The Levant crisis.(Israel,SYRIA,Lebanon,etc) - II

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 03 Feb 2016 19:24

The link up with Zahaar seems to have happened at Maareset Al-Khan.

Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha now7 seconds ago
#SAA source declares an open route from #Aleppo to #NublZahraa, siege has effectively been broken

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 03 Feb 2016 19:47

Though the link up has been achieved the SAA will need to do a lot more before the link up is considered safe

Ivan Sidorenko ‏@IvanSidorenko1 now1 minute ago
#Syria #Aleppo #NorthernAleppo Militant Stronghold towns that need to be taking before it really being "Safe"

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:05

i hope no civilians are in the area. they are going to bombard these nearby villages to rubble and secure a perimeter. cannot be done on the soon to be trapped aleppo city pocket...safe passage for laying down arms and get out to turkey forever

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 03 Feb 2016 20:11

Singha wrote:i hope no civilians are in the area. they are going to bombard these nearby villages to rubble and secure a perimeter. cannot be done on the soon to be trapped aleppo city pocket...safe passage for laying down arms and get out to turkey forever

You hit the nail on the head that Singha Ji but there are other means for the Nusrats to get away. Livemap quoting this:

#Syria: #SDF forces have opened all checkpoints in the #Efrin canton to help Syrians from N #Aleppo get to safety to escape the regime

By the way I refer to LiveMap for the map and pro rebel voices. It has been surprisingly quite today.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:31

afrin seems like the yellow YPG zone in all maps. SDF I thought was a coalition of arab tribes who tied up with YPG. maybe for the NW yellow zone its all YPG and in NE its two separate entities.

there will be fighting soon both N and S of the area, so prudent move to let any remaining civilians move deeper in YPG areas for now.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:33

probably on left are the nubaal and zahra defenders and guys in yellow headbands the iraqi kataib hezbollah and irani badr militia types

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:36

near thermal power plant, a VBIED munna was killed before he could go boom

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

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:41

just as I had predicted

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai 55m55 minutes ago
Thousands from #Nubl and #Zahraa came out and attacked #Mayer to create the link with attacking forces against rebels.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:45

drone footage of the city of Homs - devastated and in total ruin after years of endless war

https://amp.twimg.com/v/258732d4-9b8c-4 ... 31ac9b597e

seems like something out of a scifi move after the apocalypse....everything has to be torn down and rebuilt

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 20:58

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaOjzxtWkAID-e1.jpg

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 21:04

refugee children made to sleep in the cold outside a govt office in stockholm

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 03 Feb 2016 21:14

I feel this article is wrong on many counts...incl underestimating the real plans of iran and russia for syria
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles ... ires-syria

dnivas · Post by **dnivas** » 03 Feb 2016 21:59

Thanks Singha, Deejay and especially Habal for the many years of coverage. I still remembe "inside scoop" ShyamD with his bluster of how Assad was gonna fall in weeks when the color revolution started.

KLNMurthy · Post by **KLNMurthy** » 03 Feb 2016 22:05

TSJones wrote:
...

Yes, i am ashamed that he won't lie and deny about civilian casualties like a Russian general would do. And as of this date today, they have never acknowledged causing civilian casualties that I know of......ho hum.......

I too feel something... I think the word for it is "contempt" though it could be "disgust".

You should give up on the bluster, man (if I may call you that).

No one is fooled by the US government's strenuous support of Islamist pervert slavers and rapists, and its cowardly and mendacious pretense that they are some sort of "moral equivalent of our Founding Fathers"-- yes some of us remember that phrase from the days of strenuous support to the perverted enslaving rapist Taliban.

member_29325 · Post by **member_29325** » 03 Feb 2016 22:08

If Russia/Iran are going to maintain pressure on ISIS/Syrian rebels while these "negotiations" drag on, it strengthens the hand of Assad and Russia/Iran's interests, especially since the US still seems to have "regime change of Assad" as its central point in the negotiations. Essentially, the whole peace talks is a distraction for the US to fool the US public to believe that it is central to peace negotiations and then declare as being central to the process no matter what the outcome.

However, using this excuse of "Russian Aggression", the whispers in the US SD mouthpieces are already starting about pushing back Russian aggressiveness in Europe with a naval fleets being deployed in the black sea, all in the 2017 time frame. Does that mean Iraq/Syria will be left to fester to push the russians to bleed money waging war over there, as pressure in Ukraine is resumed within the year?

KLNMurthy wrote: yes some of us remember that phrase from the days of strenuous support to the perverted enslaving rapist Taliban.

