The battle against Islamic State in Syria may be nearing its end, but the conflict in this war-torn country seems far from over.
Competing factions and old rivalries have created a complicated, uncertain future for Syria.
With so many different warring parties wrestling for control of Syria’s fate, it seems prudent to review the conflict’s major actors – and where their allegiances lie… … …
The high-precision hypersonic aircraft missile system Kinzhal. The missile flies at a hypersonic speed, 10 times faster than the speed of sound; it can also manoeuvre during all phases of its flight trajectory, which also allows it to overcome anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence systems, delivering nuclear and conventional warheads within a range of over 2,000 kilometres. On December 1, 2017 these systems began their trial service from the airfields of Russia’s Southern Military District.
An intercontinental nuclear unmanned submersible vehicle, which can move at great depths intercontinentally, at a speed multiple times higher than the speed of submarines, cutting-edge torpedoes and all kinds of surface vessels, including some of the fastest. They can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. An innovative nuclear power unit for this unmanned underwater vehicle completed a test cycle in December 2017.
The strategic hypersonic missile system Avangard – a successfully tested gliding wing unit is capable of intercontinental flight at supersonic speeds in excess of Mach 20. The gliding cruise bloc can travel intercontinental distances and engages in intensive manoeuvring – both lateral and vertical, practically in conditions of plasma formation. The temperature on its surface reaches 1,600–2,000 degrees Celsius.
The revealed weapons have already passed state trials, passed into service and were put on trial combat duty. These systems will be used for two main purposes:
To intercept strategic missiles from a potential aggressor at various altitudes;
To allow the strategic nuclear forces to conduct strikes using aero, aerospace and submersible vehicles. These vehicles will be used to overcome missile defences and to deliver unacceptable damage to the armed forces and infrastructure of the enemy. They can engage various targets right in the hearth of the enemy’s territory, to destroy aircraft groups, coastal fortifications, HQs, possibly a satellites constellation and other targets…. … …
The idea of a nuclear-powered projectile is hardly new. The US tried to develop one as part of Project Pluto in the early 1960s, but abandoned it since strategic missiles with chemical propellants proved to be a more viable alternative. Russia has reportedly made a breakthrough in this technology, becoming the first nation to bring it to maturity.
Putin also said that miniaturization of a nuclear reactor gave Russia another advanced weapons system in the form of a high-endurance underwater drone. The drone can dive “really very deep” and travel between continents at a speed that is several times higher than that of a submarine, a modern torpedo or even a surface ship, he said.
According to the president, such drones can attack enemy aircraft carrier groups, shoreline defenses or infrastructure, and cannot be countered by any defense system in the world. Both conventional and nuclear-tipped versions can be made, he said.
In December 2017, Russia completed the trials of a nuclear reactor which gives the drones such capabilities. The reactor is “100 times smaller” than those used by nuclear-propelled submarines and generates more power, Putin said. It can also reach its peak power 200 times faster than a conventional nuclear power plant.
The video shown for this weapon system didn’t include any actual test, but presumably the claimed miniaturization of a nuclear reactor, which was used for the cruise missile, can also work for a watercraft.
Putin then showcased two variants of a hypersonic weapons systems already developed by Russia. One is an air-launched vehicle that is already deployed in southern Russia for test combat duty. The projectile travels at a speed of Mach-10 and has a range of 2,000km (1,240 miles). The weapon, which is called Kinzhal (“dagger” in Russian) is available in conventional and nuclear forms, Putin said. A video shown to the audience included the moment the weapon was deployed by a fighter jet and the fire from its engine.
Another weapon that is being developed, but which was not shown being tested because its appearance is classified, according to Putin, is a hypersonic glider warhead deployed from space. Russia first tested one back in 2004 and has made significant progress since, the president said. The glider can fly in the atmosphere at speeds of over Mach-20 and can withstand a heat of up to 2,000C (3,632F) generated by air fiction. The system is in series production and is called Avangard (“advance guard” in Russian).
The last weapon system showcased by Putin during his speech was a combat laser, which he said Russia had started to deploy last year. A small video clip showed what presumably is an anti-aircraft laser system, but no test footage was shown.
… “To those who for the last 15 years have been trying to fan an arms race, achieve unilateral advantage against Russia, impose sanctions, which are illegal from the standpoint of international law and are aimed at holding back the development of our country, including in the military area, I have this to say: All the things you were trying to prevent through your policies have already happened. You have failed to hold Russia back,”Putin said.
“You now have to acknowledge this reality, confirm that everything I said is no bluff – which it isn’t – think for some time, send into retirement the people stuck in the past and incapable of looking into the future, [and] stop rocking the boat that we all ride in and which is called planet Earth,”he said. “Russia would be responsive if talked to as an equal partner”, Putin added.
Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces reportedly test fired a RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on October 25, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian military analysts believe that the launch might have been a test of a new hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), the YU-71, also known as Project 4202, a warhead purportedly capable of penetrating any missile defense shield…. … …
The gliding phase enables the YU-71 HGV not only to maneuver aerodynamically – performing “extreme maneuvers” and evading interception – but also extends the range of the missile.
[U]nlike conventional reentry vehicles, which descend through the atmosphere on a predictable ballistic trajectory, hypersonic glider vehicles are almost impossible to intercept by conventional missile defense systems, which track incoming objects via satellite sensors and ground and sea radar… … …
(Ruptly, 1 March 2018) ~ Russian President Vladimir Putin (Russian): “Currently the Ministry of Defence and the enterprises of the rocket and space industry began the active phase of the tests of the new missile complex carrying heavy ICBM. We named it Sarmat. This complex will replace the Voevoda complex which was created in Soviet Union. Everyone always acknowledged his high combat power. As you know our foreign colleagues even gave it a rather threatening name. But the capabilities of the Sarmat missile is far higher. At a weight of over 200 tones it has a short active part of the flight which makes it’s interception with missile defence systems difficult. The range of the missile, the quantity and the power of the combat parts is higher than Voevoda has. Sarmat will be equipped with a wide range of nuclear munition of high power, including hypersonic munition and the most modern systems of missile defence overcoming. High characteristics of the launching pads security and high energy capabilities will make the use of this complex in any conditions. Video please”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Russian): “Voevoda has the range limit of 11,000 kilometres, and the new system practically has no range limits. As you can see in the video it is capable of attacking the targets both through the North and through the South poles. Sarmat is very formidable weapon. According to its characteristics there are no such missile defence, even a perspective one, that can be an obstacle to it”.
(Vesti News) ~ The new self-propelled howitzer Koalitsiya is being tested in the Sverdlovsk Oblast. The 50-ton novelty has unique characteristics. Its NATO analogs are far behind in range and speed of shooting.
Everyone has read about the illegal assault on fighters with the Popular Defense Forces who were targeted by American aircraft and artillery as they were lawfully moving north between the villages of Khushaam and Al-Taabiyya in northeast Dayr El-Zor.
Some reports in the Western Media claim that over 100 “pro-Assad regime troops” were killed by the noble and democracy-loving yanks.
That is not true.
The actual number of fighters killed in the convoy heading north is around 22, with civilians being the largest casualty.
The civilians were accompanying the PDC, for safety’s sake, as they were heading back to their homes.
The U.S. bombed civilians, murdering over 100 men, women and children.
Good show, Uncle Sam. This is the greatest military in the world – a military that has killed more Afghan civilians than any conqueror in history; a military that bombed to death over one million Vietnamese civilians; a military which provides the Saudi chimps with all the ordnance they need to exterminate the poorest nation in the Arab World… … …
Syrian government forces were conducting a military operation against ISIS cells in the area of al-Isba in the province of Deir Ezzor when they were struck by the US-led coalition’s aircraft on February 7, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on February 8.
According to the statement, the ISIS recently increased activity in the area sparking response from the government forces.
“Shelling of the positions of Syrian pro-government forces has increased during the past days near the communities of Mazloum, At-Tabiyyah and Khsham in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate [Deir Ezzor province], to where the civilian population is returning. Radio interception revealed that the Syrian troops were shelled by militants from an ISIS sleeper cell that had activated in the area,” the ministry said.
A local militia was conducting reconnaissance actions in the area to detect and eliminate the ISIS cell when it was surprisingly shelled by mortars, rocket launched and then the US-led coalition’s attack helicopters. 25 militiamen were injured as a result of the attack.
The international civil society has on many occasions made it absolutely clear that the United States and its occupying troops don’t belong in Syria. They should end their manufactured war and leave.
At its simplest, there are many reasons for this:
– As the wars on Afghanistan and Iraq have demonstrated, the civilian death toll from US military aggression has been high. This is no way to pay tribute to those killed by America’s terror proxies ISIL and Al-Qaeda.
– In Syria, except for America’s favourite terrorists, no one supports Washington’s so-called ‘humanitarian intervention’, much less its bogus war on ISIL and Al-Qaeda.
– At the United Nations, there is no consensus that would permit America’s intervention or occupation of the Arab country. The presence of US occupying troops to effect regime change in Damascus risks broadening the conflict into another Cold War, while also inviting Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to become even more heavily involved than they currently are. Such a broadening of the conflict is in nobody’s interests.
– The presence of US occupying troops is in no way aimed at achieving concrete political objectives… … … … … … … … …
The Syrian government with support from its Russian, Iranian, and Lebanese allies has embarked on a major military operation to retake parts of Syria’s northern governorate of Idlib. As it does so, the US and its regional allies are rushing to position themselves to ensure the permanent partition of Syria is achieved.
