On June 18, the US-led carried out airstrikes on a position of government forces at the village of of al-Hiri, located southeast of the border town of al-Bukamal, the Syrian state media said describing the attack as an attempt to raise morale of terrorist groups that are losing the war to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
The SANA also accused the US of providing ISIS with various support in order to allow terrorists to remain in Syria thus justifying own illegal presence in the war-torn country.
The US-led coalition denied these reports saying that it did not conduct strikes near al-Bukamal.
However, the Syrian side was able to release footage from the ground confirming damage and showing impact sites of the strikes. According to different sources, from 30 to 90 pro-government fighters were killed and injured in the attack. This numbers includes members of Iraqi militais participating in the conflict on the side of the Damascus government.
Some sources say that the strike was carried out by Israel.
On the same day, Turkish and US-led coalition forces started carrying out a joint patrols near the town of Manbij, controlled by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Photos and video of a large number of Turkish vehicles appeared from the area of the Sajur river.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu even said that “[Turkish forces] have also started entering Manbij.” But this claim is not confirmed by any evidence right now.
The SDF released a statement claiming that no Turkish troops will enter Manbij. However, the group has little influence on the situation. So, all will depend on terms and conditions of the US-Turkish agreement.
‘Al-Qaeda in Syria is losing in spite of us’ – Ron Paul
https://www.rt.com/usa/430248-alqaeda-syria-us-ron-paul/
“The real hypocrisy comes in our justification: we’re there to fight for our constitution, our liberties, and get rid of Al-Qaeda, and Daesh [IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL], because Al-Qaeda is the threat. But there’s no evidence that we ever did anything – Al-Qaeda is losing but it was in spite of us,” said Paul on his own talk show on Tuesday. “There’s no evidence we ever did much – it was the Russians and [the Syrian President Bashar] Assad who brought it to the point where we’re just about ready to get rid of Al-Qaeda.”
The former US Congressman, who now runs the Ron Paul Institute of Peace and Prosperity, noted that there is a vast distinction between Russia and the US-led Coalition forces operating in Syria. “First off, our government has no authority to be there. Another thing is it [Syria] is 6,000 miles away from home, there’s no threat to our security, our constitution, or our liberties. And we weren’t invited to be in there,” said Paul, explaining that, unlike the Western nations, Moscow’s military involvement in 2015 was officially sanctioned by the Syrian government.
“And yet, that information never gets out,” he said. “Nobody in this country wants to believe that we ever compromise ourselves on not fighting Al-Qaeda. But that’s the monster out there that justifies all this military activity and why we have to continue spending more and more money to make us safe. Exactly the same argument was used in the war against Saddam Hussein in Iraq.”
Ron Paul’s remarks came after the Syrian officials reported an airstrike in eastern Syria that Damascus blamed on the US. The attack has allegedly caused 52 fatalities, most of them being Iraqi troops and pro-Assad militias. The Pentagon has denied its involvement.”
Elijah Magnier has a report on the Syrian army’s move under Russian commnd to retake the southern border of Syria from ISIS and its superpower allies.
“Russia has bigger plans in the Levant: during my visit to the city of Palmyra and its surroundings, the presence of thousands of Russian troops is striking, indicating that Moscow is sending new infantry and special forces in very large numbers. This large presence has not been announced”
https://ejmagnier.com/2018/06/19/the-battle-of-daraa-is-happening-al-ridwan-hezbollahs-special-forces-will-participate/
Somewhat odd. The Tiger forces are said to be operating under Russian command. However, it’s clear that Russia and Syria do not have exactly the same military goals in Daraa. For example, my understanding was that Russia agreed (with Israel) that Hezbollah should not participate in any offensive. Syria is ignoring this. Moreover, Russia is not supplying air support, nor presumably, any credible air defense. Neither, apparently, are any Russian troops to participate despite the author’s mention of “thousands” of troops in Palmyra. So,while I wish the best for the SAA, it’s difficult to not have some reservations on this offensive. Hopefully my apprehensions are unfounded.
Troubling Developments in Kazakhstan.
http://theduran.com/how-will-russia-iran-respond-us-challenge-caspian-sea/
Is the Battle for Daraa Finally On?
https://ejmagnier.com/2018/06/19/the-battle-of-daraa-is-happening-al-ridwan-hezbollahs-special-forces-will-participate/
“The battle for the southern Syrian is coming and it will be massive, preparations are done, skirmishes, probing on going, shelling into certain areas have started, the only missing piece is RuAF presence.” (Canthama)
Sooner or later(probably sooner), the Syrians are going to have to engage the USA troops and get rid of them, just like the terrorists.
Any chance of an overall comprehensive assessment report -summary on Syria….compilation of all the various situations…is area east of euphrates becoming more embedded with usa coalition witheuropean troop presence..as thousands trucks arrived via Iraq…attack by Israel on PMU what is Iraq thinking now…Idlib still….excursions of militants from al tanf…arrival of Russian ships to use their Kaliber , surveillance systems are they operational centres, will they ward off Israeli planes doing their thing via Lebanon….will big battles bring in Israel and others more..will Jordan stay quiet or does it feel threatened…or persuade the outside actors to leave… Lavrov still raising serious concerns…Syria seems to be saying Iran can stay if it wants too- Assad has given a couple of very affirmative interviews recently…..if huge presence of Russian troops as Magnier reports below is that also to prevent any usa coalition attacks as previously Russia has said any attack on Russian personnel will mean response on the source…..Astana process seems to be progressing as Syrian government and opposition nominations including Kurdish representatives seems confirmed…etc etc
“……..United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is expected to hold consultations in Geneva with the official representatives of France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States on June 25.”
More:
http://tass.com/world/1010202
I have no idea why some of these are not disqualified from taking any part in the peace process………….