Finally!
Today the Syrian forces have liberated the Kuwayres airbase. This is the first operational-level victory for the Syrian armed forces! RT reports:
Elite Syrian army units have broken the siege of Kweires airbase, following weeks of intense fighting against Islamic State and other jihadist forces. The base, which opens up routes for offensives against Raqqa and Aleppo, had been encircled for nearly two years.
“We, the heroes of Kweires, are now celebrating this victory with our brothers,” a soldier told Syrian state television.
“We dedicate this victory to President Bashar Assad and we promise him we will continue fighting until all of Syria is liberated. We will not kneel to Daesh [Islamic State].”
The advancing Tiger Forces, the name for the commando units in the government army, who were completing a drive that began on October 16, reportedly liberated several hundred soldiers.
Syrian government troops staged a counter-offensive in the north of the country, and are now pushing towards the rebel stronghold of Aleppo, where fighting has moved from street to street, and towards Raqqa, Islamic State’s (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) de facto capital in Syria.
The Kweires base holds symbolic value for the Syrian people following devastating incursions by IS in August. The relatives of the soldiers inside the base had been staging public protests calling for the facility to be taken back.
“Our forces are continuing our offensive, and this is leading to rifts among the Islamist factions,” General Ali Mayhoob told the media on Tuesday.
A key role in the operation was played by Russia’s air support.
Russia has made over 1,600 sorties since establishing an airbase in northern Syria in September at the personal request of Syrian president Bashar Assad, who has been battling the rebels and IS since 2011.
Al Jazeera reports that in the wake of several defeats, IS is now dispatching reinforcements from Raqqa towards Aleppo to battle against the Syrian advance.
This is all very much awaited and good news!
The Saker
Press into the victory! On to Raqqa!
Dear The Saker,
That is great news.
It seems that Palmyra is the next stop on the road to victory.
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151111/1029924742/syria-saa-palmyra-isis.html
Turks still pushing for a “safe zone” inside Syria – no doubt so their takfiri terrorists can keep their supply lines open:
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151111/1029915017/turkish-allies-safe-zone.html
Unfortunately for Erdogan over 1 million Syrian refugees have returned home since Russia got involved:
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20151111/1029922126/russia-syria-refugees.html
Rgds,
Veritas
Good news…
‘March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.’ — Kahlil Gibran
Eric Draitser of StopImperialism.org appears on CPR Sunday (November 8, 2015) with security analyst Mark Sleboda and journalist/broadcaster Don DeBar. Eric, Mark and Don discuss former Georgian President (and current Odessa governor) Mikheil Saakashvili’s attempted destabilization in Georgia, and the importance of it being exposed and foiled. They examine the latest in Syria including the tragic downing of the Russian airliner over Egypt. Eric, Mark and Don also discuss Egypt and President Sisi, touching on the strategic and geopolitical importance of Egypt and the role of Sisi in the regional war. All this and more in this in-depth weekly conversation.
http://stopimperialism.org/saakashvilis-maidan-in-georgia-syria-war-strategy-and-the-geopolitics-of-egypt-and-the-region/
This Syrian Air force training facility has one runway (of unknown length). Any military expert out there who can provide insight on how this airbase can be used? We see from Sputnik, western MSM rags, and Xinhua that the base overlooks at a strategic height key roads. Is this base usable for Russian air operations? Or are other Syrian airbases more appropriate.
Aside from the above I’m asking our resident professional military expert to help us lay people understand the tactical and strategic importance of this location in detail. If Saker can’t answer due to time constraints or priorities do others readers have links/info that can answer this.
What other potential leverage that this airbase provides?
As detailed, the airbase has great symbolic value, uplifting morale, which is a strategic value. Tactically, it can quickly become a helicopter forward base to provide close support for further operations. I imagine the tarmac is not in good enough repair for jets, plus other required infrastructure is also likely damaged. Then ammo and fuel must be resupplied. All this logistical stuff will take time to accomplish, but being a forward helo base is simpler. Furthermore, the perimeter must be expanded to secure the facility from enemy fire, a good 20K.
Pepe Escobar says: “The SAA though is only a few kilometers away from Kuweyres. It will be a nasty battle. But if they capture the military air base, they get the perfect hub for Russian and Syrian jets to protect the YPG as they close the gap between Kobani and Afrin.
“The Pentagon well knows the Russians have made a deal with the Syrian Kurds; the SAA, with as much Russian support as possible, takes Kuweyres; the YPG advances towards Afrin; and the Russians keep the Turks in check. Without this chain of crucial events, it will be virtually impossible for the “4+1” – Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, plus Hezbollah – to cut off the Turkish-enabled resupply corridor for the myriad Salafi-jihadi/”moderate rebel” gaggle.” http://atimes.com/2015/11/the-pentagons-empire-of-whining/
More of importance at the link.
I cant believe Russia would place any planes or helicopters in such a dangerous area, it is literally right at the front.
More likely a forward artillery base until a clearing out of the surrounding 50-60 kilometers would make the base useful for helos, also.
Later, a forward jet base might be useful if the runways are usable and suitable.
We are one-third of the way into the “projected” mission of 3-4 months.
Of course, if Russia decides to aid Iraq when asked, then Syrian base system would be expanded.
For now, this is symbolic victory, at best. Not much more, short term.
Why would Syrian Arab Army protect YPG? Why would Syria protect the Kurds as they annex Syrian territory and displace it’s people? Why would SAA protect the Kurds who have been calling in airstrike locations to the US, killing civilians? Why would SAA protect YPG when it was virtually created by the PKK?
If Pepe wrote this he is intentionally spreading disinformation and it wouldn’t be a first for him either!
because a kurdish province, with legal status within Syria is something negotiable with assad or post Assad, dear.
