On June 23, militants in 11 settlements in southern Syria surrendered to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and declared their readiness to fight ISIS and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra), the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on June 24.
According to pro-government sources, about 900 members of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) joined the SAA.
On June 24, the SAA and the Tiger Forces liberated the villages of Hawsh Hammad and Jaddel and entered the village of Busra al-Harir northeast of the city of Daraa. According to pro-militant sources, this advance was supported by the Russian Aerospace Forces.
On June 25, clashes in the area continued.
It is interesting to note that on June 23 the US Embassy in Amman released a statement saying that militants in southern Syria should not count on a US military intervention in the situation in the area when they make decisions influencing their future.
The statement comes amid reports that some FSA groups in the province of Daraa have resumed negotiations with the Syrian government and Russia on a reconciliation agreement that would allow Damascus to restore its control of the area by a peaceful solution.
On June 24, the SAA repelled an attack of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the village of Zlin in northern Hama. However, after the attack the situation in the area remained relatively calm.
Tensions between the Thuwar al-Raqqa Brigade and the rest of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have erupted in the city of Raqqah. The Thuwar al-Raqqa Brigade says that the SDF’s security forces, Asayish, have surrendered its HQs and have attacked some of its members.
The current situation in Raqqah is another result of the tensions growing between the Kurdish-dominated SDF and local Arab factions formally operating within the same group.
At the same time, the SDF has captured a large chunk of area near the border with Iraq reaching the Tell Safouk border crossing. Thus, the group achieved a key goal of its operation in southern al-Hasakah.
According to pro-Kurdish sources, now the group is going to focus on combating ISIS in the Euphrates Valley and in the area north of al-Bukamal.
“[O]n June 23 the US Embassy in Amman released a statement saying that militants in southern Syria should not count on a US military intervention in the situation in the area when they make decisions influencing their future.”
This is some of most important and under-reported news in quite a while. After years of bombs and bellicosity, the U.S. has seemingly just told it’s mercenaries in the region that the deal is over. If true, this will lead to significant de-escalation of fighting in the region and tension between the U.S. and Russia.
The most important part of the article:
Russia has agreed with the U.S. on keeping Iran/Hezbollah out of southern Syria. This is the U.S. keeping their part of the deal by cutting off support for anti-Assad forces and pocketing them for destruction.
It just goes to show how effective things can be when Russia and the U.S. work together. Hopefully, we will see more of this cooperation in the future.
Hezbollah and Iran aren’t going anywhere that hasn’t been agreed with the Syrian gov and serves the over riding priority of defeating the terrorists.
Russia has not and cannot decide which forces President Assad invites into his country.
No US deal can ever be relied upon – common knowledge by now – and the bottom line is that the US and it’s Israeli master are being defeated and forced out of Syria. Pure and simple.
The US and NATO are great at bombing defenceless civilians on the ground as per Raqqa but the thought of taking casualties in an army to army fight with a determined adversary like the SAA fills them with terror.
US power projection only works when gullible fools in return for a few dollars are willing to do the actual fighting and dying.
Fars is reporting that the expectation is the US will vacate Al-Tanf completely in the very near future.
The experience of seeing their American “allies” run away is bound to have a demoralising effect on those still naive enough to believe that there is a cause in Syria worth getting killed for and might lead to a collapse in enemy morale hastening the end of the war.
There are already reports of massive in-fighting amongst the terrorist ranks and huge defections to the SAA.
What is particularly impressive about the Russian/Syrian effort is the high importance placed on saving human lives and achieving victory through encouraging capitulation by the opposing forces wherever possible.
This is all the more impressive when viewed in contrast with the US malevolent enjoyment of causing as much human slaughter, death and destruction as possible wherever they decide to start a war.
Tomsk,
FARS has substantial ties to the Iranian government. As such, their prognostication on future U.S. Actions is highly untrustworthy.
The Russian-U.S. Agreement to keep Hezbollah out of the area is being widely reported. In fact, Russia is more-or-less openly allowing strikes against Iranian targets in Syria (1).
John Bolton will soon be visiting Russian officials (2). Given his focus on Iran, How much would you like to bet that there will be talk about a joint Russian-U.S. stance on Iranian sponsored regional violence?
You are technically correct that Syria could order Russia out of the country to keep Iran in. However:
— Iran is suffering from substantial internal unrest and protests. The Iranian Rial is down over 50% this month alone, now trading at ~90,000 to the dollar(3).
