Levant crisis - III

The Strategic Issues & International Relations Forum is a venue to discuss issues pertaining to India's security environment, her strategic outlook on global affairs and as well as the effect of international relations in the Indian Subcontinent. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
Austin
BRF Oldie
Posts: 23387
Joined: 23 Jul 2000 11:31

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Austin »

Russian air force targets Al-Nusra HQ in north Hama countryside

Bheeshma
BRFite
Posts: 592
Joined: 15 Aug 2016 22:01

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Bheeshma »

According to some website: https://maps.southfront.org/yemeni-miss ... tal-media/
Its 1400 km range. They must have reduced the payload. Of course it means all saudi cities and qatar and bahrain are fully in their range. I hope the paki army deployed to saudi gets a taste of these missiles soon.

Not sure why people are upset with Israel? Israel will look out for their own interest. To them Hezbollah, SAA, ISIS and AQ are all enemies. They just took their opportunity to prolong the fighting between enemies. The fact that even russia with S-400 did not interfere should tell you something. If Israeli raid was abandoned and they flew back then we have no idea what they aimed to hit.
Bhurishravas
BRFite
Posts: 680
Joined: 02 Sep 2016 18:25

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Bhurishravas »

http://www.latimes.com/world/middleeast ... story.html

The way to deal with security threats. 2nd strike in three days.
Israel reportedly launches strike on Syria as tensions rise
An Israeli aircraft reportedly launched a strike into Syria on Sunday that left one person dead, in what appeared to be the second cross-border attack in three days as tensions between the neighbors escalated over the weekend.
The Lebanese news service Al Mayadeen said the attack killed Yasser Hussein Asayeed, whom it described as a member of a militia aligned with the Syrian government. It said he was based in Golan.
On Sunday morning, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman responded to the incident with a saber-rattling warning. “The next time that the Syrian air defenses fire at us, we will destroy them completely without thinking twice,’’ he said in an interview with Israel Radio.
http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/19/middl ... -liberman/
UlanBatori
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14045
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by UlanBatori »

US/Saudi/ISIS/ISrael Deep State at work. Is Russia going to stand by and watch IsisAF undo 2 years of sacrifice? OTOH, if they intervene, isn't it WW3 with US intervening on the side of Israel? This is truly insane. The ghosts of all those tortured to death or blown apart by the ISIS monsters, are waiting to deal with the Israelis.

Israel can bloody well wait until the ISIS is wiped out, to start their anti-Hezb stunts, hain? Right now it is obvious that Israel, Erdogan, KSA and ISIS are all on the same team. Anti-Humanity.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

and while being "tough" on syria . ISIS seems to have taken over the Sinai under their chair. apart from ground clashes, the egypt AF is bombing targets there which means the situation is not good.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/wa ... peninsula/
Bheeshma
BRFite
Posts: 592
Joined: 15 Aug 2016 22:01

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Bheeshma »

Anti-humanity? :rotfl: Everyone looks after their own interest. Hopefully India for the first time has a PM who thinks the same way unlike ba-stards like chamcha nehru and mickey mouse singh who would sacrifice Indian interests for nobel prize or world leader stature. Modi is not visiting Saudi and UAE because he wants their stupid awards.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

russia is not going to fight the IDF on behalf of syria and even if they wanted to, do not have the assets on site. so taunting about "what is the S400 doing?" is like the sickular taunt after every terror attack in india - "what is namo doing?" :rotfl:
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

large offensive in jobar suburb of damascus by jihadis, resulting in some total 100 kia in 24 hrs incl both sides. why they chose to reactivate the southern front at this juncture and under whose sponsorship and tutelage is a mystery.

ISIS has done the old thing of cutting the khanasser highway. only delays the inevitable. the syrians will reopen the road in next few days and kill a few dozen in fixed positions for free.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Leith Abou Fadel‏Verified account @leithfadel 19h19 hours ago
Massive Syrian Army buildup in west Aleppo. Some 10-15k soldiers deployed to this front recently.

