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On August 22, an IED blast hit a vehicle of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near the village of al-Hawaji west of the Omar oil fields on the eastern bank of the Euphrates. According to the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq, four SDF members were killed in the attack.
Separately, a booby-trapped motorcycle hit an oil truck of the SDF near the village of Juma east of the Omar oil fields. Amaq claimed that ISIS members had captured and executed the truck driver.
In response to the attacks, warplanes of the US-led coalition carried out a series of strikes south of al-Omar allegedly killing several ISIS members in the area, according to pro-SDF sources.
This was not the first time when the terrorist group engaged the SDF in the oil fields area. On August 18, over 20 ISIS members stormed SDF positions near al-Omar. At least 7 ISIS members were killed in the followed clashes.
On August 23, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) sent another batch of reinforcements including battle tanks and artillery guns to a frontline with Idlib militants. According to a source in the 4th Armoured Division, the limited SAA advance on militant positions can be started by the end of August.
Meanwhile reports appeared that at least 500 former members of various militant groups, which have reconciled with the Damascus government, will participate in the upcoming SAA advance on Idlib. According to reports, all these former militants are currently part of various units of the SAA 5th Assault Corps.
These reports have already caused a new media scandal within pro-militant sources, which have described this situation as another juggling act by the Assad government. SouthFront recalls that one of the key points for militants reconciling with the government is that they have to do their military service, which is obligatory for Syrian men.
“In response to the attacks, warplanes of the US-led coalition carried out a series of strikes south of al-Omar allegedly killing several ISIS members in the area, according to pro-SDF sources.”
NATZO’s fake ISIS fakes attack on NATZO’s fake Kurdish Nationalists provoking fake U$ retaliation. The dying man’s last convulsive grip on Uncle $cam’s fake Eretz Kurdistan.
NEW YORK, August 25. /TASS/. The United States has warned Russia that it would be ready to strike Syria again if President Bashar Assad and his government use chemical weapons in the country, the Bloomberg news agency said on Friday citing own sources.
According to the agency’s sources, the warning was conveyed by National Security Adviser John Bolton to his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, during their Thursday’s meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
The agency says that Washington “has information that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may use chemical weapons as he seeks to recapture one of the country’s last rebel-held areas” – in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib.
During the talks with Patrushev, Bolton said the United States would respond with stronger military action that it has used in Syria in the past – in 2017 and 2018.
More:
http://tass.com/world/1018618
Staged chemical weapons attack being prepped in Syria to frame Damascus – Russian MoD
Terrorists are preparing a chemical weapons attack to frame Damascus and provoke an international reaction, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding that it would be used as a pretext for the US and its allies to strike Syria.
The provocations are being prepared by militants from Al-Nusra Front (now known as Tahrir al-Sham) in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, according to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov.
The attack would be used as a pretext for US, UK and French airstrikes on Syrian targets, Konashenkov added. USS ‘The Sullivans,’ an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, has already been deployed in the Persian Gulf a couple of days ago, he said.
The destroyer has 56 cruise missiles on board, according to data from the Russian Defence Ministry.
MORE TO FOLLOW
https://www.rt.com/news/436812-syria-chemical-weapons-provocation/
US, UK and France Prepare New Strike Against Syria – Russian MoD
Sorry. The forgotten link above
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201808251067461189-us-uk-france-syria-new-strike-russia/
Bolton calls on Al-Qaeda to stage more chemical attacks in Syria
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/436783-us-syria-chemical-attack-bolton/
“In a move that was entirely predictable, the US administration is once again threatening to bomb Syria if there is a “chemical weapons attack”.
This was entirely predictable because that chemical attack script has been read out, with salty crocodile tears, fake concern, and mocked indignation by US talking heads over the years – since 2012, in fact, when former US President Obama himself drew his red line on Syria.
The latest script-reader to toe the chemical hoax line is President Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, who on August 22, stated: “…if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time.”