— Iran’s attempts to build and EU workaround to the end of the nuclear deal has failed. Their primary advocate, Angela Merkel, is likely doomed to leave office in the near future (4).
It seems highly unlikely that Assad will chain himself to a rapidly sinking Iran when Putin is standing there offering him a very sturdy lifeline.
__________
(1) http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/06/19/19-jun-18-world-view-russia-israel-alliance-grows-while-russia-iran-alliance-frays-in-syria/
(2) http://theduran.com/necon-john-bolton-travels-to-russia-to-plan-putin-trump-summit-video/
(3) https://pjmedia.com/trending/iranian-protestors-take-it-to-the-streets-chanting-death-to-palestine/
(4) http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/migrant-policy-conflict-could-spell-the-end-for-merkel-a-1214503.html
A123
You say “How much would you like to bet that there will be talk about a joint Russian-U.S. stance on Iranian sponsored regional violence?”
There will be no such talk because there is no such thing as “Iranian sponsored regional violence”
There might however be talk about US sponsored regional (and global) violence – a worthy topic – just how many trillions has the US spent promoting and sponsoring terrorism around the world?
Does anyone even know?
Perhaps the Russians and Americans might also discuss how the US can be helped to exit Syria altogether whilst still “saving face”
“Iran is suffering from substantial internal unrest and protests”
Well no evidence of it that I can see. Perhaps you could furnish the link.
However, there was indeed a massive turnout of the population in cities across Iran in support of the Iranian government and to register popular disgust at the US abrogation of it’s responsibilities under JCPOA
I have found the Iranians and Iranian media to be amongst the most honest there is out there, refreshingly honest in fact when one considers the murky world of politics.
Fears of it’s demise are largely wishful thinking. What I see is a country gaining in international respect, forming strong ties with Eurasian countries and going from strength to strength.
Remember, nothing the US can say or do frightens Iran. They have been on the receiving end of US belligerence for 40 years.
And today they have a real choice of whom they partner with in trade – reliable partners whose clout renders the US as increasingly irrelevant in today’s emerging world other than for it’s worrying capacity for horrendous violence.
Tomsk,
Here is your requested link about Iranian unrest:
https://pjmedia.com/trending/iranian-protestors-take-it-to-the-streets-chanting-death-to-palestine/
________
Many do not understand that the only way to bind the U.S. is a properly ratified treaty. Barak Hussein Obama’s fake deal should be referred to as JOKE-PA. He pulled a massive joke on the world when he lied about power to bind the U.S. without a Senate ratification. President Trump fully complied with U.S. and international law at all times in this matter.
If you want to be upset with the Soros/Obama failure, go ahead…. There are so many Soros/Obama failures please excuse the line.
@A123: “FARS has substantial ties to the Iranian government. As such, their prognostication on future U.S. Actions is highly untrustworthy.”
Your mask of impartial observer and objective commentator slipped steadily from the start, and with the above statement of prejudice it has now fallen. For remedial therapy, I recommend someone suffering from U$ mindset on Iran to try a course of Ramin Mazaheri.
Over and out.
Actually I’ve seen no indications of USA and Russia making any deals about Syria and there’s nothing stopping the Americans from saying whatever they want.Although I’ve seen plenty of indications that there is divisive propaganda being spread, trying to pit those working against American Imperial ambitions against each other – this specific strain started right after Netanyahu met Putin on Victory Day, last month.
Another day, another terrorist attack from the israelonazi scum.
Israeli Missiles Land Near Damascus Airport – Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201806261065773387-israeli-jets-fire-missiles-damascus-airport/
“According to reports, two Israeli missles landed in Damascus International Airport in Syria late Monday afternoon.
The Israeli Air Force was attempting to target an Iranian cargo plane that was unloading at Damascus International Airport, according to reports. However, other reports cite the target of the missiles as a military installation not far from the airport. Two missiles were apparently used.
There were explosions in Damascus and air defenses are engaging targets. It isn’t clear if any missiles were intercepted, however.
In the aftermath of the strike a powerful blast was reported in the north of the Al Quneitra province, which is to the southwest of Damascus, closer to Israel. Some reports say the explosion came from the interception of an Israeli drone by Syria’s air defense system, Al Masdar News reports.
On Sunday, the IDF reported that they had fired a Patriot missile into Syrian airspace, targeting a drone approaching from Syria.”We will not allow violation of our aerial sovereignty,” the IDF stated.
