on November 24th CNN ran an article whereby according to unnamed officials poor US pilots were being “subjected to unsafe Russian flying practices”. This followed a report a week earlier where an unidentified Pentagon officer spoke about “threatening” and “potentially threatening” Russian aircraft and their “increasingly alarming behavior” (which later in the article simply turned out to be Russians flying in weapons range of US assets on the ground).
Now the Pentagon has graduated to openly raising the prospect of shooting down a Russian warplane directly through its spokespeople. Colonel Damien Pickart, the spokesman for US Air Forces Central Command, said yesterday the US military has “the greatest concern” it could “shoot down a Russian warplane because its actions are seen as a threat” — in other words if they cross into “coalition airspace” in eastern Syria. Yes, bizarrely the Pentagon refers to Syria to the east of the Euphrates as “our airspace”:
“We saw anywhere from six to eight incidents daily in late November, where Russian or Syrian aircraft crossed into our airspace on the east side of the Euphrates River,” Pickart said… … …
On Decembers 9, Major General Igor Konashenkov spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Russia revealed that a F-22 warplane of the US Air Force tried to prevent two Russian Su-25 warplanes from bombing a base of ISIS on the western bank of the Euphrates River on November 23.
Later, the US F-22 withdrew when a Russian Su-35 warplane arrived to escort the two Su-25, according to Maj. Gen. Konashenkov.
Lieutenant Colonel Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the US Air Force Central Command, told CNN during an interview on Decembers 9: “We saw anywhere from six to eight incidents daily in late November, where Russian or Syrian aircraft crossed into our airspace on the east side of the Euphrates River”
The spokesman of the Russian military described Lt. Col. Pickart statement as “puzzling” and stressed that Syria is a sovereign nation and a member of the UN.
“Unlike the Russian Air Force, the US-led coalition is operating in Syria without any legal basis”, Maj. Gen. Konashenkov said… … …
An enormous arsenal of various weapons and production facilities, plus a fleet of explosive-laden and armored vehicles has been discovered inside the recaptured Islamic State stronghold in Deir ez-Zor province, RT reports from the Al-Mayadeen frontline.
Following in the footsteps of the Tiger Forces, commanded by Syrian Army Brigadier General Suheil Salman al-Hassan, nicknamed ‘The Tiger’, an RT Arabic crew managed to film a number of warehouses full of weapons that Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) hastily abandoned, fleeing the city to the eastern side of the Euphrates River.
“Weapons warehouses here were simply huge. I’m just shocked by the amount of weapons I saw,” Syrian Army Lt. Col. Rahmi Mauwas told RT at the battlefront. “There are hundreds and even thousands of weapons and ammunition of various kinds.”
Besides weapons allegedly produced by the US, Israel and elsewhere across the Middle East, the Syrian forces said they discovered that the terrorists also organized its own weapon production in the city. Various types of logistics equipment were also left behind by the fleeing terrorists…(read more)…
Locals in Al-Mayadeen have spoken of the horror of living with Islamic State after the terror group was routed from one of its last strongholds by Syrian and allied forces.
Footage shot on Sunday showed the city in ruins with huge caches of weapons left behind by feeling IS fighters.
Locals spoke of being thrown in jail for smoking one cigarette, having beard stubble or not wearing the correct clothing.
SOT, local resident (Arabic): “Nobody wanted to cooperate with ISIS. I had six days in prison for smoking one cigarette. This happened because they saw me smoking or smelled tobacco on me. For this reason they imprisoned me for 6 days. They had such organisation, like a morality police called ‘Hysba.’ They were imprisoning even for removing stubble from a face, let alone a beard! Not a beard, just single hairs of bristle. You’re not allowed to shave this part. Beards should grow in natural way.”
SOT, Reporter (Arabic):“How many times you’ve been arrested for your beard?”
SOT, local resident (Arabic):“Four times. Four times I’ve been arrested for my beard. Not because it doesn’t grow, but because it should grow. They arrested me, then whipped me, tortured me and gave me spoiled food.”
SOT, local resident (Arabic):“I was imprisoned twice because of the beard, and once because of the fact that I had pants on me, not a jalabiya [a long men’s shirt].”
SOT, local resident (Arabic):“ISIS militants took ten houses which belonged to my brothers. They’d been confiscating them. They just took our houses and lived inside them.”
SOT, military officer (Arabic): “We’ve searched the whole area, which was the main military depot of ISIS, it has underground tunnels and was full of weapons.”
(South Front Maps) ~ These maps provide a general look at the key stages of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) operation to liberate the strategic Syrian city of Mayadin from Daesh (so called ISIS, ISIL, IS) mercenary-terrorists.
