RuMOD has officially confirmed MiG-29KR (!!) not 2-seats KUBR loss...
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 14 Nov 2016 23:00
by Singha
and before anyone crows over these, I would remind of the 2 x AH64 apache that crashed in the yugoslav war during a familiarization sortie prior to their squadron entering the action to hunt serbian armour. after the crash unit was withdrawn from theater and did not take part in the war.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 02:09
by IndraD
Talking to BBC a Iraqi army Col said
Battle for mosul is slow but we are making progress, IS militants appear in waves and then disappear using maze of tunnels. Their main weapons are vbieds, snipers and bummers. Using civilians as shields they are striking when not expected.
A civilian said there is acute shortage of food & medicine. We wait for military convoy daily to get ration and then cook ourselves,
Children are without schools for months and men don't have employment.
There is no hospital working and any one shot dies .
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 02:17
by IndraD
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 02:35
by IndraD
Abject surrender- an IS militant begs for life
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 02:40
by IndraD
Angela Merkel poses for a selfie with a migrant from Syria.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 02:42
by TSJones
Singha wrote:and before anyone crows over these, I would remind of the 2 x AH64 apache that crashed in the yugoslav war during a familiarization sortie prior to their squadron entering the action to hunt serbian armour. after the crash unit was withdrawn from theater and did not take part in the war.
those choppers have nothing to do with the fact that flying to and from ships is a dangerous act, every time a US carrier deploys somebody on ship dies or a plane crashes. every time.......there's no crowing about it. those sailors and airmen earn every stinking dime of their pay. no free lunches, somebody pays....
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 07:53
by Singha
point taken. flying apaches low over the trees is a equally hazardous job esp the mountains like yugoslavia or india. at higher alt the helis also lose some lift and become sluggish. the apache pilots have a famous "hood" training in which the pilots canopy is covered with a black thing and they have to only use the instruments and EO sensor to fly designated patterns. this is to teach them to fly through thick rain, fog or smoke I believe.
its not a easy job being a helicopter pilot - two hands are needed all the time.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 07:55
by Singha
how about explosive charges to blow up and seal the entrances of these tunnels. sealing up tunnel ends as the iraqis progress will also prevent popup hit and run attacks behind their frontline...and force the rats inward. or use dozers to fill the end with debris.
painful and slow but beats being hit by suicide squad at night.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 07:59
by Singha
this is big gain for SAA. over time in WW2 the germans & japanese were unable to replace the vital core of officers and pilots who died or were wounded.
al masdar news
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (8:05 P.M.) - Over 4,000 soldiers from the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) have completed officer training school at the Homs Military Academy after nearly three straight years of education.
The 4,000+ officers will now be designated the rank of "lieutenant" before they are deployed to several fronts across the country.
According to an Al-Masdar correspondent in Damascus, the new graduates specialized in several military categories, including tank warfare, logistics, technical affairs, air defense, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare.
Another batch of officers are expected to graduate from the Homs Military Academy in April, swelling the Syrian Army's ranks with well-trained soldiers.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 08:03
by Singha
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump 23 Aug 2011
As bad as Qaddafi was---what comes next in Libya will be worse---just watch.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 08:05
by Singha
al masdar
With the Syrian Arab Army's 102nd Brigade and 800th Regiment of the Republican Guard surrounding east Aleppo, the Tiger Forces and Hezbollah can safely turn their attention to the southern countryside of the province, where the latter once experienced significant progress.
Last week, Al-Masdar News was informed about an upcoming Hezbollah operation in southern Aleppo; however, not many details were provided.
It has been a while since Hezbollah has launched an offensive in Aleppo; and with Jaysh Al-Fateh quickly backpedaling towards the Idlib border, this might be the best time for them to attack the key town of Khan Touman
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 08:07
by Singha
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (10:30 A.M.) - Three suicide bombers detonated their explosives inside the 'Ayn Al-Tamr area of Karbala City on Monday, killing as many as six people.
These suicide bombers were attempting to evade the Iraqi security forces after they were completely surrounded at a house in 'Ayn Al-Tamr.
The Iraqi security forces managed to kill five members of this unknown group before the remaining three terrorists detonated their explosives.
Today's terrorist attacks were conducted on the same day Shi'i pilgrims conclude the 'Arba'een period that commemorates the death of Imam Hussein ibn 'Ali, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 08:08
by Singha
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (4:40 P.M.) - Iraq's Hashd Al-Sha'abi (Popular Mobilization Units) launched the 3rd phase of their Tal 'Afar offensive on Monday, targeting the western countryside of the provincial capital.
Hashd Al-Sha'abi began the day by liberating the village of Sirwal after overrunning the Islamic State's defenses west of Mosul.
