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Voiceover by Harold Hoover
On April 5th, in northern Hama, government forces, led by the Syrian Army’s Tiger Forces, launched a surprise attack to retake from militants the important town of Helfaya. Government troops entered the town but were pushed to retreat. However, the army and its allies were able to capture the nearby village of Al-Batish and the al-Batish hill.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted in the town of Maardas which the Syrian Army had lost to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies earlier this week. Government troops attempted to retake the town from HTS-led forces but were not able to do this quickly. The fighting is still ongoing in the area.
Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, threatened that the United States will take it’s “own” action if the UN Security Council fails to act on an alleged chemical attack in the village of Khan Sheikhoun in the province of Idlib. “When the United Nations consistently fails in its duty to act collectively, there are times in the life of states that we are compelled to take our own action,” Haley said during her speech that included images of children as proof of the need for swift action.
Haley emphasized that “The truth is that Russia, Iran, and Assad have no interest in peace,” pushing the idea that to her, Damascus was clearly responsible, as a matter of fact -without any investigation.
Separately, US President Donald Trump said the alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria “cannot be tolerated” and also blamed the incident on the Syrian government. However, he didn’t clarify what kind of response to this he was preparing.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow will continue to support government forces in their anti-terrorism efforts across the country despite allegations.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that the Security Council should urge the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to launch a fact-finding mission, provided that full access to the incident site is allowed.
Summing up the events in few sentences, the whole story pushed to the public looks next way: The bloody Assad regime took back Aleppo city and wide areas in its countryside, the Western Ghouta region, the Wadi Barada region, once again recaptured Palmyra from ISIS, and repelled a powerful rebel advance in northern Hama. The US even declared that the toppling of Assad was no longer the main priority in Syria. Then, the military leadership of the regime decided that was not enough and ordered a Su-22 warplane to use chemical weapons against people in Khan Sheikhoun. Some kind of small Soviet unguided rockets hit a road in the village and inflicted mass poisoning of civilians in the nearby areas. Fortunately, members of the Syrian Civil Defense and local journalists nearby were equipped with dust respirators. They filmed the incident and saved some people.
The United States and other powers supporting rebels in Idlib looked at this and were pushed to change their strategy once again. Now they are increasing their efforts aimed at supporting members of the “moderate opposition” and even considering some kind of direct action against the regime.
There is little chance to avoid war today. Besides the other insane US neo-cons calling for war. Now the “new” US SOC has added his voice to them:
https://www.rt.com/usa/383762-tillerson-assad-syria-statement/
Unless Russia and China are willing to play France and Britain’s part in a new “Munich”. Which as with the 1938 Munich would be a tragic error. There is not much standing in the way of war.
War has essentially been declared. The comments by Tillerson are clear. The US has been shipping in troops and equipment into Syria. They’re not just their for show. WW3 is about to be launched unless Russia surrenders and gives up sovereignty to the NATO thugs.
For Russia, China, and Iran defeat is not an option. The days of bending their knees to threats from the West are over.
I want to agree with you, but I am feeling guilty that it is Iranians and Russians having their sons there fighting the war. I only hope Xi bring it up in Florida, and give him a kick in the gut.
That said, I do not see the way for Russian and Iranian to back out. It is less than 100 days in Trump’s presidency, he already made so many u turns, now playing neo-con. Chickening out will only embroil him further. There will be no end.
If other nations (China) has been paying him off unofficially, it maybe the time to wake up, and do not let him black mail them into disaster in future.
It seems from left to right, most people are angry with the situation. I do not know if Trump care.
[chechening/chickening replaced by mod]
It does not look good. I guess the new man (or boy) in the white house want to show the world who is the boss. I hope Putin has a plan. Boy how fast everything change…
He insulted president Xi by carrying out this attack while Xi was on a state visit. The loss of face for Xi and China is irrecoverable.
It is terrible humiliation and disrespect for China. Imagine a US President on state visit to China and China launches a cruise missile attack on Taiwan airbase to “Teach them a lesson.” It would never happen. This is what Trump really thinks of China.
