Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?

angelburst29 · Oct 23, 2016

A young boy in Aleppo City was gunned down by a militant sniper, resulting in the death of the boy near his home, local sources said.

Western-Backed Militants Murder Little Boy in Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802001047

According to the local sources, the young boy was identified as Baraa Hamdou, a 7 year old resident of the Bab Al-Faraj District, located in Central Aleppo, Al Masdar reported.

The young boy was reportedly gunned down on Saturday by a militant sniper from a nearby district while he was walking along Baron Street.

Bara'a was the son of the popular photojournalist, 'Abdel Hamdou.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) was pictured by their official media wing on Satuday firing a U.S. manufactured anti-tank missile towards a Syrian Arab Army vehicle in the Deir Ezzor Governorate.

ISIS Daesh Equipped with US-made Missiles, Attacks Syrian Army In Deir Ezzor (Photos)
http://www.globalresearch.ca/isis-daesh-equipped-with-us-made-missiles-attacks-syrian-army-in-deir-ezzor/5552488

Based on the pictures posted by the Islamic State’s official media “Al-Amaq,” the anti-tank missile was identified as a model BMG-71 TOW, which is both designed and manufactured in the United States.

The TOW missile was likely given to U.S. designated “moderate” rebel factions in Syria before coming into the possession of the Islamic State terrorists.

In the past, the Islamic State has boasted about capturing and buying several TOW missiles from U.S. backed rebel groups in Syria; so, this is not an isolated incident.

The Jeish al-Fatah coalition of terrorist groups blocked UN-affiliated rescue teams' entry into the Eastern districts of Aleppo city to evacuate over 200 wounded people to medical centers outside the war zone.

Jeish Al-Fatah Prevents Evacuation of Injured from Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802001379

Jeish al-Fatah terrorists did not allow rescue teams to enter the Eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo city via six government-established corridors to transfer the injured hospitals during the humanitarian pause.

Local sources said that the terrorists also did not allow the coordinator of the UN humanitarian affairs to enter Aleppo to negotiate with terrorist commanders for evacuation of the wounded civilians.

Reports said earlier today that Fatah al-Sham Front (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) continues to seize people's food supplies by force and executed an Imam who tried to persuade civilians and militants to leave the Eastern part of Aleppo.

"On the third day of the humanitarian paused in Aleppo, the Fatah al-Sham arrested and assassinated a popular leader who called on militants to lay down arms and enter peace with government and urged people to leave the city as soon as possible," sources in the Eastern parts of the city said.

In the meantime, more civilians in Eastern Aleppo called on international organizations to help them leave Aleppo.

"People in the Eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo face very bad situation. The terrorists groups take by force their food supplies and money and beat them," one of residents said.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan have been involved in purchasing thousands of Toyota pickup trucks that have been supplied to the ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Toyota customers' list in the Middle East shows.

Syria: ISIL Terrorists Receive Thousands of Toyota Pickups from Regional Arab States
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000778

After photos of hundreds of ISIL's Toyota pickups seized or targeted by the Syrian Army were sent by the Russian army to the Toyota Company in Japan, the company revealed a list of its main customers that have bought the vehicles.

The customers' list shows that a Saudi firm has purchased a sum of 22,500 trucks, Qatar 32,000, the UAE 11,650 and the Jordanian Army 4,500 vehicles from Toyota company. The Jordanian Army had received loans from several Saudi banks for payments.

A large number of the purchased-vehicles by the four Arab countries have already been delivered to the ISIL terrorists in Syrian and Iraq. Informed sources have confirmed that ISIL has now over 6,000 Toyota vehicles.

The US official had previously announced that they want to conduct a probe to find out that how ISIL had received these vehicles, but analysts said further that Washington itself had been involved in export of hundreds of these pickup trucks to Syria.

Meantime, informed sources revealed in May that certain Persian Gulf Arab states which were customers of the western arms manufacturing companies plan to supply the militants in Syria with state-of-the-art missiles.

"The Arab countries have purchased advanced weapons from the West for the terrorist groups in Syria to be used in the Northern and Southern parts of the country," sources told the Palestinian al-Manar news website.

