Levant crisis - III

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Mar 2018 20:58

SAA has broken through and connected at hasrata. 1st phase of the match is over
https://twitter.com/MIG29_/status/97282 ... 67045?s=20

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 11 Mar 2018 20:59

https://muraselon.com/en/2018/03/russia ... e-reports/
The Russian Hmeimim airbase in northern Latakia province has reportedly come under attack by a terrorist drone armed with small bombs according to local sources.

Although a surprise attack, Russian air defenses were ready and shot down the unmanned air vehicle (UAV) before it could reach the military site say sources.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 12 Mar 2018 06:32

In response to renewed shelling of fuah kafraya the ruaf smacks rebel dens in idlib city

https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article ... dlib-city/

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 12 Mar 2018 12:20

Parasu wrote:
Austin wrote:Saudi Prince Says Turkey and Iran Anchor a 'Triangle of Evil'

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said Iran, Turkey and extremist groups represent a “triangle of evil,” and predicted the kingdom’s confrontation with Gulf Arab neighbor Qatar could last for years.

Turkey has acted to undermine the Saudi-led boycott of Qatar, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also sheltered members of the Muslim Brotherhood in his country.
All this is absolutely true. Turkey supports Hamas. Iran supports Hezbollah. Two radical jihadi elements on Israeli border alone.

Hamas may be fairly jihadist but Hezbollah isn’t. Hezbollah is basically a legit army, and is structured as such. They’re not in the jihad business; they’re in the warfighting business.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 12 Mar 2018 13:02

The Guardian view on Saudi Arabia and Yemen: Britain’s shame, Britain’s duty
Editorial
The visit by crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has highlighted UK responsiblities in the devastating war
Sun 11 Mar 2018
Theresa May greets Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman outside 10 Downing Street.
Theresa May greets Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman outside 10 Downing Street. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images
Two announcements marked the end of the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the UK on Friday. First came a £100m aid deal, promptly branded a “national disgrace”. While DfID says it will pool expertise to boost infrastructure in poor countries, critics say that it is meant to whitewash the reputation of Saudi Arabia, which needs such PR thanks to its leading role in the war in Yemen.

Enter announcement two, from BAE Systems. Saudi Arabia is near a long-delayed deal to buy 48 Typhoon fighters. The country’s military already have 72; some are being used in Yemen. The Campaign Against Arms Trade says the UK has licensed £4.6bn of arms sales to Riyadh since the bombardment began in 2015. Though Theresa May reportedly raised her “deep concerns” about the war with the crown prince, Britain boasts of providing humanitarian aid while supplying the weapons that fuel the world’s worst manmade humanitarian crisis and supporting the Saudi air campaign.

The UN says that 8.5 million Yemenis are at risk of famine. Its humanitarian chief describes conditions as “catastrophic”. The shattered health system battles diphtheria and cholera. The country’s new special envoy, former British diplomat Martin Griffiths, must try to revive the moribund attempts to find a political exit. Whatever the hopes of the Saudi crown prince, there is not a military solution.

The 32-year-old, his country’s de facto leader, has been feted for introducing social and cultural reforms – allowing women to drive, and cinemas to open after a 35-year ban. He is simultaneously consolidating his own power ruthlessly. On the international front, he led the charge into Yemen (and more recently the blockade of Qatar, another reckless initiative which seemed to promise swift victory but is now in stalemate). It is becoming known as “Saudi’s Vietnam”, a tag which Iran has seized with glee. Tehran’s support for the Houthi rebels has baited its great rival into a war which is draining its coffers and costing thousands of Yemeni lives.

The Saudi attempt to find an exit – by persuading Houthi ally and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh to flip – was short lived: the Houthis killed him. The internationally recognised president is Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who succeeded Saleh in the Arab spring, only to be forced out by the Houthis. But his government has little actual presence. As a recent report warned, Yemen has become a “chaos state” in which “each territory has its own leadership structure, internal politics, and external backers ... less a divided country than a collection of mini-states engaged in a complex intraregional conflict”. The “Yemen National Army” is really a loose anti-Houthi coalition of Sunni Islamists, southern secessionists, northern tribesmen and others. Many of those elements have made political and territorial strides thanks to the conflict, and are filling their pockets thanks to the flourishing war economy. Both domestic and international players have a lot at stake.

