivates you guys to sacrifice so much I just asked. Reply : “We are fighting for #Syria the nation was the quick reply”

In the midst of all the sectarian divide, it is such stories and people who have prevented the total collapse of the #Syrian State

A state that admittedly struggled to Govern a population doubling every 22 years under massive economic subsidies & falling resources

Economic and governance failures plus corruption amid the worst drought in centuries created perfect storm that led into events of 2011

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 08:59

Night offensive at al Myassar Jazmati just started. This neighbourhood is just south of the recently liberated Youth Housing at Ma’saraniyah and NW of the Aleppo International airport.
It could be an attempt to squeeze the upper part of the Aleppo pocket building on the recent success at the youth housing. At the moment there is no indication of downtown nor the Aleppo Airport International Motorway, which could mean a pincer move in a heavily urban area.

http://wikimapia.org/#lang=pt&lat=36.19 ... i-District

habal · Post by **habal** » 02 Dec 2016 09:00

The Grand Mufti of Damascus, Sheik Hassoun visits Ireland, to call for an end to sanctions on Syria, by the usual suspects. Bishop Ignatius Ephrem, Syrian Orhodox patriarch of (Syrian) Antioch speaks to Galloway.
George Galloway’s PressTV program is ‘Debate’.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 09:34

must be a nerve wracking job being in the de-mining teams, armoured bulldozer crews...death could be a unlucky or careless step ... hurt locker is one of my favourite movies.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 12:16

---

The 'Nimr' Tiger Retweeted
Russian Embassy, UK ‏@RussianEmbassy 14h14 hours ago
MFA: most UN aid cargoes sent to jihadist-held areas of Syria, just 1% goes to 200K ppl in Deir-ez-Zor besieged by terrorists.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 02 Dec 2016 16:16

Furiouskurd ‏@Furiouskurd 7h7 hours ago
Etnic composition of the artificial state of Turkey before the genocides of Greek, Armenians and other christians.