Last weekend a defense of militant groups operating in Eastern Ghouta collapsed under pressure of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies and the militant-held pocket was cut off into two separate parts.
Government forces liberated the town of Madiera, almost isolated the neighborhood of Harasta, captured farms near Jisrin and attacked Atfris.
The area of Douma is controlled by Jaish al-Islam with help of some units of Ahrar al-Sham, while the southern pocket is jointly controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda), Faylaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham.
On the same day, some pro-militant sources and mainstream media outlets released reports about a new chemical attack allegedly conducted by the Syrian government. The chlorine gas attack allegedly hit people in the neighborhood of Irbin. No evidence confirming these claims were provided.
It’s interesting to note these media reports came just few hours following the collapse of the militants’ defense in Madiera.
On March 12, the SAA continued its advance aiming to isolate Harasta from Douma. According to pro-government sources, SAA units already achieved this goal. However, they still have to secure the recent gains.
Reports are circulating that US and Israeli-backed militant groups are preparing for an attack against the SAA in the city of Daraa in southern Syria. The alleged attack would exploit the SAA involvement in Eastern Ghouta operation and aimed at indirectly assisting militants there.
Over the last 3 days, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) have captured more villages from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in northwestern Syria. Despite YPG counter-attacks, the TAF and the FSA have reached the vicinity of the YPG-held stronghold of Afrin from the northeastern direction and have almost done this from the southwestern direction. Should Turkish forces isolate Afrin, main clashes will be moved to this urban area.
On March 11, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the TAF and the FSA had seized 950km2 since the start of the operation in Afrin.
Does anyone knows where general Valerii Gerasimov?
A most interesting question, second only to
“Why was he there in the first place?”
Not that he needs my permission. I just find the timing to be interesting.
Looking back over the past few months, especially times when the SAA seemed to be vulnerable (Deir Ezzor) or not_that_capable (Hama, Idlib), and considering the provocations from Hegemon in Al Tanf, I have to wonder if we haven’t been watching the setup for take-down. I think less of a leg sweep and more of a springing hip throw.
Consider the following surprises:
Tigers to go to Deir Ezzor, no wait! Ghouta.
IAF F-16 bites the dust.
Su-57 arrives, leaves. Arrives again? Leaves again?
Hegemon suddenly less interest in attacking SAA ground forces with (now) vulnerable aircraft.
Daesh/whatever interdicted on road from Al Tanf to Damascus.
Putin calmly explains how Ru has capability to sink anything and everything that gets in the way, and recently Gen. Gerasimov (speaking from Reconciliation Center?) has affirmed the readiness to do so.
US/France/UK/Israel/UN/everybody suddenly up in arms over non-existent civilian casualties in the same area where NATO/Israeli/GCC operatives would be located if they had been planning to stage a coup.
I wonder if we haven’t been watching a long con to trap these operatives.
1. First you have to get them to Ghouta. This took months and months.
2. Then you have to capture them. Ongoing.
I also wonder if we will ever know.
The last message what I found about General Valeri Gerasimov
is this video – with English subtitles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maKDSDb1bNc
Valeri Vasilyevitch Gerasimov
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%93%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%B2,_%D0%92%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%92%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87#/media/File:Valery_Gerasimov_official_photo_version_2017-07-11.jpg
Re suggestion that Izzie may try to distract the Syrian Army from its imminent extirpation of Uncle’s terrorists in E.Ghouta by launching an incursion from Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan: I believe that Syria has long held a reserve army in readiness for just such a move. The talk in Syria is more along the lines of how long can Issy hold on to Syrian Golan? Any destabilization of that area may turn out badly for Uncle $cam’s favourite little nephew.
“The times, they are a’changing”. The monster NATZO itself is unsettled:
“Andre Vltchek – NATO Air Force is Moving from Turkey to Jordan
https://journal-neo.org/2018/03/12/nato-air-force-is-moving-from-turkey-to-jordan/
At least one substantial part has been gradually relocated, from an ‘uncertain’ and according to the West suddenly ‘unreliable’ country (Turkey), to the obedient little Kingdom of Jordan.
It is now clear that NATO is not sure, metaphorically speaking, which direction Turkey is going to fly, and where it may eventually land. It is panicking and searching, ‘just in case’, for an escape from the most important regional power.”