The Syrian Arab Army, backed by Russian air cover, is advancing against the mercenary-terrorist gangs of Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS) in the province of Deir-ez Zor. The terrorists are fighting to retain their last strongholds in the region. The newly-liberated village of Hatla, in the province of Deir-ez Zor, witnessed a particularly brutal battle.
While travelling with the Syrian army, RT exclusively witnessed first-hand how combing a liberated village can turn into a fierce fire-fight with Daesh.
Over the past week, Russian jets have intensified their sorties, conducting up to 150 surgical strikes against terrorist convoys coming into Syria from Iraq, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
RT’s Murad Gazdiev managed to get first-hand experience of the fighting as he accompanied the Syrian military across the only bridge over the Euphrates river in the area – straight to the frontline in Hatla village in Deir-ez Zor province. Gazdiev was standing just 500 meters from IS positions when the terrorists launched their assault, which started with an engine roar leading to fire from guns and heavier weapons…(read more)…
WARNING: If you are minor or too psychologically sensitive please do not watch these videos. # These videos may contain graphics images. # These footages is not intended to be sensationally shocking violent or to glorify violence in any way. # These videos are only for News War Documentary Historical and Educational purposes.
SYRIA:THE ARRIVAL OF THE S.A.A & ALLIES TO AL-RAHBA CASTLE S/W OF AL MAYADEEN CITY
The arrival of the Syrian Arab Army’s troops alongside allied paramilitaries groups to Al Rahba Castle Southwest of the Al Mayadeen city in Deir ezzor province…
RUSSIAN JETS HIT ISIS REINFORCEMENTS IN AL MAYADEEN & ABU KAMAL IN DEIR EZZOR
_. «Russian Air Force task force in Syria targeted Isis-Terrorists reinforcements of foreign fighters coming from Iraq to the vicinity of the Town of Abu Kamal near the Iraq-Syria border», the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Saturday…
_. «As all Terrorist targets including command outposts, manpower, and Armored vehicles were identified and confirmed within a week a series of Airstrikes followed» it added…
_. «An Airstrike near Abu Kamal destroyed Islamists outpost, killing some 40 militants from Tajikistan and Iraq, as well as 7 SUV’s with DShK and ZU-23-2 machine guns mounted on them» the statement said…
_. «A separate strike near the Al Mayadeen city killed up to 80 Isis-Terrorists among them nine fighters from the Northern Caucasus,destroyed a command center, 18 SUV’s, and three ammunition depots… Also Russian Jets bombed a group of 60 foreign fighters national of (former Soviet Republics) Tunisia and Egypt» the statement said, adding that:
_. «12 SUV’s carrying heavy weapons were destroyed in the Airstrikes»... The Russian Ministry of Defense also confirmed that a previous strike near Abu Kamal killed influential Isis field commanders, said to be “natives of Northern Caucasus”…
AL MAYADEEN MAP UPDATE/S.A.A MAKES FRESH GAINS SOUTH OF AL MAYADEEN IN DEIR EZZOR
The Syrian Arab Army’s, spearheaded by the elite Tiger Forces, resumed its strict mission to seize the largest Isis stronghold of Al Mayadeen city… The Tiger Forces supported by Russian Air Force managed to liberated Al Mayadeen Airport which is located Southeastern of Al-Rahba Castle… The Syrian Arab Army’s troops advanced Southern of Al Mayadeen towards Kharafi farms and liberated it… By this advance, it seems that the Tiger Forces want to siege Al Mayadeen by cutting its military supply from the South axis… Earlier today Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Russian Air Force targeted Isis reinforcements coming from Iraq to the vicinity of the Town of Abu Kamal near Iraq-Syria border near Al Mayadeen, killed up to 80 Isis-Terrorists…
AL MAYADEEN MAP UPDATE/S.A.A ADVANCES IN WEST AXIS OF AL MAYADEEN IN DEIR EZZOR PROVINCE
The Syrian Arab Army’s troops, spearheaded by elite Tiger Forces, resumed its strict mission to seize the largest the so-called Islamic state stronghold of Al Mayadeen city… The Syrian Arab Army’s troops managed to advance 27 k.m² in the desert from its site near Thirddah Mount in Deir ezzor-Al Mayadeen Road to hills which located in front of Al Mayadeen city… The Syrian Arab Army’s troops supported by the Russian Air Force stormed Al Mayadeen from the West axis, liberated Al-Rahba Castle, Bakery, Sesame Neighbourhood, Silos in West part of Al Mayadeen, after killing 25 Isis-Terrorists,injuring 34 others, and destroying their equipment… The clashes continue while reports confirmed that Isis transfer many of its militants to Al Mayadeen to repel Syrian Arab Army’s advance…
S.A.A. IS 2 K.M² AWAY FROM THE LARGEST ISIS BASTION IN DEIR EZZOR:AL MAYADEEN CITY
The Syrian Arab Army’s troops, spearheaded by elite Tiger Forces, resumed its strict mission to seize the largest the so-called Islamic state stronghold of Al Mayadeen city… Aiming to eradicate Isis Jihadists from the entire Deir ezzor province, the Government troops backed by Russian Air support, managed today afternoon to advance along Euphrates River towards Al Mayadeen city… Only 2 k.m² left for the combat forces to reach Al Mayadeen, said a military source… The 3D video footage shows the map of the city of Al Mayadeen,where the Syrian Arab Army’s troops operating against the so-called Islamic state in the city… _. «We can see Al-Balaum rotary from our new sites in the front of the city»… The source added… Yesterday the Syrian Arab Army’s troops liberated 20 k.m² South of Deir ezzor-Al Mayadeen highway…
This map provides a general look at the military situation in the area of the Syrian city of Deir Ezzor city. Syrian government forces are developing momentum against ISIS in Mayadin and its countryisde.