^^^ one prong of the upcoming Idlib offensive. activation of all other fronts could be game to delay or cancel this.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

large rocket attack by syrians in hama - video of target

https://twitter.com/MIG29_/status/843197368464031745
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Philip »

You have to hand it to Putin.The man acts fast,far faster and more decisively than he talks! If only India had 10-% of Putin';s guts... We haven't even the b*lls to stop the Chinese in Hambantota or Colombo,thanks to the eunuchs who squat in the MEA,who understand b*gger all about mil/strat. affairs.more's the pity and are even effectively cutting down our defence (and naval) budget in real terms.

Through Putin's "Syrian Gambit",or perhaps one could cal it "the Czar's Levant Opening" for chess lovers,Russia is to firmly establish a huge naval base that will allow it to operate all types of its naval assets,in particular,nuclear powered carriers,battlecruisers and subs. If you read the terms of the agreement in the report.Russia has been given a virtual free hand in naval operations from Tartus,as if it were sovereign Russian territory. With Russia also planning to use Egypt and perhaps Libya for naval facilities/bases too, it will give Russia the key logistic hubs from where its maritime forces can operate from. The Bosphorous/Dardanelles is a tricky passage for its Black Sea assets.Using the Gibraltar route,it can rotate warships and subs and replenish its bases by its assets based in the Baltic or if need be even from the Northern Fleet. Putin has now put into place the roadmap for a permanent Russian "settlement" in the Levant/Meditt.,which will have a cascading effect on the fortunes of the entire MEast. China is attempting to do just that in our very own backyard,the IOR and we are doing precious little in return in the Indo-China Sea!

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-bu ... hips-19813
How Russia Is Turning Syria into a Major Naval Base for Nuclear Warships (and Israel Is Worried)
Michael Peck
March 18, 2017

During the 1970s, the Syrian naval base of Tartus became a major port servicing warships of the Soviet Union’s Fifth Mediterranean squadron.

The Soviet Union is gone, and so is Syria as a unified nation. But Russia is back, and it’s building up Tartus again as a naval base that can handle Russia’s largest nuclear-powered ships.

Already, Israel says the Tartus base is affecting its naval operations. U.S. and NATO operations could be next.

Under the forty-nine-year agreement inked late last year by Russia and Syria, “the maximum number of the Russian warships allowed at the Russian naval facility at one time is 11, including nuclear-powered warships, providing that nuclear and ecological security rules are observed,” according to Russia’s RT news site. Russia will also be allowed to expand port facilities to accommodate the vessels.

The specification allowing nuclear-powered warships means that Russia wants to be able to base in Syria large surface ships, namely Kirov-class nuclear-powered battle cruisers, as well as nuclear submarines.

In addition, the treaty allows “Russia is allowed to bring in and out any kind of ‘weaponry, ammunition, devices and materials’ to provide security for the facility staff, crew, and their families throughout the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic ‘without any duties or levies,’” according to RT.

Expansion of the port will take about five years, according to an anonymous source cited in Russia’s Sputnik News. “The source added that the works would focus on dredging operations to allow cruisers and even possibly aircraft carriers to use the facility’s infrastructure,” Sputnik News reported. “According to the source, Russia also needs to develop the facility’s ground infrastructure, through construction of canalization, electricity generation facilities and barracks for the servicemen.”

Sputnik News also listed other provisions of the agreement. These include:

• Russia will be responsible for sea and air security of the base, while Syria handles the land defenses.

• Russia can deploy “temporary mobile outposts” beyond the base, as long as they coordinate them with the Syrians.

• Russia can renovate the base at will, including underwater construction, and build offshore platforms.

• Upon Syrian request, Russia will send specialists to service Syrian warships, conduct search and rescue in Syrian waters, and organize the defense of Tartus.

