Levant crisis - III

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 27 Dec 2016 22:11

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) - The so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" (ISIS) launched another large-scale assault at the strategic T-4 Military Airport in the western countryside of Palmyra on Monday, targeting the Syrian Arab Army's (SAA) near the Abandoned Base and Sha'rah Hills.

ISIS began the assault by storming the Syrian Arab Army's positions west of the Badiyah area of Palmyra; this was followed by a wave of attacks on the government's positions north of the Sha'rah Hills.

Despite their best efforts to overwhelm the Syrian Arab Army's units by sheer force and numbers, the Islamic State terrorists were ultimately repelled after a violent 4 hour battle on Monday afternoon.

According to a military source at the T-4 Airport, the Syrian Arab Army killed more than 25 Islamic State militants during Monday's battle, while also destroying at least 3 armored vehicles that were armed with anti-aircraft machine guns.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 27 Dec 2016 22:16

looks like taking Idlib back is on the card as well ; Ru AF has started bombing around Idlib

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:00 A.M.) - Thousands of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) reinforcements poured into the southwestern part of Aleppo on Monday, ahead of the planned government offensive at the Rashiddeen 4 Suburb.

Led by the Syrian Arab Army's Republican Guard and Liwaa Al-Quds (Palestinian paramilitary), the reinforcements departed from the recently captured eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo on Monday in order to reach the front-lines at the Rashidden 4 Suburb.

The arrival of these reinforcements came just 24 hours after the Syrian Arab Army sent an official warning to the jihadist rebels of Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest) regarding the consequence of their refusal to surrender.

Jaysh Al-Fateh will most likely reject any ceasefire deal that will have them surrender Rashidden 4, despite the fact they are greatly outnumbered and outgunned by the Syrian Armed Forces southwestern Aleppo.

If the jihadist rebels lose the Rashiddeen 4 Suburb, they will be in serious trouble along the Idlib Governorate border, as the Syrian Arab Army and their allies push south towards the key town of Saraqib.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 27 Dec 2016 22:22

Putin traveling in US Marine 1 with Bush Sr and Jr ?

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 27 Dec 2016 22:30

A bit like funny video , Diplomats at UN coming to meet Putin for a photo-op including Pakistani one and few other , He seems to be taken aback and amused at that

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMahzRxhPlY

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 27 Dec 2016 23:10

powerful mujahideen roaming the streets of Idlib

I kind of doubt given the small size and economy of Idlib vs Aleppo/Damascus, the 50k of so evacuees and terrorists can find gainful work there even if they just want a settled life. they will have to move along to seek a new life....there cant be any abandoned farms and such to take over as most of the Idlib rural people were pro-revolution I think.

the coming spear toward Saraqib is going to be interesting. this is the major logistics node that supplied the occupation of aleppo.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 27 Dec 2016 23:41

Turkish President: US-Led Coalition Gives Support to Daesh

Read more: https://en.ria.ru/middleeast/2016122710 ... errorists/

President Erdogan also accused the US-led coalition forces of supporting Kurdish militant groups YPG and PYD in Syria, at a news conference on Tuesday in Ankara.

"They were accusing us of supporting Daesh (Islamic State)," Erdogan said. "Now they give support to terrorist groups including Daesh, YPG, PYD. It's very clear. We have confirmed evidence, with pictures, photos and videos."

On Monday, Erdogan called on president-elect Donald Trump to provide assistance in their fight against Daesh by blocking Kurdish forces. "The international coalition must carry out its duties regarding aerial support to the battle we are fighting in al-Bab," Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said at a news conference. "Not giving the necessary support is unacceptable."

Relations between the US and Turkey have been strained, as Turkey has accused the US of not returning a man who led a failed coup attempt in the nation. Over the weekend, Daesh released a new 19-minute long video reportedly showing two uniformed Turkish soldiers being burned alive in Syria. In response, Turkey blocked all social media platforms in the nation.

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 27 Dec 2016 23:56

YPG is marxist unlike the Barzani fellas in northern Iraq who are Islamists and therefore hands in gloves with Erdogan.
Nothing wrong in helping YPG. Assad is secular. Nothing wrong in helping him either.