Mayadin is one of the key ISIS strongholds in the Euphrates Valley. If the army seizes it, government forces will be able to cross the Euhprates River near the strategic Omar oil fields area on the eastern bank of the Euphrates.
The Russian service specialists have build a bridge across the Euphrates River in Deir ezzor in order to transport military hardware… The Russian military road service specialists have built a bridge across Euphrates a few kilometers from Deir ezzor in Northeast Syria to transport military hardware and personnel to the Eastern bank Vladimir Burovtev chif of the road service at the Russian Ministry of Defence said: _.«We used unmanned aerial vehicles. During the installation work, explosive substances and grenades were falling on us from above. Nevertheless, we had no less-no wounded no victims. Everything was done on time»… The total length of the crossing is nearly 700 feet while the capacity is 8.000 vehicles per day…
Syria’s most powerful Islamic extremist force, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (Al-Qaeda Syria-HTS), Turkistan Islamic Party forces of Uighur East Indies gunmen, “moderate terrorists”, under the command of a number of US military intelligence agents, sought to change the battlefield morphology with a large-scale attack.
General plan of the terrorist force is: destroying the ceasefire agreement, conducting a major offensive, maneuvering dozens of tanks, armor, caliber artillery, hundreds of pickup trucks Syria’s northern Syrian army front line in the safe area under the Astana-Kazakhstan deal. The main purpose was to prevent the Syrian army’s attack on the battlefield of Deir Ezzor. But a key part of the plan is to take prisoners of 29 Russian military soldiers, who are tasked with overseeing the security of Idlib.
In this “hair-hanging” situation, with an important request not to let the Russian military personnel casualties, the commander of the Russian military forces in Syria, General Surovkin commanded the rescue team.
The relief forces are quite special, including the Russian Ministry of Defense Special Forces, the Russian military battalion with the majority of the North Caucasus troops (Chechen) and the Syrian Special Forces practice. Direct command of the battle was Major General Victor Shuliak, deputy commander of Russian military forces in Syria.
Remember: the North Caucasus soldiers are not only very good at fighting, speak good Arabic, but they are also assigned by the president of the Republic of Chesnya Ramzan Kadyrov. They are Sunni Muslim militants, Shia and absolutely loyal to Russia.. … …
Armed men in more regions laid down weapons and joined peace agreement with the Syrian Army, the Russian Defense Ministry said in its latest report.
The Ministry said in its report that gunmen in more regions have ended fight with Syrian government forces, adding, “The total number of regions, towns and villages that have thus far endorsed peace agreement with Damascus stands at 2,131.”
The ministry added that talks are underway between the government officials and representatives of militants in the province of Aleppo, Damascus, Hama, Homs, Quneitra and Damascus to join the peace plan…..
In Syria, a new de-escalation zone is about to come into force after intense talks. That’s according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. RT’s Daniel Hawkins has the details.