In the interest of terminological exactitude, they called themselves the "afghan Mujahideen" back then as they were paraded on US national TV from the Oval Office...of course, we know all of these jihadi scum come from the same basket of deluded religious psychopaths/sociopaths, but US and their scholarly academics like to be very very precise about such things, because that is how the US keeps winning its war on terror.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 03 Feb 2016 22:12

The crisis in Syria and Iraq will go beyond defeat of the moderate terrorists (rebels) and terorrists (ISIS). The bigger question of Turkish involvement and whether Turkey gets involved directly is coming to a head rather quickly. Today, even ISIS posted news of its fighters attacking Turkish forces near Jarabulus.

The question of the Kurdish state in Syria and Iraq is a labyrinth which might require the intervention of those highly evolved Aliens from across Atlantic and their opposing forces from the Planet Kremlin. How, that will go is anybody's guess.

Rebuilding of Iraq may happen sooner. Syria will find it far more challenging. What of the refugees in Europe. They are mostly anti Assad. If Assad wins, will they return or will they be allowed back in?

Meanwhile, there was news in economic times today that India will send medicines worth USD 4.5 million to Syria.

member_29325 · Post by **member_29325** » 03 Feb 2016 22:56

EU clearly has a vested interest in sending these refugees back, while the US does not want to see that outcome, given all the pysops on CNN and US channels on how Merkel is now Germany's mother (just like how Jayalalitha is Tamilnadu's mother, clearly) and supporting her idea of assimilating 2 million syrians in Germany alone.
But NATO has not done anything in this syrian conflict other than try and support the rebels and failing to do so thanks to Russia. So if the war extends for a few more years, EU is probably going to split/fragment given the conflicting views of member EU states on the refugees -- Germany is in the minority with respect to assimilating the refugees.

Given the conflicting aims of NATO and Russia in Syria -- Russia will have to remain in Syria and if a conflict is resume in Ukraine, the russian may be spreading themselves too thin with not enough money in the bank, unless China's resurgence and the impending clash in the South China Sea kicks up their arms sales.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 04 Feb 2016 00:20

The French are a key in ravaging Germany via the refugee route.
Essentially pick them up in the sea and bring them over to shore and let them loose.
They trek to Mother Merkel and devastate Germany.
Looks like CT but that is what is happening.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 04 Feb 2016 00:26

Twitter says some of the bad guys strongholds are falling and they are escaping to Turkey.

Lalmohan · Post by **Lalmohan** » 04 Feb 2016 02:55

ramana - the Syrian refugees are landing in greece primarily and the Libyans (and everyone further south + assorted south asians) are coming in to Italy and all are then heading to germany since it has an open door policy on refugees (which most other europeans do not).
none want to stay in france, and indeed france has taken some, but there are few volunteers. it seems that most new arrivals want to join family in germany or scandinavia. none of the euro's really want them, although the germans do believe that they could use them, but are not too happy about them being foreign... (usual stuff)

habal · Post by **habal** » 04 Feb 2016 05:07

new turrets have appeared in T-55, T-62 & T-72 in Syria.

It is Russian Arena Active Protection System retrofit on old Tanks.
or even may be somethimg homegrown with help from general Inventov.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 06:20

turkush munna is like ahrar al shams. they might throw nusra under bus soon to benefit their munna. things
will be interesting in idlib and alleppo west which they
share control in a patchwork of militias

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 04 Feb 2016 07:07

The break down of the rebel linkages in Aleppo has damaged even ISIS:

The 'Nimr' Tiger ‏@Souria4Syrians now6 hours ago
Nobody saw this coming but SAA has cut the multi-million dollar trade agreement for oil between "rebels" and ISIS

For their losses in Northern Aleppo, the rebels made small but important gain in Southern Aleppo yesterday near Khan Touman

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel now17 minutes ago
Leith Abou Fadel Retweeted Al-Masdar News
While everyone is focused on N. Aleppo, the Islamists were able to capture Al-Khalidiyah to reopen a supply route

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:33

the ISIS has also staged a strong attack in west palmyra and trying to take some town and surrounding heights.

unlike the rebels they have a more cohesive command

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:34

govt will need to arrange a left hook from south aleppo to swing north, roll up rebel defences from the rear and link into YPG territory to really cement its victory.
this would need a parachute batallion, air support, armoured division and artillery support in a normal world.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:43

turkish proxies deftly left the scene, leaving JN to face heat:

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai 11h11 hours ago
Many Turkmen fighters considered d battle is lost.Over 3000 (Numb incl families)left 2 Turkey in last days. Tt made a difference @mesuttigli

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:46

heavy fighting from yesterday and growl of airplane. these infantry are better equipped and drilled than the run of mill there. could be regular syrian army.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:48

one thing still lacking is well drilled 81mm mortar teams which can put extremely accurate plunging fire onto these houses and trenchs and behind walls and move forward with the infantry. they setup only in a few minutes and are man powertable...maybe use 4x4 jeeps to move ammo forward.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:50

this army team with 4 tubes releases around 20 rounds in 20 seconds

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 07:53

this kind of soviet era kit would be most useful in syria, you dont need fancy 155mm for the job

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 08:02

this mlrs called "burqan" (volcano) is a iranian invention

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CaUSFIjWAAAsaT3.jpg:large

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 04 Feb 2016 08:53

habal wrote:new turrets have appeared in T-55, T-62 & T-72 in Syria.