But helping uniformed jihadi turks in Al BAb or non uniformed jihadis like ISIS, Jabhat Nusra, Shams al shit and Fatah al shit etc should be a strict no no.

Unfortunately, Russia is more than happy to align itself with Islamist States like Pakistan and Turkey where Unkill is willing to disengage its alliance.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Dec 2016 00:12

EU top dog: Best way to fight jihad terror is with open borders

https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/12/eu-t ... en-borders

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 28 Dec 2016 02:09

if russia wants to underwrite turkeys fight with the kurds then have at it and jump right in.....

I suspect erdogan is schizo anyway......

can't help islamic meglomania that is operating in turkey

can't fight and tough on civilians......idiot decapitated their military and blamed it on the US....

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 28 Dec 2016 02:18

Austin wrote:Turkish President: US-Led Coalition Gives Support to Daesh

words fail me regarding what a &^%$£$%^&* Erdogan is ! Such a vile scum!

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 28 Dec 2016 02:20

Bhurishravas wrote:Unfortunately, Russia is more than happy to align itself with Islamist States like Pakistan and Turkey where Unkill is willing to disengage its alliance.

this seems to be turning true, India needs to do tight rope walk. While we seem to be moving in West orbit, geographical proximity to Cheena & Russia's new found love for Turk & Pk is worrying! Is there a middle path out?

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 28 Dec 2016 03:15

U.S. calls 'ludicrous' Turkey's claims coalition supported terrorists in Syria | Reuters

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 28 Dec 2016 03:18

error delete

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 28 Dec 2016 03:40

Usa did actually support ES initially at jarablous. A squad of sof was embedded with turkish escort but went away after fsa started shouting slogans against them. Video was posted here too. They pulled out of town with a turkish army tank as escort

Where usa and turkey diverged on ES is hard to pin down...perhaps when turkey decided it wanted manbij and raqqa too and attacked ypg

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 28 Dec 2016 03:42

And the intervening coup for which nato was blamed by erdogan incl blocade of incirlik

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 28 Dec 2016 05:47

TSJones wrote:if russia wants to underwrite turkeys fight with the kurds then have at it and jump right in.....

I suspect erdogan is schizo anyway......

can't help islamic meglomania that is operating in turkey

can't fight and tough on civilians......idiot decapitated their military and blamed it on the US....

I suspect Putin is more than happy to give Erdogan enough rope to hang himself.

devesh · Post by **devesh** » 28 Dec 2016 05:57

IndraD wrote:
Bhurishravas wrote:Unfortunately, Russia is more than happy to align itself with Islamist States like Pakistan and Turkey where Unkill is willing to disengage its alliance.
this seems to be turning true, India needs to do tight rope walk. While we seem to be moving in West orbit, geographical proximity to Cheena & Russia's new found love for Turk & Pk is worrying! Is there a middle path out?

have a feeling that if Putin continues with actively supporting and taking part in China-Pak axis, Russian deep-state with possibly tacit US nod will revolt against him. and the "enemy" might be closer to Putin than one thinks. just a possibility that I think we shouldn't rule out. although the if and when will depend on: how much concessions he gives to PRC in CA, and how much compromise he makes with Sunni jihadis and Islamists in CAR and Afghanistan.

the wild card is the Chechen jihadis. there have been rumors for some time now that the chechen mullahs are strutting around openly with broad smiles on their faces over the past couple of years. frankly, if there is a renewal of chechen jihad, and the sanctions on Russia are still in effect by then - Putin might feel boxed into a corner (for India - that is going to be a very delicate situation; the maximum risk of a real Russo-Chinese strategic entente would be posed in such a circumstance).

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Dec 2016 09:19

US support IS in Syria that part is clear from day 1 , it also supports many sub groups in Syria that has the same ideology as IS , just that they come with different name.