(TURN ON ENG SUBS) ~ Representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry and the moderate Syrian opposition have reached an agreement on the third de-escalation zone north of the city of Homs, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said on Thursday. “On July 31, a new round of talks between representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry and the moderate Syrian opposition was held in Cairo,” he said. “The meeting’s participants reached an agreement concerning the functioning of the third de-escalation zone north of the city of Homs, which will include 84 settlements with a population of more than 147,000,” Konashenkov added. The general pointed out that in early July, during the fifth round of talks in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana, a decision had been made to establish four de-escalation zones in Syria. Two of them – in southwest Syria and on the outskirts of Damascus (in Eastern Ghouta) – have already been set up. A ceasefire in the third de-escalation zone will enter into force on August 3 starting from 12:00 p.m. local time, Konashenkov said. “According to the reached agreement, today, on August 3, starting from 12:00 p.m. local time, armed units of the moderate opposition and government troops will cease fire from all weapons,”he said. “I would like to emphasize that, just like in the two previously set up de-escalation zones, the ceasefire in the Homs de-escalation zone will not apply to members of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terror groups [both outlawed in Russia – TASS],”Konashenkov added.“Moreover, in accordance with the agreement, the moderate opposition has pledged to drive all the units joining the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra out of the areas of the Homs Governorate that it controls,”the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman said. According to him, starting from August 4, Russian military police will establish two check points along the line of contact north of Homs, as well as three observation posts. Konashenkov said that military police were entrusted with the tasks of separating the opposing sides, monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire and ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, as well as medical and casualty evacuation. “All the sick and wounded will be provided with an opportunity to undergo medical treatment either at the Russian military hospital or Syrian hospitals,”Konashenkov noted.
“The opposition, in turn, will unblock the section of the Homs-Hama highway passing through the de-escalation zone,” he added. According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman, local councils will address the issues of everyday life in the de-escalation zone. Besides, a National Justice Committee is planned to be set up which will comprise “representatives of the opposition and all major ethnic, political and religious groups residing in the region,” the Russian general added. “Russia will continue its efforts aimed at restoring peace in Syria,” Konashenkov said. He pointed out that in the past ten days, as many as 52 settlements had joined the ceasefire agreement, while Russia had carried out 41 humanitarian missions, providing more than 55 tonnes of food to Syrian civilians. More at:Syrian News Agency&http://tass.com/defense/958881 Credit to Russian Ministry of Defense This page at: https://syrianfreepress.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/de-escalation-zone-3/
Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed a bill ratifying a protocol to the 2015 agreement between Moscow and Damascus regulating the deployment of the Russian Air Force in Syria for 49 years.
The protocol signed by Russia and Syria in January 2017 regulated issues related to the deployment of the Russian Air Force on Syrian territory as well as related to Russia’s exercise of jurisdiction over its military movable and immovable assets on Syrian territory, AMN reported.
It also covers the measures needed to maintain the operation efficiency of the Russia Air Force.
Under the protocol, the Russian Air Force are allowed to stay on Syrian territory for 49 years with an option of automatically extending that arrangement for 25-year periods after this term expires.
The document, published on the Russian official legal information website, particularly says that the Syrian government is handing over a plot of land in Lattakia province, where the Humeimim Air Base is located, over to Russia for its free use.
The bill ratifying the protocol was signed by Putin on Thursday, according to a Kremlin statement.
The Russian Air Force was deployed to Syria on September 30, 2015 at the request of the Syrian government as part of the operation aimed at fighting terrorist groups. The group was stationed at the Humeimim Air Base…………………………….
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Russian marine officers and sailors in St. Petersburg, Sunday, to mark the occasion of Russia’s Navy Day.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends St. Petersburg’s maritime parade on Navy Day on Sunday, July 30. Around 50 ships of the Russian Navy and 70 aircraft of the naval aviation unit will take part in this year’s maritime parade.
Putin praised the troops, saying “Today, the Navy solves not only the traditional tasks, but also adequately meets new challenges, makes a significant contribution to the fight against terrorism, piracy.”
More than 50 ships and submarines took part in the parade, while more than 40 planes and helicopters flew above the city.
Navy Day is celebrated in Russia on July 30 with military parades taking place across the country. The celebration dates back to the Soviet era, having been established in 1939. It was stopped in 1980 then reinstated by Putin in 2003.
Early July 2017 saw the release of photos showing a single BMPT-72 “Terminator” tank support combat vehicle in service with the Liva al-Quds Palestinian brigade serving with Syrian government forces.
So far there have been no indications the vehicle has seen combat use, and it also appears that the vehicle was sent to Syria mainly for combat evaluation rather than in response to any urgent tactical requirement.
The BMPT concept represents an answer to the need to provide a high volume of suppressive fire against enemy anti-tank guided weapons and static weapon emplacements such as machine-gun nests.
While modern infantry fighting vehicles are usually armed with automatic cannon which can fill that function, their inferior level of protection means they are hard-pressed to truly accompany tanks and are instead forced to provide overwatch fire with anti-tank guided missiles which limits their ability to use their cannon.
Russian Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy:
“The operations of the U.S.-led coalition have contributed to strengthening ISIS terrorists near Palmyra and Deir Ezzor”.