Beyond the tattered veil of moral superiority that is US war propaganda, Bolton’s words were clearly a very public command to Al-Qaeda and co-extremists to stage yet another fake chemical attack.”
Bolton Warned US Might Hit Syria with Greater Force Than Before – Reports
https://sputniknews.com/us/201808251067460057-bolton-warns-airstrikes-syria-chemikal-weapons/
“According to Bloomberg’s anonymous sources, at a Thursday meeting in Geneva Bolton told Russian Secretary of the Security Council Nikolai Patrushev that America is prepared to respond with the greater force it has used in Syria before. The information came after the US officials claimed they hold information Assad might be planning a chemical weapons attack in the northwestern province of Idlib, people familiar with the discussions say.
President Trump had ordered two strikes on Syria before, following the similar circumstances since his inauguration last year and said that Assad must be punished for the alleged use of chemicals. The first air strike was conducted in April 2017, with the US reacting to the allegations of the usage of chemical weapons by the Syrian government. President Assad denied all allegations, letting the UN experts make their analysis of the incident.
Another airstrike coordinated by the US, UK, and France military forces in April 2018 after another alleged usage of the chemical weapons were reported by the “White Helmets” humanitarian group, funded by US, UK and several other western governments
Bloomberg’s sources claim that unlike previous, “largely symbolic” attacks, Bolton’s warning was more specific and refers to the concrete campaign in Idlib. This is the last province in the country held by multiple anti-government militant groups, including the al-Nusra Front* terror group.”
Concurrently:
Reactivated US 2nd fleet returns to North Atlantic ‘ready to fight’… guess who?
https://www.rt.com/usa/436808-reactivated-2nd-fleet-atlantic/
The real trump vs the psyop used to sell him.
Terrorists readying chemical attack to frame Damascus & provide pretext for US strikes – Russian MoD
https://www.rt.com/news/436812-syria-chemical-weapons-provocation/
“Terrorists are preparing a chemical weapons attack to frame Damascus and provoke an international reaction, the Russian Defense Ministry said, adding that it would be used as a pretext for the US and its allies to strike Syria.
The attack would be used as a pretext for US, UK and French airstrikes on Syrian targets, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov said. USS ‘The Sullivans,’ an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, was already deployed to the Persian Gulf a couple of days ago, he added.
The destroyer has 56 cruise missiles on board, according to data from the Russian Defence Ministry. A US Rockwell B-1 Lancer, a supersonic bomber equipped with 24 cruise missiles, has also been deployed at the Qatari Al Udeid Airbase.
The provocations are being prepared by militants from Al-Nusra Front (now known as Tahrir al-Sham) in Idlib province, northwestern Syria,
In order to stage the attack, some eight canisters of chlorine were delivered in to village near Jisr al-Shughur city for the terrorists’ use, he added. A separate group of militants, prepped by private British security company Olive, have also arrived in the area. The group will be disguised as volunteers from the White Helmets group and will simulate a rescue operation involving locals purportedly injured in the attack, according to the military official.
According to the Defense Ministry spokesman, recent statements by US National Security Advisor John Bolton – in which he threatened to bomb Syria – could be interpreted as an implicit confirmation of such airstrikes. On August 22, Bolton stated that “… if the Syrian regime uses chemical weapons, we will respond very strongly and they really ought to think about this a long time.”
US, UK and France Prepare New Strike Against Syria – Russian MoD
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201808251067461189-us-uk-france-syria-new-strike-russia/
“The Russian Defense Ministry has accused the United States, the United Kingdom and France of preparing to carry out new strikes against Syria under the pretext of chemical weapons use by the Syrian government forces.
“The Western countries’ actions in spite of their public statements are aimed at another sharp deterioration of the situation in the Middle East region and the disruption of the peace process on the territory of Syria,” ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov noted.
According to the spokesman, militants in the Idlib province are preparing to stage the use of chemical weapons against civilians by the government.