• Syria agrees not to “make any objections related to the military activities of the base, which will also be beyond Damascus’ jurisdiction.”

• “Syria also pledges to solve any conflicts that may arise if a third party objects to the activities of the base.”

The Tartus deal is significant on several levels. For starters, the explicit mention of Tartus servicing nuclear-powered ships suggests that Russia may operate its biggest ships in the eastern Mediterranean, such as the nuclear battle cruiser Peter the Great. At the least, it indicates that nuclear submarines could be based at Tartus.

That Russia can put deploy outposts beyond the base suggests that Russia will take an expansive view of defending Tartus against rebel attacks. Russia will also be responsible for sea and air security at Tartus. Yet since the Syrian rebels don’t have a navy or air force—but the Americans and the Israelis do—this indicates that Moscow is eyeing Tartus through the lens of a possible conflict with outside powers.

However, the agreement also contains two contradictory provisions. On the one hand, it bars Syria from objecting to Russian military activities at the base, which will not be under Syrian jurisdiction. So, if Russian ships and aircraft ever decide to harass NATO and Israeli forces in the Mediterranean—just as Russia has done in the Black Sea—then Syria can’t stop them.

On the other hand, Syria is obligated to “solve any conflicts” if a “third party” objects to the activities at the Tartus base. If this means that the United States or Israel complains, then Syria must resolve the problem—even though it has no jurisdiction over the base or operations conducted from there.

In any event, Israel has gotten the message. “There have been instances in which we assessed the situation and changed or chose not to carry out operations,” Rear Adm. Dror Friedman, Israeli Navy chief of staff, told the Jerusalem Post.

“You see their activities in the field and you see them putting down roots, you see their activities in the Port of Tartus and you understand that this isn’t the activity of someone who is planning to pack their bags and leave tomorrow morning.”
PS:Read this also.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-r ... SKBN16K2RY
WORLD NEWS | Tue Mar 14, 2017 |
Exclusive: Russia appears to deploy forces in Egypt, eyes on Libya role - sources
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

I think he will move the black sea kilo sub fleet down to tartous along with intel gathering spy ships.
they have nothing much to do inside the black sea and with turkey now friendly with putin, access via bosporus is smooth with no "procedural delays" imposed.

perhaps a couple of nuclear boats as well on roving deployments just to rattle the cage.

the Med has a lot of nato naval bases incl piraeus (athens), naples , few in spain , southern france...lot of things to snoop on and harass.

icing on cake if he gets a base on libya also lol - he is on good terms with khalifa haftar.

there is talk of a giant OTH/ABM/3Dair radar(s) in Palmyra - hence his undue interest in that pile of rocks

and the hymenium airbase will be a great location for LRMP a/c on permanent work and bombers on rotations
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Philip »

If Russia introduces its latest air-defence systems into Syria.protecting Assad on the side,then the Israelis need to be worried.Their fighters were fired upon recently,showing that the days of their overflights with impunity may be coming to an end. As long as there is no anti-Israeli activity from the Syrian side,using Russian mil-power as a cover,with the Hiz minding their own biz,a frozen "peace" existing,the world will breather easier.If hardliners in Israel keep gunning for Hiz leadership.anything may happen in the future. The last thing one wants is Russia-Israel clash bringing with it the US into the action.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... sion-assad
Israeli fighter jets fired upon during Syria mission in clash with pro-Assad forces
Israeli fighter jets targeting sites inside Syria came under anti-aircraft missile fire but returned unharmed, says military

Peter Beaumont in Jerusalem and Martin Chulov in Beirut
Friday 17 March 2017
Israeli and pro-Assad forces have had their most serious clash since the beginning of the civil war in Syria after Israeli military jets on an operation over Syria were targeted by anti-aircraft missiles.

Israeli said none of the aircraft was hit, but one of the missiles was intercepted north of Jerusalem by an Israeli missile defence system.