Following the terrorist groups' painful failures in Syria at the time, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were attempting to smuggle these weapons to Syria, the sources added.

In relevant remarks in October 2015, a Saudi official announced that his country had supplied the militants in Syria with a new batch of TOW antitank missiles as the Syrian army forces backed by Russian warplanes continue to gain ground in the war-hit country.

BBC correspondent Frank Gardner tweeted that a Saudi official confirmed the delivery of 500 TOW antitank missiles to the so-called Free Syrian Army (FSA).

angelburst29 · Oct 23, 2016

Battlefield sources disclosed that a large number of terrorists have arrived in Syria's Quneitra province via border with Jordan.

Battlefield Source: Terrorists in Quneitra Receive Reinforcements, Military Hardware from Jordan
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000773

"A large number of terrorists have joined their comrades in Quneitra province in Southern Syria via Jordan," a battlefield source said.

"Meantime, hundreds of militants have moved from Idlib to Jordan via Israel to join other rebels to restructure a new battalion that will be armed to the teeth and will operate under the command of a joint operation room with Israel".

The source said that the terrorists have also taken a large volume of arms and military equipment with themselves to Southern Syria.

"The terrorists are preparing for a massive attack on al-Saria al-Rabe'a region to enter al-Amal farms and are transferring military warfare to the Jabata al-Khashab region that hosts the terrorists' main base and their joint military operation room with Israel," he added.

The first mission of the new battalion will be striking at the Southernmost parts of Quneitra and Damascus province.

The terrorists' relocation and restructuring seems to be a move to open a new front along Syria's Southern borders to deflate pressure from other regions, specially Aleppo, Lattakia, Deir Ezzur and Quneitra.

Thousands of terrorsits from Fatah Al-Sham (Nusra) Front regrouped and launched a massive attack on army positions in the Southwestern province of Quneitra last month, but were crushed even after they received strong air support from the Israeli air force.

At least two Israeli military planes and two choppers were downed by the Syrian army during the clashes in Quneitra last month.

Last Monday, terrorist groups left tens of their dead comrades in the battlefield and pulled back after sustaining a heavy defeat at the end of their major offensive on government troops' positions in Quneitra province.

"The Syrian army troops fended off repeated assaults of a large group of terrorists on their positions in al-Anqar al-Gharbiyeh near al-Amal farms towards South of Mashati Hadhar, and inflicted heavy casualties of the terrorists," battlefield sources told FNA at around midday, adding that the terrorists also sustained a major damage on their military grid.

"Meantime, the army soldiers targeted a group of terrorists, who were destroying farms and people's lands to build new strongholds in the Southeastern side of al-Talal al-Hamar and East of the village of al-Hadhar, killing the entire members of the group," they further added.

The pro-government military troops repelled similar attacks by the terrorists on their positions near a village North of Quneitra last Saturday, and inflicted, at least, 20 casualties on the militants.

Terrorists' assaults to break through government positions near the village of Tal al-Shahm were repulsed by the soldiers of the 4th division of the Syrian Army.

Terrorist groups left behind 20 dead bodies and retreated from the battlefield. An unspecified number of militants were also wounded in the clashes, reports said.

Also in the same region, the Syrian army's artillery units opened heavy fire at the terrorists' centers near the village of Mas'hareh, inflicting several casualties on the militants.

sToRmR1dR · Oct 23, 2016

Battlefield Source: Terrorists in Quneitra Receive Reinforcements, Military Hardware from Jordan

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000773

"A large number of terrorists have joined their comrades in Quneitra province in Southern Syria via Jordan," a battlefield source said.

"Meantime, hundreds of militants have moved from Idlib to Jordan via Israel to join other rebels to restructure a new battalion that will be armed to the teeth and will operate under the command of a joint operation room with Israel,".

The source said that the terrorists have also taken a large volume of arms and military equipment with themselves to Southern Syria.

"The terrorists are preparing for a massive attack on al-Saria al-Rabe'a region to enter al-Amal farms and are transferring military warfare to the Jabata al-Khashab region that hosts the terrorists' main base and their joint military operation room with Israel," he added.