How will China live this down?
I’ll assume your “summing up the events…” was meant as sarcasm. If not.we have a problem with another bit of “fake news”.
The only sensible play here from Russia would be to Kalibar a “Isis” command centre in Raqqa, which just happens to have Western military commanders by accident. That should put some breaks on the US military plans in the region.
Israel Just Received A HUGE Gift From Russia. What Is Its Side Of The Deal?http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/04/israel-just-received-a-huge-payment-from-russia-what-is-its-side-of-the-deal.html
Some may divine in this recognition a maneuver to set the stage for the period after the war, after Empire collapses…then the Arab Semites and the Jewish Semites and everybody else will wake to a new situation…and scramble for new positions…
Of course, Fate plays a big part in war, as Caesar wrote: Sed fortuna, quae plurimum potest cum in reliquis rebus tum praecipue in bello, parvis momentis magnas rerum commutationes efficit; ut tum accidit.
But Fate favors the prepared and subtle and literate experts…
Cui bono?
Just like the killing of Rafik Hariri in 2005, those of us who can still think, must pause to ask the valid question of: “who benefits”?
Syria and Hezbollah had nothing to gain from killing Hariri, and much to lose.
Yet somehow the blame got pinned on both.
With Haaretz’ headlines like these:
Pentagon and White House Discussing Military Options After Syria Chemical Attack
http://www.haaretz.com/us-news/1.782106
They are beyond themselves with joy in Tel-a-Viv.
The last time they enjoyed themselves this much was during their last killiing spree in Gaza, when they spent 50 days engaged in unimaginable slaughter of the trapped residents of the besieged strip.
Syria’s fate will have global implications.
Russia, China and Iran cannot afford to abandon Syria.
If they abandon Syria, it will be to their eventual detriment.
They must not allow those who wage war ” …by way of deception”, to triumph in Syria.
Again, the question is: Cui bono?
Who controls the rate and resolution in Syrian theater of war also has considerable control over the Empire – in that if the Empire loses in Syria, then it must prevail elsewhere…
This is obvious.
And the rate and resolution in Syria has moved right along toward that pinching on the Empire’s rear end – where it is to-day. This means that Comrade Putin and the fellas calculated the approximate time when they, not the Empire, would like to fight…
We are watching a sucker-punch, probably. Comrade P has essentially said “Bring it!”
Repeat, the target states control the attack date that Empire plans. This means they control the arena, as they know what Empire has to do – and where – these are fixed points.
When you control when, and know the methods and the locations, then the conflict is generally a failure for the aggressor.
Of course it would be better not to smash things…
The coming war should be interesting.
What will the world be like without internet again?
Without GPS?
Without communications satellites?
If I want to heat up a bag of popcorn and watch the world fall apart, will I have electricity from the grid for my microwave or will I be using a camp stove?
You will have no money to buy any of those……
Similar to the Dark Ages but in modern times.
“The details of the Western criminal scheme aimed at the overthrow of the Syrian government has recently been uncovered by a Lebanese edition of the Middle East Panorama. In particular, this media source would present the information received about a criminal plot against Syria that was prepared by the special services of several countries, including those of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey, Israel, France, UK and the United States, which continue providing logistical support to various terrorist groups inside Syria. The last meeting of the representatives of the above mentioned intelligence agencies, where the plan to incriminate the Syrian government for the use of chemical weapons, was at an Israeli army camp deep inside the occupied territory of the Golan Heights. The meeting was also attended by the leaders of a number of terrorist groups.”
Who has Committed the Recent Gas Attack in Syria?
http://journal-neo.org/2017/04/06/who-has-committed-the-recent-gas-attack-in-syria/http://journal-neo.org/2017/04/06/who-has-committed-the-recent-gas-attack-in-syria/
WW3 is just not going to happen and this is all bluster. Look who benefits from the obfuscating noise = the zionist entity. The anglo/zionists are trying to – just like with the Iran deal stop or at least slow the destruction of the entity.