In a press conference, chief of the Russian General Staff’s Main Operational Directorate, Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, said that while the U.S.-led international coalition claims that its aim is to fight against international terrorism, the coalition carries out strikes against Syrian forces, which allow Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS…) mercenary-terrorists to get out of encirclement areas,
thus strengthening terrorist units [criminal mercenaries supported by USA, its Western coalition and some local countries ruled by dictators ruthless killers] near Palmyra and Deir Ezzor…………
The Syrian Arab Army has reached the Iraqi border, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian ministry officers also accused the U.S. forces of hindering the Syrian war effort against terrorism by blocking SAA attacks against Daesh (ISIS) near the Syrian border with Iraq
While we don’t have a lot of details yet, here’s what we can say: this is a brilliant move if true. Not exactly a checkmate yet, but definitely a check on US ambitions in southern Syria.
In essence, as Americans were busy bombing small Syrian groups entering their declared exclusion zone via the main road, a separate Syrian force staged a lightning-quick advance through roadless desert, well to the east of the “deconfliction” zone enveloping the Americans.
If the U.S. forces are not cut off from ISIS they no longer have an excuse to continue occupying this part of Syria. (Or will they insist they get to leapfrog over the Syrian army?)
Russians are saying it will be them and the Syrians — rather than the Americans — who will be advancing along the Iraqi border towards al-Bukamal (the major border crossing in the Euphrates valley coveted by the Pentagon)
Russian officers also accused the US of hindering the Syrian war effort against ISIS, by blocking its military from opening a new front against the group:“The coalition air forces and the strongholds of the forces of New Syrian Army have blocked the way of the government forces, tasked with defeating IS groups.”
“This is a violation of the sovereign right of Syria to protect it borders.”
Apparently in sync with the Syrian army move south, Iraqi forces likewise advanced against ISIS from their side and met on the border. Thus Syria has not just reached the formal Iraqi border, but actually re-established an actual link to Iraq.
Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov: “Reports on Civilians Killed by Daesh for Protesting in Aleppo and the latest Russian-Syrian military operations” (English subtitles)
“Russian Air Force aircraft as well as Syrian air forces have not bombed Aleppo for the last 28 days at all”, Konashenkov said.
Reports by some media outlets regarding an alleged attack on a third hospital in Aleppo carried out by Russian forces is “a mere lie,” Konashenkov added.
“The main targets of the strikes are warehouses with ammunition, [terrorist] gatherings and terrorist training centers, as well as plants for the production of various kinds of weapons of mass destruction of the population”, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said.
He stressed that terrorists had actual factories, not merely workshops, for weapons production.
The United States has often been accused of helping, or at least turning a blind eye to, certain extremists in order to pursue its other policies.
“On the one hand, it claims to be determined to fight terrorism. On the other, we see no signs of that, and we see that the closest allies of the US are helping, facilitating, funding, making it possible for these terrorist groups to continue expanding in Syria and beyond. So, the position of the US is really puzzling and it casts doubt about the seriousness and integrity of the statement, ‘We are fighting terrorism.’”
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said that Russian forces participating in the war on terrorism began before noon on Tuesday a wide-scale operation in the countryside of Idleb and Homs provinces.
During a meeting for the higher command of the Russian armed forces in Sochi, which was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Shoygu said that the Russian forces, with the participation of aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov which is docked near the Syrian coast, began concentrated strikes on positions of ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria.
The Minister said that Su-33 fighters took off from the aircraft carried Admiral Kuznetsov and targeted positions of terrorists in the countryside of Idleb and Homs provinces, noting that this is the first time a Russian aircraft carrier participates in combat operations.
Russian naval task force in Syria is reliably protected by Bastion Coastal Defense Missile Systems and Pantsir systems, Shoigu said.
Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov Aircraft Carrier Begins Combat Operations in Syria
Russian Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft-carrying cruiser has begun combat operations in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday.
Russian naval task force in Syria is reliably protected by Bastion Coastal Defense Missile Systems and Pantsir systems, Shoigu said….>>>…
A source within Russia’s Ministry of Defense told Gazeta.ru that the Navy’s aircraft carrier group is ready to launch a strike targeting Daesh terrorists in the province of Aleppo in the next 24 hours. The attack, which will likely engage Kalibr cruise missiles, will target militants outside of Aleppo, and not the residential areas.
The group, which includes Russia’s ‘Admiral Kuznetsov’ aircraft carrier, ‘Pyotr Veliky’ nuclear power guided missile cruiser and two destroyers, has completed its transfer to the Mediterranean Sea and is getting ready to strike, the MoD source said.
“The group’s main goal is to carry out missile strikes on terrorists outside of Aleppo that are attempting to get into the city”, the source added.
He also said that Kalibr cruise missiles will be used in the strikes, but did not specify from which ships the missiles will be launched.
