Why do they use the gas-guzzling TU-160 I wonder, if they are going to leave the wings unswept and fly subsonic/transonic. Why not drop the mijjiles from Bears? I guess they don't have a long-range pure transonic bomb truck unlike B-52?
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 02 Sep 2017 18:48
by Singha
they have used bears too. the bear is about as fast as the B52 being the fastest turboprop plane ever built. ..830kmph thats near the top speed of 737/A331 today
but all of backfire, bear, blackjack were designed for specific cold war missions of naval missile delivery - with supersonic ingress and egress runs to aid survivability and reduce fleet reaction time. the bear ofcourse branched out into LRMP, ELINT and jamming missions.
due to lack of need and investment the mods that were made to B52 and B1 for "carpet bombing" and later "all day loitering PGM delivery truck" were never done on any of these heavies. I think belatedly they might be done on the bears and blackjacks now or a subset of them. also russia does not have the funds for the gigantic inventory of missiles and PGMs spread across 100s of types that usaf retains. how many PGM types for the usaf have ? I feel even a ground crew sergeant might have to scratch his head for that one.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 02 Sep 2017 18:55
by Singha
all missiles in this video are KH55 with the underslung engine and CFTs, but i have seen the blackjack release the LO KH101 also from its rotary bay and the bears too carry them externally as well in dual racks eight of them.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 02 Sep 2017 18:56
by Singha
after months of doing nothing we might see the heavies back in action once the DEZ jihadis are corralled and contained into limited areas.
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) – Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), alongside their allies from Liwaa Fatemiyoun, scored a major advance in the eastern region of Syria after launching a big attack earlier in the day.
Led by the Tiger Forces and 5th Legion, the Syrian Arab Army liberated the large hilltop of Tal Al-Abd and the nearby Al-Hera area near the northwestern border of Deir Ezzor.
According to a military source, the Syrian Arab Army advanced from the strategic Jabal Bishiri area towards Tal Al-Abd, overrunning the Islamic State’s (ISIL) positions in the process.
At the same time, another Syrian Army unit pushing from Jabal Bishiri stormed Jabal Nazerat, Jabal Nairaman, and Jabal Admah; these sites were all liberated near the Deir-Ezzor-Sukhnah Highway.
The Syrian Arab Army is now 16 km away from Al-Shoula village and only 25 km away from lifting the siege on Deir Ezzor City.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 07:25
by Singha
Al masdar
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:45 P.M.) – The so-called Islamic State (ISIL) terror organization alleged on Saturday that their forces had killed seven Russian soldiers during clashes in the eastern countryside of Hama.
The terrorist group released photos of the soldiers they claimed were killed in Hama; however, the personnel are unidentified.
According to some observers, the Russian personnel killed in east Hama, Friday, were likely defense contractors that were working alongside the Syrian Arab Army.
Several Russian defense contractors are working across Syria to advise the Syrian Arab Army in their fight against the Islamic State and other terror groups.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 07:27
by Singha
Al masdar
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:15 P.M.) – The Islamic State (ISIL) is not ready to give-up their last stronghold in central Syria, as they have spent the last 12 hours trying to fight off the swarming forces of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
Using women and children to carry out their suicide attacks, the Islamic State struck back against the Syrian Arab Army inside ‘Uqayribat last night, recapturing several areas that were previously liberated by the government forces.
For over 12 hours now, the Islamic State and Syrian Arab Army have been trading attacks against one another in ‘Uqayribat, with both parties failing to gain the upper-hand.
Despite the Islamic State’s resistance, it is unlikely that they will hold onto the town for much longer, as they do not have the manpower or provisions needed to survive a long siege.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 07:31
by Shanmukh
Singha-saar,
You have been doing a fantastic job tracking the Syrian & Iraqi conflicts. A question for you. Assuming that the Deir az Zor siege is lifted, what happens to the ISIS? Can they retreat anywhere from Deir az Zor or is it the end of the line for them? BTW, that Deir az Zor siege is probably one of the finest tests of the Syrian soldier's endurance & they have come out with flying colours.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 07:36
by UlanBatori
The expected drive is coming along the two roads (from northwest and from west) towards D-e-Z. Two things can now be expected:
1) Massive all-out attack by ISIS INWARDS towards the beseigned SAA zone of D-e-Z.