Any attack on Syria by the US – would pompt both Syrian and Hezbollah forces to cross into occupied Palestine. The iof can be easily outflanked and no amount of air power would stop the rain of missiles from Lebanon into Haifa and Tel Aviv. A complete disaster and rout is set to happen to the iof at any moment and they know it – hence the desperate threats from the neo-cons that are holding Trump hostage.
All this without the involvement of Iran that if attacked would response by devastating US bases, iof bases and of course the hapless Sauds.
Up to this point it has been a soft merc war with the focus on incremental liberation of Syrian territory from the headchoppers by the SAA and its allies. However, a full attack against the SAA would put the foreign hordes in the precarious position of losing all back up and supply lines. Russia making sure that the NATO handlers would be hit first – the mercs subsequently losing all command and control and of course their pay cheques.
At this point any attack by the US would mean an all out response by the axis of resistance in the ME – the US is ill prepared for such an offensive – the days of Desert Storm and fighting the fake strong man Saddam are over.
Not since the Vietnam war has the US faced such a determine foe – no amount of bombing or local mercs were able to defeat the North Vietnamese army and the Viet Cong irregulars – I believe that the situation is far worse in Syria for the US. In Syria there is open support from Russia and Iran which would mean direct conflict with large well organized major state armies.
The inability to cut bait on the racist entity and their mobsters has now come full circle for the US – unable to save face or bully its way out of a fight the neo-cons cannot win. Taking a deal is all that is left.
South Front :Your report is clear and concise , although I would like to add a few observations .
1 : The assault on Mosul was mired in controversies and’ controlled’ condemnations due to the high number of Civilians killed by US aviation . This is forbidden ,only the Syrians and Russians are evil.
2: The statements regarding the Obama Administration with regards to “Assad must go ” was contradicted by Nikki Haley and Rex Tillerson .This definitely didn’t go well with the ziocons .
3: The forthcoming meeting next week between Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Tillerson must be not allowed to flourish whatsoever .The intent is to have this meeting spread hatred and Not constructive dialogue .
4: Trump is intentionally being forced into the position that Obama was with the ‘red lines ‘ back in August 2013.
5: The Trump admin is being forced fed a retaliation option. to the obvious ‘false flag ‘ attack.
6: How will Russia respond ?
Putin will be up all night with his military on this because there must be some sane US generals that know if they send planes in and Russia defends Syrian airspace they will have the spectacle of shot down planes and captured pilots for their MSM to try and hide. They might likely then opt for cruise missiles but Russian latest SAM in place can shoot them down too. I’m concerned, as are the Russians, that the US attempt to finally take down Assad will be based upon a MAD gambit, basically: “OK look, we’re nuts you know? Yes we will go nuclear if you don’t get the hell out of the way so do the smart thing and stand down.”
I can’t see Putin and the Russians doing that.
Well, that’s it. The world will soon be at war, since Trump and Tillerson are making plans to hit Syria.
Russia is not going to stand for being accused of abetting war criminals when they know it it not true. Nor will they cut and run when the American airforce attempts to destroy Syria’s airforce and air defenses. Plus their own small force will be at risk. We will see how many Yankee planes get through the S-400 shield, and then what kind of ordnance Washington throws at the Russians in return. Expect a full exchange of cruise missiles early on, first with conventional warheads, soon thereafter nuclear tipped. Russia will be forced to direct theirs at the American fleet and its carriers and at the missiles stations in Poland and Rumania. Washington will aim for Russian cities and Putin had better be ready to launch his ICBM’s toward the States before losing them. The maniacs in Washington have chosen death for the planet. God knows why, but they have. Hillary and the Deep State must be thrilled that Trump has been coerced into carrying out her insane plans. All that hoping over the past three years that sanity would somehow prevail was for naught. The media is beside itself with glee. We’ll see them in hell, the plutocrats are not letting you in their bunkers, Chris Hayes, or Rachel Maddow. You will pay with the rest of us.