No Russian surface ship that is currently in the Med is capable of firing the Kalibr-NK missiles, but submarine-launched Kalibr-PL could be used in the strike. The surface-launched type of Kalibr missile could also be launched from the Caspian Sea.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to extend the humanitarian pause in Aleppo in order to evacuate injured people and allow militants to withdraw from city.
Peskov said that Putin didn’t authorize the resumption of airstrikes on terrorists’ positions in Aleppo, thereby extending the humanitarian pause, as Putin considers resuming airstrikes in Aleppo to be no useful currently, adding that this pause and suspension of Russian and Syrian aerial operations only cover Aleppo.
The Spokesman said that Putin made the decision based on evaluations of the Russian General Staff and data on developments on the ground, and the Russian President believes that there’s a possibility for extending the pause in order to evacuate injured people and allow militants to withdraw from city, and that will also allow Washington to fulfill its obligations regarding separating the “moderate opposition” from terrorists.
Earlier today, the Russian General Staff announced that it has asked President Putin for permission to resume airstrikes on terrorists’ sites in Aleppo.
“Due to the fact that civilians continue to die, militants have renewed active hostilities against government forces, we have appealed to the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces to resume airstrikes on illegal armed groups in eastern Aleppo,” chief of the Russian General Staff Main Operational Directorate Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy said.
“All flights by Russian and Syrian warplanes inside the ten-kilometer zone around the city have remained paused for a tenth day running, although the situation around Aleppo remains complicated,” he said….>>>
NATO and EU ships were put on full alert along the British coast as a Russian naval fleet passed through the English Channel on its way to the Mediterranean.
The Admiral Kuznetsov, a Soviet-era aircraft carrier that can carry more than 50 planes, crossed international waters in the North Sea with seven other vessels on Friday. Locals and media gathered in Dover to watch the fleet pass by into the channel.
Russia’s TASS news agency quotes the Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, as saying the warships are making their tour to bolster the “combat capabilities” of the country’s Mediterranean fleet.
“Special focus will be made on safeguarding the security of maritime traffic and other types of maritime economic activity of Russia and also on responding to the new kinds of modern threats such as piracy and international terrorism.”
The Russian Navy has not said if it intends to use the ships for any specific battle missions in the Middle East. The group will “ensure a naval presence in operationally significant areas of the world’s oceans,” the Russian Navy said in an official press release…>>>…
US military efforts in Syria are not directed against Al-Nusra, the State Department said. ~ This week, Russia paused its joint offensive with Syrian government troops on eastern Aleppo, which is held by an assortment of armed groups, including Al-Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda offshoot. The goal is to allow people wishing to leave the city to do so, including both civilians and militants, who were offered separate corridors to leave Aleppo with their arms. ~ On Thursday, however, the militants opened fire on civilian evacuation routes, injuring three Russian officers at the El-Masharka government checkpoint, the Russian Center for Reconciliation said. ~ Asked if Al-Nusra’s presence in East Aleppo was an obstacle to the cessation of hostilities, Kirby once again tried to shift the responsibility on Syria and Russia: “The only thing that stands between where we are now and a permanent and enduring ceasefire in Syria is Bashar al-Assad and his supporters”, Kirby said. ~ You need to figure out more clearly on which side stands the Zionist puppet regime that leads the U.S. policy?
Islamist militants have shelled a ‘humanitarian corridor’ set up to allow civilians to escape from eastern Aleppo, RIA Novosti reported.
The shelling came amid a ceasefire declared the by Syrian military and Russian Air Force.
“On October 20, starting at 8am, a humanitarian pause is to be introduced in Aleppo to allow civilians to escape and sick and injured people to be evacuated, and for militants to leave the eastern part of the city,” Lt. Gen. Sergey Rudskoy said.
At least six mortar shells were fired into the ‘humanitarian corridor’ by militants in the Bustan al-Qasr neighborhood of eastern Aleppo.
Small arms fire was also directed at a Syrian Army checkpoint, RIA Novosti reported on Thursday.
The exit from the corridor is approximately 200 meters from Islamist positions and apparently within reach of their small arms and mortar fire, according to the report.
Reports on civilian casualties were not immediately available.
The Aleppo residents, some sick and wounded, were trying to flee Islamist-controlled eastern Aleppo with an escort from UN and Syrian Red Crescent personnel.
Meanwhile, other ‘humanitarian corridors’ on Aleppo’s Castello Road remain safe, and the evacuation of civilians is expected to begin shortly, with buses and ambulances on standby ready to go, RIA Novosti reported… … …
Over 30 ISIS terrorists were killed in air strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Arab Air Force in the Syrian province of Deir Ezzor on October 18.
The air power supported the Syrian army’s operations against ISIS in the area of the Deir Ezzor airbase.