According to Haaretz newspaper, prior to the launch, residents of the Upper Galilee in northern Israel witnessed an explosion and a smoke trail they had supposedly seen in the sky.
“A Patriot missile was launched at an unmanned aerial vehicle approaching from Syria. The drone turned away from the border as a result without being hit,” the IDF said in a press release.”
Regarding the patriot miss, not surprising, given the documented record of this ineffective sa missile. Probably the only one with a worse intercept history is the zionazi iron dome scam.
Is Israel now ISIS’s air force?
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/06/24/pmf/
No official statements yet. Canthama has this:
“Basically all saying… , two IDF missiles in the direction of Damascus international airport aimed on an Iranian cargo plane that was unloading.
The airport is working this morning, so there is no confirmation of what really hit what, if it was a serious hit the airport would be closed due to smoke and debris.
It seems a small video showed a missiles being intercepted, but then hard to verify it. Better wait for the SAA FB guys, they have inside info on any SyAAD and if possible they will release the info that is allowed to be done.”
From the Hassan Nasrallah speech posted on this site over the weekend:
“Yesterday, Netanyahu said that Imam Khamenei wants to enrich uranium again in order to make a nuclear weapon and kill 6 million Jews in occupied Palestine. These are lies. First, Iran does not seek the nuclear bomb, and secondly, no one wants to kill 6 million Jews in occupied Palestine.
What we say, what the Palestinian people and the Arab and Muslim peoples say, and even what Islam says — I can say that this is the view of Islam — and what the Resistance says is this: we do not want to kill, we do not want to destroy, we do not want to throw (or drown) anyone in the sea. We tell you in a very civilized manner: embark in your ships, embark on your planes, and return to the countries from which you came. Regarding the (minority of) indigenous Jews, who are from Palestine, they are people of Palestine and they can stay there. As for the (Zionist) invaders, occupiers and settlers who came from all around the world, let them pack up their things and leave. This is the message of Islam, and this is the message of the Resistance. This is the message of the peoples of the region.”
Given the wide scale complicity in war crimes by israel’s zionazi Jews, there will need to be a lot of prosecutions once israel implodes. Along with a substantial supply of rope afterwards.
Updates from Al’Masdar News and Ivan Sidorenko:
5 hours ago. SAA spearheaded by the Tiger Force has cracked the terrorist defensive lines, and is now fighting a fierce urban battle inside the town of Busra al Harir, parts of which it has apparently secured. .
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-syrian-army-enters-strategic-town-of-busra-al-harir-in-southwest-syria/
20 Minutes Ago from Tiger Forces Taha Regiment Zer Group Commander:
“Busra Al-Harir’s eyes are green” (Completely Liberated)
https://twitter.com/IvanSidorenko1
Daraa Battle Update:
Lajat Liberated, Busra al Harir Soon to Fall.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgkJAGzW0AAfZeR.jpg
“Images from Jaddel village in al Lajat, clearly well preserved, with minimum destruction, confirming the reconciliation in the al Lajat is working as planned. So far 11 villages are liberated in the area and many more to come today and tomorrow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGpw7NnoY0g&feature=em-uploademail
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.972884&lon=36.366978&z=14&m=b
During the liberation of Jaddel, 1 T55 and 1 BRDM (old BTR-40) were captured by the SAA. This is important since the terrorists in southern Syria do not have many tanks and armoured vehicles, compared to the massively provided pick ups and TOWs.” (Canthama)
“most villages surrendered to the Tiger Forces few days ago but could not be 100% confirmed, as usual the TFs hold its card tight, furthermore dozens of SAA agents were infiltrated in the al Lajat villages fostering their swift surrendering and to pressure the terrorists to leave.
There is a on going dispute on the fate of Bushar al Harir, whether the part of this key town was infiltrated or not, the fact is the battle is on in the outskirt of it, this town is key since it holds a vantage point north of the very critical town of Hirak.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.800839&lon=36.357193&z=12&m=b
This is clearly a castle of cards/domino effect scenario. The terrain favours tanks, artillery and precision air attacks, the tough nut to crack will be Daara city, without flanking its sides, the battle could last longer due to constant insertion of fresh terrorists.” (Canthama)
“All hell broke loose on Busra al Harir, Tiger Forces are attempting to liberate it tonight, and it has a very good chance to do it.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.809785&lon=36.383286&z=12&m=b
As mentioned in recent posts, Busra al Harir is very important since it stays only 7 kms north of the vital town of Hirak, the latter connects roads to several other villages that dominates the eastern flank of Daraa city.