The first indications of the exchange of fire came in the middle of the night with air raid sirens in the Israeli-occupied Jordan valley and reports of an explosion, which was later confirmed as the sound of one of the missiles being brought down by Israeli air defences.

In its own account of the incident the Syrian army said that four Israeli jets had entered Syrian airspace, and that one had been shot down and a second hit, a claim denied in the Israeli military statement.

Lebanese media and websites affiliated with Hezbollah, said the strike had killed Badie Hamya, a veteran of the Shia militant group, who was described as a “mujahedin leader”.

Hezbollah has played a prominent role in the fighting in Syria, with its troops joining Shia militias from Iraq to storm east Aleppo in December, and fighting alongside Russian special forces in Palmyra, which was retaken from Islamic State forces earlier this month.

The Syrian military said the Israeli strikes had targeted a military installation near Palymyra. Israel did not disclose the area it’s forces had targeted.

The incident was highly unusual in that it also saw the Israeli military break its customary silence over raids in Syria to release a statement to admit that its aircraft had been targeted while operating there.

“Overnight, March 17, IAF aircrafts [sic] targeted several targets in Syria,” said the statement. “Several anti-aircraft missiles were launched from Syria following the mission and the IDF aerial defence systems intercepted one of the missiles. At no point was the safety of Israeli civilians or the IAF aircraft compromised.”

Israel has largely avoided entanglement in the war in Syria , but the statement confirmed what has long been an open secret in Israel in recent years, that Israeli jets have been targeting weapons convoys linked to the transport of Iranian-supplied arms to the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which has been fighting on the side of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

Although Israel has operated with relative impunity in Syria, Russian-supplied anti-aircraft missile systems – including most recently S300 launchers – have long threatened to complicate Israel’s freedom of action.

Israeli military sources described the rocket brought down over Israel as one known to be in Syrian military arsenal – although not its most advanced – adding that it had been intercepted by its Arrow anti-missile system in its first confirmed use since being deployed in the late 1990s.

There has been growing concern in Israeli security circles at events turning the war in Syria in favour of the Assad regime, which is seen by some as benefiting Hezbollah in Lebanon, not least in its efforts to comprehensively rearm since the 2006 war.
Philip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 21538
Joined: 01 Jan 1970 05:30
Location: India

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Philip »

Related Israeli media reports:

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Confl ... ria-484645
REPORT: ISRAEL STRIKES HEZBOLLAH CONVOY IN SYRIA
BYJPOST.COM STAFF MARCH 20, 2017 02:47

Syrian media reported early Monday morning that Israel had struck Hezbollah targets on the Syrian-Lebanese border.
The unconfirmed reports stated that Israel struck a Hezbollah convoy.

IAF strike reportedly kills Syrian air defense commander

On Sunday, an Israeli drone reportedly struck a vehicle in the Quneitra countryside, killing the driver, Yasser al-Sayed, who was a commander in Syria’s air defense unit, according to Channel 2.

Hours earlier, Syrian media reported that regime forces had “repelled” an Israeli reconnaissance drone near the town of Khan Arnaba, close to where Friday morning’s Israel Air Force strike allegedly occurred. The air force’s Arrow anti-aircraft missile defense system intercepted a Syrian SA-5 missile fired at Israeli jets on Friday night. The jets had already returned to Israeli airspace when they were attacked, after striking targets in Syria.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel ... ity-484634
ISRAEL ALREADY PREPARING FOR END OF UN BAN ON IRAN MISSILE ACTIVITY

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Confl ... ses-484583
'ISRAEL WILL NOT HESITATE TO DESTROY SYRIAN AIR DEFENSES'
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

allegedly a B52 taking out a large building in mosul with a shower of bombs

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c02_1489958655

in other news, a russi sub has fired a few kalibrs on isis targets east of palmyra
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

ferocious fighting in jobar suburbs today. fresh repub guard, hezbollah and palestini militias seem to have got the upper hand now.
a good number perhaps 20-40 of repub guard were kia in two huge initial VBIED attacks by these two rats. the second one is surely a chechnyan


