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

Suresh S · Post by **Suresh S** » 14 Mar 2016 06:43

good article from Robert kennedy. I trust the irish to speak the truth.It is no accident that Kenneth o'keefe is also irish American.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 06:45

the iraqi govt and hashd al shabi seems to have lost patience with the never ending wait to take mosul. this was supposed to happen in autumn of last year. clearly the militias are well armed and mentally ready to advance north and there are clearly not enough sunni militias to clear north iraq unless one counts the peshmerga as one.

so they advanced and time will tell how it goes, they can surely clean up the empty spaces and encircle mosul if not more.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 06:56

part of IED plant materials seized in a village in samarra
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cdd5A6YXEAA5ddd.jpg

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 06:57

Haidar Sumeri
‏@IraqiSecurity
2 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles found on a Beirut-Belgrade flight by sniffer dogs. Final destination: Oregon, #US.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 06:58

gigantic vBIED hit in samara...but a timely built earth berm saved everyone but the rat

https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/statu ... 6441406465

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 06:59

the iraqi Mi28 operators seen in a night video in tikrit earlier seemed to be pro level boys. seen in action again perhaps

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 4h4 hours ago
#Iraq's Air Force is hunting militants fleeing Hit and Kubaysah. Da'ish commander Ahmed al-Batran + family killed while escaping in a boat.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 06:59

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 4h4 hours ago
#Saudi terrorist, Abdullah Mahmood Sidat, has finally been executed in Al-Nasriyah prison in southern #Iraq.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 07:00

Haidar Sumeri
‏@IraqiSecurity
22 dead (14 civilians, 2 troops, 6 gunmen) during the terror attack in the Grand Bassam beach resort in Ivory Coast.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CddGacZW4AAcUbE.jpg

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 07:01

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 6h6 hours ago
Reports that Abu Omar Al-Shishani is "clinically dead" in hospital in Raqqa province, #Syria.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 07:02

cctv of the huge blast in ankara

https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/statu ... 3899844609
https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/statu ... 7967282176

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 07:03

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 10h10 hours ago
The commander of Division 13, the #US-backed group well-known for their TOW strikes on the SAA, has now fled from #Syria to #Turkey.

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 11h11 hours ago
Big boost for Al-Qaeda in #Syria over the last 24hrs. Captured HQs belonging to Division 13, a #US-backed group. Lots of TOWs likely seized.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 07:05

Agathocle deSyracuse ‏@deSyracuse 14h14 hours ago
#Idlib Jabhat al Nusra captured FSA division 13 positions in Maarat al Numan and seized US-made TOW missiles and other weapons

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 07:11

MLRS systems being used in palmyra

the terrain is open and offers little cover to attackers climbing uphill. perhaps they need to encircle the place and enter from many points to stretch and break the ISIS lines, then roll it up inside out.

https://twitter.com/Syria_Protector/sta ... 5409937409

its so hot in day people seem to hide in caves and under rocks with bottles of water

IS have all been pulled and fixed in the west...time to enter from the backdoor

Shreeman · Post by **Shreeman** » 14 Mar 2016 08:28

I see your MLR and raise you this thing farther up north they say,

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=d13_1457884713

why was this not a thing all along? probably a warning to the manpad folks, as this is not the usual routine.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 09:18

the fight is moving into sparsely populated areas now - palmyra and vast areas east toward deir , tabqah road, east khanasser.....where massed artillery is effective and less chance of civilian casualties.

those ugly alligator class supply ships going through the bosporus might have brought in more launchers and reloads from Rus's ample boneyards and munitions plants. the BM21 is far more powerful than the cruder small ones used on technicals earlier. I have seen old video of a TOS MLRS firing flat and burning up a entire hill in latakia earlier and the famous AOA AOA video @ dusk of diwali type crackers going off in a village in the distance...a very high angle fire to attain the short range.

TOS

AOA video probably uragan or smerch

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 09:27

a ship like this could carry a lot of ammo.
https://turkishnavy.files.wordpress.com ... tsa501.jpg

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 11:38

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 18m18 minutes ago
She stated that it possesses "no honor" anymore. Bless you, Sophie

Leith Abou Fadel ‏@leithfadel 19m19 minutes ago
Sophie Marceau rejects the Legion d'Honor medal given by the French Gov't after it was given to a Saudi Prince.

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 11:41

its going as I luckily theorized this morning....lengthen the lines

The Syrian Arab Army’s “Tiger Forces” are keen to capture the ancient city of Palmyra; however, the rugged desert is making it difficult to maneuver through the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham’s (ISIS) defenses at the western flank.

Instead of concentrating on one target, the Tiger Forces and their allies have shifted their attention to three different flanks in order to spread out the terrorist group and overwhelm them with sheer numbers.

The military strategy focuses on three flanks: southern, western, and northern districts of Palmyra.