Syrian troops also attacked ISIS units near the Panorama checkpoint. Air strikes on ISIS targets were also reported in the areas of al-Huweijeh al-Sakar, al-Sina’ah, al-Jafreh and al-Mura’yeh. In total, some 45 air strikes were delivered.
The intensification of air raids in eastern Syria came amid reports that ISIS terrorists are massively fleeing from the Iraqi city of Mosul to Syria.
Sources in the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) say The US-led coalition’s warplanes avoid to bomb military convoys of the terrorist group moving from Iraqi to Syria.
Moscow has reportedly responded to this threat, reconstructing the T-4 Military Airport in eastern Homs.
The Russian military had already used the airport as a forward staging post for its helicopter gunships during the operation in Palmyra and the nearby areas. However, the airfield was damaged with ISIS attacks later.
The T-4 will become an important outpost that .. … …
Syrian Arab Army’s troops, with the active support of the Russian Air Force, are continuing their successful offensive in the north of Hama province, inflicting one defeat after another on foreign-backed jihadist-mercenaries.
The elite Tiger Force brigade has just taken control of Maardes, thus liberating another small town captured by U.S. supported ‘moderate-terrorists’ a few weeks ago. The army beat the bandits out after occupying several strategic heights and agricultural lands south and southeast of the city. This has been reported by the Tiger Force’s press service.
The offensive was successful largely thanks to the support of Russian and Syrian air forces, who launched massive airstrikes in addition to powerful artillery preparation by government troops. Terrorist gangs and their supply routes in the residential areas of Suran, Morek, Atshan, Suqayq, and Al-Latamina came under heavy fire.
On the night of Saturday-Sunday, army brigades began a massive offensive in northern Hama, attacking Maardes after the liberation of the all-Abbad countryside.
Under the leadership of General Suheil al-Hassan, the Tiger Force and Syrian Arab Army stormed the city from the eastern entrance, where they engaged in fierce firefights with numerous armed terrorist gangs such as Jebat al-Nusra… … …
Press conferences by John Kerry and Boris Johnson following Western foreign ministers’ meeting in London confirms military options to save Jihadi fighters have been abandoned and that the Western powers have accepted that the Syrian government with Russian support will recapture eastern Aleppo.
The US military would never agree to enforce a “no fly zone” (or a “no bombing zone”) without an aerial bombardment since by failing (in US parlance) to “degrade” the Syrian air defences through an aerial bombardment the US would be placing its aircraft and pilots enforcing the “no fly zone” (or “no bombing zone”) at risk.
In a situation where the air defences in question are not merely Syrian but Russian – and therefore far more capable of shooting down US aircraft – the whole idea of enforcing a “no bombing zone” without an aerial bombardment to “degrade” these defences is inconceivable.
It is inconceivable that the US political and military leadership would put the lives of its personnel in Syria at risk in this way, especially in a situation which could easily escalate into a full-blown military confrontation with the Russians.
That is something that neither the West’s political nor its military leadership is prepared to risk.
It is now clear that for the foreseeable future the government of Syria will be the government of President Bashar Al-Assad, which is and always has been the legitimate UN recognised government of Syria…. … …
In recent weeks, the battle for Aleppo has exposed the true heart of contemporary global politics with vivid clarity. The US Air Force’s duplicitous Sept. 17 attack on Syrian army positions near Deir ez-Zor, the hysterical outcry against Russia that erupted from the Pentagon, the US State Department’s undisguised threats against the Russian contingent in Syria, the Western media’s candid reports about arms shipments to al-Nusra militants, and the phantasmagoric drama in the UN Security Council on Oct. 8 all point to just one thing: there are no international coalitions against ISIL- there is only the Russian army and its allies who are taking a stand against the international terrorism used as a tool by the U.S. and NATO.
The contours of today’s biggest international conflict are clear. But still not everyone understands its core and causes.
The conventional wisdom – that a decrepit global hegemon was unable to export “democracy” into a stable nation and now finds itself at a dead end – does not actually explain very much. But why did that stumbling block turn out to be Syria, which is certainly not the most significant country in the world? Why isn’t it, for example, Egypt that is under attack, where “fighters for democracy” from the Muslim Brotherhood have been unable to consolidate their victory and have even had to cede power to the powerful and far from pro-American government?
Why is Russia the country that is standing up to the aggressor? After all, Russia was on the verge of collapse not so long ago and is in no way a major competitor to the Western economy. And why is the United States pushing so fiercely to raise the stakes, driving the planet to the brink of a third world war?… … …
The Federal Law ratifies the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic on the Deployment of an Air Group of the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic, signed in Damascus on August 26, 2015.
The Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions related to the presence of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic.