The first mission of the new battalion will be striking at the Southernmost parts of Quneitra and Damascus province.

The terrorists' relocation and restructuring seems to be a move to open a new front along Syria's Southern borders to deflate pressure from other regions, specially Aleppo, Lattakia, Deir Ezzur and Quneitra.

Thousands of terrorsits from Fatah Al-Sham (Nusra) Front regrouped and launched a massive attack on army positions in the Southwestern province of Quneitra last month, but were crushed even after they received strong air support from the Israeli air force.

At least two Israeli military planes and two choppers were downed by the Syrian army during the clashes in Quneitra last month.

Last Monday, terrorist groups left tens of their dead comrades in the battlefield and pulled back after sustaining a heavy defeat at the end of their major offensive on government troops' positions in Quneitra province.

"The Syrian army troops fended off repeated assaults of a large group of terrorists on their positions in al-Anqar al-Gharbiyeh near al-Amal farms towards South of Mashati Hadhar, and inflicted heavy casualties of the terrorists," battlefield sources told FNA at around midday, adding that the terrorists also sustained a major damage on their military grid.

"Meantime, the army soldiers targeted a group of terrorists, who were destroying farms and people's lands to build new strongholds in the Southeastern side of al-Talal al-Hamar and East of the village of al-Hadhar, killing the entire members of the group," they further added.

The pro-government military troops repelled similar attacks by the terrorists on their positions near a village North of Quneitra last Saturday, and inflicted, at least, 20 casualties on the militants.

Terrorists' assaults to break through government positions near the village of Tal al-Shahm were repulsed by the soldiers of the 4th division of the Syrian Army.

Terrorist groups left behind 20 dead bodies and retreated from the battlefield. An unspecified number of militants were also wounded in the clashes, reports said.

Also in the same region, the Syrian army's artillery units opened heavy fire at the terrorists' centers near the village of Mas'hareh, inflicting several casualties on the militants.

Syria: Nusra Terrorists Retreat From More Positions in Southwestern Damascus

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000645

Syrian Army soldiers struck heavily the positions of Fatah al-Sham and captured al-Bawayeh farms, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants.

The Syrian army men backed up by the Syrian fighter jets' air support further made a headway in the Southwestern flank of Khan al-Sheih and prevailed over the terrorists in the region after hours of non-stop battle.

After seizing control over al-Bawayeh farms and the areas Southwest of Khan al-Sheih, the army deployed fresh forces to the opposite side of the city to make a headway from the Southeast.

On Saturday, Syrian Army soldiers continued to beat back Fatah al-Sham Front from their positions near Khan al-Sheih in Western Ghouta, claiming the lives of over 25 militants in the battlefield.

Syrian military forces drove Fatah al-Sham out of farms between al-Zakiyeh and Khan al-Sheih, leaving 25 terrorists dead and many more wounded.

Fatah al-Sham's military hardware also sustained major damage in the attacks.

Militants in Four More Towns End Fight with Syrian Gov't

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000353

The Russian Peace Coordination Center said, in a statement, representatives of four towns in the provinces of Lattakia and Homs have inked peace agreement with government.

The total number of the cities, towns and villages that have joined the reconciliation process now stands at 836.

Also, militant groups in eight towns laid down arms under a peace agreement with the government on Tuesday.

"Five towns in Lattakia, two towns in Hama and one in Homs have agreed to end fight against the Syrian government," the Russian center said in a statement on Tuesday.

Also last Saturday, militant groups in seven towns in three provinces arrived at an agreement with government officials to give up fight and lay down arms.

"Five towns in Lattakia, one in Hama and one in Homs have accepted the terms for the peace process," the Center said in a statement carried by the Russian Defense Ministry's website.

Military Expert: Terrorists Intensifying War in Homs to Derail Pressure from Aleppo

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000572

"The terrorists are trying to penetrate into Northern Homs to decrease the army pressure on their comrades in Aleppo," Retired Syrian Army General Fattah Darbouli told FNA on Sunday.