As Syrian forces push deeper into Idlib they have come up against a large amount of foreign-provided weaponry including US anti-tank missiles and even fleets of armored vehicles including Panthera F9 armored personnel carriers – joint-developed by the UAE and Ukraine and manufactured in Turkey.
Despite the formidable arsenal provided to militants – the majority of which fight under the banner of Al Qaeda and its affiliates – Syria and its allies maintain air superiority. The US tried – and failed – to establish what US policymakers have called a “safe haven” or “buffer zone” in northern Syria where US military might could provide shelter for militants from Syrian and Russian airpower… … …
… … …And while US efforts to destroy Syria have fallen short, the US now permanently occupies territory within one of Iran’s closest and most important regional allies. Like a splinter under the skin turning septic, the US occupation will remain a constant potential source of wider infection both for Syria and the rest of the region.
The successes or failures of both Syria and its allies and Turkey in northern Syria over the following weeks and months will determine just how big a splinter is left as the conflict enters its final phases.
Russia’s S-400 Is Way More Dangerous Than You Think.
(WORLD MILITARY NEWS) – One use of the S-400 long-range missile is against stand-off systems including flying command posts and aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS. These aircraft, which are used by the US and its NATO allies with a squadron stationed in Japan at Kadena AFB and in the UAE at al-Dhafra, are vulnerable to S-400 interceptors and lose their stand-off range protection. We may be reaching the end of the AWACS capability, which were originally designed in the 1960s.
But the S-400 is the real game changer. The reason is the multiple intercept missiles the S-400 system can fire. The S-400 supports four different missiles – the very long range 40N6E-series (400 km), the long range 48N6 (250 km), the 9M96e2 (120 km) and the short range 9m96e (40 km). By comparison the US Patriot system supports only one interceptor missile with a range of 96 km.
But there is more. The 9M96E2 is one of the jewels of the S-400 system. It flies at Mach 15 (around 5,000 meters per second or 18,500 kph), it can engage targets as low as 5 meters off the ground, and it can maneuver pulling up to 20 Gs (a human can withstand no more than 9 Gs with special pressure suits and helmets and for only a few seconds). It is designed to knock out penetrating aircraft and missiles flying “off the deck” or just above ground and neutralize cruise missiles.
The S-400 has optional acquisition radars designed to defeat modern stealth aircraft such as the F-22 and the F-35. They work by operating in multiple frequency bands including both VHF and L bands that can “see” stealth-protected fighters.
Stealth designs have been built on low-detection by X-band radars, the most common military and civilian radars (others such as C-band – now known as the G/H band – are less prevalent). The F-35 has stealth protection mainly in the front of the aircraft, meaning that when it turns away from its target it is vulnerable. In time, the entire air defense system of the US and its allies, all based primarily on X band, will become obsolete as China and Russia move toward stealth aircraft and missiles.
The Russian military has delivered new units of its state-of-the-art S-400 anti-aircraft systems to Syria. The weapons have assumed combat duty in Russian army compounds in the country.
The S-400 is the latest generation of Russian mobile anti-aircraft systems currently in service. It is designed to engage aerodynamic targets and ballistic missiles.
An S-400 unit can engage up to 36 targets simultaneously, according to its manufacturers, Almaz Antey… … …
Turkey launched the “Olive Branch” military operation against the Kurdish region of Afrin, north-west of Syria. The code name was released by the Turkish Chief of Staff who explained that the operation aims to prevent the spread of the People’s Protection Units and the Democratic Union Party along the Syrian borders with Turkey, which represented a menace to the Turkish national security.
The US attitude towards the Kurds in Afrin was quite interesting, because the US General Vottel declared himself “not concerned about what is happening in the Kurdish enclave in the north-west of Syria” where Washington used the Kurds to attack ISIS. It is no longer surprising that the US look after its interests rather than its allies, as indeed happened in Kurdistan Iraq when Erbil declared its independence; it was promptly abandoned by the US.
But what are the details agreed before the beginning of the operation, allowing Turkey to venture into an area under the Russian control? And how did things get so far, pushing Turkey to venture into an area under Russian influence with military police, and following a clear threat from Damascus to shoot down any Turkish aircraft, with Russia strengthening its positions inside the city the day before the beginning of the Turkish operation “Olive Branch” against Afrin?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The content of this post is of sole responsibility of its author. The team of SyrianFreePress/WarPressInfo do not necessarily subscribe every point of view expressed and are not responsible for any inaccurate statement in this article.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Turkish armed forces have advanced into Azaz region East of Afrin within the framework of the Olive Branch Operation in Northern Syria, a Turkish media outlet reported on Monday.
The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that the Turkish army has continued its ground assault as the Olive Branch Operation entered its third day.
Anadolu said that the army men have advanced into the Azaz region too to expand the scope of the operation.