This is also very interesting, that the US is apparently moving out of Incirlik and into Jordan. In another article I’ve read they have only refueling aircraft remaining in Turkey, but this seems unlikely given the assets located at this base, including nuclear weapons, which almost certainly remain. It would take years for the US to make such a move, one estimate I saw saying it would take at least 3 years to accomplish the task of abadoning Incirlik completely.
The Turks have done a masterful job of playing off the US against Russia and strengthening their otherwise weak position. Should they complete their seizure of Afrin and connect it to territories further east they will be in a strong position to demand significant concessions from Russia so to agree to withdraw from Syria. In any case I don’t believe Erdogan has any intention of withdrawing from Syria, believing himself to be the man who will regain for Turkey it’s Ottoman glory.
Antichrist anyone? His European Zionist Octopus Viziers certainly know how to pull his strings and it is they who have been carefully lining up an eschatological nightmare scenario for decades and more. A rapid Syrian victory will upset their plans and so they are doing everything they can to extend the conflict indefinitely.
Erdogan is not an ally of Russia, but is beholden to the European facilitators of the destruction of Syria, mainly in the UK and France, and their Zionist allies in every corner of the world, including within the US administration (including for example Jared Kushner I believe), and all those who seek to prolong this war indefinitely. With Netanyahu, another antichrist character, in danger of losing control of the Israeli government due to legal troubles and Syria moving quickly to consolidate important territories east of Damascus, I believe the Turks have been pushed into attacking in the north, to create additional headaches for Russia and especially for those inside the Whitehouse (McMaster, Kelly, Mattis) who are generally willing to be cooperative with the Bear in the hopes of averting a greater disaster.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803131062469487-russia-syria-us-military/
Russia will respond to threats on its troops in Syria as usa is considering an anti Assad attack…….
May be the reason of great crying:
Подтверждение: о серьезных потерях ЧВК США и Британии в Восточной Гуте
Evidence of serious loss of PMCs, the U.S. and Britain in Eastern ghouta
http://www.iarex.ru/news/56067.html
24 февраля 2018 года было убито и ранено около 700 представителей 4 стран, поддерживающих террористов в Сирии. Около 150 британских инструкторов 22 полка специального назначения Специальной авиадесантной службы Великобритании, 100 военных инструкторов 2-го парашютно-десантного полка Французского иностранного легиона (г. Кальви на о. Корсика), около 50 военных инструкторов Израиля, а также 400 иностранных наемников: американская ЧВК «Грейстоун» – 100 чел., американская ЧВК «Асаdemi» (до 2009 года известна как Blackwater) – 300 чел.
On February 24, 2018, about 700 representatives of 4 countries supporting terrorists in Syria were killed and wounded. About 150 British instructors 22 special forces regiment of the Special airborne service UK, 100 military trainers of the 2nd parachute regiment of the French foreign Legion (the town of Calvi on Corsica island), about 50 military instructors in Israel, as well as 400 foreign mercenaries: American PMCs “Greystone” – 100 people, American PMCs “than any” (until 2009 known as Blackwater) – 300 people. traslated using yandex.translate.com mod-hs
Very interesting, but not surprising.
The quicker they clean the Damascus country side of these “civilians” armed with the state of the art weapons by “Aliens”, the better for Syria and mankind.
You re fighting in the Urban area. It is the time for the Russia to repeat, in small scale, the Battle for Berlin. They can do this, quickly and efficiently, using the real, and professional Artillery.
MoD: Russia to Respond if its Military Threatened by Possible US Strike in Syria
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201803131062469487-russia-syria-us-military/
“After the false flag chemical weapons attack, the US planned to strike government held districts in Damascus as a “response,” according to the Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Russian armed forces will respond if the lives of Russian servicemen in Syria are threatened, including in the event of a missile strike on Damascus, the Russian General Staff said.
“According to reports, after the false flag attack, the US plans to accuse the Syrian government troops of using chemical weapons, and to provide the world community with the so-called ‘evidence’ of the alleged mass death of civilians at the hands of the Syrian government and “Russia supporting it,” the chief of the General Staff said. In retaliation, Washington, according to Gerasimov, “plans to launch a missile strike on the government-held districts of Damascus.”