Yet, the General underlined that the army has taken the necessary precautions in Northern Homs and holds a firm grip over the region.

On Saturday, Nouralddeen al-Zinki terrorist group that is backed by the US and Turkey refused to join the ceasefire agreement with the Syrian government in Aleppo, calling on other militant groups to narrow down differences to slow down the Syrian army's devastating victories.

Top Commander of Nouralddeen al-Zinki Tofiq Shahabalddeen said in his tweeter page that anti-government militants are to launch an imminent operation against the Syrian army soldiers and popular forces in Aleppo and called on the other terrorist groups to end their difference and join the operation.

In the meantime, Yaser al-Yusuf, a member of Nouralddeen al-Zinki's political bureau said, "We will never join the Russian-set peace agreement in Aleppo."

Reports said earlier on Saturday that a large number of fresh Syrian soldiers have joined the country's Army troops and popular forces in Aleppo city to strengthen their defense capabilities against an impending massive attack by the Jeish al-Fatah terrorist coalition.

"The Syrian Army has dispatched these fresh soldiers to Aleppo to face Jeish al-Fatah's imminent offensives on government forces' positions in Aleppo city," the sources said, adding, "The army is to send more troops to Aleppo in the next few days."

The Russian General Staff said earlier today that over 1,200 terrorists, including 30 suicide bombers, are ready to attack Aleppo from regions Southwest of the city.

The Russian General Staff said that terrorists used the humanitarian pause in Syria's Aleppo to receive reinforcements to prepare new attacks on the outskirts of Aleppo.

"A group of over 1,200 militants, including 30 suicide-bombers, is preparing an attack on Aleppo from the city's Southwestern flank. They have tanks, armored vehicles and over 20 pickups with heavy machine guns," Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, the chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Operational Directorate, said.

The Russian general said that militants in Aleppo continue to receive arms and ammunition, including man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS).

All humanitarian corridors that should be used by civilians and militants to leave Aleppo are blocked by terrorists, Rudskoy said, adding that the corridors are constantly under militants' fire.

"Militants continue to launch attacks from mortars and rocket systems on residential neighborhoods in the Western part of Aleppo, including humanitarian corridors. Over the past 24 hours, eight have been killed and over 30 wounded in militants' fire. As a result of one of the attacks 3 officers of the Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation were lightly injured."

He added that "on Thursday Ahrar al-Sham militants have publicly executed 14 local officials for calling on civilians to used corridors to leave eastern parts of Aleppo."

"Despite this eight injured Ahrar al-Sham militants left Eastern Aleppo on the first day of the humanitarian pause. They were provided with medical assistance."

Russia has extended the humanitarian pause in the city one more day from 08:00 to 19:00 local time on October 22, Rudskoy said.

Jeish Al-Fatah Prevents Evacuation of Injured from Aleppo

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802001379

Jeish al-Fatah terrorists did not allow rescue teams to enter the Eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo city via six government-established corridors to transfer the injured hospitals during the humanitarian pause.

Local sources said that the terrorists also did not allow the coordinator of the UN humanitarian affairs to enter Aleppo to negotiate with terrorist commanders for evacuation of the wounded civilians.

Reports said earlier today that Fatah al-Sham Front (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) continues to seize people's food supplies by force and executed an Imam who tried to persuade civilians and militants to leave the Eastern part of Aleppo.

"On the third day of the humanitarian paused in Aleppo, the Fatah al-Sham arrested and assassinated a popular leader who called on militants to lay down arms and enter peace with government and urged people to leave the city as soon as possible," sources in the Eastern parts of the city said.

In the meantime, more civilians in Eastern Aleppo called on international organizations to help them leave Aleppo.

"People in the Eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo face very bad situation. The terrorists groups take by force their food supplies and money and beat them," one of residents said.

Hezbollah fighters to remain in Syria until final victory achieved, Nasrallah says

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/23/490353/Lebanon-Hezbollah-Nasrallah-fighters-Syria-win-Takfiri-militant-groups

The secretary general of the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement says the group’s fighters will remain in neighboring Syria until they achieve the final victory over foreign-sponsored Takfiri terrorists and purge the crisis-hit Arab country of extremists.