It is the same logic of good terror bad terror and terrorist

What Erdogan says is nothing new , just that he is now at the receiving end of this than be part of it as was the case before

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 28 Dec 2016 09:49

Austin wrote:EU top dog: Best way to fight jihad terror is with open borders

https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/12/eu-t ... en-borders

Reminds me of the doha that ends:
jisko jitna chahiye..
kaat-kaat le jayiye.

Perhaps the EU top dog is going to stand in the middle of Brussels mooning the EU Parliament and daring the ISIS to blow him up.

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:03

US deep state is genocidal maniac replacing old genocidal maniacs like yahya khan, chengiz khan, adolf hitler & taimur. It is just that they are clever enough to avoid portraying a single face to their genocidal nature and dissipate their behaviour amongst many faces. They have also introduced goebbelesian control over media to subvert any criticism and implanted agents of subterfuge to subvert online/offline discussions even. The mass murder of fallujah, then using Iraqi & allied sunnis to massacre defenceless yazidis, shias, alawis count as one of greatest massacre in modern world. The US was actively colluding with IS in wiping out minorities from certain belts and thereby remove any claims of Iraqi or Syrian govt and establish artificial states. US considers only Israelis as 'humanity' as if rest of peoples are alien. It's a total fake entity that needs constant sacrifcial offering.

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:07

The president and the first lady paid a visit to the orphanage at Saydnaayaa on Christmas Eve.

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:12

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:14

Latif Muhammad sends. —

”Wahhabi scholars made many fatwas that were condemned and not accepted by Muslims.
One fatwa allows sodomy to widen anus for jihad purpose, i.e. to insert explosive capsules into the anus.” !

https://fb-s-a-a.akamaihd.net/h-ak-xpf1 ... 5729_o.jpg

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:15

Following the loss of the Aleksandrov Ensemble in the Tu-154 tragedy, a Syrian band gives their rendition of a Red Army Choir favorite – Katyusha.

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:18

Baikul · Post by **Baikul** » 28 Dec 2016 10:26

habal wrote:
..........One fatwa allows sodomy to widen anus for jihad purpose, i.e. to insert explosive capsules into the anus.” !

That sounds more like Pakistan's relations with China.

Cain Marko · Post by **Cain Marko** » 28 Dec 2016 10:28

devesh wrote: the wild card is the Chechen jihadis. there have been rumors for some time now that the chechen mullahs are strutting around openly with broad smiles on their faces over the past couple of years. frankly, if there is a renewal of chechen jihad, and the sanctions on Russia are still in effect by then - Putin might feel boxed into a corner (for India - that is going to be a very delicate situation; the maximum risk of a real Russo-Chinese strategic entente would be posed in such a circumstance).

No salafized jihadis or saudi sponsored miscreants in chechnya anymore, Kadyrov took care of that and is blessed by His holy emperor, Putin. No jihad in chechnya for some time because of this deal. There is only one power there...Kadyrov and his gang, and they make sure no one disturbs the king. And the king in turn rewards generously by letting them rule the roost in that part of the world.

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:37

Qasem Soleimani was spotted in southern Aleppo yesterday and today, this is where a very large concentration of Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and IRGC forces are located prior to the offensive, some estimates a total between 5,000-7,000 fighters, besides SAA and NDF.

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:39

https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1/stat ... 5007192064

#Syria #Damascus a video published by the syrian opposition threatening to destroy the Ayn Al-Fija spring that supplies 6 Million Civilians

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:41

Massive battle brewing in western Palmyra as Syrian Army mobilizes forces to fight ISIS

BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:50 P.M.) - A major battle is brewing in the western countryside of Palmyra, as over 7,000 Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldiers prepare to push back the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" (ISIS) from the ancient city and nearby gas fields.

With the Islamic State militants failing to take the T-4 Military Airport in eastern Homs, the Syrian Arab Army and Hezbollah will be in position to launch a powerful counter-attack from several axes, pushing mostly north towards the Al-Mahr, Jazal, and Sha'er gas fields and as far east as the ancient city of Palmyra.

This major military operation will be led by none other than the Syrian Arab Army's elite "Tiger Forces" and their allies from the Desert Hawks Brigade (Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra), Hezbollah, and Liwaa Al-Quds (Palestinian paramilitary).