2) Massive Russian air attacks as revenge for deaths of 7 Russians, hammering ISIS-held part of D-e-Z as well as the Homs region.
All in all, a lot of death and destruction coming in D-e-Z. The ghosts of the Armenian genocide will be doing an extended dance.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 10:06
by Singha
1. it is quite likely ISIS will get into a last blood frenzy 'banzai of saipan' kind of attack on DeZ. the SAA has anticipated this and has quietly beefed up the numbers by helicoptering in more people from qamishli along with drones and SF units who can direct airstrikes. they still suffer shortage of artillery and armour as no planes could land for years in the airport. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saipan
2. some russians might want to unleash hell on the isis occupied part of DEZ not caring for civilian casualties, but i believe Assad wants not only DEZ but a oil rich area on the east bank. and its the common Shaitat tribe who fights alongside the SAA in dez and also in the relief columns so civilian casualties will be avoided and such tactics are not on the table. the russians have never really bombed the civilian size of DEZ only the isis staging dens on the western side.
3. if DEZ is reached first before Madaan, then Madaan will become another pocket between DEZ and Raqqa . the ISIS will retreat to east bank and south to Mayadin and Al bukamal which is around 100km downstream. also a large contiguous tract of Anbar, Nineveh and Salahaldin province stretching upto Hawija is under ISIS control or no mans land....so these rats will scurry to other dens unless the Iraqis step up their game which is flagging badly of late.
see my link on the hawija area above.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 11:15
by Singha
Latest map 25km from dez as crow flies
17km from ash sholah
They are clearing the bishri hills and securing observation posts begore advancing on the plains
lawrence of arabia with the al sauds - note the african slave guard detail
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 13:57
by Singha
here is a huge and superb article on the entire evolution of ISIS armour strategy and workshops. it will take around 2 hrs to read and appreciate in depth fully. it will be well worth it for those interested http://spioenkop.blogspot.in/2017/08/ar ... f.html?m=1
The Islamic State's rise to the status of one of the most sophisticated designated terrorist groups ever to exist has been accompanied by an unprecedented level of ingenuity, adaption and brutality on the battlefields it engages in across Syria, Iraq and abroad. Exploiting the lack of security after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011 and making smart use of the power vacuum in Syria it effectively hijacked the revolution's original goals. The Islamic State would quickly present itself as a threat like no other – not only to Syria and Iraq, but to the entire world.
At the forefront of the Islamic State's sudden metamorphosis from a militant group in Iraq to a self-proclaimed caliphate controlling large swaths of land in Iraq, Syria and across the globe is its ability to quickly adapt to the various situations encountered on the battlefield, its ingenuity in coming up with appropriate adaptations and their enthusiastic execution of said adaptations. The sudden change in the scope of warfare the Islamic State's rise brought to Syria and Iraq would be a shock to those caught up in it, and could only be contained through the massive influx of manpower, weapons and perhaps above all, airpower.
------
you will learn the provenance of things like these - entire tanks wrapped in multi spectral camo ghillie suits
The western media has very effectively suppressed all "positives" about the ISIS. Surely their message was/is more than
Come join us, we will torture you and strap a soosai vest on u
??
Hundreds of thousands seem to have joined in from all over the world. Based on what message? Apparently spread through social media and some other means.
Given that they have posed an immense challenge to the combined military power of NASA and the Russians plus several nations, there is far more to them than the ability to disguise tanks etc. That makes them the world's No. 1 or No. 2 military superpower, doesn't it?
This story has not even begun to be told, which is by far the more dangerous situation. Most ppl think of them as "terrorist group" when in fact it appears to be a global Caliphate movement intent on world conquest - and it has done more than enough to make that a VERY credible and looming threat. Until they appear in the middle of a city out of nowhere, people have no idea how to even locate them!
I think most of Africa is already in their power to conquer. KSA is probably a sitting duck. As the cheen gobar crimes points out, India is like an unfilled pothole in their global road: they have essentially established themselves in the belt from western Oirope all up through the Phillippines: the Islamic Crescent. Canada is very similar to Oirope without the denser population, so it can also be taken over. Can South America hold out much longer if they decide to conquer there? Western cheen must be feeling the pain in Beijing's musharraf already: overnight, one might find that Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Outer Mongolia, all become Islamic, and southwest cheen is very susceptible to Islamic invasion from Burma/Malaya.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 19:08
by Singha
Tiger forces have bypassed ash sholah and are 18km from dez town
Large tv in public areas of town are playing a message from president assad that their time of deliverance is near
From the town the flashes of blue force artillery are now visible on horizon
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (0:10 P.M.) – Another jihadist group based on the predominately Muslim Mindanao island has joined the insurgency against the Philippine Army after capturing a long-contested military installation at the town of Datu Salibo.