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Turkey would not take a step back from the operation in the Afrin region. He also said that Ankara had an agreement with Russia regarding its military operation against a US-backed Kurdish militia.
Speaking at an Ankara Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony, Erdogan stressed that he wants to support the national security and territorial integrity of Syria as Turkey “has no designs on territories of another country.”~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~The team of SyrianFreePress/WarPressInfo do not necessarily subscribe every point of view expressed and are not responsible for any inaccurate statement in this article. ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~
After negotiations between Russia/Syria and the Kurds of Afrin had failed, the Russian side made a deal with Turkey. Now Turkey attacks Afrin while everyone else looks aside. The main impetus for this development was the announcement of a U.S. occupation in north-east Syria with the help of the Kurdish YPG/PKK. The occupation strategy is already failing. The Kurds made the false choice. They will be the losers of this game.
Turkey is now attacking the Afrin canton in full force. With help from one George Orwell the operation was dubbed “Olive Branch”.
The Turkish operation to go after Afrin was triggered by two events. The more important one was the U.S. announcement of a permanent occupation of north-east Syria with the help of a 30,000 men strong SDF “border protection force” consisting of mainly Kurds and some Arabs who earlier fought under ISIS.
The U.S. move was amateurish. It ignored the security needs of its NATO ally Turkey in exchange for an illegal and unsustainable occupation of north-east Syria. Secretary of State Tillerson tried to calm the Turks by claiming that the “border protection force” was not for border protection.
A second motive for the Turkish operation was the success of the Syrian army in the east-Idleb where “Free Syrian Army” and al-Qaeda Takfiris supported by Turkey were eliminated by Syrian Army attacks… … …
The Syrian war is taking a momentous turn with a full-fledged Turkish military operation on the northern Syrian town of Afrin having begun on Saturday. President Recep Erdogan announced today that a ground operation has also been launched alongside artillery bombardment and air strikes. He said an operation against the town of Manbij, some 140 miles to the east, will follow later.
Afrin and Manbij are presently controlled by the Syrian Kurdish forces aligned with the US. The US, which has 5 bases in northern Syria in the territories controlled by the Kurdish militia, has directly helped the occupation of Manbij by the Kurdish militia in 2016. Thus, the Turkish operation signifies a strategic defiance of the US. Washington had repeatedly urged Ankara against making any military moves against the Kurdish militia.
But what finally proved decisive seems to be the US plan to create a 30000-strong Kurdish force in northern Syria with the intention to use it as a proxy. Erdogan senses that the US is going ahead with the project to create a Kurdish enclave in northern Syria along the Turkish border as a strategic hub for its future interventions in Syria and Iraq. Of course, such a Kurdistan enclave will pose a long-term national security threat to Turkey by giving fillip to Kurdish separatists in Turkey. Erdogan kept pleading with Washington not to align with the Kurds but of no avail and has now decided to take matters into his hands.
Developments may well lead to a confrontation between the US and Turkey… ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ The team of SyrianFreePress [WarPressInfo] do not necessarily subscribe every point of view expressed and are not responsible for any inaccurate statement in this article. ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~
Map Update: Syrian Government Forces
Pressure Mercenaty-Terrorists in Idlib Province
The Syrian Arab Army and the National Defense Forces have liberated the villages of Rashadiya, Rasm al-Bidh, Rasm Sayyal, Rasm Kibar, Zilaqiat, Zilen and Mashrifa from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) and its allies in southern Idlib, northern Hama and southern Aleppo.
The most intense clashes took place in Zilaqiat and Zilen where Salah Eddine Al-Checheni, a high-ranked member of al-Qaeda-affiliated Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, was killed. Jaysh al-Izza captured six SAA fighters and an artillery piece before the retreat.
(click on map to enlarge)
Fighting is Ongoing in Beit Jinn Pocket as Syrian Army Advances Further on Positions of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) have secured their recent gains in the Beit Jinn pocket in southern Syria. The SAA and the NDF are now developing momentum in the direction of Maghar al-Mir controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda).
On the same day, the recent government advance pose a clear threat to the militants remaining in Beit Saber. According to pro-government experts, the SAA and the NDF will continue their operations in the area until they liberate the entire pocket or local militants accept a withdrawal agreement to Idlib.
(click on map to enlarge)
SAA Troops Liberate Village of Ruwaydah in Southern Idlib
On December 18, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) liberated the village of Ruwaydah from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in southern Idlib, according to pro-government sources.
According to pro-opposition sources, the SAA and the NDF were able to take control over the village only thanks to massive air and artillery strikes in the area.
The advance followed a series of other gains made by government forces in northern Hama and southern Aleppo. Previously, the SAA and the NDF liberated the villages of Rashadiya, Rasm al-Bidh, Rasm Sayyal, Rasm Kibar, Zilaqiat, Zilen and Mashrifa.