Southern Flank: Currently, the Tiger Forces and their allies are steadily advancing at the Hayyan Mountains that border the Palmyra Orchards, but they are still about 5 km away. Before the Syrian Armed Forces can even think about the Palmyra Orchards, they will have to capture the Qatari Royal Villa, which is now ISIS’ primary training camp in the region. Unlike the western and northern districts, the southern district’s defenses will likely be the most difficult to penetrate due to the dense orchards that safeguard the city.

Northern Flank: Then there is the northern flank, which is also very difficult to infiltrate; however, once the Syrian Armed Forces are able to bypass the mounds in east Al-Bayarat and the hilltops at Jabal Al-‘Assafeer, they will be in prime position to strike the important Al-‘Amariyah District. In fact, when ISIS first entered the city of Palmyra on May 20th, 2015; it was through the Al-‘Amariyah District. If they choose to enter through this route, the Syrian Armed Forces will be very close to the Palmyra National Hospital, which is now an ISIS base.

Western Flank: Finally, there is the western flank of the city; this is likely to be the Tiger Forces’ gateway to Palmyra’s Architectural Zone. The Tiger Forces and their allies are currently committed to entering the city through this flank, despite the arduous journey that awaits them once they reach the Architectural Zone.

What makes this more difficult? Well, for one, the Russian Air Force will not be able to provide the same-kind of air cover because of the ancient sites that are located all around the western corridor. Should they reach the western corridor of the city; it will be likely due to the T-90 Tanks that have been deployed to this battle. The tanks should give them the ability to plow through the open fields and eliminate ISIS’ resistance at the city’s gates.

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/sy ... d-palmyra/ | Al-Masdar News

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 11:42

maybe change the game again by sending a batallion at night in a wide loop and infiltrate the city from the east, rouse the civilians into a revolt against the rear area storage sites of the defences, spread FUD, hit the diesel storage sheds, screams of AoA AoA in the darkness .... naturally the IS will be forced to pull back into the town to find out whats cooking....

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 11:50

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cde0R1kUMAUjeW7.jpg
Hassan Ridha ‏@sayed_ridha 3h3 hours ago
#US consulate in Basra visits #HashdShaabi wounded, says there is no veto for group's participation in #Mosul battle

Singha · Post by **Singha** » 14 Mar 2016 11:53

video - SAA bombarding a large complex of buildings in latakia - could be jisr al shugour too ....

https://twitter.com/Syria_Protector/sta ... 8481480704

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 14 Mar 2016 22:00

Prince TURKI AL-FAISAL from Saudi Arabia tells BO that Saudis are not Free Riders

http://www.arabnews.com/news/894826#.Vu ... 4o.twitter

Mr. Obama, we are not ‘free riders’

PRINCE TURKI AL-FAISAL
Published — Monday 14 March 2016
Last update 13 March 2016 11:44 pm

No, Mr. Obama. We are not “free riders.” We shared with you our intelligence that prevented deadly terrorist attacks on America.
We initiated the meetings that led to the coalition that is fighting Fahish (ISIL), and we train and fund the Syrian freedom fighters, who fight the biggest terrorist, Bashar Assad and the other terrorists, Al-Nusrah and Fahish (ISIL). We offered boots on the ground to make that coalition more effective in eliminating the terrorists.

We initiated the support — military, political and humanitarian — that is helping the Yemeni people reclaim their country from the murderous militia, the Houthis, who, with the support of the Iranian leadership, tried to occupy Yemen; without calling for American forces. We established a coalition of more than thirty Muslim countries to fight all shades of terrorism in the world.

We are the biggest contributors to the humanitarian relief efforts to help refugees from Syria, Yemen and Iraq. We combat extremist ideology that attempts to hijack our religion, on all levels. We are the sole funders of the United Nations Counter-terrorism Center, which pools intelligence, political, economic, and human resources, worldwide. We buy US treasury bonds, with small interest returns, that help your country’s economy.

We send thousands of our students to your universities, at enormous expense, to acquire knowledge and knowhow. We host over 30,000 American citizens and pay them top dollar in our businesses and industry for their skills. Your secretaries of state and defense have often publicly praised the level of cooperation between our two countries.

Your treasury department officials have publicly praised Saudi Arabia’s measures to curtail any financing that might reach terrorists. Our King Salman met with you, last September, and accepted your assurances that the nuclear deal you struck with the Iranian leadership will prevent their acquiring nuclear weapons for the duration of the deal. You noted “the Kingdom’s leadership role in the Arab and Islamic world.”