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ma ... ight-isis/

habal · Post by **habal** » 28 Dec 2016 10:54

Erdogan has done 180° turn

Turkey says Saudis, Qatar should attend Syria peace talks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Saudi Arabia and Qatar should join its meeting with Russia and Iran to discuss Syrian peace efforts.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/12/27 ... talks.html

now walking lock, step with the Iranians

Iran says Saudi Arabia should be barred from Syria peace process - RIA

Saudi Arabia should not be allowed to take part in the Syrian peace process, Iranian Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan told Russia's state-backed RT TV station in an interview, according to the RIA news agency on Tuesday.

He was cited as saying that he thought Saudi Arabia's insistence that President Bashar al-Assad should step down meant Riyadh should not participate in future Syrian peace talks.

http://in.mobile.reuters.com/article/idINKBN14G18O

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 28 Dec 2016 12:25

This is hilarious! The Sultan is living dangerously if he tries to tweak Uncle Sam's beard. The US establishment is also annoyed a lot that he is cosying upto Russia to stay afloat after the attempted coup,sorry-which has ended up becoming his coup against democracy in Turkey to further tighten his grasp on ultimate power.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 97841.html

Erdogan says he has evidence US-led coalition has given support to Isis
The Turkish leader made the claim while talking to reporters in Ankara

Andrew Buncombe New York @AndrewBuncombe

The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he has uncovered evidence that US-led coalition forces have helped support terrorists in Syria – including Isis.

American-led forces have been working alongside Syrian rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad but have attempted to avoid helping Isis and other Islamist militant groups.

However, speaking on Tuesday in the Turkish capital, Ankara, he said he believed they had given support to a variety of militant groups, including Isis Kurdish outfits YPG and PYD.

President Erdogan: I will open gates for migrants
“They were accusing us of supporting Daesh [Islamic State],” he told a press conference, according to Reuters.

“Now they give support to terrorist groups including Daesh, YPG, PYD. It's very clear. We have confirmed evidence, with pictures, photos and videos.”
Mr Erdogan also said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia and Qatar should join its meeting with Russia and Iran to discuss Syrian peace efforts.

Russia, Turkey and Iran, which helped broker the withdrawal of civilians and militants from the Syrian city of Aleppo, have agreed to hold talks on Syria in Kazakhstan next month.

Charles Shoebridge @ShoebridgeC
In 2014 I wrote (see above) "For US UK allies KSA & Israel, IS a useful tool". Now a Nato linked think tank confirms http://www.salon.com/2016/08/23/israeli ... lah-syria/ …

For years, anyone saying US UK had backed IS terror was branded a 'conspiracy theorist'. Now, Erdogan says it's truehttp://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle ... 97841.html …

The Associated Press said Mr Erdogan said the meeting of foreign ministers should include Saudi Arabia and Qatar, saying they had “shown goodwill and given support” to Syria.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the main backers of rebels seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is closely allied with Moscow and Tehran.
The US State Department has rejected Mr Erogan's claim as “ludicrous”.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner there was no was basis for such an accusation.

Bhurishravas · Post by **Bhurishravas** » 28 Dec 2016 15:24

IMHO, Erdogan is not the problem. He is but a symptom of Pakistaniyat that has crept into Turkish society. His downfall would only lead to someone else taking his place.

All the wild conspiracy theories, purges and islamist policies dont exist/took place only because of Erdogan but because the turkish society has been gradually islamised in the last couple of decades. And the destruction of the secularist guardian army has doomed Turkey as a peaceful `european` state now.

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 28 Dec 2016 22:14

After years tolerating them, twitter finally suspends accounts of 3 leading al-Qaida-aligned scholars, al-Maqdisi, Abu Qatada & al-Siba'i.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Dec 2016 22:23

UlanBatori wrote:
Austin wrote:EU top dog: Best way to fight jihad terror is with open borders

https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/12/eu-t ... en-borders

Reminds me of the doha that ends:
jisko jitna chahiye..
kaat-kaat le jayiye.
Perhaps the EU top dog is going to stand in the middle of Brussels mooning the EU Parliament and daring the ISIS to blow him up.