According to an official police report, the ISIS-linked ‘Jamaatu Al-Muhajireen Wal Ansar’ retook their training camp in the aforementioned town on August 29.
The group is notably considered a close ally of Maute and Abu Sayyaf, two ISIS factions which have been leading a jihadist uprising in the nearby city of Marawi since May 23. This in turn prompted Duterte’s declaration of martial law in the Mindanao region.
In the same time, the Philippine Army and its newly established ally, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), are making steady progress inside Marawi city itself.
On Friday morning, pro-government forces officially recaptured the Bayabao bridge, one of three bridges leading to the city centre of Marawi.
According to government officials, three Philippine Marines were killed-in-action and 52 wounded during the battle for the bridge.
On the other hand, Amaq Agency (main ISIS media branch) claimed that some 50 Philipines troops were killed during clashes at Marinot, Bangalo, Raya Madia, Osmania street and the Bayabao bridge on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a MILF commander said that their fighters were preparing to launch a renewed assault on the newly captured ISIS camp in Datu Salibo town. He added that skirmishes began on August 26, resulting in the death of 12 MILF troops and 20 ISIS members since then.
Not long ago, ISIS released its first lengthy propaganda video covering the battle for Marawi in which the self-proclaimed caliphate claimed 335 Philippine soldiers had been killed since the jihadist rebellion began over three months ago.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 21:33
by Singha
al masdar
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (10:45 A.M.) – Over the past week, 28 members of the Turkish Armed Forces were killed-in-action amid counter-insurgency efforts across the country.
According to an official statement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), most of the casualties were inflicted by Kurdish fighters in Hakkari province.
15 soldiers were reportedly killed overnight on August 31 in a raid on a Turkish military convoy traveling between Cukurca and downtown Hakkari; at least one armored vehicle was destroyed.
Meanwhile, three Turkish soldiers were killed and six more wounded after PKK militants targeted an undercover unit deployed in the Semdinli district. A fourth soldier was assassinated by the same PKK unit on September 1 near Koordine hill after which the Kurdish insurgents pounded the area with mortar and artillery shells.
According to the statement, PKK fighters also launched a localized assault on the village of Sapatan in Semdinli district on September 2, forcing the Turkish Army to withdraw from the area.
The same day, PKK insurgents raided a checkpoint in the Osyan area of Siirt province, resulting in the death of two Turkish soldiers.
On August 29, an additional seven Turkish soldiers were killed when an armored vehicle took a direct hit by an anti-tank missile while traveling between the villages of Hiseti and Kerze. The entire crew was reportedly burnt alive on the spot.
The death toll remains a PKK claim and cannot be independently verified by Al-Masdar News.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 21:50
by Singha
same iskander M system 500km ballistic missiles is now modified to cart a 4-pack of GLCM 1500km range and called the iskander K
here is a unique vehicle - perhaps a demo
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 03 Sep 2017 22:40
by UlanBatori
Psst! How does this mijjile fit in that tube, hain? Modern djinn technology or what?
Tigers are 6km out from town line . Tumult in the town streets as governor announces imminent liberation
Ash sholah also liberated
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 06:45
by UlanBatori
Leith Fadel:
Residents of Deir ez Zor are in streets after governor of the city announced that siege is being broken by Syrian Arab Army. 12:33 PM - 3 Sep 2017
NDF @NatDefFor 5h5 hours ago
Clashes are ongoing outskirts of the 137th Base while sleeper cells (pro-SAA) trying to make a riot/uprising inside the city(ISIS-held areas)
NDF @NatDefFor 4h4 hours ago
Replying to @NatDefFor
Celebrations are still ongoing despite heavy #ISIS mortar/missiles attacks #DeirezZor
NDF @NatDefFor 4h4 hours ago
#SAA officialy 6 km away from 137th Brigade.