Suddenly the news of Russia negotiating the use of Egyptian bases makes a lot more sense.
The ‘Libyan file’ has re-opened.
The Islamist State is relocating in Libya after its crushing defeat in Iraq and Syria. Russia and Egypt sense the imperative need to mobilize quickly and confront the extremist groups in Libya.
If Russia is declaring victory against ISIS in Syria and asking for military bases in Egypt it smells a lot like readying to strike ISIS in Libya… … …
Over 1,000 localities, 78 oil and gas fields and two deposits of phosphate ores have been liberated in Syria over the past 227 days, commander of Russia’s military group in Syria Colonel-General Sergey Surovikin has told Russian President Vladimir Putin during this visit to the Khmeimim airbase on December 12. In total, the area of 67,000 square kilometers has been liberated.
Col. Gen. Surovikin added that Russian warplanes have flown 6,956 sorties and helicopters have conducted more than 7,000 sorties killing over 32,000 militants and destroying 394 battle tanks and 12,000 pieces of other equipment.
The general revealed that Russia is set to withdraw 23 warplanes of different types and 2 Ka-52 attack helicopters, the military police force, the commando unit, the field hospital and the mine-clearing center. The remaining forces will continue conducting tasks in the country.
Thus, some number of attack helicopters and warplanes will remain in the country. The Khmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval facility will remain operational. Moscow will also continue providing supplies to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).
“The Homeland is proud of you! You are returning victorious to your homes!”
This memory will continue to motivate us to eradicate this absolute evil [terrorism] whatever face it hides behind.
President Putin said that he had ordered the Defense Minister and the Chief of General Staff to start the withdrawal of part of the Russian group of soldiers present in Syria, adding that this decision has been taken in light of the decisive victories achieved by the Syrian army and the Russian forces in the war against terrorism, on top, defeating and expelling Daesh (ISIS) terrorist organization from all Syrian territories.
He congratulated President al-Assad and the Syrian people on those victories after years of steadfastness and struggle, affirming that Russia is determined to go ahead in offering each available support to Syria until restoring security and stability to all Syrian areas, adding that if terrorists appeared again in Syria, Russian forces will carry out strikes that “they’ve never seen”.
President Bashar al-Assad met with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, at the Hmeimim (Latakia province) Military Base on Monday (11 December 2017) and held a bilateral meeting, then the two Presidents chaired an expanded meeting that comprised senior commanders present in the base, in the presence of Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and Chief of Staff of the Syrian Arab Army Ali Abdullah Ayoub.
President Putin said that he had ordered the Defense Minister and the Chief of General Staff to start the withdrawal of part of the Russian group of soldiers present in Syria, adding that this decision has been taken in light of the decisive victories achieved by the Syrian army and the Russian forces in the war against terrorism, on top, defeating and expelling Daesh (ISIS) terrorist organization from all Syrian territories.
He congratulated President al-Assad and the Syrian people on those victories after years of steadfastness and struggle, affirming that Russia is determined to go ahead in offering each available support to Syria until restoring security and stability to all Syrian areas, adding that if terrorists appeared again in Syria, Russian forces will carry out strikes that “they’ve never seen”.
President al-Assad, for his part, thanked President Putin over Russia’s active participation in fighting terrorism in Syria, stressing that what the Russian military personnel have achieved will not be forgotten by the Syrian people since the blood of their martyrs mixed with the blood of the martyrs of the Syrian Arab army in the face of terrorists, and the memory of the two armies’ martyrs will remain as the light for the coming generations… … …
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… … …
The Russian General Staff has declared the liberation of Syria from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), stating that all territories previously under terrorist control were liberated in the final push by the Syrian Army.
“All terrorist units of ISIS on Syrian soil have been destroyed, and the territory is liberated,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov said.
“Therefore, as of today, there’s no territory controlled by ISIS in Syria,” he added. Gerasimov made the announcement during an annual briefing for foreign military attachés.
“Naturally, there might be some spots of resistance, but the military work has been largely completed in the area and at the time. Completed with a full victory, I repeat, with a victory and defeat of the terrorists,” Russian leader said… … …
Damascus Countryside, SANA – Syrian Arab Army units established control over Shihab Hill in the southwestern part of Damascus Countryside after eliminating the last of the gatherings for Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in the area.
SANA’s correspondent said that army units, in cooperation with popular defense groups, carried out special operations in the southwestern part of Damascus Countryside, establishing control over Shihab Hill, the middle hill of the strategic Bardiya hill range which overlooks Mught al-Meer and Hina plains.
The correspondent said that the operaitons resulted in killing many al-Nusra members including the military leader of the terrorist organization in al-Harmon area, a Palestinian known as Abu Huthaifa, in addition to injuring other terrorist leaders including Sami Ramadan and Ahmad Ako.