Addressing people in a speech marking a week since the killing of the movement's military commander, Hatem Hamade, in Syria, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah dispelled illusions about Hezbollah forces’ withdrawing from Syria, stressing that the fighters will leave Syria only after they have defeated Takfiri terrorists there.

"Our choice of going to Syria was very well studied after observing the regional developments that began in Tunisia and reached Syria," he said, adding, "Time has revealed that the battle in Syria is aimed at making existential changes on the ground as well as to the political map of the region."
“We will continue this battle until the end, and we are proud of our martyrs in Syria, and whoever bargains on our tiredness will lose,” he said, emphasizing that the security “we are living in now is not the outcome of agreements or mere prayers," but it is the outcome of efforts made by martyrs and their blood.

Nasrallah pointed out that Hezbollah fighters were not ordered by any third party to play a role in Syria, but rather entered the neighboring country following a comprehensive and extensive analysis.

The Hezbollah leader stated that the ongoing foreign-backed militancy in Syria is not simply aimed at toppling the incumbent Damascus government, but rather meant to make changes to demographic map and borders of the region in order to uproot certain groups of people.

The Hezbollah secretary general further condemned Saudi Arabia as the country actively supporting and financing the Daesh Takfiri terrorists group.

He added that leaded private emails related to former US secretary of state and Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, attest to the fact that Saudi Arabia and US were behind forming Daesh group.

Nasrallah also condemned the inaction and passivity of international human rights bodies toward crimes being perpetrated by Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria, noting that despite hundreds and thousands of people have been either beheaded or killed in other ways by this group, world rights bodies maintain their silence toward its crimes.

Yemen blockade threatening over 20 million people

Turning to the Saudi-led coalitions’ aerial and naval blockade of Yemen, Nasrallah stated that the restrictive measures adopted by Riyadh toward its impoverished southern neighbor have affected the lives of more than 20 million people.

Nasrallah also took to task international organizations for their failure to adopt any decisive measure to end Saudi Arabia’s brutal embargo on the Yemeni people.

All Iraqis fighting Daesh to liberate Mosul

Elsewhere in his speech, the Hezbollah secretary general said that people from all walks of life are currently fighting the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Iraq, and dozens or even hundreds of people are sacrificing their lives in order to liberate the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists.

“Unfortunately, what Daesh is doing is under the name of [Prophet] Mohammad (PBUH). They want to throw this name, which has always shined in this world with glory, into darkness of Daesh,” Nasrallah said, adding that committing crimes under the name of Islam and its prophet is a deliberated and preplanned act by Daesh.

The secretary general of Hezbollah also slammed Turkish authorities’ for their effort to pave the way for Turkish military to play a role in the operation for the liberation of Mosul, saying that they have a greedy eye on that area of the Iraqi territory.

Hezbollah endorses Aoun for Lebanon president

Elsewhere in his speech, Nasrallah focused on internal issues of Lebanon, including election of the country’s new president.

The secretary general of Hezbollah praised former Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri, for his endorsement of the founder of Michel Aoun for presidency, emphasizing that the move paves the way for holding presidential election in a realistic manner.

In a televised news conference on Thursday, Hariri, who leads Lebanon’s March 14 Alliance, voiced support for his rival, raising hopes for the settlement of a long-running deadlock on Lebanon’s political stage.

"I announce today before you my decision to endorse the candidacy of General Michel Aoun for the presidency of the republic," Hariri said, adding that his decision "comes from the need to protect Lebanon and the state and the people."

Aoun, the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement, is an ally of the Lebanese resistance bloc, Hezbollah.

Nasrallah added, “Everything can be solved through dialogue. We do not impose any decision on our allies. Each of us has his own approach.”

Nasrallah emphasized that Hezbollah’s members of parliament would vote for Aoun to become president of Lebanon at a parliamentary session at the end of October.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since 2014, when the term of President Michel Suleiman expired.