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7S-_wFVsAALBau.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7Tk3voUwAAAtkA.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7Tk4NqU8AA94F5.jpg
Bhurishravas
BRFite
Posts: 680
Joined: 02 Sep 2016 18:25

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Bhurishravas »

As long as there is no anti-Israeli activity from the Syrian side,using Russian mil-power as a cover,with the Hiz minding their own biz,a frozen "peace" existing,the world will breather easier.If hardliners in Israel keep gunning for Hiz leadership.anything may happen in the future. The last thing one wants is Russia-Israel clash bringing with it the US into the action.
Russia has no power to stop anti-Israeli activity by hezbollah in Syria. Hezbollah remains an anti- Israeli force and Russian intervention is not going to turn it into an Israel loving dove in 2-3 years. The same way Pakis wont turn into India loving and terrorist hating souls if only Putin lovers want them to.

Israel has been keenly cooperating with Russia regarding its military intervention in Syria. Before the latest round of Israeli air attacks, Israeli PM made another visit to Moscow.
Netanyahu doesnt necessarily need to pamper Russian egos. Israel is no pushover and can take care of its security needs without fondling Putin`s balls. Irrespective of chest thumping by any and all Putin lovers. If Russia cant stop arms transfers from Iran to Syria to Hezbollah, it has no business lecturing Tel Aviv on how it should go about preventing rockets from being fired into Israeli territory.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Leith Abou Fadel‏Verified account @leithfadel 3h3 hours ago
More
Erdogan complaining about "fascist" Europe is like the Saudi regime complaining about women's rights in Syria. Sit down and stfu.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article ... ne-photos/

Idf drone shot down over golan

In other news a series of daesh hit and run attacks have closed the ithriyah salamiyah route to aleppo since yesterday.

Deir hafr is 70% encircled now since daesh wants to hold it
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Reuters::

By Tom Perry | BEIRUT
The Syrian Kurdish YPG militia said Russia was setting up a military base in northwestern Syria under a bilateral agreement and will help train its fighters - a step that would anger Turkey as it tries to block Kurdish gains near its borders.

The Russian defense ministry, however, said it had no plans to open any new military bases in Syria; it said a branch of its "reconciliation center", that negotiates local truces between the warring sides in Syria, had been located in Aleppo province near Afrin.

One of the major forces in the Syrian conflict, the YPG is also a military ally of the United States and is playing a major part in U.S.-backed operations against Islamic State in areas of Syria further to the east.

YPG spokesman Redur Xelil told Reuters the agreement had been concluded on Sunday and that Russian troops had already arrived at the position in the northwestern region of Afrin with troop carriers and armored vehicles. "It is the first (agreement) of its kind," he said in a written message.

Such an agreement would further illustrate how the Syrian Kurds have managed to bring both Washington and Moscow onto their side after showing themselves as an organized force able to confront jihadist groups and take back territory from Islamic State.

A Russian deployment would help deter cross-border attacks against the Kurdish-dominated area of Afrin from Turkey, which is hostile to the YPG, seeing it as an arm of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that is pressing an insurrection in Turkey.
Bhurishravas
BRFite
Posts: 680
Joined: 02 Sep 2016 18:25

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Bhurishravas »

^^
YPG spokespersons have been known to make weird announcements from time to time. I wouldnt believe Russia would be opening a `base` in Afrin without doing homework on its logistics, needs and repercussions.
Unless confirmed by Moscow, this is just a trick by YPG to finger Erdogan.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Conflicts Forum‏ @ConflictsForum Mar 20
Elijah Magnier: Israel "tests the ground" but will accept "the message", aware Syria is Russias playground @EjmAlrai http://bit.ly/2nqVjTS pic.twitter.com/mjPGd4Gfsu

