Levant crisis - III

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 13:38

zyklon-B was used in the gas chambers

Marcel Sardo ‏@marcelsardo 13h13 hours ago
Marcel Sardo Retweeted Lizzie Phelan
The Chemicals found in #Aleppo «Made in Germany» are from the same Company that produced «Zyklon B» in WW2: DEGESCH

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 13:39

cia forcing green berets to train nusra and isis sympathizers

https://sofrep.com/69308/msm-whitewashe ... ces-group/

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 13:42

for habal sir - fascinating details on a contract outfit from ex-russian vdv/sf called Malhamma Tactical who go around training jihadi elites and sometimes participating in short campaigns

https://twitter.com/agitpapa/status/805837223736340481

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 13:43

their leader is a man named Abu Rofiq

cut could be a cutout. looks a bit young to run a MNC like this

they are closely tied to the superbly equipped Shishani and other Nusra shock troops.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 13:47

agitpapa ‏@agitpapa 22h22 hours ago
agitpapa Retweeted F G
Turkish security contractor run by AKP beardos grabbing up retired officers

F G ‏@FGunay1 23h23 hours ago
Main Al-Qaeda weaponsupplier in Syria disguised as "aid relieve" organisation @IHHen preparing a convoy of truck to "force" way into Aleppo

F G ‏@FGunay1 23h23 hours ago
Like i have previously tweeted several times, @IHHen supplies weapons to various groups in #Syria in coordination with Turkish Intel MIT

F G ‏@FGunay1 23h23 hours ago
Truckloads packed with weapons are mixed with trucks carrying aid so to prevent SyAAF or RuAF from hitting these trucks

F G ‏@FGunay1 23h23 hours ago
Trucks from a Balkan company are used to deliver these weapons and they are always accompanied by Turkish Intelligence agents

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
.@IHHen works closely with Turkish private security company SADAT (comparable to US Blackwater) who coordinates Turkeys support ++

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
Of various groups in Syria. SADAT has been accused with aiding ISIS in Iraq aswell, days after ISIS took Mosul SADAT published a vacant

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
On their website asking for Arab/Turkish speaking mechanics with experience working with Humvees & Abraham M1 tanks

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
SADAT denied these accusations claiming the vacants were in place as result of a large maintenance order it has received from Saudi Arabia

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 13:49

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
Turkish Private Security Company SADAT is run by retired Turkish Army Generals and is lead by this man: Adnan Tanriverdi

F G
‏@FGunay1
58 retired Turkish Army officials have joined SADAT, area of operations are kept secret but they are specialised in train-equip programs

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
Turkish Amy personel who stopped a truck carrying missiles & shells for terrorist groups in #Syria inprisoned for over 2 yrs now

F G ‏@FGunay1 22h22 hours ago
An @IHHen official (supppsedly aid relieve humanitarian organisation) seen on picture with al-Nusra militants carrying guns inside # #Syria

habal · Post by **habal** » 06 Dec 2016 13:53

Singha wrote:for habal sir - fascinating details on a contract outfit from ex-russian vdv/sf called Malhamma Tactical who go around training jihadi elites and sometimes participating in short campaigns

https://twitter.com/agitpapa/status/805837223736340481

somehow I am getting a mehran airbase vibe from this group.
jihadi guns for hire ehh?

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 14:00

the pakis train the Daura-e-Khas jihadis via their own official SF units incl SSG navy. I dont think they need russian contractors for it.

habal · Post by **habal** » 06 Dec 2016 14:08

they don't work for pakis,
uzbek guns hired by taliban for TTP.

1 uzbek vdv took a shot from a km away hitting an ssg. Pakis began to wet their pants.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 16:26

watanisy ‏@watanisy 2h2 hours ago
#SAA advancing toward Marjeh District after control Tell al-Shertah / Aleppo
3 replies 34 retweets 72 likes

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 16:28

Marjeh is south-east of the new chicken neck.

they are close to the citadel from the west. this is the chicken neck

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 16:30

energy minister is full of energy...

Bezen Haddad ‏@bezenaksu 12h12 hours ago
WikiLeaks published personal emails of Berat Albayrak, who is Erdoğan's son-in-law and Turkey's Minister of Energy. Here is an example.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 Dec 2016 17:11

If abandoned by US, Syrian ‘moderates’ may get in bed with jihadists, report warns http://on.rt.com/7wug

moderate rebels of US who once have toppled Assad will be nominated for Noble peace.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Dec 2016 17:41

China urged Britain "not to poison the atmosphere" at the UN Security Council

https://ria.ru/world/20161206/1482908502.html

According to the Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, the final version of the resolution was circulated only a few hours before the vote. Venezuela also voted against the project. Angola abstained.