This is where the ”our partners” policy leads.Putin is probably not a master at all,when you look weak for a western politician it means you are even weaker.What are they going to do now with their S300/S400(nobody even knows if these things work)?Very bad planning of the Syrian operations.Trying to do a lot with a non reliable ally(Assad not himself but his army).The intervention was way too late to happen.Then leaving when the job is not finished…now Putin(not important)but Russia will lose everything.
They are now talking about an ‘exchange’ between Crimea against Syria.Why dealing for something you alred owns?
Chatter Of Imminent Syrian Airstrikes “Within The Next Several Hours”
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-06/chatter-syrian-airstrikes-soon-tonight
Full panic mode Putin is now selling Jerusalem out to the bibi…what a shame.
Russia suddenly recognizes West Jerusalem as capital of Israel. An attempt to placate Israel and prevent war in Syria?
MOA and RT
PRESS RELEASES AND NEWS
06.04.2017
RUSSIAN EMBASSY COMMENT ON CHEMICAL INCIDENT IN SYRIA
As always, a murky affair at a critical point in the fighting and search for peace in Syria. The words “loosely aligned groups” cover up the harsh reality of the entire province of Idlib being under an-Nusra control. Like the downing of Malaysian airliner over East Ukraine in July 2014 was meant to bring Berlin on board as regards the Western policy of sanctions against Russia, this time the new US Administration is the target. Why does nobody ask who benefits from such timely incidents?
The so-called “White Helmets” discredited themselves in Eastern Aleppo with staging “consequences” of similar incidents. The West will feel ashamed for taking the side of terrorists, who possess and use chemical weapons, and trying, in this way, to draw attention from the horrors of the Mosul operation and Yemen. A truly transparent and international investigation is urgently needed, which is the purpose of a Russian draft UN Security Council resolution. We shouldn’t allow the terrorists to succeed in winning the war in virtual reality of media space, while they are losing it on the ground.
If Putin surrender,next target will be Iran and Hezbollah..and finally Putin.They will never allow him to be elected next year.After 9/11 or this ‘sarin’ attack,these people don’t care to sacrify civilians if necessary.
King Abdullah: Compromise with Russia on Crimea to get its help in Syria
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/king-abdullah-compromise-with-russia-on-crimea-to-get-its-help-in-syria/2017/04/06/b985b894-1a61-11e7-bcc2-7d1a0973e7b2_story.html?utm_term=.4134f566cfef
It is sad to say but Putin is probably done and the end of Russia is near as the compradors are waiting in line for ‘the event’.
“Full panic mode Putin is now selling Jerusalem out to the bibi…what a shame.
Russia suddenly recognizes West Jerusalem as capital of Israel. An attempt to placate Israel and prevent war in Syria?”
This is disinfo, deliberately posted as disinfo. This is known as sowing discord.
Russia will recognize W Jerusalem as Israel’s capital only if E Jerusalem becomes Palestine’s – FM
https://www.rt.com/news/383777-israel-russia-capital-jerusalem/
Reposted linked article from Moon of Alabama that suggests American attack on Syria is imminent:
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2017/04/israel-just-received-a-huge-payment-from-russia-what-is-its-side-of-the-deal.html#c6a00d8341c640e53ef01bb098db5b7970d
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-04-06/chatter-syrian-airstrikes-soon-tonight
Chatter Of Imminent Syrian Airstrikes “Within The Next Several Hours”
Tyler Durden’s picture
by Tyler Durden
Apr 6, 2017 8:20 PM
Credible sources are reporting that Trump’s airstrikes against Syria, which risk provoking a major military conflict involving not only Russia but also China, could begin imminently, “even within the next several hours.”
First, the Spectator tweeted moments ago that there are “reports that journalists are being told to remain at Pentagon and ‘chatter’ of military strike on Syria as soon as tonight”
Second, NBC’s Richard Engel, who reports that “I’ve been talking to senior US military officials and they say that something is seriously under consideration, that it could happen imminently, that a wide range of options are being presented to the president. This could develop very quickly, even within the next couple, the next several hours.” According to Engel’s sources, Trump is leaning toward a “limited” response, targeting Assad’s chemical weapons capabilities.
