On March 13, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) entered the area of al-Qadam in southern Damascus after local militants had been evacuated from it. Militants had been forced to sign an evacuation agreement with Damascus after ISIS units operating in the Yarmouk Camp had mostly overrun their defenses.
ISIS launched an attack on al-Qadam seeking to capture the area before it could be fully secured by the SAA. Clashes continued on March 14.
On March 13, Head of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov commented on the US threat to strike Syrian government forces if the military operation in Eastern Ghouta continues.
“There are many Russian advisers, representatives of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides and servicemen in Damascus and at Syrian defense facilities,” he said adding that Russian forces will take retaliatory actions against any “missiles” or “launchers” posing a threat to Russian service members.
Earlier, both Syrian and Russian officials warned that militants had been preparing to stage a chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta and to blame it on Damascus.
On the same day, the SAA continued its military operation advancing on militant positions in Harasta and entering the town of Jirsin where fighting erupted. Syrian and Russian forces also intensified efforts to evacuate civilians from the besieged areas. Around 150 people were evacuated from Douma.
On March 13 and March 14, the Turkish Army and the Free Syrian Army advanced further in the Afrin area capturing Dermamise, Qarah Bash and other points from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Turkish forces still keep a corridor southeast of Afrin to allow civilians and some YPG members to flee the city in order to ease the battle for it.
Rangers, 03/14/18 : “… and said it would respond militarily if it felt Russian lives were threatened by such an attack.” Now we get it plain for whom Ruskis care about. Not for Syrians but their own . The message to the Western partners is okay to kill Syrians but stay away from ours or we will respond. To support Russians is very doubtful and not assured stances. Be careful.
This message was directed towards the US. By placing Russian soldiers in harm’s way – dispersed throughout Syria – then advising the feckless Nikki, bellicose Netanyahoo, and pompous Pompeo, Gerasimov is protecting Syria.
After investing lives and materials in a joint Russian/Syrian peace, Russia is not going to be cowed by armchair warlords.
Pathetic. Is that the best you can do?
From the Jerusalem Post: The Exceptional People preparing to die alongside the Chosen People.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Juniper-Cobra-begins-with-US-and-IDF-troops-simulating-missile-attacks-544598
Nevertheless I believe that, when push comes to shove, most Yanks will think like the readers of WAPO whom I quoted before: “We give Israel our money, our preferential trade deals, our technology, our diplomatic protection, and our weapons: do they expect us to fight all their wars for them as well?”
I think the bodies of those 4-5,000 Yanks who died to make Israel safe from Iraq carried a message back home. And the trickle of blood from a few dozen Yankee special ops is silently drawing a red line in the Syrian sand — the US and UK and French and Israeli soldiers who die in secret ops to protect Israel from Syria. All this, I think, is making it more unlikely that there will be a positive response of Yanks willing to die to make Israel safe against Hezb’Allah — or against Iran.
Upbeat update from analyst Canthama 15min ago on SyrPer. Succinct but comprehensive outline of the global contest with reference to above posted threat of “combined ops” from little Izzie and big Uncle $cam. This is the para re current plight of NATZO’s “special forces” surrounded by SAA and Allies in E.Ghouta.
Canthama
“Now we see MI6-CIA CW play in Syria and UK, all aimed at Russia but all related to Syria. There are dozens of US-UK-France-Israel-KSA-Jordan illegal SFs and operatives in East Ghouta, and it is sealed tight, they can not escape. All you hear and see around this pathetic UK “CW theatre” is show; to create a behind the scenes deal to exit these spies, who by Geneva conventions have f.w or no rights at all. It seems their bargain is not working, hence the high pitched desperate squealing from May, Nikki Binomo etc…”
That’s exactly what I suspected is behind the recent hurricane of Russian denunciation… Reminds me of a similar storm a couple of years ago when Russia sent that missile into the Syrian mountains killing lots of valuable assets hidden there that couldn’t be publicized…
I hope Russia ignore their pleas and threats and wipes them all out without mercy…
Tidbits from Syria.
Afrin.
“ The closer the turkish regime and its terrorists approach the SAA/NDF lines in Aleppo the more conflict there will be, like al Bab. This has to be stopped either by force of politically. SAA has sent tanks and armoured vehicles to the border with Afrin, RGs are moving there from Aleppo city. I do not foresee large battles but there will be constant skirmishes. Should Turkish jets continue to attack the Syrian lines, no fly zone will be implemented by Russia and Syria.
Next few hours will be important.” (Canthama)
Ghouta.
Breaking: Syrian Army’s Douma offensive fully paused. Reconciliation negotiations?
https://aml.ink/8eQdU
Latest Ghouta map:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYR5xBAWkAAGjL4.jpg
Huge day in Syria.
Jewish Mafia assets crumbling all over Ghouta. 10.000+ civilians escape to Syrian government territory. Syrian intel interviewing insiders on mafia tunnels and fortifications. Expect huge bunker buster and tunnel ripper fireworks and complete breakdown of the terrorists in the coming days.