China's Liu Jieyi Permanent Representative explained his country's position in the vote that "action on the draft resolution in the presence of serious differences do not contribute to the diplomatic efforts of the parties involved, and do not help improve the situation in Syria." The diplomat also stated the need to "maintain the unity on Syria, to speak with one voice and work together."

Beijing's position has been criticized by the representative of the United Kingdom.

"It is surprising the Chinese veto Despite repeated statements against the politicization and dialogue, China has chosen to Russia, which is a party to the conflict.", - Said the British Permanent Representative Matthew Rycroft.

He also noted the presence of China's "distorted belief in the despot who killed nearly half a million of its citizens."

Liu Jieyi, in turn, said that the UN Security Council "not a place for unfounded attacks on the positions of other countries."

"I would like to ask the representative of the United Kingdom, which he has the right to distort the position of other countries?" - he said.
"I would like to ask the representative of the United Kingdom to put an end to the poisoning of the atmosphere in the Security Council and serious insults Council meeting he did not do the first time, and I hope that such abuse will not happen again in the future." - Said the Chinese permanent representative.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 Dec 2016 17:47

I saw the video on RT and it was absolutely hilarious : sort of UK getting told off and asked to accept new world order ^

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 06 Dec 2016 18:00

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 19:49

Rt.com

Hopes for the successful conclusion of the US-backed operation to retake Islamic State stronghold Mosul are reportedly fading, with US generals now preparing plans to deploy American ground troops in Iraq, pending the approval of President-elect Donald Trump.
After seven weeks, Iraqi troops and their allies have failed to make significant progress in retaking Mosul - Iraq’s second-largest city - from terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), despite outnumbering the jihadists 10-to-one.

On Monday, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter gave assurances that it was “possible” to take the city before President Barack Obama leaves office on January 20, adding that it would be a “tough fight.”

Read more
A U.S. fighter stands near a military vehicle, north of Raqqa city, Syria November 6, 2016. © Rodi SaidUS serviceman killed in Syria on Thanksgiving
But the militants themselves are reportedly now convinced they will be able to keep control of the city.

According to DEBKAfile, a military intelligence news site reputedly connected to the Israeli security services, a delegation of IS commanders arrived in Mosul on Sunday to discuss synchronizing the city defenses with those of Raqqa in Syria. Mosul commanders have “changed course about leaving the city and decided to stay put,” the report said.

Despite reports of successes in the Mosul operation, in reality Iraqi troops are demoralized by a lack of progress and continued counterattacks by IS fighters, the report said. Kurdish Peshmerga forces are also skeptical about the siege and are now “bending their energies to establishing a strong line of defense against Mosul, to secure their capital Irbil and other towns” of Iraqi Kurdistan.

“Aware of the crisis on the Mosul front, the Pentagon has drawn up plans for sending out US reinforcements in the hope of turning the tide of the stalled battle. Those plans repose in their pending trays to await the decisions of the incoming US President Donald Trump and the new Defense Secretary Gen. James Mattis,” the report said.

READ MORE: If abandoned by US, Syrian ‘moderates’ may get in bed with jihadists, report warns

During his election campaign, Trump set the goal of defeating IS as a top priority for his future administration. He said he would do more than President Obama to achieve the goal, including by allying America with Russia and the government of Syria.

The Obama administration insisted that the fight against the terrorists in Iraq and Syria can be won without placing American boots on the ground. This has not stopped it from deploying special operations forces in both countries, however, with the Pentagon insisting that the personnel only act as instructors for local troops.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 19:53

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
Syrian Army units have reached al-Sakhur bridge after advancing and taking control of al-Sha'ar neighbourhood

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 19:56

Al shaar is the northern tip of rebel pocket..a narrow neck

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 21:31

article from 2012 when aleppo fell to rural bands of rebels, narrated by a leader appropriately named Abu Hashish

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria ... 6T20120729

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 06 Dec 2016 21:32

DEBKA is the equivalent of the National Enquirer or RT Today. use at your own risk.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 21:49

the iraqis can crush isis there in a week - but the factors are time line desired , civilians killed , property destroyed and soldiers lost...
if one decreases timeline, the other factors increase.

its like the old joke - cost , quality, time - pick any two

I would say there is no real benefit to get on a politically mandated time line. ISIS anyway cannot just march out to Raqqa so they will stay and fight. take it slowly and minimize friendlies lost.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 06 Dec 2016 22:40

Al masdar

After several days of heavy clashes, the Syrian Army and its allies have finally fully liberated the Al-Shaer district, largely considered the second line of defence for rebel forces in Aleppo and notably, their most fortified neighbourhood.

Effectively, today's advance puts the remaining jihadist controlled districts of East Aleppo in a highly precarious position.