It is Russian Arena Active Protection System retrofit on old Tanks.
or even may be somethimg homegrown with help from general Inventov.

Vodka Chiller, probably using Thermoelectric Johnovich Effect. Smirnoff. Shaken but not Stirred. Exactly 39.8 deg. F.

Never Go 2 War Without It.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 04 Feb 2016 08:57

Allowing the sh1ts to flee to Turkey is a good strategy. They will do to Erdogan, Bilal & all their coujins what the returning Russian Army in WW1 did to the Czar & his parivar. So many VBIEDs - so many deserving bldgs & markets in Ankara, Istanbul & Constantinople.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 04 Feb 2016 09:03

Russian aviation group in Syria

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1719370.html

"Jane's Defence Weekly" magazine article Nicholas de Larrinaga "Russia deploys Su- 35S fighters to Syria" published made January 31, 2016 satellite image Hmeymim airbase, which rolled out the Russian aviation group in Syria. The picture confirms the arrival of the four groups of new multifunctional fighters Su-35S FSI Russia, as well as on the transfer of Hmeymim one additional Sukhoi Su-24M to replace the downed Turkish fighter November 24, 2015.

The magazine also draws attention to the deployment at the air base Hmeymim 91N6 radar detection from the S-400.

High Res http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/bmpd/380 ... iginal.jpg

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 04 Feb 2016 09:04

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1718788.html

Russian military advisers killed in Syria

He killed a Russian military advisor, reported the Ministry of Defense of Russia in Syria. The incident occurred on February 1, 2016 as a result of mortar attack by Islamists one of the compounds of the Syrian army. This was reported by the news agency "Rosbiznekonsalting".

"Russian military adviser in Syria has the task of assisting the Syrian army in the development of new weapons supplied under contracts existing interstate military-technical cooperation", - stated in the department (quoted by "RIA Novosti").

The Defense Ministry said that on Monday the militants "Islamic State" (banned in Russia) shelled a military garrison stationed where one of the compounds of the Syrian army. As a result, the officer was fatally wounded. Serviceman posthumously presented to the state award.

Thus, it is the fourth Russian soldier, whose death is officially recognized since the beginning of the Russian Armed Forces military operations in Syria in September 2015.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 09:06

there are basic fixes like indirect fire support 81mm mortar teams, BPJs and helmets (instead of the hezbollah head bands) that will improve the casualty rates of the NDF and other associated militias fighting with the regular army. being hot beats being wounded or dead and its near freezing at night there.

they also need drones to spy at night on enemy movement and direct Hinds / Alligators and 105mm artillery to deny the night as easy movement and r&r time.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 09:55

killed in a mortar or artillery attack probably,

Hala Jaber ‏@HalaJaber 5h5 hours ago
.2/ #Iran confirms death of Brigadier General Mohsen_Ghjardyan, in Syria, commander of the #IRGC artillery Batallion Imam Rida 21.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 11:07

Al masdar news
Once again, the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham” (ISIS) is threatening to cutoff the Syrian Government’s only supply route to the Aleppo Governorate after launching another wide-scale assault in the eastern countryside of the Hama Governorate on Wednesday afternoon. The aforementioned terrorist group began the day by conducting a powerful assault on two imperative sites in eastern Hama, striking the Syrian Armed Forces’ defensive positions at the village of Al-‘Awaynat and the oil wells outside of Ithriya near the Khanasser-Ithriyah Road that stretches to the Aleppo Governorate. According to a military source from the Syrian Arab Army’s 555th Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division, the ISIS assault on Al-‘Awaynat was repelled after a long battle that resulted in the death of two dozen militants and the destruction of 4 armored vehicles mounted with a variety of anti-aircraft machine guns from the aforementioned terrorist group. The source added that firefights are still ongoing between ISIS and the Syrian Armed Forces at the oil wells to the east of Ithriyah; this is most critical of the two battles because if the terrorists seize this site, they will be in position to close off the government’s supply route to the Aleppo Governorate.

http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isi ... te-aleppo/ | Al-Masdar News

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 11:09

battle of north aleppo is far from over ... its just started
http://www.almasdarnews.com/article/bat ... leppo-far/

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 04 Feb 2016 12:20

maybe 500 rodents will be hit with baygon soon once trapdoor is closed.