“To carry out the alleged “chemical attack” in the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the province of Idlib, the Tahrir al-Sham group (affiliated with the Jabhat Nusra* terror organization) militants had delivered 8 tankers with chlorine… to a village a few kilometers from Jisr al-Shughur,” the general stated.
“This provocation with the active participation of the British special services will serve as another pretext for the US, UK and France to conduct a missile strike on the Syrian government and economic facilities,” Konashenkov said.
A group of militants trained under the guidance by British private military company Olive to work with poisonous substances has arrived in Idlib, the ministry said.
“The militants are tasked with imitating the rescue of the victims of chemical weapons’ use in the vestments of the notorious White Helmets,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov noted.
According to Konashenkov, “unfounded” statements vowing to respond to chemical weapons’ use by the Syrian government made by a number of high-ranking representatives of the US, UK and France serve as indirect evidence of the preparation of another “act of aggression against Syria by the United States and its allies.”
The israeli colonial quislings are up to their usual tricks here. Same playbook as before.
BTW, anyone here still think trump meant what he said about improving relations with Russia and pulling u.s. involvement in foreign wars?
One half of his schizophrenic, psychopathic brain did mean it, and the other half didn’t. Think of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, the story by Edgar Allen Poe. The West has always been schizoid. That’s why the Indians said ‘White Man speaks with Forked tongue, and the UK got the nickname, Perfidious Albion.
Trump is just the latest iteration.
Hang on; ‘The Strange case of Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson in 1886.
Russian lawmaker suggests deploying nuclear weapons in Syria to respond to US sanctions
http://tass.com/politics/1018605
“I believe that now Russia has to draw its own ‘red lines.’ The time has come to ponder on variants of asymmetric response to the US, which are now being suggested by experts and are intended not only to offset their sanctions but also to do some retaliatory damage,” said Vladimir Gutenev, the first deputy head of the economic policy committee of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian parliament.
Among such measures, the official named the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in other countries, such as Syria, the use of gold-linked cryptocurrencies for Russian arms exports and the suspension of a number of treaties with the United States, including on non-proliferation of missile technologies.
“It’s no secret that serious pressure is being put on Russia, and it will only get worse. It is intended to deal a blow to defense cooperation, including defense exports. We see that the Americans now speak about the possibility of sanctions against the countries that purchase Russian weaponry… We should follow the advice of certain experts, who say that Russia should possibly suspend the implementation of treaties on non-proliferation of missile technologies, and also follow the US example and start deploying our tactical nuclear weapons in foreign countries. It is possible that Syria, where we have a well-protected airbase, may become one of those countries,” Gutenev said.
The lawmaker added that in order to respond to possible “US attempts to thwart deals on Russian weaponry and civilian goods,” Russia should “consider the possibility of conducting transactions in cryptocurrencies that are linked to the value of gold.”
“And I’m sure that this will be a very interesting option for China, India, and other states as well,” he said.
“In boxing, one cannot just dodge blows, but has to strike in response, too. Especially when all the rules have been violated and the referees – such as the WTO and other international institutions – prefer to stay silent,” he said.
Commenting on sanctions that are already in place, Gutenev said they are unlikely to do serious damage to Russia’s defense industry.
“The import substitution program has produced very good results, alternative suppliers have been found,” he said. “However, we are concerned about the fact that the sanctions are still gaining momentum and have become somewhat imminent,” he said.”
Russian tactical nukes in Syria would not be of use against israel’s terrorists there. So this is an interesting proposal. The Russian nuclear forces can hit anywhere, so Russia doesn’t need to place these outside Russia. Tactical nukes are something of misnomer. They imply nuclear war without going the full monty. Not a serious proposition against a nuclear armed adversary. Using nukes against a non nuclear adversary is not a Russian thing to do.