The two of you affirmed the “need, in particular, to counter Iran’s destabilizing activities.” Now, you throw us a curve ball. You accuse us of fomenting sectarian strife in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. You add insult to injury by telling us to share our world with Iran, a country that you describe as a supporter of terrorism and which you promised our king to counter its “destabilizing activities.” Could it be that you are petulant about the Kingdom’s efforts to support the Egyptian people when they rose against the Muslim Brothers’ government and you supported it? Or is it the late King Abdullah’s (God rest his soul) bang on the table when he last met you and told you “No more red lines, Mr. President.”

Or is it because you have pivoted to Iran so much that you equate the Kingdom’s 80 years of constant friendship with America to an Iranian leadership that continues to describe America as the biggest enemy, that continues to arm, fund and support sectarian militias in the Arab and Muslim world, that continues to harbor and host Al-Qaeda leaders, that continues to prevent the election of a Lebanese president through Hezbollah, which is identified by your government as a terrorist organization, that continues to kill the Syrian Arab people in league with Bashar Assad?

No, Mr. Obama. We are not the “free riders” that to whom you refer. We lead from the front and we accept our mistakes and rectify them. We will continue to hold the American people as our ally and don’t forget that when the chips were down, and George Herbert Walker Bush sent American soldiers to repel with our troops Saddam’s aggression against Kuwait, soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers. Mr. Obama, that is who we are.

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 14 Mar 2016 22:18

The Associated Press ‏@AP 8m8 minutes ago
BREAKING: Russian President Vladimir Putin orders the start of Russian troops' pullout from Syria.
Putin orders start of Russian military withdrawal from Syria, says ‘objectives achieved’

https://www.rt.com/news/335554-putin-or ... ithdrawal/

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu to start the withdrawal of forces from Syria starting Tuesday.“I consider the objectives that have been set for the Defense Ministry to be generally accomplished. That is why I order to start withdrawal of the main part of our military group from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic starting from tomorrow,” Putin said on Monday during a meeting with Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.Moscow launched its anti-terror campaign in Syria on September 30 last year. Russia’s participation in the operation, according to a previous statement by Putin, has its basis in international law and has been conducted “in accordance with an official request from the president of the Syrian Arab Republic [Bashar Assad].”The Russian Air Force has been carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) and other terrorist targets in the region, eliminating military equipment, communication centers, vehicles, arms and fuel depot

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 14 Mar 2016 22:34

The major naval ships will remain for sure might be some part if fighter will be withdrawn or they will do it slowly in months

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 14 Mar 2016 22:42

Putin and Assad had a telephone conversation two days back and tweets confirm that Assad was aware of this. Also, Putin may have other ideas.

Russian forces have multiple level of presence in Syria
> Air Force
> Trainers / Ground Support staff to Syria
> Logistics Support - Syria Express
> Missile ( Anti air support etc)
> Intelligence Units

Exactly, which units and how long the withdrawal will take is another issue. Presently, the RuAF is going all out on ISIS near Palmyra.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » 14 Mar 2016 22:46

Further updates on Russian pullout

RT ‏@RT_com now13 seconds ago
#Moscow will keep its #Hmeymim airbase in #Latakia province - #Putin http://on.rt.com/76wy #Russia #withdrawal

https://www.rt.com/news/335554-putin-or ... ithdrawal/

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now31 minutes ago
#BreakingNews: Putin will give orders to #Russia/n forces in #Syria to start pulling out some battalion from #Syria tomorrow

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now26 minutes ago
Main #Russia/n force is the Air Force, If this is staying, it means: Business as usual. Most probably Special Forces & some artillery units

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now22 minutes ago
This is what, most probably, Putin is pulling out. Since d Air Force is the one needed,and this AF is staying, therefore no change. @owaisz

Added Later:

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now8 minutes ago
1/ Let's see together the situation in #Syria:
. Jihadists don't represent danger on #Latakia any more where Naval & Air Force bases are+

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now10 minutes ago
2/ Cease-fire since over 15 days reduced significantly the #Russia/n Air Forces strikes to few hundreds while #Syria/n AF is active +

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now8 minutes ago
3/ Hundreds of #Russian officers, Pilots and Special Forces have limited tasks since a couple of weeks now in #Syria +

4/ #Russia AF doesn't need 100 Air Strike per day as before the Cease-fire
5/ Most opposition groups are willing to negotiate in #Geneva +

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now3 minutes ago
6/ Cease-fire creating limited infighting among opposition.
7/ #Russia can pull out few pilots/rotate/bring them back when/if needed

Elijah J. Magnier ‏@EjmAlrai now31 minutes ago
I just learned:
#Russia S-400 will stay in #Syria and Tartous Naval base will continue been developed and expanded.

vishvak · Post by **vishvak** » 14 Mar 2016 22:55

One thing is sure, however, that Syria has no way to go after ISIL jihadis who have ran into north Africa - the way Israel went after Hitler's top leaders who lead attacks against Jews in Europe during WW2. For the Iraq front, the offensive is not as short of manpower which is a big plus. In a way, Syria has taken the most of the hits overall, and that has also shielded Iraq to an extent.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 15 Mar 2016 00:09

Singha wrote:Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 10h10 hours ago
The commander of Division 13, the #US-backed group well-known for their TOW strikes on the SAA, has now fled from #Syria to #Turkey.