Image
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Haidar Sumeri‏ @IraqiSecurity 34m34 minutes ago
More
Haidar Sumeri Retweeted Haidar Sumeri
Da'ish has used around 900 SVBIEDs during #MosulOp so far according to #Iraq's forces, causing untold damage across the city.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

iraqi army and hashd has now turned east from badush and entering the western outskirts - so 2nd front opened

Image
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Iraqi PMU English‏ @pmu_english 6m6 minutes ago
More
#BREAKING - #Iraqi #PMU now begin accepting candidates for Special Forces training for new PMU Special Forces Div

Iraqi PMU English‏ @pmu_english 43m43 minutes ago
More
#BREAKING - #Iraqi #PMU 2nd & 26th Brigades crossed al-Sham gate of west #Mosul, moving towards city with Iraqi Army. #ISIS will be defeated

Iraqi PMU English‏ @pmu_english 49m49 minutes ago
More
You can purchase #Iraqi #PMU shirt, long sleeve or hoodie. Funding towards civilians displaced by #ISIS in #Mosul

http://teespring.com/IraqiPMU
Bhurishravas
BRFite
Posts: 680
Joined: 02 Sep 2016 18:25

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Bhurishravas »

In west Asia, we are just getting started.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-israe ... SKBN16S1IA
"As we speak, relations between Iran and Syria are getting tighter," said Chagai Tzuriel, the top civil servant in Israel's Intelligence Ministry, who spent 27 years in Mossad, including as station chief in Washington.
"Iran is in the process of putting together agreements, including economic agreements, with Syria to strengthen its hold, its ports and naval bases there," he said in a rare interview. "There is a need for Russia and other powers to work to avoid the threat that Iran ends up with military, air and naval bases in Syria."
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

SDF are 10km from raqqa outskirts in multiple points.
by this weekend they could be probing into the outer line of city defences

Image
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

Russi base raises flag over efrin video

https://mobile.twitter.com/M1Massoud/st ... 84/video/1
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

rockets fired at hymenim airbase from latakia. jihadis massing again near jisr al shugour
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ji ... t-latakia/
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

- in the south around daraa, ISIS vs FSA fest is ongoing
- the south east desert the ISIS vs FSA fest is ongoing. with tacit SAA support to FSA.
- just a few miles north, FSA=shams + AQ(nusra HTS) is fighting in Jobar with SAA (!)
- ISIS is staging hit and run attacks near salamiyah highway using mortars and ATGMS from east homs dens - road closed twice in 2 days and SAA tries to fix them to fight
- HTS has launched Hama offensive behind the svbied attack of this "creature"
Image
- 25 grad rockets fired from jisr al shugour to hymenim AFB - no known damage. russis took off shortly after to look for blood
- deir hafr is now surrounded and besieged after M4 highway to raqqa taken SE of it. tigers have taken some losses looking at obits on twitter
- see saw battles in deir azzor continue unabated
- SDF is now 10k out from raqqa town and trying to press in closer from all sides esp the emptier eastern side.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

so looks like GCC handlers have told their men all over to activate all fronts and buy some time for the ISIS in palmyra and eastern aleppo. front like jobar and hama have been quiet for months.

another goal could be disrupt the planning of the Idlib offensive by 5th corps, repub guard and hezbollah by forcing them into fighting a 100 small bush fires. or even better divert the tigers off the meat.

the desert hawks have been resting since aleppo city fighting where they held a portion of the southern perimeter (did not enter). we might see them enter the fray in north hama now. the open terrain is suitable for their vehicles.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/statu ... 2508867585

mosul. iraqi heli stalks and destroys a technical.