Now, the Syrian Army and aligned forces are advancing towards the historic Aleppo Citadel, a site only 750 meters away. If successful, the capture of the area around the citadel could result in the full capitulation of jihadist forces in Aleppo city.

habal · Post by **habal** » 06 Dec 2016 23:46

THE EMPIRE’S LAST GASP – ANGLO-AMERICAN JOURNALISM CHOKES ON ITS OWN DIGITAL MODEL

By John Helmer, Moscow

The digital media model developed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the State Department for regime change in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Ukraine has more than failed – it has produced counter-revolution, civil war, anti-Americanism, terrorism, refugees, and chaos. The CIA’s only successes at subversion of public opinion, media, parties, parliaments – Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Canada, Australia – are also failures. That’s because these are puppet states, too weak in arms, too small in capital, too inconsequential outside their borders.

In more serious places the digital business model for media like the Guardian, Financial Times, Washington Post, and New York Times is failing to sustain audience numbers or solvency, forcing them into becoming apps for telephone companies, internet merchants, and government budgets.

http://johnhelmer.net/?p=16851

habal · Post by **habal** » 06 Dec 2016 23:51

proof of counter-revolution.

Just read comments section below any of these mainstream articles.

People just refuse to believe a single word that comes out of this media about Syria or any other issue for that matter.

Most readers in comments section know that the safest places in Syria are the ones ones controlled by Dr.Assad’s govt.

Most readers in comments say the “moderate rebels” are bloodthirsty headchoppers.

The propaganda war against Syria has failed, same as the hot war against Syria has failed.

habal · Post by **habal** » 06 Dec 2016 23:55

Chechen military servicemen preparing to depart to Syria. Will serve there as ‘military police.’

Video: https://t.co/dZPRJDhcZC

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 07 Dec 2016 01:34

@Habal
Situation is such that even Shite militas now becoming integral part of Iraqi govt find it outrageous to be associated with US. Many interviews where they are asked if US is with them and the answer comes back 'We are not with US'.

In UK public opinion is strongly in favour of Putin and his actions in ME. Just read any comment section.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 07 Dec 2016 01:39

Fresh offensive by Iraqi army on Mosul towards centre

Iraqi army units surged towards the center of Mosul on Tuesday in an attack from the city's southeastern edges that could give fresh impetus to the seven-week-old battle for Islamic State's Iraqi stronghold.

Campaign commander Lieutenant General Abdul Ameer Rasheed Yarallah was quoted by Iraqi television as saying troops had entered Salam Hospital, less than a mile (1.5 km) from the Tigris river running through the city center.

If confirmed, that would mark a significant advance by the Ninth Armoured Division, which had been tied up for more than a month in close-quarter combat with Islamic State on the southeastern fringes of the city.

Residents of Islamic State-controlled districts of east Mosul said by telephone the army had punched deep into the east bank of the city, getting close to the Tigris.

"The fighting right now is very heavy - Iraqi forces have gone past our neighborhood without entering it. Our area is now practically surrounded by the river and the Iraqi forces," said a resident of the Palestine neighborhood.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 07 Dec 2016 01:41

Iraq army launches assault on vital Mosul bridge
After weeks of close-quarter combat, Iraqi soldiers aim to sever important ISIL fighter route over the Tigris River.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 07 Dec 2016 01:42

catastrophic water crisis in Mosul-1 min video

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 07 Dec 2016 01:45

Khan certified Spl forces Iraq army in action: note they admit they are suffering big losses.
Quite angry civilians towards end : ofcourse blaming US & UN first of all

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Dec 2016 06:21

Al masdar

BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:11) - The Jihadist rebels of Fatah Halab have surrendered almost all of the districts of Old Aleppo after the Syrian Army's swift advances west of the Aleppo International Airport risked splitting them apart from their comrades further south.

This comes after a massive rebel counteroffensive at Karm Al-Maysar and Karm Al-Qaterjy failed to yield any gains. Making matters worse for the insurgents, the Syrian Armed Forces would proceed to capture Sha'ar district and the nearby Turbet Lala district.

Reports suggest that a Turkish-Russian agreement has been reached over the surrender of the remaining east Aleppo districts under jihadist control after extended negotiations between leaders of opposition groups and Russian officers in Turkey.