It naturally depends on how much Ankara supports Russia overall policy.
SAA and YPG do not cooperate- Assad has made clear they are not allies.To claim otherwise is to spread more nonsense. No agreement has been negotiated and until then YPG is stealing Syrian territory- Annexing it
Assad already promised the Kurds autonomy in their area.
Two points:
SAA and YPG co-operate.
PKK is Turkey’s problem not Syria’s.
YPG was largely created by the PKK, making the PKK Syria’s problem as well as Turkey’s
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/the-kurds-and-the-future-of-assad
The Democratic Union Party (PYD) affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) managed to become the dominant actor on the ground due to the influx of experienced PKK fighters that trained Syrian Kurds, grassroots supporters, and organizational networks. Moreover, while Assad and his opponents fought each other for power in the rest of Syria, the PYD managed to cement its control over three Kurdish enclaves in the country’s north.
Many PKK fighters returned to Syria during the civil war. Jordi Tejel, an expert on Syrian Kurds says, “already in April 2011 the PKK sent one thousand armed fighters to establish the YPG in Syria. The partial withdrawal of Syrian security forces from northern Syria in the summer of 2012 allowed the PYD to become the main political as well as military actor in those regions.”
The YPG should be natural Russian allies as they’re the only “opposition” group that is secular and has fighting strength.
The YPG are not secular and have good fighting strength thanks to US/Israel and NATO support
As for them being allies to Russia? They aren’t allies of Syria, why would they ally themselves with Russia
http://rudaw.net/english/analysis/28092015
The problem with this analysis is it ignores the fact that ISIS is not the only enemy of Assad and not even the first. While ISIS remains the number one enemy in the eyes of the west it does not threaten Russia other than its attacks on Syrian population centers which destabilized Assad.
The easiest way right now would be to ensure a victorious and compliant Assad. This would require the removal of threats to Assad and his government. The three threats of course are ISIS, the FSA and the Kurds.
Thank you. That’s good info.
Actually tag team anons and Espelho, none of anons responses were information they were opinion. Unsubstantiated and not really accurate
Strategic import- note that getting to Kuweires from the south blocks the main ISIS supply line to Raqqa from Turkey.
I believe the US is worried that the war is slowly changing in the Syrian governments favor.And is plotting to overturn that.A while back I posted about the US’s MO for conducting interventions.And that since it works for them they don’t change it.Well I’m beginning to see the signs I warned about with Syria.They are working the US population up to accept US troop intervention in Syria.Every few days you see a report on how “ground force is needed” to fight “terrorism” in Syria.To support the “free Syrian forces” (i.e.the anti-Assad terrorists).And today the US Air Force Secretary said that “ground forces” is a must in order to “occupy” and “govern” parts of Syria”. To “occupy and govern” Syria.I see that as another “red flag” that they are plotting to intervene.The so-called 50 special forces troops are a red herring.There are probably a lot more going in.And that is only the beginning.Then it will be “they just aren’t enough for the job” So we “are forced” to send a bigger force.And if what many are saying is true.The plot is for Turkey to take the lead in sending troops.Then as a “devoted ally” the US will be “forced” to help Turkey and send US troops.Once that happens the game is over.It will take war to get them out.Or Russia will be forced to let the West have Syria.Russia needs to be able to “read the handwriting on the wall”.Don’t stand by and let US troops enter Syria.When that happens the Syrian government will be done.And the US will occupy all the areas held by ISIS and other rebels and impose a “Syrian government” of their own in power. They will recognize it as the “legitimate” Syrian government.And support it to fight against Assad.They will do in Syria what I suggested Russia do in Ukraine.Set up a “government” and recognize it.You can bet the EU and Gulf states will also recognize the “new legitimate” Syrian government.On a parallel track,Netanyahu is telling Obama the US should recognize the Golan heights as part of Israel.I suspect that may be part of the whole plan as well.With Syria occupied and split by US/Turkish intervention would be the perfect time for the US to “change their mind”.And recognize the “justice” of Israels rights to the Golan.Of course,I could be wrong about all that.But it fits the US’s MO perfectly.And if I’m right,there isn’t much time for Russia and Iran to block their plot.
If the Outlaw Empire openly invades Syria, will UK and France remain with it? In both countries, I think it politically impossible to do so in such an open manner. Without a genuine coalition, will the Outlaw Empire go it alone to defend its Vision 2020 Full Spectrum Dominance Doctrine that we’ve heard repeated several times in recent congressional hearings, press conferences, and speeches? Putin at the UNGA said such actions must cease. It would seem he’s already made his choice about what to do next given Syria’s being a Red Line. Obama’s boasted about becoming good at killing people; but does he have the guts to go to war against the SCO? Or if not guts, is he insane?
I’m not sure but I think Britain and France would go along.They would frame it the same way the US would.To “protect” the Syrian people and help their ally Turkey (I think Turkey would make the first move).I’m not sure if they are that crazy or not.But they sure do seem to be putting on line the type of propaganda they do when they start getting ready to invade a country.I thought I got a feel from the RI article of Pepe Escobar’s that he thought maybe too.He was saying the only move they had left was troops on the ground.I won’t feel better until the G20 is over.And Putin is safely out of Turkey.I don’t trust the Turks any more than I do the empire.One thing I am sure of though,if they are going to try anything they’ll need to move soon.Before the Syrian government and Russia get a total upper hand in the war.And if that happens the empire wouldn’t be able to come up with a good excuse for the Western public to buy.If I could advise on anything.I would get Russia,Iran,and China to make a public declaration recognizing the “full territorial integrity” of Syria and Iraq.And pledging their support to the current governments of those nations.That would take away some of the uncertainty about the stability of those countries.And might make the West think twice about invading and regime change.Also have Syria approach Iraq for a two-party similar declaration.Pledging each other to recognize their common borders,and to a full recognition of each others governments.(that would be purely for show and propaganda purposes since they already recognize each other).And if I was advising Assad ,I’d have him send word to the EU (and make sure the press knows about it),that as soon as the war is won and the country freed of terrorism he intended to welcome the “return” of the refugee’s that fled the fighting.That would influence public opinion throughout the EU.And people there would start pressing their governments to support his idea.The countries most affected by the huge influx of refugee’s would most especially start liking him.That would also make it harder to get the West united against him.