The correspondent added that establishing control over Shihab Hill cuts off al-Nusra terrorists’ supply lines to Beit Jinn farm and Beit Jinn village, the biggest gatherings of al-Nusra in the province’s southwestern countryside.
Local sources reported that al-Nusra transported injured terrorists to the occupied lands to receive treatment at the Israeli occupation’s hospitals.
Units of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and the National Defense Forces (NDF) have recaptured al-Shihab Hill from members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) in the Beit Jinn pocket in southern Syria.
This advance is a part of a wider effort of the SAA and the NDF to isolate the militant stronghold of Beit Jinn in the area. Right now, government forces are working to take control over the hills and other points west of Beit Saber.
Military Situation in Southeastern Syria [5 December 2017]
These infos are not intended to be sensationally shocking or to glorify violence in any way. These articles are for educational purposes only, for documenting and try to explain the backdrop of a historical ruthless and bloody war, whose characteristics and details are routinely distorted and smothered by the dominant media.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Syrian Arab Army and Syrian Armed Forces units, in cooperation with the allied forces, reestablished control over the eastern and western parts of Mahakan village in Deir Ezzor province after fierce clashes with Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS) foreign-backed mercenary-terrorists.
The army units secured the villages and towns of Daher al-Nasrani, al-Sheikh Ali, Wadi al-Khour, Faidat Ahmad al-Haifan, Wadi Fleiteh, and Wadi al-Sail as Daesh terrorists fled these areas.
In the same context, army units regained control over the villages of al-Kashfeh, al-Salhiyeh, Wadi al-Ward point, Tal Melhim, and Sha’b Kha’ein on the road between al-Mayadeen and al-Boukamal after destroying the last of the Daesh positions in them.
Speaking about the course of the military operations carried out in al-Boukamal, located 140 km southeast of Deir Ezzor city, a field commander told SANA’s delegate that the army units and allied forces succeeded in isolating Daesh from the direction of Iraq and in the Syrian al-Badia from the direction of the railway by establishing control over the villages of al-Herra and al-Swei’iyeh from the southern part and al-Sukarriyeh town until the Euphrates River’s bank… … …
Assad, Putin meeting could mean end of Syrian war is close
[interview with anti-war activist, Brian Becker]
Syrian President Bashar Assad met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the resort city of Sochi, Russia on Monday. The two leaders spent three hours discussing military operations in Syria and the fight against terrorism in the Middle East. Brian Becker of the anti-war ANSWER Coalition, tells RT America’s Anya Parampil that the meeting could signify that the six-year Syrian War is coming to a close.
President Bashar al-Assad, during a work visit he paid to Russia on Tuesday, held a summit meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi City in presence of senior Russian political and military officials.
President Putin congratulated President al-Assad on the successes achieved by Syria in the framework of combating terrorism, and on approaching victory over terrorism by the Syrian people.
President al-Assad indicated that the victories achieved against terrorism led to the return of security to many areas and subsequently, citizens returned to them and the wheel of normal life began to move again, in addition to pushing the political track forwards to find solution to the crisis in Syria.
President al-Assad conveyed thanks by the Syrian people to President Putin and the friendly and loyal Russian people for what Russia has done to protect the Syrians in face of terrorism, and to protect the unity of the Syrian territories, in addition to what the Russian institutions have done to support the Syrian people in all domains, particularly the military institution which has made a lot of sacrifices to protect the sovereignty and independence of Syria and its territorial integrity.
President Putin expressed Russia’s high appreciation for the readiness expressed by the Syrian Government and its openness on whoever wants peace and for the support provided by President al-Assad to Astana process in which the participants succeeded in establishing de-escalation zones and starting dialogue with all the Syrian parties… … …
Russia affirmed that the terrorists’ provocations and the shelling of the Russian chancery in Damascus will not affect Russia’s resolve to continue cooperation with partners to eliminate terror hubs in Syria, to contribute to restoration of peace and security in the country, strengthening of its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
“A shell fired by terrorist groups hit the outer fence of dwelling compound at the Russian embassy, causing damage to the building’s wall, electricity lines and the water supplies system,” said the Russian Foreign Ministry, adding that no one was hurt.
The ministry strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack, adding that Moscow has repeatedly drawn attention of the international community to continuing shelling of the Syrian capital at the hands of terrorist groups which oppose the restoration of peace to the Syrian territory… … …
Al-Boukamal city in Deir Ezzor province has been declared fully liberated as the units of the Syrian Arab Army eliminated the last hotbeds of Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS foreign-backed mercenary-terrorists) terrorists there.
In the same context,. army units, in cooperation with the supporting forces, regained control over villages of Haran and Hardaneh in the northeastern countryside of Hama province.