A successful peace initiative will need to involve them all, as complex as that will be; a simple deal bearing no relation to realities cannot hold. It will also require persuading Riyadh to be clearer and more realistic about its aims. Britain’s shameful role in Yemen gives it an extra duty to press that case. But for now it seems more focused on security and promoting Typhoon sales.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 12 Mar 2018 22:41

The Sultan announced with glee that the Afrin offensive is on and over 3000 killed.Over 1500 Kurdish fighters from E.Syria racing to Afrin to reinforce their comrades there.

Parasu · Post by **Parasu** » 13 Mar 2018 01:26

Y. Kanan wrote:
Parasu wrote: All this is absolutely true. Turkey supports Hamas. Iran supports Hezbollah. Two radical jihadi elements on Israeli border alone.
Hamas may be fairly jihadist but Hezbollah isn’t. Hezbollah is basically a legit army, and is structured as such. They’re not in the jihad business; they’re in the warfighting business.

Ok. We will know soon. A bigger war with Israel is coming.

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 13 Mar 2018 03:06

Parasu wrote:
Y. Kanan wrote:
Hamas may be fairly jihadist but Hezbollah isn’t. Hezbollah is basically a legit army, and is structured as such. They’re not in the jihad business; they’re in the warfighting business.
Ok. We will know soon. A bigger war with Israel is coming.

Hezbollah got lucky thanks to Isreali incompetence in their last round of fighting in 2006, but I doubt they'll pull off a successful defense like that again. The IDF learned its lesson about ground fighting and will probably just stick to air strikes, arty and MLRS this time...

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 13 Mar 2018 03:37

New US Syria strikes imminent
http://thehill.com/policy/international ... top-syrian

They're not even resorting to fake chemical attacks anymore. Now the US has announced the Syrian regime can't use conventional bombs either.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 08:29

ANNA makes another memorable film .... amazing work by their man on ground

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 08:42

no sign of the civilians in probably mesraba above.... civilians are in douma....jobar has been a derelict ruin for years....

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Mar 2018 13:59

We’ll respond if lives of our military, incl. from strikes on Damascus, are endangered – Russian MoD

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 14:38

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 14:39

Jisreen at the bottom pocket red arrow is being attacked by 4th div and liwa al quds palestini militia

the have outflanked the trenches at bottom of this region.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 14:48

http://www.moonofalabama.org/2018/03/sy ... ities.html

Syria - The Fall Of Two Cities
The Turkish proxy Takfiris have nearly encircled the Kurdish held city of Afrin. The water supply to the city is cut off. It will fall within a few days.

This is the direct result of gigantic miscalculations by the YPG Kurds who controlled the Afrin area. They had a clear offer from the Syrian and Russian government: Hand over the administration to the legitimate Syrian government and the Syrian army will come and defend your land.

They rejected that offer multiple times. They thought they could withstand an attack by a numerical superior enemy which has abundant air and artillery support. Hizbullah can do that but the Kurds are not Hizbullah. Their defense network was mediocre with bunkers easily visible (vid) from the air and ground and without any water supply and other necessities. These medieval fortifications were built over years but fell within hours. There was apparently no second line to fall back to. The tactical military abilities the YPG Kurds have shown were rather amateurish. The announced reinforcements from east Syria made no difference. Now their 'canton' is lost to a very hostile forces. Can it ever be regained?

Meanwhile the U.S. is on the verge of giving away the Kurdish held Manbij to the Turks.