The UK government is currently fending off the Brexit movement (British exit from the EU) headed by UKIP who are opposed to war in Syria (UKIP pressure against all main political parties is the real reason the UK parliament voted against airstrikes in Syria). Last week Cameron once again shied away from putting the matter before the commons fearing a loss). The UK will not follow the US – unless there is a false flag which can be exploited, of course.
The antiwar movement in Britain is the main reason Cameron couldn’t back the Yanks in attacking Syria in 2013.
I’m sure Europe will go along. Isn’t the US after all working in there best interests? My understanding of the whole thing is the west wants Assad gone so they can build a gas pipeline from Qatar to Europe.
Syrian war was plotted by the English nation way back in 2009. Both world wars were plotted by english
So UK is the main evil behind all wars
That doesn’t feel right to me, somehow. The Americans talk big and the Americans are always ready to bomb people who can’t defend themselves, and maybe put in a few quasi-deniable special forces that the American people have been massaged into thinking somehow don’t count. But it has been a long time since the US has sent real ground troops into any situation where they didn’t completely control the airspace. I don’t think that ultimately they’re likely to want to go into a ground war where Russian air is already in play, some Russian troops are already present if only to defend their airbase, and the Russians have been at such pains to draw political lines.
The other side is that the Americans also seem to take a long time to mobilize such troops, both to get their logistics in order and to get the political ground prepared–and I mean in a somewhat more overt way than just a softening-up campaign of demonizing propaganda. They like to do things like go through the motions of trying to push a resolution through the UN, if only so they can go and tell the public and any recalcitrant politicians “We tried playing by the rules and those rotten bastards had the gall to say no. So now it’s OK to do whatever we want, right?” When Bush was going to go into Iraq, the invasion plans were official for ages before they actually went in.
So this seems to be more like big talk to me. They can’t very well say, “The Russians have made us largely irrelevant in Syria so we’ll just go pivot to Asia and fiddle with Africa for a while.” They have to save face by making noises like they’re still the big thug on the block, and disturbing some more shit. But I don’t see any big moves they can make in Syria without creating bigger problems for themselves than they’d solve.
I like this and it’s very hard to disagree
Then of course, there’s the Vienna Declaration signed by those who still say they’ll invade, when the Declaration specifically says they won’t. That adds weight to the political difficulties involved in any further intervention aside from the 4+1. That’s why I called that Declaration equal to Minsk2. Even though the Turks signed, they still talk of invading under certain conditions–all of which go against Vienna. Note that Vienna isn’t discussed by the Outlaw Empire’s Propaganda System in any detail, hoping to sweep it under the rug. I believe Russia and China will use Vienna as the basis for a UNSC resolution that will effectively end support for the terrorist invasion. Meanwhile, the promised Kurdish assault on Raqqa seems to have disappeared along with the 50 special terrorists.
Exactly. But there is another element to all of this.
I see little to no mention of the various information hacks on just about every relevant American government institutions (DOD, Joint Chiefs, etc). What these attacks have shown is that the Americans are not only completely defenseless, but also will not retaliate whenever sensitive information is plundered.
My guess is that Russia, China, and whoever else has access to the personal cell phone number of key decision makers has already “persuaded” said decision makers to stand down. The Americans are “allowed” only to move hardware around and belch hot air. They are allowed to play “make believe” that they are an actual military. So you’ll see photo shoots of soldier, hot air from officials, and movements of hardware, and false victories that never even happened (Bin Laden raid).
Meanwhile, the US military will prance around in boy scout uniforms with colorful flags, conduct pillow fights in short shorts and glow-in-the-dark belts, and get caught in more gay porn scandals. They’ll keep gang raping each other, and they’ll keep killing themselves — the thing they are the best of the best at.
It’s too bad some folks are comically overstating the US military’s capabilities. I don’t know how they manage to ignore the near daily security breaches, failures, and general corruption. I hope someday they will notice this and enjoy watching them go down in flames as much as I do.
Yeah I’m actually fearful they might deploy troops into Syria. The rhetoric from US media has been slowly hinting at that with direct statements of boot on the ground.
Israel also hinting at the annexation of the rest of the Golan Heights does add fuel to this theory.
If JSOC really is a 10,000 strong unit with independent organic support (and is directly under the command of the US president) its safe to assume there are way more than 50 special forces operatives inside Syria.
The problem with boots on the ground in Syria is that US forces will be in proximity to Iranian forces.
I’m sure military geeks would cream their pants to see JSOC and the IRGC fighting in Syria but for US planners Iran is a serious threat. If I was the IRGC and I got wind US boots were in Syria I’d make it my mission to take revenge for the years of hostility from the US and its unconditional support of Israel.
Heck I’d even go further and make every attempt to capture (or as Israelis put it ‘kidnap’ because we’re children apparently) US special operatives. Nothing would be more humiliating than parading US special forces on television.