Dont have such high hopes Sir , there are many EU citizen yet to be sacrificed at the High Altar of Open Borders

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Dec 2016 22:43

Though the greatest credit for the Syrian army's victory must go to the soldiers of the Syrian army and to the people of Aleppo, the fanaticism and intransigence of the Jihadis in Aleppo, and the intransigence of their Western backers, contributed significantly to their "total defeat" and the Syrian army's victory.

Here’s how the Jihadis in Aleppo brought about their defeat

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 28 Dec 2016 23:57

Ancestors
Jacm
19h
Jacm ‏@JACM212
Word that Liwa al-Quds and Suqur al-Sahara are joining the East Homs front. One of many groups involved. https://twitter.com/ajaltamimi/status/8 ... 7506255873 …
Jacm
19h
Jacm ‏@JACM212
Other groups include in order: Loyalist militias Fawj al-Maham al-Khasa, Dara Qalamoun, Kata'ib al-Jabalawi pic.twitter.com/tTD9gRjBSQ
Jacm
19h
Jacm ‏@JACM212
Fawj Maghawir al-Badiya, Fawj Nusur Homs, Fawj al-Jowlan, Quwat Dir’ al-Amn al-Askari pic.twitter.com/lCGpc7o0fF
Jacm
Jacm – ‏@JACM212

Liwa al-Sayyida Ruqayya, Saraya al-Areen, elements of the Tiger Forces (originally just the Shaheen Forces, now more groups)

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 29 Dec 2016 00:03

Turkey and ksa backed jihadis on left have agreed to ceasefire with russia...the cia backed ones on right have not.
This means russia is looking to further shape the idlib battle by removing half the opposition toward euphrates shield...its bombing of al bab indicates its already working embedded with turkey sof.

https://mobile.twitter.com/agitpapa/sta ... 6153796609

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 29 Dec 2016 00:08

First sign will be if ahrar totally leaves idlib. Sultan murad already did for es long ago.

This will leave nusra as king of the remnants and achieve the separation that ruaf wants but kerry denies. Also bonus will be hammering the tow supplied cia munnas if they cluster with nusra

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 29 Dec 2016 01:15

devesh wrote:
IndraD wrote: this seems to be turning true, India needs to do tight rope walk. While we seem to be moving in West orbit, geographical proximity to Cheena & Russia's new found love for Turk & Pk is worrying! Is there a middle path out?

have a feeling that if Putin continues with actively supporting and taking part in China-Pak axis, Russian deep-state with possibly tacit US nod will revolt against him. and the "enemy" might be closer to Putin than one thinks. just a possibility that I think we shouldn't rule out. although the if and when will depend on: how much concessions he gives to PRC in CA, and how much compromise he makes with Sunni jihadis and Islamists in CAR and Afghanistan.

the wild card is the Chechen jihadis. there have been rumors for some time now that the chechen mullahs are strutting around openly with broad smiles on their faces over the past couple of years. frankly, if there is a renewal of chechen jihad, and the sanctions on Russia are still in effect by then - Putin might feel boxed into a corner (for India - that is going to be a very delicate situation; the maximum risk of a real Russo-Chinese strategic entente would be posed in such a circumstance).

This trend is very disappointing and I'm convinced would not have occurred had the US not pushed Putin into the arms of China with its constant encroachment and attempts to undermine/destabilize Russia.

The Russians were pushed into an alliance with China not just by years of US hostility but also due to India switching to US military purchases over that same time period. All those multi billion dollar Indian acquisitions helped push Russia into the Chinese camp. The last decade or so of Indian govts definitely played a big role in creating this new Russo-Sino-Pak chumminess.

It turns out that cozying up to Uncle Sam at Russia's expense actually did have consequences, despite the protestations of many sage BRF-ites that we could have our cake and eat it, too. I warned against this us taking this path for years and I still think we bet on the wrong horse.