In 2016 the Kurdish PKK attempted to hold onto 'autonomous' city-centers in eastern Turkey. The Turkish army simply shelled those areas into rubble. There insurrection ended with a catastrophic loss of Kurdish fighters. The Kurdish attempts to expand their lands in Iraq by stealing the oil fields of Kirkuk were thoroughly defeated. Now Afrin is lost too.

Why does anyone believe that the Kurds deserve their own state? Their leaders are corrupt and have zero statesmanship. They hang onto illusory aims and ignore the realities of life. Will the Kurds ever learn?

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 14:48

have to agree with the scathing assessment of lack of military prowress. good at twitter posturing and photography.

Parasu · Post by **Parasu** » 13 Mar 2018 16:01

Y. Kanan wrote:
Parasu wrote: Ok. We will know soon. A bigger war with Israel is coming.
Hezbollah got lucky thanks to Isreali incompetence in their last round of fighting in 2006, but I doubt they'll pull off a successful defense like that again. The IDF learned its lesson about ground fighting and will probably just stick to air strikes, arty and MLRS this time...

That is the general perception created by Israelis themselves. Not to mention the ever boastfulness of the gasbag yahoos.
Nasrallah admitted that Hezbollah wouldnt have kidnapped the Israeli soldiers if they knew it would lead to full fledged conflict.
But yeah, Israel shouldnt expend energy on ground fighting. In fact noone should. Bomb them like Roos and Syria are doing in Ghouta and US did in Raqqa.

Parasu · Post by **Parasu** » 13 Mar 2018 16:15

Meanwhile the U.S. is on the verge of giving away the Kurdish held Manbij to the Turks.

So, US is planning to backstab the Kurds like the great Putin. Hmmm. Evil amreekis.
Wait wait. More from the same link not posted in the previous comment.

Is there a deal between Syria, Russia, Iran and Turkey about an 'exchange' of east-Ghouta for Afrin? The parties are very tightlipped about the issue which lets me assume that something of that kind has been agreed upon.

Anyway, Kurds are evil too. They participated in many massacres hundreds of thousands of years ago. They deserve to die. Therefore Russia backstabbing them is alright. Amreeka backstabing them is bad though.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 16:22

russia was never their patron saint, while yumrika was....and still is....sucks but thats life.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Mar 2018 16:26

Consequences of Possible US Strike on Syria's Government Troops 'Would Be Very Serious - Lavrov '

"If there is another strike of this kind, the gravest consequences will follow," the minister said, commenting on the threats from the US to attack the Syrian government troops.

Lavrov also told the journalists that after the reports about a chemical attack in Syria's Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017 appeared he received a phone call from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who asked for help in getting access for experts to the scene. "We agreed with Damascus that such access would be granted. When we gave this information to Washington, they said that "it was no longer necessary" and immediately conducted a strike," the minister added.

The statement comes a day after US Envoy to UN Nikky Haley threatened with Washington's strike against Damascus in case the chemical weapons use in Syria. According to Haley, the United States struck at the Shayrat air base, after a chemical attack in Syria's Khan Sheikhoun on April 4, 2017, as the UN Security Council "was unable to take action."

Parasu · Post by **Parasu** » 13 Mar 2018 16:27

Singha wrote:russia was never their patron saint, while yumrika was....and still is....sucks but thats life.

Nope. Russian military observers, the ones Putin withdrew after a deal with Turkey, were in Afrin to sunbathe.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 16:58

another shambolic betrayal by the king khan

-GEROMAN
‏
@GeromanAT
42m42 minutes ago
More -GEROMAN Retweeted EHSANI2
I am looking forward how some hardcore fanboys will blame that on Assad and Putin...
#NATO let down Kurds again ladies and gentlemen!-GEROMAN added,
EHSANI2

@EHSANI22
The Turkish foreign minister says Turkey and the United States have reached an agreement on a plan to jointly station Turkish and U.S. forces in the Syrian Kurdish-held town of Manbij. YPG will leave the city. Turkish and US soldiers will jointly patrol the city

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 17:00

Elijah J. Magnier
@ejmalrai
1h1 hour ago
More
The negotiation between #Russia, the #Syria/n Army and the local tribes with Jaish al-Islam in #Ghouta will free a thousand militants as a first step. More to come.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 17:01

@ShehabiFares
2h2 hours ago
More
Syrian opposition sources confirm that Turkey offered its citizenship to the families of free Syrian army (FSA) terrorists who fight with the Turkish army in its onslaught on #Afrin! Erdogan is rebuilding the infamous Ottoman mercenary army!