On the capturing and displaying of American troops, I disagree. The American government had sent our best on foolish adventures, to treat them like dirt when they come back. The US has not had a full victory since the Second WW. From N. Korea to Iraq/Afghanistan it has been total disaster for the military. Our men are used as cannon fodder for the politicians, “think” tanks and oligarchs like Warren Buffet. And to be captured and displayed in such fashion will be terrible to see. I feel Iran or Russia wuld not sink to such a low level in displaying those captured. They are not that stupid, and I feel they have high respect for warriors from any country. It’s in their blood and in their history. P.S. I look at Putin as a formidible leader of his country. His love for his people far outweighs those in the US. I wish him the best.
Iran could, if doing so was in their self-interest, they’d have no qualms, thats a culture I understand intimately, I wouldn’t romanticize their security apparatus at all. There is no warrior code of this type in this context as you’re suggesting. Russia wouldn’t do it simply for the Rule-of-law theme and the fact that they know how the Anglo MSM would use it to rile up even more hatred against Putin and his government m.
Thank you for all your honest reporting and analysis, Saker. OK if I wave a tiny little flag now for just a few seconds?
hahaha – regarding being ‘realistic’ about victory…
I know it’s way premature, but I feel like this is a prelude to a much greater victory.
My mind flashed to Henry V and the miraculous victory at Agincourt. Henry forbade any celebration and ascribed the victory totally to God.
“Do we all holy rites; Let there be sung ‘Non nobis’ and ‘Te Deum'”
When I was in the monastery these were often sung. Still gives me chills.
The movie where Henry V walks by all the fallen bodies carrying a dead body after the battle is awesome.
Non nobis, Domine, non nobis sed nomini tuo da gloriam
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give glory
Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur
We praise the, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord
Who knows what goes on in the council of the gods but here on earth a victory fought and won for a just cause is accompanied by rare feelings of joy on the part of those who risked their lives. There is only one feeling greater and that is love where one gives over entirely to the first cause of all. I speak not from experience but from hearsay.
Great news for people, very bad news for zionazis. :D
Saudi Arabia pushes U.N. panel to condemn Iran intervention in Syria ??? from the bastion of human rights
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/10/us-mideast-crisis-syria-un-idUSKCN0SZ2X420151110
And another good one …
When world powers gather in Vienna this weekend to discuss a possible postwar political deal for Syria, one of the main points of contention will be to determine whom to include among opposition groups in future negotiations — and the West may back groups that are less than “moderate,” Britain’s top diplomat said on Monday.
“In my judgment, people we should be talking to will include people who have a vision for the future of Syria that is different from ours, a vision that we will not agree with,” the British foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, said in an interview at The New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/10/world/middleeast/invitation-list-looms-as-test-for-syria-talks.html?_r=1
Sounds like Hammond is thinking ISIS and al Nusra should have a say in future of Syria…. but no worse than the head headchoppers taking time off bombing Yemen to campaign for human rights in Syria.
Would a satire even go this far?
***from moderator – this commenter has another comment further down that says she does not endorse the written stuff, just the pictures – modaa
Off Topic:
For anyone interested in Russian history… the National Geographic Magazine, November 1914 Issue, has 98 pages called ‘Young Russia – Land of Unlimited Potential’.
Many wonderful photos – some are in glorious colour. Some images look the same as what we saw in 2013.
https://archive.org/stream/nationalgeograph261914nati#page/420/mode/2up
Enjoy…
Thanks aa
On the anniversary of end of WWI (11/11) … I thought people might enjoy a look at what these parts of the world looked like pre-war.
The same Geographic mag has article on Constantinople and Baghdad too.
Thanks for the National Geographic link. It’s quite awesome for understanding Russia.
Check out Dimitri Orlov’s latest at Club Orlov on Putin’s coined word “nature-like technology,” and Dimitri’s first hand description of the ancestral regions of Russia.
Finally some good news, finally a little bit of sunshine.
Update to my post regarding the National Geographic issue of 1914.
In my delight over the wonderful pictures I had not read all the text… yikes… on closer reading I find it just reproduces all the old rubbish myths. Should have expected that…
So enjoy the photos but I do not endorse the text.
Thanks for the update. I scrolled through many of the pictures but so far have only read the first page. I’m curious to see if my impression matches yours. I bear in mind that I am very much a romantic so perhaps I’ll like the text if has some style.
Regarding the discussion about the US putting its boots on the ground: if they do they will probably shoot themselves in the boot.
If Syria does not invite them and even more if it disinvites them, Putin the lawyer has only to drive the point home that the US is again acting illegally. If he stays on the side of the law he has strong trump.
Sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword. In this case the pen is the digital bytes of the information war. From the viewpoint of the empire Russia is stealing from their playbook.
“Now, a very great men once said
That some people rob you with a fountain pen
It didn’t take too long to find out
Just what he was talkin’ about
-Dylan Talking New York
While I’m in a rambling and gambling mood, let me say that there’s the law of love and the law of the jungle.
“Well, six white horses that you did promise
Were fin’lly delivered down to the penitentiary
But to live outside the law, you must be honest
I know you always say that you agree
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
-Dylan Absolutely Sweet Marie
In the states it’s Veterans Day. At nearly 76 I consider myself a vet of life; although still a child. Yesterday on the bus a vet was bitterly complaining about how the VA treats veterans. I used to work on a psyche ward as an RN in the VA. Sure vets get treated badly but usually by following the rules; you know, pushing pills. But what can you do when the whole country is on drugs of one sort or another? Ever since we left the paradise of love for the wastelands of despair with “no direction home” we’ve been getting what we deserve.
Drugs take away that “desolation row” feeling for awhile but like some of the hotels here in California:
Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
“Relax,” said the night man
“We are programmed to receive
You can check-out any time you like
But you can never leave.”