Following the liberation of Sirwal, Hashd Al-Sha'abi reportedly captured the village of Tal Al-Rakraak, which is located 30km east of Tal 'Afar and just west of Mosul.
The Iraqi forces are now attacking the nearby village of Nizarah, as they attempt to liberate one of the last villages under the Islamic State's control east of Tal 'Afar.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 08:55
by Rishi Verma
Singha wrote:how about explosive charges to blow up and seal the entrances of these tunnels. sealing up tunnel ends as the iraqis progress will also prevent popup hit and run attacks behind their frontline...and force the rats inward. or use dozers to fill the end with debris.
painful and slow but beats being hit by suicide squad at night.
Larger sized bhoot-Jholokia grenades will work to sniff out the rats. Then it's much cheaper to buy them a one way ticket to 72-istan.
I think this tunnel warfare is something SF guys must be watching and practicing.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 09:27
by Austin
Ka-29 over Syria with Rocket and Gun pod
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 10:05
by Singha
i wonder if hezbollah is massing its armour corps in damascus region for a potential push in north Hama in concert with Aleppo offensive.
already threats are being made to rebels asking if they have enough manpower to defend Idlib when the Govt comes to play.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 10:30
by Rudradev
Austin wrote:Ka-29 over Syria with Rocket and Gun Pod
That is one ugly looking bird.
My cousin says they handle amazingly well once you get accustomed to the implications of twin rotor design. He's an IN pilot, spent about 3 years in Severodvensk with SHQ + kid in tow, overseeing the Vikramaditya refit.
A Russian fighter jet crashed in the Mediterranean Sea shortly after launching from its aircraft carrier near the coast of Syria Sunday, two U.S. officials told Fox News.Three Russian MiG-29 fighter jets took off from their Soviet-era aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, and flew in the direction of Syria. Once airborne, one of the Russian jets appeared to have mechanical difficulties and turned around in the direction of the aircraft carrier.The Russian jet splashed down in the water while attempting to land. A Russian rescue helicopter picked up a parachute and the pilot, who'd bailed out safely, Russian defense officials said.
Aleppo offensive is just the next step in Russia's Syrian mission Kremlin officials say aim is to ensure the threat of Jabhat al-Nusra and its allied rebel forces is extinguished, Kim Sengupta reports
Kim Sengupta Diplomatic Editor
A rebel-held besieged area of Aleppo last week. Areas of the city have faced months of bombardment from Syrian and Russian forces Abdalrhman Ismail/Reuters
Russian warships and aircraft are in place, as are a contingent of Iranian and Hezbollah militias; the Syrian regime has been reinforced; key strategic points have been seized: all signs that the long-awaited battle for Aleppo is due to start very soon.
But recapturing the opposition-held half of what was once Syria’s largest city and commercial capital is just the next step in Moscow’s mission. It will not end either when Isis loses Mosul and Raqaa, the capital of its “caliphate”. The aim, say senior Kremlin officials, is ensuring that al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra and its allied rebel battalions are finished as a threat.
The coalition including al-Nusra, of which several rebel groups supported by the West are also members, has been the most effective against the regime and has also, at times, fought Isis. There have been repeated charges by the US, UK and European allies that Russian bombing of the rebel coalition has been aimed at destroying, not just the Islamist extremists, but all resistance against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad,
Compare the coverage of Mosul and East Aleppo and it reveals a lot
The American criticism is likely to end with the election of Donald Trump who has spoken publicly of his admiration for Vladimir Putin and expressed support for the Russian leader’s actions against “terrorists”. The US President-elect has already stated that he is likely to abandon support for the “moderate” opposition saying: “My attitude is that you’re fighting Syria: Syria is fighting Isis and you have to get rid of Isis. Russia is now totally aligned with Syria. Now we are backing rebels against Syria and we have no idea who these rebels are.”
Al-Nusra had been among Islamist groups which had received backing from the Gulf states but it is officially classified as a terrorist organisation by both the US and Russia. It recently declared, in response it is believed to Qatari pressure, that it was severing links with al-Qaeda and renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham.
The Russian ambassador to the UK, Alexander Yakovenko, told The Independent: “Jabhat al-Nusra is a terrorist organisation which is part of al-Qaeda. They changed their name recently, but they remain a part of al-Qaeda. Then we have all these rebel groups which are supporting al-Nusra. Some of these groups are supported by the West, but they work with al-Nusra.
“How can we have a proper ceasefire in Aleppo when al-Nusra, who the Americans themselves say is a terrorist group, carries out attacks on government forces and these so called ‘moderate’ groups join them in doing that. Al-Nusra is a big problem, but as far as we are concerned, all the groups who break the ceasefire and carry out killings are terrorists.”