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 13 Mar 2018 17:03

Syrian Civil War Map
@CivilWarMap
Mar 11
More
YPG fighter in Afrin: "We'd rather die than hand Afrin over to the traitorous Russians"

Parasu · Post by **Parasu** » 13 Mar 2018 17:23

Parasu wrote:
Deans wrote:
Nothing wrong with that. It depletes the strength of both ISIS and the Kurds - who are both anti Assad.
The US has Hobson's choice - does it arm their notional ally, the Kurds, against former ISIS and risk losing Turkey, or side with Turkey and (once
again) let down their only real ally left in Syria.
US has another choice. Betray the Kurds like Pootin.
Join up with Turks and launch a joint operation till Abu Kamal. Joint operation against Raqqa was anyway suggested by Erdogan the Jihadi.
F@ck the Syrians and the Russians. Give northern Syria to Jihadi Erdogan in return for joint control of Syria-Iraq border. Let Russia and its allies rule over a rump Syrian state.
If only everyone was smart like Pootin the great chessplayer.

Thank you Thank you. Predicted this.
US has a deal with Turkey for Manbij and other cities now. Cheers.

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 13 Mar 2018 17:40

The Ottoman Sulltan,Erdo-Gandoo,has to bow and scrape either way towards Russia and the US/NATO so that one day he isn't stabbed in the back by those treacherous Greeks! Both Russia and the US/NATO can upend the Otto tyrant or make his life so miserable that he too would apply for refugee
status to Germany. Remember that his mortal enenmy,Gulen is happily enjoying US hospitality,their "trump" card.pardon the pun,which they could play at any time.

Parasu · Post by **Parasu** » 13 Mar 2018 17:48

Philip wrote:The Ottoman Sulltan,Erdo-Gandoo,has to bow and scrape either way towards Russia and the US/NATO so that one day he isn't stabbed in the back by those treacherous Greeks! Both Russia and the US/NATO can upend the Otto tyrant or make his life so miserable that he too would apply for refugee
status to Germany. Remember that his mortal enenmy,Gulen is happily enjoying US hospitality,their "trump" card.pardon the pun,which they could play at any time.

Erdo-Gandoo. haha.
That is not a very nice thing to say for a great leader who was about to join Russian camp owing to Putin`s genius tactic of weaning Turkey away from NATO. Looks like Turkey wont be joining Russia, China camp afterall.
Time for roosrakshaks to release another bare chested photo of Putin to keep morale high.
Gulen has been used and ****** by Erdogan. Much like Pootin.
This has nothing to do with the Greeks either.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Mar 2018 20:49

US general: Iran achieved in five years in Yemen what it did in Lebanon in two decades

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 13 Mar 2018 20:52

They prevent us from dominating! US again complain about Russian SAM in Syria - General Joseph Votel

The increase in the number of Russian anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMs) in Syria threatens the ability of the US to dominate the airspace of the region. The head of the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM), General Joseph Votel, said at a hearing on the Senate Committee on Armed Services on Tuesday that his zone of operational responsibility includes the Middle East, East Africa and Central Asia.

Russia's presence in Syria has made Moscow a permanent player in the region, and the Kremlin is using the conflict in Syria to test and apply new weapons and tactics, often with little regard for collateral damage or civilian casualties. The increase in the number of Russian SAM systems in the region threatens our access and the ability to dominate the airspace said the general.