-Eagles, Hotel California
You know, war is a drug and a romantic one at that. I suppose love is too but more of semantic one.
The John Batchlor show
Russia Rising, NATO Crouching: Stephen F. Cohen
https://audioboom.com/boos/3799502-tues-11-10-15-hr2-russia-rising-nato-crouching-stephen-f-cohen-is-prof-emeritus-of-russian-studies-nyu-and-princeton-american-committee-for-east-west-accord-eastwestaccord-com
Russia Strikes Raqqa Hard + Syria to China.
https://audioboom.com/boos/3795008-mon-11-9-15-hr1-russia-strikes-raqqa-hard-bill-roggio-fdd-long-war-journal-thaddeus-mccotter-wjr-gordon-chang-forbes-com-patrick-tucker-defense-one
I”m actually surprised that Daash had prisoners…200 soldiers liberated…great !!
They weren’t “prisoners”, they were beseiged – Daesh never conquered the base. If they had, they would’ve surely killed all the soldiers inside.
11 hours after the fact, It is indeed (congrats) and it is equally good that our excessively pessimistic Saker & Rambo acknowledges this ground breaking development. Hurray for these two patriots and hurray for the Cheeta Forces (Tiger squad), Hezbolla, RuAF and SAAF!
One more “mediocre” month like this and the war could be over…
:-)
Here is a more ‘positive’ take on the current situation in Syria. By Muslim Dude in the comments section of SyrPer:
The Syrian war is the biggest event geo-strategically since 1991 and the collapse of the USSR
1)
Russia & Syria have basically won the war.
The militants can only keep on waging war with the backing of Turkey and supplies from Turkey, however Turkey has shut up with threats of a no-fly zone and unilateral annexation of Syrian territory.
Turkey is a divided society e.g. religious v secularists, Alevis v Sunnis, Kurds v Turks etc and around 40,000 have died in the war in the south-east and Turkey also has major economic problems on the horizon and now 2-3 million Syrian refugees. Erdogan has alienated his 3 big eastern neighbours, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
It is also a society rejected by the west (e.g. the EU) including the removal of patriot missiles from there and has a problematic relationship with the east (Muslim world etc). Erdogan cannot afford a war which could errupt in to civil war inside Turkish cities.
2)
China hasn’t even joined in the war officially yet.
Russia sending a few thousand soldiers and a few planes has turned the tide, so what about China with the biggest military on earth.
3)
The Saudis and UAE have basically been defeated in Yemen and the Yemenis have kicked the UAE out, with them staging a phoney celebration party for returning troops who will not go back to Yemen despite what they claim. The Saudi regime, senior princes, are very worried about the situation in Yemen and economic problems e.g. Saudi may run out of money in 5 years as per IMF claims.
4)
The Americans are scared as well and took out a major US naval ship from the Arabian gulf the first time in around a century or so apparently. The awesome military capability demonstrated by Russian cruise missile strikes from the Caspian sea was a warning to Turkey, the GCC and America of what Russia is capable of.
America is a bully and like most bullies will be frightened by a rival its size or stronger and will only pick on the weak.
The Syrians have basically won the war and are supported by Iraq, Egypt and Algeria, 3 big Arab nations.
The middle east will now see Russian influence increase, and even the American “pivot to China” B.S. is at threat because China has seen that the US is scared of Russia hence it pulling its ship (the Theodore Roosevelt I believe) out of the Arabian gulf.
Yes, the Americans will only pick on the weak. And still lose.
extract
“Much in the same vein, the Western mainstream media distorted the story of how exactly the violent standoff between Damascus and Syrian militants began(over record drought affecting farmers in north-east Syria and subsequent protests), placing the whole blame on Assad, Zuesse noted citing Jonathan Marshall, a California-based independent researcher.
In his article for Consortiumnews.com Marshall called attention to the fact that repeated “deadly provocations against Syrian government forces” committed by armed elements in Syria since the very beginning transformed the protest into a violent conflict.
Again, instead of brokering peace in the region, Washington decided to add some more fuel to the fire to escalate the crisis.
“Unmarked NATO warplanes are arriving at Turkish military bases close to Iskenderum on the Syrian border, delivering weapons from the late Muammar Gaddafi’s arsenals as well as volunteers from the Libyan Transitional National Council who are experienced in pitting local volunteers against trained soldiers, a skill they acquired confronting Gaddafi’s army,” former CIA intelligence analyst Philip Giraldi reported in December 2011.
According to Marshall, Washington’s neocons use the human rights issue as a “convenient bludgeon” to topple “critical Arab regimes” in Syria, Libya and Iraq as a part of the grand plan for redrawing the map of the Middle East.
“Marshall’s news report about the origin of the Syrian war was published at Consortium News on 20 July 2015… [however] this blockbuster three-month-old news-report still remains news in the US, even today,” Eric Zuesse highlights.
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/politics/20151110/1029880091/syrian-drought-us-obama-geopolitics-middle-east.html#ixzz3rAiNqoxp
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extensive summary report also here
http://www.anna-news.info/node/46582
comments by Lavrov etc, references to upcoming meetings etc
but you’ll have to rely on a translate of some kind……..
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SOCHI, November 11. /TASS/. About 500 citizens of Kyrgyzstan, including 122 women, are currently in Syria in the ranks of international terrorist groups, Kyrgyzstan’s Prosecutor-General Indira Joldubayeva said Wednesday. She was speaking at the 7th regional conference of the International Association of Prosecutors of Central and Eastern European and Central Asian countries dedicated to combating terrorism and violent extremism that opened on Tuesday in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
“According to special services, about 500 Kyrgyz citizens are in Syria in the ranks of international terrorist organizations, among them 122 women,” – she said.