At the same time in Damascus, in the offices and facilities of the Ministry of Defense of Syria, there are now Russian military advisers, representatives of the Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties and military police, Gerasimov stressed.
“We have reliable information about militants preparing to falsify a government chemical attack against civilians. In several districts of Eastern Ghouta, a crowd was assembled with women, children and old people, brought from other regions, who were to represent the victims of the chemical incident, ” Gerasimov said.
According to Gerasimov, “White Helmets” activists and film crews had already arrived at the scene with satellite video transmitters are already in place.
“This has been confirmed by the discovery of a laboratory for the production of chemical weapons in the village of Aftris, which was liberated from terrorists,” Gerasimov stressed.
“Despite constant attempts by militants to disrupt peace initiatives in Eastern Ghouta, the situation in the suburb of Damascus shows a trend toward stabilization. Since the entry into force of UN Security Council Resolution 2401 of February 24, 2018, [a total of] 145 civilians and 13 representatives of armed opposition, including 76 people overnight, have been withdrawn from Eastern Ghouta though the humanitarian corridor created by the Russian Federation,” Gerasimov added.
The statement comes a day after US Envoy to UN Nikky Haley threatened with Washington’s strike against Damascus in case the chemical weapons use in Syria.
In his turn, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said that Nusra Front* militants used chemical weapons in East Ghouta, injuring 30 civilians.
Earlier, US Director of National Intelligence said that Trump Administration is considering new attacks against the Syrian Government in response to reports of chemical weapons’ use.
When commenting on allegations of the Syrian army’s use of chlorine in Eastern Ghouta, Syrian President Bashar Assad said that there are aimed at justifying an attack on Damascus.”
Tillerson is out; Pompeo is in.
One hopes they found a pacifier for Nikki Haley to suck on.
Lavrov states, “Out of words to describe her comments.”
Lavrov states, “Show us the poison.” (Else, shut up.)
All of these quite professional responses should not be misinterpreted. Unlike responses up until 3/1/18 Russia was diplomatic. After Putin’s speech, they have ceased to be tactful; all sound like “Put up or shut up. Show us proof or shut up. Oh what the hell, all yawl need to shut up and get the hell out of Syria. We’ll help”
It’s a sea change.
As for 700 operatives in East Damascus/Ghouta, could be, but these are embedded fighters from US/UK/Israel/GCC, and the Beast would put up a fuss if they were killed, but not go to war. My instinct tells me there are a certain number of high valued assets there, people who if discovered and captured, would cause enormous damage and possibly topple governments. No proof (hey, I’m an American), just a feeling based on the hype.
The end game is coming, Trump has fired Tillerson, the hawk pompeo spoke with the russians and does not care about their warnings, two prophecies will be fulfilled, one damascus will be a ruinous heap Isaiah 17:1, and two a sea of fire will consume the beast, let Pompeo make due on his plan, prophecy does not end well for the beast, I hope Pompeo understands the consequences of his actions.
Ukraine is next up, if he follows through on a precise strike on the Assad presidential palace
Breaking: Russia cryptically threatens to destroy US warships, warplanes that attack Syria
https://mobile.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-russia-cryptically-threatens-to-destroy-us-warships-warplanes-that-attack-syria/
“The Russian military has cryptically – yet very clearly – threatened to attack US warships and warplanes which conduct missile strikes that threaten its forces in Syria.
In the latest statement to be made by Russian military officials over possible US strikes against Syrian government forces, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, General Valery Gerasimov, stated:
‘In case there is a threat to the lives of our military [by US missile strikes], the Russian Armed Force will take retaliatory measures both over the missiles and carriers that will use them.’
The reference to ‘carriers’ though vague is still quite clear. Gerasimov is talking about US warships and aircraft that fire the ‘missiles’ against Syrian government targets and de facto threaten the lives of Russian service personnel stationed on duty in the Arab republic.”
The switch from tillerson to pompaio signals that zionazia is moving away from diplomacy and towards military aggression. The skripal false flag is part of a new Russian demonization campaign designed to coincide with false flags in Syria (and elsewhere, also) in order to facilitate the “mood” for increased Israeli aggression (mainly using their pindo/nato quislings). The situation in Syria being desperate for zionazia, this country being the first target of Israel aggression.