According to Wachtel, the US "must compete with Russia and China, as they compete for access and influence" in this region. He believes that Russia, along with Iran and China, is increasingly competing with US allies in the defense, political and military spheres.

We remind you that Russian bases cover the S-300 and S-400 systems, as well as the "Pantsir" complexes, capable of combating low-flying targets, including UAVs. In addition, Russian specialists helped the Syrian military to restore the Soviet S-200 systems

habal · Post by **habal** » 13 Mar 2018 21:11

Trump has just fired Tillerson Rex as secretary of state. May be related to sabre rattling in Syria.

Shanmukh · Post by **Shanmukh** » 13 Mar 2018 21:25

@Singha,
You have done a fantastic coverage of the Syrian-Iraqi conflict. If the East Ghouta front is removed, what Syrian forces does it free up? Also, what other fronts are still active? Idlib, south near the Israeli border for sure. But are there any other serious fronts still active?

Y. Kanan · Post by **Y. Kanan** » 14 Mar 2018 06:09

Parasu wrote:But yeah, Israel shouldnt expend energy on ground fighting. In fact noone should. Bomb them like Roos and Syria are doing in Ghouta and US did in Raqqa.

Root for the Jews if you like. I’m cheering for the team that’s killing jihadists, not backing them.

The Israelis made the tactical decision, years ago, to join team Saudi along with the US. That’s why the Jews back Sunni/Takfiri/Wahhabi types in Syria and Lebanon. The Saudi agenda affects us, as Pakistan is solidly on their team. In the great game of Sunni expansion worldwide, Pakistan is the key pawn in their S. Asian theatre. In the big picture, Israel is not on our side. Instinctively, I want to back them but in reality, the Israelis are working against our interests.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 06:14

If east ghouta surrenders then 10,000 syrian forces will be freed for daraa they ony hold a narrow corridor to jordan border at present

Isis is also rife near al bukamal both sides of the river
Ypg has melted away leaving only rebadged isis pasand sarkari tribes under nato tutelage as a screen for a large reserve of besarkari isis near iraqi nineveh border

Perhaps some were sought to be fed in via al tanf the syrians have expanded their security ring around al tanf and adjacent steppe to head that off

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 06:22

https://twitter.com/iadtawil/status/973 ... 73511?s=20

Sporadic protests by ppl asking faylaq al rahman to leave fhouta
People are fed up of this open prison under bandit rule

The syaf guided by moles or drone conducted a raid that killed some faylaq top brass yesterday

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 06:23

Does not seem like much tow or metis missiles left . Tanks are moving around in open freely

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 06:24

Things could collapse suddenly unless external patrons disrupt the show

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 07:24

Military Advisor
Military Advisor
@miladvisor
·

Head of Russia's General Staff General V. Gerasimov held a telephone conversation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General J. Dunford to discuss situation in Syria, Syria's Ghouta and issues of mutual interest.

Head of Russia's Gen. Staff V. Gerasimov: Militants preparing a provocation with the use of Chemical Weapons in #Syria's Ghouta to justify #US strike against #Damascus.Russia will respond with certain measure to both “missiles” &“launchers” which are delivering these projectiles.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 07:26

civilians fleeing afrin - YPG could neither defend them or arrange for anyone else to defend them. blaming a few russian military police posted as observers is childish. they lose face bigtime and figleafs like blaming xyz is not going to be bought. Manbij civilians must be shivering at whats next.

pichhware mein jab dum nahi hein, why act like a fake boss saying we can defend afrin on our own ? in similar terrain the hezbollah was able to fight the idf to a stalemate...and israel has better tanks and sensors and more trained than the heterogenous "horde" of turkoman bandits who answered Erdogans call to war - this lot will now thrash all rafidhi shias and yezidis still left and plunder and loot the town to the bone...just like J&K raiders in 1948.

not a surprise everyone is looking to get out while roads are still open

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2018 07:27

video - 1000s of poor souls fleeing afrin

https://twitter.com/BarzanSadiq/status/ ... 46016?s=20