So what is this about? I’m not familiar with this Russian politician, his views or his connections, but I’m going to speculate this is directed at israel, the nuclear armed neighbor of Syria.
Sort of a repeat of the Russians placing nukes in Cuba to counterbalance american nukes in turkey.
@vot tak: “‘Using nukes against a non nuclear adversary is not a Russian thing to do. So what is this about? … I’m going to speculate this is directed at israel, the nuclear armed neighbor of Syria.”
I’ll buy that. The best way to keep bullies at bay is to show you can match them blow for blow, tit for tat, tactical for tactical.
As usual, it comes across as being a little too good to be true that ISIS would target another Western sponsored misfit/outfit such as the SDF. But at least it’s mostly good news, if true.
The ”Assad must go/Horrible chemical weapons/Syrian regime” Tourette tics of Zionazi Officialdom are really becoming, shall we say, somewhat boring. I suggest they start blaming Assad for something the latter cannot possibly deny: The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Keeps happening forever — an infallible Casus belli worthy of Western political ingenuity.
US proxy forces attack US proxy forces protected by US forces and US special forces. What a stupid news story.
Idlib is Syrian land. Gulf jihadists have no right to rule the syrian territory. neither do Kurd puppets of USA. The fact people in west support Jihadist murderers as a legitmate force is example of both the depraved medias and the easiness of usa/european people to be led. Problem is people like brits and french like to feel they are powerful still, and supporting revolutions makes them feel this power. They dont care of they are morally wrong, they just want to feel power. Turkey has to admit it did wrong by backing terrorism in Syria and now pay towards building syria again. No comoperation with Russia until they do this. Even then we balkans have seen enough of turk to never trust them.
Does saker know what happened to Syrian MiG 25? Let them be used to keep Turk and Israeli away if the still have them. Always they was my favorite jets to make drawings of as a kid.
In case any reader is perturbed about reports of U$ Military Advisor John Bolton flying to coordinate with Israel, arms buildup for N.Syrian terrorists, and U$A preparing a No-Fly Zone in N.Syria, here is a clip from the cautious and reliable analyst on SyrPer:
“Canthama
This was the same modus operandi in the Southern front. Yes there is always the risk the terrorists will obey their orders and move on with a false flag.. to provoke a confrontation.
The situation on the ground favours Syria and allies. Russia has beefed up the defenses and is ready to support Syria on the annihilation of an old enemy of Russia, al Qaeda, whose roots were planted by the US back in Afghanistan.
The US position in North/East Syria is weak at best, no major defenses and in fact its forces are in a very risky situation over all, the airforce can not help them if Russia and Syria declare a no fly zone in Syria (which they’ve chosen not to do up to now). The US still has bases in Turkey which are fully used.. that Turkey has not managed to stop, though most of the military convoys come from Iraq …
There is no risk o a major war now, the war of aggression against the Syrians is dwindling and this offensive is very important to eliminate most of the foreign terrorists and al Qaeda/Muslin Brotherhood for good. There are several countries really interested to help Syria on the offensive, though not necessarily with military forces, they will lend a diplomatic hand for sure, among them China, Kazakstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya LNA, Algeria and surprise surprise UAE. They do not want the foreign terrorists to return to their home country, they must be eliminated in Syria.
The biggest risk I see at the moment is the Iraqi interim Gov’t under Abadi,.. he can be a danger during the next month or two until a coalition is formed.
Should there is a CW attack.. led by US, Israel and UK, I do not think France will join them this time. And it will …100% intercepted.
No matter what happens, there is only one end game: Syria will control the border with Turkey in Lattakia and Idlib, and all Idlib, western Aleppo, NW Hama and NE Lattakia will be fully and completely under the Syrian Government control.”
Foreign specialists arrive in Idlib de-escalation zone to stage fake chemical attack – Russian MoD
Published time: 26 Aug, 2018 09:33
https://www.rt.com/news/436876-idlib-fake-chemical-attack/