It remains unknown whether the more extremist groups like Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham and Zinki are part of this agreement

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Dec 2016 06:21

So arpund half of the remainder is left

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Dec 2016 08:56

Devastating work by saa last night
Eastern front has collapsed and the pocket is now a sausage

Linkup at citadel area expected soon

Talks of surrender....
People out celebrating already in some west aleppo pockets

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Dec 2016 08:58

Rebel commander in Aleppo say they have agreed to leave aleppo..following talks between turkey and russia

Hassan Ridha
8h
Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
Unknown aircraft reportedly carried out airstrikes on #EuphratesShield forces near Akhtarin https://twitter.com/mustefa2bali/status ... 5875617794 …

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 07 Dec 2016 09:00

https://mobile.twitter.com/A7_Mirza/sta ... 76/photo/1

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2016 10:29

Russia’s Carrier Operations Start with Mishaps
by Vladimir Karnozov - December 5, 2016, 7:48 AM

After a few cruise missile launches and bombing raids on targets on the Syrian rebel-held province of Idlib in mid-November, the Russian navy task force in the northeastern Mediterranean remains largely inactive, contrary to expectations. Just before the strikes, the task force suffered the embarrassing loss of a MiG-29K on November 13. Then on December 3 one of its Su-33s overshot the carrier and crashed into the sea.

The pilots of both aircraft ejected and were subsequently rescued, but both aircraft sank to the bottom of the sea. These are painful losses for the Russian navy, especially the MiG-29K single-seater multirole fighter, only 20 of which were procured, along with four MiG-29KUB two-seat operational trainers, with deliveries in 2013-2015.

The MiG accident was initially attributed to unspecified technical malfunctions. But it emerged later that the MiG-29K was lost after it exhausted all its fuel while awaiting clearance to land on the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. The permission was never issued because the carrier’s crew had not managed to repair the Svetlana-2M arresting equipment in time, after one of its four wires broke. The MiG could have been saved, if the carrier's commander had instructed the pilot to divert to an airbase in Syria or Cyprus. But he hesitated to approve such an alternative, in the hope that the ship's arrestor gear would be repaired quickly.

The Su-33 loss followed the failure of an arrestor wire on landing.

The day after the MiG-29K crash, the task force did dispatch several aircraft to drop bombs on targets in rebel-held areas. Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu said on November 15 that for the first time in the history of the Russian navy, its fleet air arm was involved in striking real targets. “Beforehand, we carried out careful, thorough assessment of targets of all kinds. Using the information gathered, we marked targets of major concern, such as ammunition depots, concentrations and, most of all, training centers operated by unlawful armed groups or, to be precise, terrorists.”

Remarkably, the MiG-29K/KUBs, better suited for bombing missions, are yet to be used in anger. Instead, the navy has relied on Sukhoi Su-33s also aboard the Kuznetsov. These were developed as interceptors and, while having an infrared search and track system (IRST) and laser rangefinder/target designator, do not carry precision guided air-ground munitions. On strike missions the aircraft can carry up to eight 500-kg bombs or RBK-500 cluster bombs or twenty-eight 250-kg bombs attached to single- or multiple-beam racks.

Naval Su-33s struck the rebels with free-fall bombs using SVP-24-33 kit installed on the aircraft shortly before the carrier departed her home base, Severomorsk, for the Mediterranean. This subsystem is a derivative of the SVP-24 “specialized calculating subsystem” developed by the Gefest company for the Su-24M2 frontal bomber, the primary Russian type employed in Syria. It does trajectory calculations for cueing the pilot in using free-fall bombs. The Russian Air and Space Force (VKS) finds its accuracy adequate for the theater. Higher computing power and use of more advanced algorithmsimproves by up to five-fold the accuracy of Su-33 strikes using unguided weapons compared to the factory standard.

Among the other recent modifications to the Su-33s are installation of modern EW equipment and incorporation of a navigation and aiming system employing Glonass/GPS satellite receivers. In addition, the aircraft were refurbished with the more robust AL31FM1 engines with a longer life and maximum thrust boosted to 13,500 kgf (about 30,000 pounds). A dozen of these improved Su-33s remain combat worthy at the moment, according to unofficial estimates.

Recent reports state that a number of the MiGs and Sukhois that came with the carrier are now operating from the Hmeymim airbase in Latakia, along with Su-24M2s, Su-30SMs, Su-34s and Su-35Ss already based there. However, on December 4, a Russian TV report from Kuznetsov showed a MiG-29K loaded with KAB-500KR electro-optically guided bombs being prepared for takeoff.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 07 Dec 2016 10:30

^^ The Mig-29K could have been saved had the commanded gave permission to land it at airbase then waiting for the arrestor equipment to be repaired .......Poor Judgement on this part.

habal · Post by **habal** » 07 Dec 2016 10:34

keep at it, a few planes will be lost but they will learn and get better.

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 07 Dec 2016 11:03

A tough learning experience for sure; though frankly I don't see the point of Russia getting into carrier ops in the first place. IMO there's no point investing in carriers if you can't protect them. And for that you need to have VAST naval/air assets or be part of a larger coalition (like British or French carriers that could never survive a real war outside the USN umbrella). The Russian armed forces have so many other glaring deficiencies that should take priority. They're foolish to be wasting precious funds on carriers that can never be used against any foe with SSM's or an air force.