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Why is US military contingent staying in Afghanistan?
“Over the past few years, more than 500 persons have been uncovered as a result of counter-terror measures, including foreign nationals involved in terrorist and religious and extremist groups. To date the activities of half of them have been terminated,” Joldubayeva said. “More than 150 persons have been brought to trial or convicted. More than 60 members of international terrorist and religious and extremist groups have been put on the wanted list for terrorist and mercenary activities. As many as 47 persons have been identified, arrested and prosecuted who underwent subversive and terrorist training in Syria and Iraq and sent to our country and other Central Asian countries to organize terrorist attacks.”
Furthermore, the activities of 8 transnational terrorist groups and more than 60 religious and extremist groups have been terminated during the preparation and perpetration of terrorist attacks.
In addition to that, three channels of smuggling recruits to the Turkish-Syrian area have been uncovered and terminated in Kyrgyzstan. “Currently, about 2,000 members of various religious, extremist and terrorist groups are registered across the country. For a country like Kyrgyzstan, which has a population of no more than 5 million people, these are impressive figures,” Joldubayeva said.
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MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Russia’s Interior Ministry is undertaking all necessary measures to identify the source of information about an alleged terror attack, the ministry’s spokesperson Elena Alexeyeva wrote on her Instagram page on Wednesday.
“The Ministry is aware about mailing of the information. Initially, the information was distributed in the Republic of Tatarstan, and by end of the day it reached the capital city. The Interior Ministry is undertaking all necessary measures to identify the source of texts of the kind,” she wrote.
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UNITED NATIONS, November 11. /TASS/. Syria’s last chemical weapons production facility is planned to be destroyed by the end of the year, Kim Won-soo, UN Under Secretary-General and Acting High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, told TASS after a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
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bit more
http://tass.ru/en/world/835500
“To date, at the request of the Prosecutor-General’s Office, about 450 resources through which funds were raised for terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq have been blocked,” he said.
FSB Director Yevgeny Sysoev earlier said that about 3,000 persons suspected of raising funds for terrorist groups had been identified in Russia, adding that they had been identified in more than half of Russia’s regions.
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Russian bomber destroys IS tanks, infantry vehicles in Syria’s Homs — Defense Ministry
info here -note forces working it seems successfully with Syrian “opposition’ who are also fighting against ISIS….
http://tass.ru/en/defense/835564
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Chechnya’s head Ramzan Kadyrov has urged the leaders of the Muslim countries to join forces against the Islamic State terrorist group.
“Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov said that nobody cares what West thinks about the Russian Air Force operation in Syria.
© SPUTNIK/ SAID TSARNAEV
West’s Response to Russian Campaign in Syria Falling on Deaf Ears – Chechen Leader
“I deem it my duty to make a direct address to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan… How long are you going to sit and watch the Prophet Muhammad’s Ummah being destroyed? Why don’t you get together and discuss this problem? Why don’t you make steps to rein in the Islamic State? Why aren’t you telling the US and its allies: “Enough is enough!”? Kadyrov’s press service quoted him as saying.”
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20151111/1029918526/kadyrov-unity-call.html#ixzz3rByOcsbQ
gonna send in your guys?
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“MOSCOW, November 11. /TASS/. Iraq is interested in the development of military and technical cooperation with Russia, Alexey Pushkov, the head of the Russian State Duma international affairs committee, said after a meeting with a delegation of Iraqi lawmakers.
“The Iraqi side expressed its major interest in military and technical cooperation with Russia, noting that Iraqi servicemen are well-acquainted with Russian weapons and cooperation with the Russian side is vital for the country’s security,” Pushkov told TASS.
The Iraqi delegation is led by Hakim al-Zamili, who heads the defense and security committee of the country’s parliament.”
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very useful for Syria?
The Ilyushin Il-106 military transport plane, now being developed in Russia, will need no runway to take off and land, the deputy head of the Ilyushin Aviation Complex said on Wednesday.
“This plane is going to be very big, weighing 80 to 100 tons… What makes it so special, however, is its ability to land on a dirt runway, Sergei Velmozhkin told Rossiya 24 TV.
The Il-106 is still on the drawing board and the final design is due in 2017. The new plane will be assembled entirely from Russian-made parts, which Sergei Velmozhkin said will be much better than their foreign analogues.
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20151111/1029931552/russia-plane-design.html#ixzz3rCKicrCC
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Uncle Bob,
You are reading exactly the same signs I have read too.
Some caveats:
I am not sure Erdogan – now considerably stronger post-electoral victory – is going to continue along the pro-ISIS trajectory. There seem to be some signs that using ISIS to countervail the Kurds is no longer a central objective: the ‘cure ‘ being potentially worse than the ‘disease.’
Can’t be sure, but I think there is a grudging respect for Putin, and a slow movement towards at least some shared objectives with Russia.
That in turn makes it more difficult for the US to use Turkey as a pretext for invasion. Nor is Erdogan a leader the American public are particularly sympathetic too, making his pr value as an ally less than sterling.
Add to this the increasing suspicion of the Kurdish militias of US motives and concern at being used as patsies by them. That ‘romance’ has distinctly cooled. Even if they still can use Barzani in Iraq, he has no mandate or widespread popular support from the various Kurd groups along the borders.
The Kahil Gibran quote from Babushka-in-Oz is very apt: rockets (Grads?)
were launched at Latakia yesterday, killing twenty-three:
http://in.sputniknews.com/world/20151110/1016347103/rocket-attack-latakia.html
Keep the momentum going.