100s of daeshis kill in western mosul. 1000s more remain, incl 1000 special die hards now gathered around the al-nuri mosque with the leaning tower. thats hallowed ground where the khalifa gave his first speech.
Atulya P
BRFite -Trainee
Posts: 55
Joined: 11 Aug 2016 06:14

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Atulya P »

Singha sir, where do you foresee the scum to gather again after Mosul/Raqqa/DeZ ops close out. There should be signs visible about now that would be pointing towards the next infestation. Is your post above, about 100 small bush fires, pointing to a movement towards Sinai through Jordan and onto Libya?
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

^^ there is plenty of dark territory east of damascus along the jordanian border both for the pigs to root around and to escape easily into jordan.
my guesses would be
(a) Sinai - the egyptians have been forced to use AF to bombard some points. a town was briefly taken over a couple weeks ago
(b) HTS (nusra) in hama and ISIS (east homs) are separated by a narrow belt of govt held land that is the Ithriyah - Salamiyah road that goes to aleppo. both sides are now seeing active fighting. if pushed the ISIS could cross over and join the HTS in the combined north hama - Idlib emirate. their backers and motives are the same, so no real conflict there except over money and women.
(c) the southern deserts of anbar province (it has a single town call Al rutba in govt hands for now) and the northern adjacent desert of saudi arabia will be their rear supporting bases and empty cracks to hide in.

see its all adjacent - sinai, empty areas of jordan, south anbar, north saudi - borders are just lines in sand

https://www.google.co.in/maps/@31.47921 ... 02002,7.2z

its an area bigger than syria, with almost no governance or cities, desolate ... ideal ... supplies from backers can simply be trucked around. only the odd US drone might see what goes on there. its the most desolate part of saudistan.
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

big move by the khan - helicopter assault on south bank west of tabqa.

Barzan Sadiq‏ @BarzanSadiq 1h1 hour ago
#BREAKING
#US special forces cut the main route between #Aleppo and #Raqqa, after making a surprise airdrop near #Tabqah, #Syria.

Raqqa24‏ @24Raqqa 38m38 minutes ago
More
IMPORTANT: Military Air-Drop of US forces with #SDF near of Shurfa town W #Raqqa. And controlled peninsula near of town.

Image
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

could be a bait and switch play to draw out the Tabqa garrison into open country for the B52s to work
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

@CBSDavidMartin: US helos have airlifted 500 Syrian fighters into area west of Raqqa to seize major dam across the Euphrates held by ISIS
Singha
BRF Oldie
Posts: 66601
Joined: 13 Aug 2004 19:42
Location: the grasshopper lies heavy

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Singha »

That cal only be the tabqa dam whose south shore was in dsesh hands
Y. Kanan
BRFite
Posts: 926
Joined: 27 Mar 2003 12:31
Location: USA

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by Y. Kanan »

Bheeshma wrote:Anti-humanity? :rotfl: Everyone looks after their own interest. Hopefully India for the first time has a PM who thinks the same way unlike ba-stards like chamcha nehru and mickey mouse singh who would sacrifice Indian interests for nobel prize or world leader stature. Modi is not visiting Saudi and UAE because he wants their stupid awards.

Honestly, I fail to see how backing ISIS & Co. is of any real benefit to Israeli security. Good for the US military industrial complex that supplies Israel, good for the Saudis &Gulf Arabs, good for an Israeli military keen to justify its large expenditures, yes. But does this make Israelis safer? How could it?
brihaspati
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12410
Joined: 19 Nov 2008 03:25

Re: Levant crisis - III

Post by brihaspati »

Assad has not fallen yet? I have been waiting for it since 2011 when it was declared he will fall in the next few weeks. Russia has not left Assad yet, which was supposed to happen within days. Saudi forces were supposed to have been preparing a devastating attack that would finish Assad off in days. I contradicted all that then, but economy/trade/international-cooperation, all was supposed to be against Assad. I also suggested that independent Kurdistan was a matter of time. But Kurdis had an Islamist history (the currently dominant clan rose to military strength by acting as butchers of Ottomans against Armenians) so it did not necessarily mean less Islamism in a Kurdistan unless the "leftie" among them had some power (like PKK). Have we changed our understanding of drivers of historical force in ME from the 2009-2012 period?
Post Reply