The Russian air group has been deployed in the Syrian Arab Republic at Syria’s request…
The Russian military intervention in Syria that began a year ago effectively helped save the war-torn Middle Eastern country from being turned into a Daesh (ISIS) caliphate.
Moscow launched its first airstrikes in Syria against terrorist positions in Syria on September 30.
The aerial campaign made possible to liberate key areas in Latakia, Idlib and Aleppo provinces, including Syria’s famous ancient city of Palmyra.
Michael Maloof, former Pentagon official and senior security policy analyst in the office of the secretary of defense, told Radio Sputnik that Russia’s mission has been extremely successful and has helped the Syrian government to regain much of what it had previously lost to the encroaching militants.
“If it (the Syrian government) had toppled, ISIS (Daesh) and the other Islamist groups would’ve swept in and Syria would be a different place today. It wouldn’t be a democratic government; it would be a caliphate, just an extension of a caliphate that exists right now. And of course the humanitarian crisis would’ve been even worse, not to mention the impact on various minorities in Syria. Assad’s government was protecting them for the most part, and ISIS (Daesh) wouldn’t have done that,” he said.
He also pointed out that it would be impossible to implement a so called ‘Libyan scenario’ in Syria, and if the US did try and repeat it, it would’ve brought about an “even greater chaos than we see in Libya today”.
Russian State Duma approved unanimously on Friday an agreement between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Russian Federation about the deployment of Air Force of the Russian Armed Forces on Syrian territory for an indefinite period of time.
Why is the US accelerating its anti –Russia, anti-Assad propaganda in recent days? You may have seen the White Helmets “rescuer” footage all over the news, as well as the “Aleppo boy” sob story. *** This propaganda is easy to spot, obviously, for their ‘white helmets’… The said group are yet another George Soros “NGO”, who not only cut and paste footage from other events to suit their Satanic agenda, but they substitute U.S. bombing victims as if the atrocities were committed by Russia. *** Aleppo is Syria’s Stalingrad – once the terrorist gangs are pushed out, it is unlikely the U.S. backed jihadists will win this war. *** In this video, the SAA, Syrian Arab Army (not to be confused with the US –backed “moderate” Fake Syrian Army, FSA) retake 3 training grounds in Aleppo. *** These men have stood by Assad’s side for 5 long years – someone who has more popular support in Syria than Obama and Cameron put together in their own countries. *** Anna News are a team of independent correspondents that are travelling with the Syrian Arab Army, under the watchful eye of the Russian Air Force. *** (Anna News Reports ~ Translation by Inessa Sinchougova)
The Kalibr cruise missile-equipped Serpukhov and Zeleny Dol corvettes are planned to join the Russian Navy’s permanent task force as part of an off-shore maritime zone rotation in the Mediterranean.
“The Third Black Sea Fleet small missile ship, the Mirazh (Project 1234), has left Sevastopol for the Mediterranean Sea,” a source in the Crimean security agencies told RIA Novosti.
“The fast-attack guided missile craft (FAC) of the Black Sea, ‘Mirage’ (Mirazh), has left Sevastopol and set out on a long Mediterranean journey, after having completed a round of preparations,” the interim head of the information department for the Black Sea fleet, Captain 2nd-rank Nikolay Voskresensky said.
The warships, The Serpukhov and The Zelyony Dol which are equipped with Kalibr long-range cruise missiles, left Sevastopol on Tuesday and are expected to reach the Mediterranean on Wednesday evening, Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet spokesman Nikolai Voskresensky said.
The ‘Mirage’ is aimed at protecting sea communications and convoys, and can also fight attack vessels in coastal areas. It is equipped with Malakhit cruise missile launchers and the Osa-M air defense system and artillery.
A Russian military source announced on Friday that Russia sent an additional number of bombers to the Hmeimim air base in Lattakia.
Izvestia daily quoted the source as saying that an extra number of Su-24 and Su-34 bombers has been sent to Hmeimim base, used by the Russian Air Force in the fight against terrorism in Syria.
Su-25 fighter-bombers have been prepared to head for Syria, the source added.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed on Thursday that Russia will continue fighting terrorists and supporting the Syrian army in this regard.
The Russian Air Force started operations in Syria on September 30th, 2015 upon a request from the Syrian state. The Russian strikes have hit thousands of targets, destroying positions, equipment, vehicles, facilities and tanker trucks transporting stolen oil.
Terrorists’ strongholds in seven different regions in Northern Hama came under 75 air raids by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets on Friday.
The Russian and Syrian Air Forces carried out over 75 airstrikes above the terrorist-controlled villages of Souran, Taybat Al-Imam, Helfaya, Kawkab, Ma’an, Morek and Karrah.