Peter,
“In my judgment, people we should be
talking to will include people who have a
vision for the future of Syria that is different
from ours, a vision that we will not agree
with,” the British foreign secretary, Philip
Hammond, said in an interview at The New
York Times.”
Leaving aside the colonial arrogance of assuming any right to determine Syria’
s future, this could just as easily be code for acknowledging Assad’s popularity/legitimacy.
The British Establishment were significant players in the Assad-must-go camp.
Both Corbyn and UKIP will put up a mighty fight anyway.
“one of the main points of contention will be to determine whom to include among opposition groups in future negotiations”
Russia/Iran have put US/UK ect on the spot by saying moderate opposition and terrorist groups need to be named at next Vienna talks.
In the northwestern al Nusra controlled area there seem to be a number of groups that fight alongside al Nusra though not officially part of that group which is a UN listed terrorist organisation.
In the southern area near the Jordanian border, although ISIS and al Nusra are present, they do not control that area. It is notable that Russia has virtually ignored that area in its bombing campaign and some agreement may have been reached with Jordan. Groups in this area may be acceptable to Russia/Iran as moderate opposition.
Also in the northeast, some time ago I read that Kurds, Syrian government and some opposition groups joined forces to fight ISIS in the area.
In the context of the article I linked, it seems as though UK is trying to prepare the ground for backing groups in talks that have the same ideology as, and have fought with listed terrorist organisations.
Sorry if already posted – Primer on Russia’s high-tech weapons systems in Syria >>
http://russia-insider.com/en/military/how-russias-syrian-deployment-changing-military-balance-eastern-mediterranean/ri11053?utm_source=Russia+Insider+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=251b987d64-Russia_Insider_Daily_Headlines11_21_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c626db089c-251b987d64-227206705&ct=t%28Russia_Insider_Daily_Headlines11_21_2014%29&mc_cid=251b987d64&mc_eid=365c2e861c
AEROSPACE FORCES COMMANDER BONDAREV ON SYRIA
How did the air operation preparation begin?
From assessing all the possible threats. We deployed not only fighters, attack aircraft, bombers, helicopters, but also air defense systems. Because there can always be a force majeure incident. Let’s say, a combat aircraft could be hijacked from neighboring country and used to launch a strike against us. So we needed to be ready for that.
How did our aircraft and helicopters reach Syria?
Aircraft flew on their own, helicopters were transported. Because their range is too short.
Did you have intelligence suggesting the Americans sensed the deployment was imminent?
We managed to confuse them…
How?
We’re not about to reveal our strategic concealment methodology…Red Circles
And yet just prior to the start of the operation (September 30), one of the Pentagon’s generals said that “Russian aircraft are ready and can start operating in a few days”…Was this objective information?
In principle we were ready to start in three hours.
Right after landing?
Yes, sir.
Or maybe they were just pretending they did not notice the deployment of our equipment?
I don’t think so. Our appearance in Syria and the start of the air operation radically upset their plans in that strategically important region.
http://southfront.org/aerospace-forces-commander-bondarev-on-syria/
yeah.
Perhaps now the russian commanding staff on the field option towards a couple more of key hard blows on the Isis/nusra heads. And as the pentagonians rush in with help a few cuts in the supply lines of Turkish border will do what it takes to regain territory.
and let washington and ankara curious position on whether to assist or to hit the kurd fighters…
“The Syrian people have never accepted the dictatorship of Assad ** and they will not accept that it is reintroduced or reformulated in another way,” said Monzer Akbik, member of the Western-backed Syrian National Coalition.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/syrian-opposition-rejects-russian-ideas-solving-crisis-115206491.html#S80Amcu
just look at this creature.
President of the Syrian National Coalition Khaled Khoja……this is who the yanks want in power in Syria ….,just another Saakashvili.
Coalition member Michel Kilo said Moscow’s real aim was to preserve Assad and his state apparatus by pushing for an unfair electoral process.
“We are not against elections, we are democrats. But it cannot be that we are forced to accept a president, who is a criminal, who destroyed the country – what logic is behind this idea?” **
That is why “Assad must go!”… this ‘Syrian National Coalition’ could never win against Assad !!
The US will just use the Ukraine playbook,except the thugs will be brown skinned,rather that tattoed Nazi battalions……voila
No more Latakia airbase and no more Tartus naval base for Russia.
** both outright lies
Syrian lawmaker says Assad stays to finish his term in 2021
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/syrians-express-opposition-russian-plan-end-conflict-131440113.html#P9PJ9wg
Haitham al-Maleh …… aka Syrian opposition[sic]
“In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on 30 January 2012, Maleh stated that the situation in Syria had passed the point where peaceful resolution was possible, and predicted that “Assad and his family will be killed in Syria, their next steps will be very bloody … The end for him will be that he is killed like Gaddafi.” ”
And this dissident used to be a judge ?
I figure he is one of those the empire claims is part of the “moderate opposition”. Their idea of “moderate”,and mine is very different.
Allahu akbar !!
May the righteous prevail over the evil….
May the moderate prevail over the extremists….
May stability, peace and justice prevail over chaos, war and oppression…
This is an important victory for the SAA, the Russian Aero Space Forces and all decent people worldwide.
Tiocfaidh ar la
Great!
OT:
Another Barking Mad Anti-Russian Story
Read more: http://sputniknews.com/columnists/20151110/1029888473/another-anti-russia-story-doping-scandal.html#ixzz3rCLfyQIB
The weekly anti-Russian smear from the Jewish owned/run media.
Heroes of Syria fighting for Kuweires airbase
http://rusvesna.su/english/1447236750
Some great pictures,pictures reminiscent of the Donbass,great hearted people.