A former senior Russian adviser to the Kremlin on foreign affairs commented: “There were media reports that the Aleppo operation somehow depended entirely on the timing of the American election. But, in reality, it was always going to be when all the logistical factors were in place. Of course, the outcome of the election offers new opportunities going forward for both the Russian Federation and the United States for a coordinated long-term policy to deal with terrorism.
“It is not logical to focus just on Isis and not al-Nusra, we have been very clear on that. They are two sides of the same coin, they carry out the same kind of terrorist action. There is good intelligence showing that Isis fighters are joining al-Nusra, and al-Nusra fighters have joined Isis in the past. Then we have the other groups who join al-Nusra in attacking government forces, attacking civilians. How can you separate them? Even the Americans have begun to understand that.”
READ MORE
Assad tells Aleppo citizens they have 24 hours to flee
Aleppo on last food packages, says UN as harsh winter approaches
John Kerry was candid during a visit to London a fortnight ago about the difficulties the West has had in stopping the “moderate” groups from fighting alongside al-Nusra. “When al-Nusra decides to attack the regime during a ceasefire the regular opposition gets swept up with them and then all of a sudden your ceasefire starts to shred.”
The US Secretary of State added that the Assad regime also played its part in the breakdown of ceasefires by bombing other rebel groups while claiming to attack Isis and al-Nusra. “So the opposition then get angry and say he is not showing good faith, because he is not. And then it spirals downwards.”
Al-Nusra has offered rewards to other groups for the capture of Russian soldiers and airmen. One of its leaders, Abu Ubaid al-Madani, who speaks Russian, has appeared in a video saying all Russian captives would be killed. Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the group’s overall commander, had asked Muslims from former Soviet Caucasus to carry out bombings against Russian civilian targets.
READ MORE Rebels turn on each other as Assad regime tightens grip on Aleppo
The Russians and the regime will, however, have a difficult job in tackling al-Nusra and its allies. Although Isis became the most powerful of the rebel groups, spreading its territory from Syria to Iraq with breathtaking speed, it also became isolated from others in the opposition and experienced large-scale desertions.
Abdulkarim al-Nasri, who was, until recently, a fighter with Ahrar al-Sham – a group backed by Turkey which has openly allied itself with al-Nusra – said: “Al-Nusra is certainly not the same as Daesh [Isis]. That is the view of most of us who have fought against Assad and they will join al-Nusra in fighting the Russians.
“We know that Trump will betray us, we knew the Americans were always going to betray us. So the time for listening to false promises from America and Europe is over; people have no other choice but to fight and the fight now is in Aleppo.”
Rebels and civilians in eastern Aleppo have received a warning from the regime, the latest of a series, telling them they have 24 hours to leave Aleppo. A Russian fleet of eight ships led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, and including the nuclear-powered battle cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, are now in seas off Syria, ready, said the commander of the aircraft-carrier, Sergei Artamonov, to fulfil its task.
Robert Emerson, a security analyst, said “The Russians do not need that many ships, of that composition, for just Aleppo. This is putting down the marker for a longer-term mission. And Putin can do that now with a free hand with Trump about to go into the White House.”
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 17:24
by Austin
So it begins !
Russian Admiral Grigorovich Frigate Targets Terrorists in Syria With Missiles
"Today, we started a large-scale operation on launching massive strikes on Daesh and al-Nusra Front targets in the Idlib and Homs provinces [in Syria]," Shoigu said.
"Admiral Grigorovich [frigate] takes part in the operation. Today, it launched Kalibr cruise missiles on [terrorist] targets that had been confirmed by intelligence data and determined in advance," the minister said at a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with top officials of the Russian Armed Forces.
Shoigu said that the Russian Armed Forces launch strikes on terrorists' plants in Syria, especially those producing poisonous substances. "It's clear that it's an industrial production, that's why we carry out strikes [on terrorist plants]."
"Ammunition depots, terrorist training centers and plants producing different means of unconventional weapons are the main targets of the strikes."
I suspect the heavy bombers from Engels will soon be in action. they were loaded and on standby. pity the Peter the great CGN was not refitted with Kalibrs by removing some of its vast SAM inventory...would have been a fun watch like a half hour of diwali sitting on a roof.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 17:42
by Singha
Seven Russian S-300 air missile defense systems have been deployed in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said.
"As you know, S-400 system was deployed a long time ago [in Syria]. In addition, we have deployed seven S-300 systems to cover the part of the sea practically to the territory of Cyprus," Shoigu said at Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with the ministry’s leadership and defense enterprises.