The Russians being fully aware of this new higher level of israeli/pindo/nato aggression, Gerasimov’s warning was no doubt intended for israeli ears, as well, considering the likely hood they are planning on conducting their own signature cowardly strikes.
Rats are cornered and now everything seems to be positioned for one big gang, clock is about to strike midnight.
Big news, the firing of Tillerson.
Could this be the reason that Tillerson was fired?
Tillerson blames Russia for gas attacks on civilians in Syria
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that Russia is responsible for recent gas attacks against civilians in Syria and called on Moscow to refrain from voting on U.N. Security Council measures about chemical weapons in the country.
[….]
Tillerson was speaking at a meeting of 29 countries trying to identify, shame and sanction those who use chemical weapons. Tillerson said their initiative puts perpetrators “on notice.”
“You will face a day of reckoning for your crimes against humanity, and your victims will see justice done,” he said. “The choice is yours. The people of East Ghouta are watching, and the rest of the world is watching as well.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/tillerson-blames-russia-for-gas-attacks-on-civilians-in-syria/2018/01/23/d0275550-005a-11e8-bb03-722769454f82_story.html?utm_term=.fce0ff7fad8d
If you believe the Whitehouse is controlled by the Pentagon triumvirate of McMaster, Kelly and Mathis, and further if you believe that this is the group leading efforts to undermine British/French (Octopus/Rothschild) led efforts to provoke a US attack on Syria, pitting NATO against Russia and setting up conditions for a possible WW3 scenario, perhaps including an Israeli seizure of a large swath of Syria and perhaps southern Lebanon just as Netanyahu struggles for political survival, then Tillerson was working at cross purposes with the Whitehouse and he absolutely had to go.
Tillerson, regardless of his image as a workmanlike and responsible figure, was working with perfidious characters in Europe, and against his own President, attempting to reverse the policies of the Trump Whitehouse and cause a major escalation of the war in Syria, or so it appears.
Another possible reason
Haidar Sumeri @IraqiSecurity
Haidar Sumeri Retweeted Haidar Sumeri
BREAKING: Tillerson is out. Mike Pompeo is now Trump’s Secretary of State. I called it 4 days ago…
Now that the Exxon-Rosneft deal has collapsed, I’d be very surprised if Rex Tillerson is Secretary of State for much longer. It was obvious from the start that Trump gave him the SoS job to push that deal through. No point in staying now. He’ll jump from the sinking ship soon.
https://twitter.com/IraqiSecurity/status/973553620003295232
The US and Israel plan to use secretly developed tactical nuclear weapons to decapitate Syria
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/03/13/keeping-trump-and-netanyahu-out-of-jail-israel-plans-sneak-attack-on-syria-with-trump-russia-betrayed/
Army finds for plant used by terrorists to manufacture toxic chemical in al -Shefounieh town
https://sana.sy/en/?p=130365
Russian General Staff: Terrorists preparing for use of chemical weapons in Ghouta to accuse
Syrian army and justify US attack against Syria
https://sana.sy/en/?p=130327
Sabbagh: Allegations of using chemical weapons in Syria always coincides with army victories
over terrorism
https://sana.sy/en/?p=130410
Lavrov: If the US attacks Syria, the consequences will be serious
https://sana.sy/en/?p=130335
Civilians in Eastern Ghouta tell stories about terrorists’ crimes
https://sana.sy/en/?p=130401
Cool links, Azorka. Thanks for posting them. About the link where Lavrov says that the consequences of a US attack on Syria would be serious, I had this thought: wouldn’t it be sweet if the Russian guys could take control of the US cruise missiles and turn them around, return them to their launch platforms? (I’m assuming that if the US attacks, it will be by cruise missile again.) I would love to see the expressions on the sailors’ faces when they discover the missiles are coming back! Unfortunately, Russia probably doesn’t have that capability.
On the other hand, Russia might feel free to simply wipe out the ships themselves with those new missiles Mr. Putin put on display 12 days ago, because now the US knows Russia has weapons that can wipe us out.
It’s probably good that I’m not in charge. Whatever Mr. Putin decides is okay with me.