“Brigades under command of colonel Suheil started to mop-up building after building, village after village moving towards Kuweires aibase. Despite terrorists’ stubborn resistance and American airstrikes targeting their brigades, terrorists’ reinforcement coming from the Turkish training camps, he managed to complete his mission. “
Something on the assault of Kuweires airbase…….when they were trying to de-mine the Donbass I wondered if they had considered this…….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_harrow
Lo and behold a T 55 tank with just such a thing fixed to the front was clearing the roadway in Syria.
Way to go Donbass !!
This is the beginning of the end of all terrorist groups in Syria. What the Syrian Arab Army, NDF, and Baa’th Battalions did yesterday was solidify their nation’s military morale. With Iran and Hezbollah’s help on the ground, their next goals will probably be to cutoff the strategic Aleppo-Damascus Highway and eventually reach the Shi’a city of Al-Fu’ah Kefraya. With the current speed the Southern Aleppo front is moving, they have a chance of achieving this within one and a half month.
If we look at a map, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Syrian_civil_war.png
we can see that for the first time in years, they have a chance to eventually reach the Turkish border and encircle all of the Al-Nusra/Ahrar ash-Sham/FSA terrorists.
The Tiger Forces for now will have to be redirected to stop the terrorist Army of Conquest’s advance in Northern Hama. Once Salma is captured in Latakia, this can be a crushing morale drop for all terrorists in Latakia. In any case, ISIS still poses a big danger to the east and the troops will have to shift offensives back and forth. Lets hope that the Syrian soldiers and others will be able to show on the map that they are undoubtedly winning.
This is good news, but the main priority for Russia must be to liberate Novorossia from Charkov to Odessa from the Kiev nazi junta, and Malorossia too!
syria: From Crosstalk and Phyllis Bennis who was the center of intelligent discussion ( Peter Lavelle did not call her “dear” either and she did not let him bully her ( I’m not impressed with elections under war time conditions with 99% approval ratings either nor am I one to discount the Kurds: You go, Phyllis!)
https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/321539-syria-peace-process-failed/
This is from Alexander Zakharchenko’s website
https://av-zakharchenko.su/en/news/alexander-zakharchenkos-appeal-occasion-international-day-against-fascism-racism-and-anti
Plus Kiev have asked the OSCE to confirm withdrawal of LPR/DPR weapons……….time to attack when the frosts come ??
http://novorossia.today/kiev-junta-has-asked-osce-to-confirm-weapons-withdrawal-by-armed-forces-of-the-republic-s/
Givi says ….Meat is back on the menu boys!
Or after they’ve stalled for enough time, with Minsk II expiring end of 2015, a mere 50 days away!
Forgot about that totally; it was Dave of X22 Report utube who mentioned that yesterday in his report.
They are hoping Russia gets bogged down in Syria till well past then.
And the world has turned upside down!
Someone, was it me? did write that the sending of the Glorious Russian Air Corps to Syria by their courageous commanders was a “Revolutionary Act” that would reverse the decline of the world into Barbarism, and show our oppressed humanity the way out into the bright shiny light of freedom and their enjoyment of their many nuanced, happy and prosperous Democratic Republics.
There, children would play, and little grey haired old ladies (mostly) would rule, and young people would do whatever they do, (sex and all that stuff). Palestinians would have their land back, Jews would return to Kings Highway, or share property titles with others within Palestine, the Rothschilds will return their stolen money and property, (some will go to jail – some to the gallows), Obomber will go back to Hollywood, (after serving 10-20 for being a war criminal and an imposter); you finish this sentence……
The Russian Nation: the Russian leaders: specially their President, Vladimir Putin, continues to fulfill the Ninteenth Century’s optimistic ideals, and he is not finished yet. The commitment of the Russian Air Corps, Naval Forces, and Land Support, to enable the oppressed peoples of the Mid East to resist was the finest Revolutionary Act since the storming of the Bastille.
The Enigmatic Vladimir Putin, all his Military and Political leaders at his side, and all the Militia holding the line against the Nazis – at the door – of Novorossiya – understood the electric shock this act would give to the intimidated and dispossessed of this planet. This tiny Air Corps, with the bite of an enraged Bee, has enabled the Syrian Army to liberate the vitally important Kuwayres Air Base (which the Syrians accomplished against an -at least- equal number of experienced, well armed, well entrenched, Zionist American/Turkish Terrorist troops).
There will be much more fighting to follow.
But the corner has been turned!
*The Key point is:
There will be much talk of compromise and deals. Some will write that Vladimir Putin will compromise. Some American politicians will declare that certain politicians will sell-out to the Russians. All of that hot air will be to entertain the rubes, so that they think that by voting for an approved CIA-Skull & Cross-Bones vetted entertainer, they will have done their duty, and that they may return to their TV set, TV dinner, and sexless life.
**Our duty, after this half a century of butchery and destruction of peoples and their nations, that continues, and that includes the destruction of our American nation, its liberties, beginning with its Constitution, its last constitutional president, its prosperity, its ecology, and its sanity, is Revolution!
For the Democratic Republics!
For the Russian Air Corps!
IMAGINE
Bushehr I Finally online soon?
Depends on the tolerance allowed for ‘soon’.
In late April, AEOI Deputy Head and Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi and Deputy Head of Rosatom Nicolai Spassky in a meeting in Tehran conferred on cooperation between the two countries in building two new power plants.
During the meeting, Kamalvandi and Spassky discussed building Bushehr II and III nuclear power plants due to be constructed near Iran’s first nuclear power plant in the Southern city of Bushehr.
They also discussed the method for delivering full control of the Bushehr nuclear power plant to Iranian experts.
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940820001103
Well done forces fighting for a free Syria. May the Syrian Arab Army and its friends in arms prevail.