Without Hirak, the terrorists would be pushed to a narrow 25 kms corridor between the SAA and Jordan. Important to note that the civilians from Hirak are in talks to the Syrian Government to surrender it, but the terrorists are threatening them, in the case Busra al Harir is lost to the terrorists then the civilians of Hirak will gain strength to kick the terrorists out. At the end the ordinary people in southern Syria are desperate to preserve their properties.
Very important battle tonight with potential domino effect for weeks ahead.” (Canthama)
US, UK Financing 54 Militia Groups in Syria Despite Trump Vow to “Get Out”
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/06/25/us-uk-financing-54-militia-groups-in-syria-despite-trump-vow-to-get-out/
US-led helicopters evacuate two Daesh commanders from eastern Syria – Report
https://www.veteranstoday.com/2018/06/25/us-led-helicopters-evacuate-two-daesh-commanders-from-eastern-syria-report/
Busra al Harir Liberated.
“the whole area around Busra al Harir was liberated together with with the small village of Maliha al Atash and some unused air defense positions.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.817864&lon=36.329727&z=12&m=b&gz=0;362682723;327949228;236892;796184;370788;825018;985336;801951;999069;0;192260;28859;0;225081;260925;614509;226593;807718
Nahetah current state is that the village is completely liberated and de mining is in progress, that means Hirak will be stormed tonight or tomorrow.
The area below is considered very hard to be defended by the terrorists due to the complete absence of proper defensive line to the north.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.773131&lon=36.316681&z=13&m=b
As a summary, the night attack took the terrorists by surprise, and their defensive lines built in the past years collapsed all together, the terrorists losses are on the low hundreds and with severe armoured vehicles and tanks (2 intact) losses.
The battle for the triangle below has started with the liberation of Busra al Harir and imminent Hirak liberation. The triangle controls the area of the Nassib border crossing and M5, and protects the eastern flank of Daraa city during the urban battle field that will happen there.” (Canthama)
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.653251&lon=36.304321&z=10&m=b&gz=0;361862182;324779084;837707;3272591;3666687;0;0;243253
Eastern Side of Daraa Incl. Naasib Border Crossing Toast.
“As the battle for east Daraa continues, after overnight very successful attack to liberate the very important Busra al Harir village and all surrounding, this morning the Tiger Forces walked through Nahetah and now unconfirmed news that Mleihat Sharqiyyeh has been entered and partially liberated, that places the vital village of Hirak completely defenseless from north and east.
When we hear the 52nd Armoured Brigade is liberated then the battle for Hirak will be completely over, it may tonight.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.725487&lon=36.317539&z=13&m=b
Any surprise attack at al Karak village at this very moment, SE of Hirak, will basically set the terrorists running toward Saudi Arabia on the double. At this moment, the terrorist’s defensive lines are in shattered state, the mid-small size villages do not have the urban protection of East Ghouta, Yarmouk or East Aleppo, they simply can not hold the ground against the combination of CAS, artillery and storm troopers.
It is now expected that all the eastern side of Daraa-west Suweida will be liberated very quickly, with the Nassib border crossing returned to normal as well as all the M5 highway.
The western Daraa and Quneytra is a complete different animal at this stage, no action whatsoever and tension on the Golan Heights is running very high.
With Phase 1 complete, 2/3 of the southern front will be gone for good.” (Canthama)
Zionist’s Jihadis’ Morals in Free Fall.
“Another interesting aspect is that the terrorists web army is in total disarray as well. They are not having time to prepare their lies and no attempt so far has helped raise the moral of their fellow boyfriends.
Yesterday they announced a Mig23 was shot down, it actually got AA on it that caused minor damages and landed safely in Khalkhalah Airbase.
Today, the terrorists, again, are saying another Mig23 was hit, and video released is from 2015.
There is no doubt that losses will happen in a grand scale offensive like this one, but so far the terrorists are being completely annihilated, and the terrorist supporters that said through out 7 years that Daraa Province would never ever fall, those are eating their words one by one. The NATO wonder terrorists in the south were used to fight regular SAA and NDF, and now they are facing all sort of elite forces and extremely well equipped and with strong CAS, they would be smart if they run on the double, right now, all the way to Israel and Saudi Arabia.” (Canthama)