Levant crisis - III

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 19:02

These Ru SF are amazing beast @habal, @Singha
But do not attract fanfare and coverage like American sniper: recently in Brit there was widespread coverage of a British SAS who clocked 100th kill in ME on militants.

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 19:07

ISIS terrorists convoy after an inpromptu meeting with RuAF and SyAF

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 19:12

Lots of sharply made hd video on rusf these days on youtube...often to good backing music

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 19:32

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel
Situation is getting real bad in east Homs. ISIS scumbags captured Jihar Crossroad near the T-4 Airbase.

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 19:32

rus sf are low key, which means they are effective.
western sf make lots of hand waving and photo sessions, movies, propaganda which means they are trying to compensate for what they don't have or have in little quantities.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 19:33

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
Euphrates Shield led by Turkish forces launched assault this morning storming al-Bab city from north, north-east & west axis

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 19:37

syrian arab armed forces are only 1000 in number over there and massed in and around T4. ISIS are expected to come near T4, but they will be repelled around there.

ISIS estimates are around 5k. My personal guesstimate is that they are around 2-3k.

reinforcements are a way

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 19:39

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 19:54

I yet have to understand why are US backed forces fighting against their owned backed rebels in Raqqa or Turkey backed rebels else where in Syria, very evidently they are not going to hand over these areas to Assad after win or a deal!
Is it already decided Sy does not exist in present form on map any more?

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 19:58

though backend is same, the front end have their own agenda.

btw there are dark rumors afloat now that the 3k-4k isis fauj in palmyra landed in from Jordan. They look fresh and unmolested from vagaries of war except for a long journey through the desert from Jordan.

plenty of merceneries from qatar & saudi/gcc hang around at the jordan beachhead and just need a change of uniform from fatah al-sham/nusra to isis crimson.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 20:00

habal wrote:though backend is same, the front end have their own agenda.

btw there are dark rumors afloat now that the 3k-4k isis fauj in palmyra landed in from Jordan. They look fresh and unmolested from vagaries of war except for a long journey through the desert from Jordan.

but RT is reporting flow is like this
Mosul >> Raqqa + Deir ez zor >> Palmyra
(indigenous IS fighters appeared from caves & mountains as well)

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 20:04

yeah, this is another theory.

earlier it was mosul rats went to raqqa and raqqa rodent burrowed into palmyra.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 20:11

SAA Soldier ‏@saa_soldier
#Palmyra: Confirmed that #US drones were in the sky giving instructions & intel to #ISIS as they attacked.

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 20:22

east aleppo is 100% clean it seems

Operation to Liberate Aleppo Reaches End, Militants Leave Last Holdouts

Syrian forces are now in full control of the northern city of Aleppo, nearly three weeks after Damascus and its allies launched a major offensive to recapture the militant-held part of the city, a pro-opposition monitoring group says.

http://en.alalam.ir/news/1896331

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 20:24

even MI6 (aka coventry based SOHR) has thrown in the towel

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday that the battle for Aleppo had reached its end and government forces were making sweeping advances into the militant-held sector of the city.

The group’s director, Rami Abdulrahman, said militants had now withdrawn from six neighborhoods in the city, their last holdouts in Aleppo.

“The battle of Aleppo has reached its end. It is just a matter of a small period of time, no more, no less… it’s a total collapse,” Abdulrahman added.

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 20:26

https://twitter.com/DocPakistan/status/ ... 0715253762

PHOTOS || Mass Militant Surrender In Aleppo

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 20:35

they look like street thugs & thieves rather than hardened militants out there to establish a caliphate.

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 21:04

many shaved off their beards, you can see the shadow of a hastily trimmed beard on many of them.

habal · Post by **habal** » 12 Dec 2016 21:08

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 12 Dec 2016 21:10

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201612 ... relations/

Problems in Turkey, Russia Relations Now Thing of Past – Turkish FM

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 12 Dec 2016 21:17

Singha wrote:SAA Soldier ‏@saa_soldier
#Palmyra: Confirmed that #US drones were in the sky giving instructions & intel to #ISIS as they attacked.

All that was needed was this tweet to confirm US support to ISIS.
Thank you everyone for exposing US.

pralay · Post by **pralay** » 12 Dec 2016 21:18

ISIS is now attacking Tiyas Airbase,
looks like they are hell bent on rolling back the SAA-Russian gains completely.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 21:29

Bhurishravas wrote:
Singha wrote:SAA Soldier ‏@saa_soldier
#Palmyra: Confirmed that #US drones were in the sky giving instructions & intel to #ISIS as they attacked.
All that was needed was this tweet to confirm US support to ISIS.
Thank you everyone for exposing US.

Just a shared tweet, proves nothing BS ji: You can as well get a tweet that Ru was directly supervising IS in Palmyra and share.

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 12 Dec 2016 21:42

IndraD wrote:
Bhurishravas wrote:
All that was needed was this tweet to confirm US support to ISIS.
Thank you everyone for exposing US.
Just a shared tweet, proves nothing BS ji: You can as well get a tweet that Ru was directly supervising IS in Palmyra and share.

The tweet has been shared by a moderator. You seem to be doubting his intellect in posting random tweets on this forum.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 21:47

habal wrote:https://twitter.com/DocPakistan/status/ ... 0715253762

PHOTOS || Mass Militant Surrender In Aleppo

Penal batallions to fight isis in palmyra are needed

No free meals to idlib

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 21:51

IndraD wrote:they look like street thugs & thieves rather than hardened militants out there to establish a caliphate.