Haidar Sumeri ‏@IraqiSecurity 11h11 hours ago
Big boost for Al-Qaeda in #Syria over the last 24hrs. Captured HQs belonging to Division 13, a #US-backed group. Lots of TOWs likely seized.

So anti-Assad forces are falling upon each other?

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 15 Mar 2016 00:41

"Mission Accomplished" or "Mission Too Expensive"?

Syrian Christians may be in for it now...........

Turkey won I guess.......and its back to the Ukraine front for da Russians.......

I feel bad for Habal........

I get no joy for being right......'cuz I knew it frum the git go.......

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 15 Mar 2016 00:50

TSJones wrote:"Mission Accomplished" or "Mission Too Expensive"?

To quote POTUS Gee-Dubya, circa 2003 .......

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 15 Mar 2016 00:52

TSJones wrote:"Mission Accomplished" or "Mission Too Expensive"?

Syrian Christians may be in for it now...........

Turkey won I guess.......and its back to the Ukraine front for da Russians.......

I feel bad for Habal........

I get no joy for being right......'cuz I knew it frum the git go.......

LoL..or USA gave up on ISIS and Al-qaeda finally and Russians are not needed.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 15 Mar 2016 00:58

UlanBatori wrote:
TSJones wrote:"Mission Accomplished" or "Mission Too Expensive"?
To quote POTUS Gee-Dubya, circa 2003 .......

and around 5,000 of us are still there. we're a hard headed bunch, that's fer sure......

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 15 Mar 2016 01:04

Bheeshma wrote:
TSJones wrote:"Mission Accomplished" or "Mission Too Expensive"?

Syrian Christians may be in for it now...........

Turkey won I guess.......and its back to the Ukraine front for da Russians.......

I feel bad for Habal........

I get no joy for being right......'cuz I knew it frum the git go.......
LoL..or USA gave up on ISIS and Al-qaeda finally and Russians are not needed.

don't laugh, they're still there......and I'm not sure what the solution is, other than our fight is civilizational and right now we're not doing too good at it.

although we certainly have more stamina than yer Russian amigos.......

we don't want to tee off Turkey because they are an important link in our NATO chain.....

member_23370 · Post by **member_23370** » 15 Mar 2016 02:26

TSJones wrote:
don't laugh, they're still there......and I'm not sure what the solution is, other than our fight is civilizational and right now we're not doing too good at it.

although we certainly have more stamina than yer Russian amigos.......

we don't want to tee off Turkey because they are an important link in our NATO chain.....

And thats why you will fail while Russians won't. Turkey

IndraD · Post by **IndraD** » 15 Mar 2016 02:35

I am confused after Putin ordering his army to pull out, does it mean Russa abandoning Assad?please tell me in plain words, where has war reached on Syria , who is gaining?
What happens to IS now? Who is holding how much territory?

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 15 Mar 2016 03:14

He is NOT withdrawing everything, only certain forces (SF and artillery it seems).

May be he has a deal on Ukraine? Or some assurance that oil prices can go up?

He, IMHO, is not abandoning Syria, he acted and is acting in the best interest of Russia.

TSJones · Post by **TSJones** » 15 Mar 2016 04:21

no, the Rodina is not abandoning Assad....... Iran is not leaving and Russia will work thru Iran. its just a little too rich for Vlad right now.

UlanBatori · Post by **UlanBatori** » 15 Mar 2016 05:34

Bag-daddy O'Bama has won! The Russians are running 4 their lives, scared by him.

habal · Post by **habal** » 15 Mar 2016 06:38

the war in syria is over. It's been that way since a few months now. It's a mop up operation now.

Putin looks more impressive as he went in to a country at the request of the official government, carried out a sharp, clean 6 month operation and then left, rather than get entangled in a messy guerilla war dragging for years et la Vietnam and Afghanistan.

The 6 months of Russian support with the resultant almost destroyed ISIS/rebels and the concurrent increased professionalization of Syrian troops (atleast the NDF types and the second rung) perhaps to Hizbollah-Iranian standards of soldiering mean that the SAA has lots of troops similar to Hizbollah and capable of finishing the war.

The Iran-Iraq-Syria-Hizbollah axis stretches from the borders of Afghanistan/Pakistan to the borders of Israel and the Mediterranean. This axis is led by Iran who plays senior partner here. Russia is redundant here, atleast in ground ops.

habal · Post by **habal** » 15 Mar 2016 06:47

NATOs role in Syria.

Look at the range of stuff captured from Palmyra.