The BfV estimates that the number of radical Islamists in Germany totaled about 9,200 as of the end of October and continues to rise. The number of potential Islamist terrorists is estimated to be 1,200.
As of last month, around 870 people had travelled from Germany to Isis battlegrounds in Syria and Iraq, about 20 percent of them women, according to security agencies. http://www.thelocal.de/20161115/police- ... mist-group
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 18:09
by Zynda
Russians are upgrading Engels AFB...saw the pic some where. New concrete tarmac along with runways.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 20:16
by Singha
“Additionally, the Bastion coastal missile complexes have covered almost the entire coastline,” Shoigu said, noting that “with these complexes, we are able to destroy both sea and ground targets” at distances of 350km for sea targets and nearly 450km for ground targets.
Shoigu noted that the issue of providing cover from low-flying targets has also been solved.
“That’s what the Pantsir complexes have been deployed there for,” he said, also reporting that Syrian S-200 air defense systems have been restored over the past four months
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 20:18
by Singha
Bastion is the yakhont thing. Its news to me of it being deployed to syria
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 20:28
by Singha
At least four Russian '3M-54 Klub' Kalibr cruise missiles were launched into areas controlled by Jaish al-Fateh (Army of Conquest) on Tuesday, two of which struck militant positions near the town of Saraqib. A further two surface-to-surface Russian cruise missiles hit Jabal al-Hoss in the southwestern countryside of Aleppo.
Meanwhile, joint Russian and Syrian airstrikes continued to do the groundwork for the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) over Aleppo, striking insurgents overnight at Bishqatin, and Bustan al-Bashra while SAA missiles struck the Hanano Housing and al-Haydari district.
In addition, one pinpoint Syrian airstrike killed 9 'Jaish al-Mujahideen' militants at the Rashideen suburb, southwest of Aleppo city.
The SAA's regional commander-in-chief Colonel Suheil al-Hassan has reportedly been weary of continuing Tiger Forces operations on the western fringe of Aleppo city after nearly ten US-manufactured TOW missiles have struck SAA soldiers in recent days and inflicted dozens of casualties among Syrian government troops.
On the other hand, a senior Russian official Franz Klintsevich said the SAA would resume operations to liberate besieged eastern Aleppo neighbourhoods 'within 24 hours'.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 20:29
by Singha
I think a few smerch batteries might be good cheaper option to hit targets in idlib from locations in latakia
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 21:51
by Singha
The Associated Press @AP
BREAKING: Syrian activists say airstrikes hit rebel-held eastern Aleppo for the first time in three weeks.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 21:51
by Singha
Green on green fsa vs isis fight in al bab
After the winner is declared perhaps ypg and saa will jointly take them on
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 21:57
by IndraD
Admiral Kuz firing missiles: pic released
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 22:01
by Austin
Singha wrote:Bastion is the yakhont thing. Its news to me of it being deployed to syria
MOD releases video of strike shows kalbir and Bastion in action
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 15 Nov 2016 22:03
by Austin
Interesting is MOD quotes Bastion lacm range at 450km , that's prolly coz inf treaty does not permit range of more than 500km for land based cruise missile.
Turkey and Russia to hold meeting on Syria's future
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 16 Nov 2016 04:28
by Y. Kanan
Austin wrote:
Singha wrote:Bastion is the yakhont thing. Its news to me of it being deployed to syria
MOD releases video of strike shows kalbir and Bastion in action
The 2nd target was a miss. And none of the targets were thoroughly destroyed. Not very impressive compared to strike footage of US cruise missiles that we've all seen from previous conflicts.
These Russian cruise missile strikes are pointless but still a good opportunity to test these weapons and work the bugs out. Keep it up, Ruskis!
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 16 Nov 2016 07:32
by Singha
Yes its just field testing for bugs and demo for future clients. The 300kg warhead compares poorly vs the 750kg on each smerch rocket and i think a telar carries 12. The tochka will also be way cheaper for this role.
The second one seems to be a hit on extreme top edge of screen.
These large targets sitting in open need a visit from backfires or the su34. That will really fix them.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 16 Nov 2016 07:55
by Singha
Al masdar
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (5:15 P.M.) - The Russian military reportedly redeployed their S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to the Aleppo Governorate on Tuesday after a pulling them back over the summer.
A military source in Aleppo told Al-Masdar News on Tuesday that at least 7 batteries belonging to the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system were redeployed to the city of Al-Safirah in southern Aleppo.
Al-Safirah is the primary location of the Hezbollah and Iranian forces in southern Aleppo; it is also the site of one of the Syrian Army's largest bases in the province.
No reason was given for this recent move by the Russian military; however, on Tuesday, their navy began launching cruise missiles towards the jihadist defenses in the Aleppo Governorate.