Some could be camp followers and logistic mules.
Some local criminals and jobless given a gun and a flag
A certain number of perverts
Some genuine religuous nuts

None look like jaf or shams fighting elites

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 21:53

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel
ISIS will storm the T-4 Airbase with everything they have tonight; it is going to be a really long night.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 21:54

Probably more republican guard units from damascus will be sent supported by whatever hezbollah can spare

In a few days perhaps the desert hawks from south aleppo

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 22:03

^^ this means take over of Palmyra is complete and IS are advancing West : if Tiyas & T4 falls Homs is not far.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 12 Dec 2016 22:07

IS seem to be energised with renewed vigour !

The so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" (ISIS) continued their large-scale offensive in east Homs today, targeting the territory around the strategic T-4 Military Airport that is located just west of Palmyra (Tadmur).

ISIS began the day by launching a powerful assault on the Jihar Crossroad from their positions at Al-Bayarat and Al-Dawa; this resulted in a fierce battle with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) that lasted much of the morning.

Unable to halt the terrorist onslaught, the Syrian Arab Army's 11th Tank Division was forced to withdraw from the Jihar Crossing, leaving ISIS within striking distance of the T-4 Military Airbase.

The T-4 Military Airbase is the Syrian Arab Army's last functioning airport in east Homs; if lost, it could spell disaster for the remaining government forces in this desert region.

ISIS seizes important crossroad near Syrian Air Force base

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 22:09

Yes taking large swathes of thinly defended areas in the desert is easier. Even damascus per google maps satellite image is on western edge of this vast desert a continium from iraqi desert

What saa needs sorely is the huge seasoned pmu type mobile columns well armed and no lack of men. Trench warfare to hold positions surrounded by isis is not feasible unless its mandatory like deir azzor and you have civil eqpt and powerful arty

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 22:14

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha
Preliminary reports of al-Sukkari being liberated by the Syrian Army

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Dec 2016 22:15

Latest al bab map

https://mobile.twitter.com/sayed_ridha/ ... 28/photo/1

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Dec 2016 00:11

Kremlin confirms Russian MOD asking for Russian ground forces help on Syria , they want some ground forces there , let's see if Kremlin approves it

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 13 Dec 2016 01:00

Code: Select all

"What is actually interesting is that the American-led coalition, which has very powerful surveillance tools, apparently failed to pick up 4,000 ISIS jihadists making their way to Palmyra with all their equipment, trucks and everything," former UK ambassador to Syria Peter Ford told RT, adding that Washington and its allies "didn't lift a finger to try to stop [the IS offensive] happening."

"I don't think you have to be a genius to work out that there are plans afoot to decamp the ISIS rebels from Mosul into eastern Syria, and this will play into the American narrative that Assad can't control the countryside in Syria and that he's not a good ally in the fight against ISIS," Ford said. He added that "the opposite is the case," as once thousands of the Syrian government forces currently engaged in Aleppo "are released from those duties," they can turn their attention to fighting Islamic State in Palmyra.

https://www.rt.com/news/370019-isis-pal ... offensive/

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 13 Dec 2016 01:10

American forces have been supporting and not bombing ISIS according to the prevalent narrative here. So them not `picking up` 4000 ISIS and vehicles and arms is explainable.
What stopped Russia from picking up and bombing ISIS into smithereens before they launched anything towards Palmyra. Considering how great Roosi forces are, proofs of which are in high def images posted regularly here.
Or are they supporting ISIS too? Or they are no good either?

Is it too difficult to simply admit that ISIS has formidable support among the sunni masses in Iraq and Syria and also a hell of a lot of weapons from Saddam and post saddam times. Besides having innovative deadly tactics with no regard for the lives of their own.
ISIS will eventually be defeated but their morale and military improvisations have been impressive.

And that means, this war is not likely to be over soon. There will be guerilla war and terrorist attacks daily even after ISIS/Nusra have lost all their territories they control today. West Asia is done for. For next 10-20 years. Serves them all well though.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 13 Dec 2016 01:15

Some one did post above that fall of Palmyra could be result of some understanding between Roos & US as Ru pvt military companies pulled out side of area 2 days back. Nothing should surprise going by how wicked this war is!

habal · Post by **habal** » 13 Dec 2016 05:08

Kerry sympathizing with east aleppo terrorists.

he understands their 'courage', their 'bravery', 'fighting against all odds'

https://mobile.twitter.com/theLemniscat ... 89/video/1

habal · Post by **habal** » 13 Dec 2016 05:10

Russia Says US is Main Reason for Palmyra Fall on ISIS Hands

Russian President Vladimir Putin spokesman says that unwillingness of the United States to work with Moscow in Syria contributed to the loss of the ancient city of Palmyra to the Islamic State (ISIS) group.

http://en.alalam.ir/news/1896291

habal · Post by **habal** » 13 Dec 2016 05:13

the US used bombers to blow up telecommunications towers between Raqqa and Tadmur in order to hinder SAA communications. This was done 3 days ago, ie at the start of the main onslaught. The US – the ‘carefully vetted moderate’ USAF, not the ‘extremist’ CIA – is indoubtedly and totally behind these attacks by ISIS.

https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2 ... -strategy/