Russian long-range bombers have destroyed command centers and gatherings for Daesh (ISIS) terrorist organization near al-Boukamal city in Deir Ezzor countryside…. … …
The usual suspects have been put under house arrest. These criminals include Prince Al-Waleed bin Talaal, one of the richest men in the world and the most visible of all the ersatz “nobles” of Arabia along with a gaggle of other princes and entrepreneurs, not to mention a son of a former king.
But, get this, the Saudis also have arrested the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Saad Al-Hareeri. But, get this and remember this: Both Ahmad Jarbaa and Riyaadh Hijaab are also in the old slammer.
The last two are “leaders” of the gentrified opposition to Dr. Assad’s presidency in Syria.
Hmmmmm. What could be going on here?
Benny Mileikowski (a/k/a Netanyahu) has serious troubles in the brothel which is the Zionist Apartheid State. He is facing 4 separate investigations into his malfeasance as PM. As the article below correctly points out, he is in need of a diversion. With public trust eroding and accusations of betrayal appearing more frequently, he must pull something out of his yarmulka to reunite his disgruntled constituency.
He needs a new war.
King Muhammad bin Salmaan, unlovingly referred to as MBS, has similar problems.
While not being accused of corruption himself for the simple reason that he’s the king’s son, he has accused others of the same thing… … …
The Russian state-run media has accused the United States of evacuating ISIS commanders from the city of Mayadin before it was liberated by the Syrian Army in October.
According to RIA Novosti (a Russian version of Sputnik), US helicopters have evacuated ISIS commanders from the citiy before the launch of the Syrian army’s operation.
The outlet cited an alleged eyewitness to confirm this statement:
“American military aviation first made a maneuver in the area […] near a Mayadin farm. Then [ the aviation] launched an airstrike, we tried to hide and saw several US helicopters. There were foreign Daesh [ISIS] commanders on the ground, who were waiting for them next to their headquarters… The helicopters took them outside of Mayadin.”
“US aviation… first a sound from it, then a massive strike that was followed by the US helicopters’ flight and transportation of Daesh leaders after which the airstrikes ceased,” the outlet quoted the 79-year-old eyewitness. The manhad reportedly served in the Syrian Army and can distinguish US aircraft.
The outlet also cited other locals that allegedly seen how cars transported two foreign ISIS commanders with their families from Mayadin to the local headquarters. Then helicopters reportedly arrived and took them in an unknown direction… … …
Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian forces on Saturday directed several strikes on the sites of Daesh (ISIS, ISIL, IS) mercenary-terrorist organization in the city of al-Bukamal in the southeastern countryside of Deir Ezzor city.
Command centers and weapon depots were among the targets hit by the bombers which flew over Iran and Iraq, according to the statement.
On Friday, long-range bombers Tupolev-22 and the submarine The Kolpino have dealt a massive missile and air strike against ISIS terrorists and infrastructure near al-Bukamal.
Six strategic bombers Tupolev-22 and six submarine-launched cruise missiles Kalibr hit terrorists’ fortifications, weapons and ammunition depots, manpower and command centers…
More death and destruction in Syria, as the U.S.-led coalition carries out yet another airstrike in the city of Dayr al-Zawr. According to Syrian media, the strike which happened in the government-held district of Qusur left at least 14 civilians dead and dozens more injured. The U.S.-led coalition carries out regular air raids in Syria under the pretext of targeting Daesh terrorists. However, there are many reports of large civilian casualties on the ground. The strikes lack authorization from both the Syrian government and the United Nations.
Moscow: “Leveled like Dresden’: Raqqa aid haste hints at cover up of ‘barbaric destruction”.
What the US-led coalition did to Syria’s Raqqa is comparable to the infamous Allied bombing of Dresden in 1945, the Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Gen. Igor Konashenkov said, adding that the allies may be rushing to pour money into Raqqa to cover up the aftermath.
Raqqa, which has served as the Syrian stronghold of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) since January 2014, was seized by the US-backed group Syrian Democratic Forces earlier this week.
Some 80 percent of residential buildings in the city are estimated to have been rendered uninhabitable during the fighting, which involved massive bombardment by the US-led coalition’s airstrikes and artillery shelling.
“Raqqa’s fate calls to mind that of Dresden in 1945, leveled by the US-British bombings,” Konashenkov added, referring to the controversial campaign reaching a peak in February 1945, during which American and British bombers dropped over 3,900 tons of bombs on the Nazi-controlled German city, killing some 25,000 civilians and destroying much of its center… … …
The Russian Defense Ministry “has questions” about the sudden move of the anti-Daesh coalition to help civilians in Raqqa.
“[The only explanation of this] is an aspiration to quickly cover up the tracks of the barbaric bombings of the United States and the coalition’s aircraft that have buried thousands of civilians liberated from the Islamic State [Daesh] under the ruins of Raqqa,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov called the urgent intention of the US-led coalition members to allocate financial aid to the Syrian Raqqa suspicious amid repeated refusals to deliver humanitarian aid to the Syrians affected by the civil war.