Very heavy #RuAF airstrikes pounding the outskirts of DeZ
NDF @NatDefFor 4h4 hours ago
Hezb media: 10 km
Governor: 20 km
Soldier: 10 km
Field reporter:6 km
(10+20+10+6)/4=11.5 km
Some say siege is in effect broken but saa are waiting for daylight to avoid minefields and vbieds and for a good tv camera video
Isis claim their stunning loss is part of a grand plan and they willfight a urban battle in dez and counter attack saa lines in jabal bishri from madaan
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 07:11
by Singha
Will be exciting news today and tomorrow
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 07:14
by Singha
From suhknah axis forces are few km from kobbajep while next village ash sholah is in tiger hands
So i predict any rats lingering in kobbajep will run south to mayadin than stay to fight. Civil and military supplies can then come via the palmyra route which is more direct and good road
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 07:31
by Singha
The'Nimr'Tiger @Souria4Syrians 6h6 hours ago
More
Syrian Army sent dozens of tanks and armoured vehicles modified for urban warfare #DeirEzzor
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 07:33
by Singha
The'Nimr'Tiger @Souria4Syrians 3h3 hours ago
Replying to @Souria4Syrians
SAA soldier in Deir Ezzor says that same special unit who attacked brigade 137 from rear entered brigade 137 but the siege is not broken yet
Small SAA unit from outside the pocket helped knock out major ISIS defenses in brigade 137 which allowed army inside to retake all positions
In this hour, in these minutes SAA, Hezbollah, Republican guard, Tiger forces, all allies working on establishing a corridor to Panorama
1 reply 23 retweets 74 likes
Map: Syrian Army is 11km away from Deir Ezzor. A small special unit infiltrated under heavy fire support & hit brigade 137 from rear
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 07:36
by Singha
the "Panorama" he talks of is the 1st roundabout traffic circle in DEZ from the sukhnah highway - always scene of bitter fighting.
so as predicted they are working to unroll the ISIS from the western flanks and open a channel for reinforcements to flood in.
next move will be to club the rats dead in the Cemetary area - a vast 2 km x 2 km necropolis riddled with berms , trenches and tunnels and link up with the airport pocket, while smacking down isis strongpoints like jabal thardeh - capturing these high points and rolling back isis lines by 5km will permit IL76 flights to the airport and SyAF fighters to move in.
the turdah mountain (jabal tardeh) which affords a vantage point to overlook DEZ airport. it was that day of infamy when Nato 'mistaken' bombing hit SAA positions on this mountain as they were fighting off a isis attack, and then nato struck a relief column moving up from the airport in all killing 100 soldiers. SAA lost the mountain and with it the airport was not viable for flying ops anymore as ATGM probably TOW with its long 4km range which fell into isis hands via back channels were used to take shots. then ISIS cut the airport off by taking the cemetary. http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.27 ... 20el%20zor
town has been with no electricity for 1000+ days now and summer temp is 50C and in winter its nearly 0C
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 08:25
by Singha
AFP news agencyVerified account @AFP 7h7 hours ago
More
Replying to @AFP
#UPDATE Chancellor Merkel says she wants to end Turkey's EU membership talks
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 08:28
by Singha
this might be related to a imminent SDF advance on eastern shore south from ash shahdadi
Berfo كردي #Efrîn @AraratKrd 8h8 hours ago
SPECIAL: Russian, US and SDF military officials met for #DeZ operation in #Tapqa two days ago. Regime officials did not attend the meeting.
Doloroso Retweeted
Berfo كردي #Efrîn @AraratKrd 8h8 hours ago
IMPORTANT: #Russian warplanes support Kurdish YPG-led SDF forces & hit ISIS positions in #Raqqa neighborhoods.
Doloroso @Pyrmha108 Sep 2
Deir Ezzor - kicking off tomorrow - prayers for everyone involved in destroying this Daesh filth.
Re: Levant crisis - III
Posted: 04 Sep 2017 08:30
by Singha
points to a land corridor deal with assad via manbij
Cahida Dêrsim @dersi4m 6h6 hours ago
More
Cahida Dêrsim Retweeted Şêrwan Yûsiv
#YPG spokesman Nouri Mahmoud says: "Soon we will declare to our people the news about the opening of a corridor between #Kobane & #Afrin."Cahida Dêrsim added,