Third, according to BBC’s North American reporter, Jon Sopel, US military action against Assad could be “imminent”
“Given everything that’s been said in the last 24 hours, I think that military action is a betting certainty and could be imminent and we could wake up tomorrow morning and find out that the Americans have taken action,” Sopel said adding that the Trump administration’s shift on the issue has been “pretty dramatic” in light of Rex Tillerson statement just one week ago that Assad was part of Syria’ s future and “the longer term status of President Assad will be decided by the Syrian people.”
Sopel adds that having “heaped derision” on Barack Obama for allowing Assad to cross his red line, “for Donald Trump not to act now he would look weak, and he wouldn’t want that.”
Per pool reports, the White House is mum about potential action tonight.
As reported earlier, the Pentagon is set to brief Trump on his military options in Syria, which include a potential “saturation strike” which could result in numerous Russian military casualties, and resulting in an imminent confrontation between Washington and Moscow. The NYT adds that negotiations are taking place right now between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Meanwhile, as Paul Joseph Watson reports, a groundswell of opposition to what Trump supporters see as a “disastrous move” is building, with many amazed that Trump is considering following the same catastrophic policy that Hillary Clinton pursued in aiding jihadist rebels in Libya and Syria by destabilizing Assad’s secular government.
URGENT BREAKING
It has started. The Trump regime has just gone rogue state and aggressively launched attacks on Syria in brazen violation of the UN Charter and International Law. Over 50 cruise missiles launched so far.
all MSM
The zionazi tuppence quislings didn’t take long to come out of the closet. Everything should be done to hamstring their every move, both internationally and domestically. This is a profoundly unpopular regime, that needs to be used against them nonstop. The main difference between the tuppence quislings and the clinton quislings is that. Probably the only real difference.
This is it. World War III has begun on 6 April 2017. Washington has fired at least 60 cruise missiles at Syrian targets.
When the power goes off and the internet goes off line, don’t expect them to ever come back on. Not in this generation.
Enjoy Armageddon. Obama, Hillary and the neocons put in a lot of effort getting it ready for you and everyone else. Trump is probably under threat of his life if he says one word to oppose this.
Russia should bomb them to hell and back. Fucking criminals.
Looks like Russia will do nothing at all!
The Russians were given advanced warning of the U.S. strike, according to a military official. There were Russians at the base during the strike. The U.S. did not target Russian assets, and the two nations communicated all day.
Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said: “Russian forces were notified in advance of the strike … U.S. military planners took precautions to minimize risk to Russian or Syrian personnel located at the airfield. We are assessing the results of the strike. Initial indications are that this strike has severely damaged or destroyed Syrian aircraft and support infrastructure and equipment at Shayrat airfield, reducing the Syrian government’s ability to deliver chemical weapons. The use of chemical weapons against innocent people will not be tolerated.”
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2017/04/response-to-syrian-gas-attack-on-drawing-board/#FImLmzRyV3rzaktG.99
US reported to fire ‘dozens’ of Tomahawks at Syrian military base near Homs
https://www.rt.com/news/383782-us-strikes-syria-tomahawaks/
This was planned last year, made no difference which set of quislings got (s)elected.
So the Russians were warned, Israel and Turkey may join in, and Trump sounds like he is on drugs reading a script of lies. Unbelievable… or, sorrowfully, not…
Pentagon lies – just like Dei er Zor.
Same behaviour – ISIS target oil rich areas again following US air strikes. ISIS takes advantage. Russian MOD says very poor attack as only 23 missiles hit. He also pointed out that a strike like this takes time to plan – read into that what you will…..so was already in the works before “chemicla attack”.
Violation of International Law and an act of agression from Sergei Lavrov. Russia has also suspended it Memo of flight safety with US.
Russia has called to see this evidence US has. Air defences will now be increased in Syria.
Big mistake by Trump?
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201704061052359416-syria-chemical-attack-report-idlib/