“Raqqa has not managed to cool down after bombings of the international coalition and the high-ranking officials from Washington, Paris and Berlin have started making statements about the urgent allocation of tens of millions dollars and euros to Raqqa. These millions should allegedly help to restore peaceful life in the city. We welcome such generosity, but we have questions,” Konashenkov said Sunday.
According to the official, over the past two years, Russia has repeatedly asked the United States and European nations to send humanitarian aid to the Syrians affected by war, and has also prepared a list of settlements, where this assistance is needed most of all, without dividing Syrians into “bad” and “good” ones. However, the response was always negative, Konashenkov added.
“[The only explanation of this] is an aspiration to quickly cover up the tracks of the barbaric bombings by the United States and the coalition’s aircraft that have buried thousands of civilians liberated from the Islamic State [Daesh] terrorist group under the ruins of Raqqa,” Konashenkov added.
There is dangerous news evolving from Raqqa, Syria. While ISIS is largely defeated seeds get sown for its reappearance.
The Kurdish forces under the label SDF and led by U.S. special forces have defeated ISIS in Raqqa. Cleanup operations continue. The victory came only after the the U.S. and its proxies agreed to give free passage to the last few hundreds of foreign and Syrian ISIS fighters and their families. Since these boarded buses and were moved out of Raqqa on Saturday night nothing has been heard of them.
On Monday the U.S. coordinator for the fight against ISIS, Brett McGurk, brought an unwelcome visitor to Syria.
Brett McGurk visited Ayn Issa today with the Saudi minister Thamer al-Sabhan (former Ambassador to Iraq) & joined 3 different meetings.
First meeting was with the local council of #Raqqa then with reconstruction committee at the least they met with elders of Raqqa.
Thamer al-Sabhan is the Saudi Minister for Gulf Affairs. He is known to be extremely sectarian and anti-Shia… … …
On October 4, 1957, the USSR laid the foundation for the era of space exploration. On this day, the Soviet Union launched the first man-made Earth satellite. The launch from Baikonur cosmodrome was organized and managed by specialists of military units of Space Forces. Nowadays, the prime task of the Space Forces of the Russian Federation is to maintain constant readiness to the use of missile attack warning systems, control outer space, launch and control the spacecraft of the Russian orbital group. Servicemen constantly master new models of weapons and military equipment of the Space Forces. The list of unconditional priorities also includes the implementation of the schedule of launches of military and dual-purpose spacecraft and intercontinental ballistic missile launches.
Su-35S: Super manoeuvrable fighter aircraft
The Sukhoi Su-35 is the designation for two separate, heavily-upgraded derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, highly-maneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau.
The first variant was designed during the 1980s as an upgrade of the Su-27, and was initially known as the Su-27M. This derivative incorporated canards and a multi-function radar that transformed the aircraft into a multi-role aircraft, and was structurally reinforced to support its heavier weight. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988. As the aircraft was not mass produced due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sukhoi re-designated the aircraft as Su-35 to attract export orders.
Monster Sarmat missile ready for trials
Russia may conduct a test of the prototype of the new intercontinental ballistic missile known as Sarmat in October 2017.
The test will be held to check the work of the powdered launch accelerator, which pushes the missile out of the silo and controls the behaviour of the missile afterwards. The Sarmat ICBM will fall within the range ground.
The tests of the new Russian ICBM Sarmat, which is expected to replace the Voevoda missile, were postponed several times before. Previously, the test was supposed to take place in March of 2017, but the plans changed.
Missile launchers of the new ICBM are protected to the maximum. To destroy one launcher, one would need to inflict no less than seven high-precision nuclear strikes. The Sarmat missile can be equipped with 10-15 warheads, and its range makes up to 11,000 kilometres.
The RS-28 Sarmat missile comes as a successor to the R36M2 Voevoda missile – the heaviest ballistic intercontinental missiles in the world that NATO refers to as Satan.
Su-57: Russia’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft
In the near future, the Russian army is expected to receive first fifth-generation fighter aircraft Su-57 (formerly known as T-50).
According to experts’ estimates, the aircraft has a number of unique features in its design. The mass of composite materials makes up 25% of the weight of the empty aircraft.
The Su-57 can “see” remote targets that other aircraft can not detect. It goes about air, land, and sea targets. The radar of the Su-57 equipped with a sophisticated active phased array, provides the aircraft with a long range of detection, multi-channel tracking of targets and a possibility to use guided missile weapons to destroy them.
Russia’s fifth-generation fighter can destroy the enemy in the rear hemisphere, and the aircraft does not need to turn for the purpose thanks to the reverse start mode. The ejectable seat of the Su-57 is capable of rescuing the pilot at any altitude, even from the ground. In the future, the seat will be able to activate the ejection function on its own, the pilot will not have to make a decision to save his life – his seat will do it for him.