The Lebanese parliament has repeatedly failed to elect a president due to the lack of quorum. The presidential election has been put off until the end of October.

Under Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must be a Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the parliament speaker a Shia Muslim.

Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah has accused Saudi Arabia of thwarting political initiatives and blocking the election of a president in Lebanon.

Hezbollah has strong relations with Amal

In another part of his speech, leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah noted that the movement has strong and deep-seated relations with the Amal (Hope) Movement, and that relationship cannot be disturbed with fabrications.

“We are honest and faithful to our allies and all we seek is to have a secure country,” Nasrallah said.

SAA close combat footage against rebels in southern Aleppo

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/saa-close-combat-footage-rebels-southern-aleppo/

The Syrian Army, backed by allied forces, managed today to recapture the Air Defense Base after a short but intense battle against jihadi groups.

Hezbollah media wing has captured breathtaking footage of government troops engaging in firefights only meters away from jihadi fighters.

Having captured the strategic Base, Tal Bazou and the Al-Rashiddeen 5 District became under the Army's fire control.

https://youtu.be/ywiFvwRFNbY

New aid convoy enters al-Moaddamiyeh city in Damascus countryside

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91416

An aid convoy of 24 trucks entered Sunday al-Moaddamiyeh city in the western countryside of Damascus.

The aid included 7,000 food packages, 7,000 flour sacks, medical materials, winter clothes, health packages and lighting equipment, according to the Reconciliation official in al-Moaddamiyeh Mohammad Naeem Rajab.

He noted in a statement to SANA that this convoy is part of the regular aid delivery to al-Moaddamiyeh.

Rajab pointed out that 600 gunmen from the city benefited from the Amnesty Decree and had their legal status settled in the past few days after they had turned themselves in to the authorities as part of the local reconciliation achieved in it.

He went on saying that the army engineering units have been working on sweeping streets and orchards in al-Moaddamiyeh for bombs and mines planted by the gunmen in preparation to declare the city safe and allow the return of government establishments.

Local reconciliations were achieved in several areas in Damascus countryside in the past period. The most recent of them took place in Qudssaya city and al-Hameh town on October 17.

On August 27, Daraya city was announced completely free of arms and gunmen.

New aid batch reaches ISIS-besieged Deir Ezzor city dropped by Syrian Air Force

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91405

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) branch in Deir Ezzor province started on Sunday the distribution of a new batch of humanitarian aid that was dropped by the Syrian Air Force using parachute system.

Head of the SARC branch Anas Ashawy told SANA reporter that the aid was provided by the World Food Program (WFP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and that it included 15 tons of rice, lentils and bulgur in 748 bags, in addition to 880 date biscuit boxes to be distributed to school children.

He pointed out that the dropped aid supplies also included cleanign and detergent materials and 32 chlorine bottle bags that will be given to the Deir Ezzor Water Establishment for sterilization of drinking water.

The city of Deir Ezzor has been under a crippling siege by ISIS terrorist organization which prevents the access of food and health materials to the residents of the city. The Syrian and Russian air forces are providing these substances by dropping them via parachutes, where the SARC distributes them to the locals.

angelburst29 · Oct 23, 2016

sToRmR1dR said:
Battlefield Source: Terrorists in Quneitra Receive Reinforcements, Military Hardware from Jordan

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000773

Looks like - We are both "in sync and riding the same wave"! I see that "as a good thing" - compatibility!

Most of all, it's a very important article. It's the first article, that I have come across, that directly states Israel's involvement in the Syrian War.

""Meantime, hundreds of militants have moved from Idlib to Jordan via Israel to join other rebels to restructure a new battalion that will be armed to the teeth and will operate under the command of a joint operation room with Israel".

sToRmR1dR · Oct 24, 2016

angelburst29 said:
sToRmR1dR said:

Battlefield Source: Terrorists in Quneitra Receive Reinforcements, Military Hardware from Jordan

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950802000773

Click to expand...

Looks like - We are both "in sync and riding the same wave"! I see that "as a good thing" - compatibility!

Something like that! :)

Helicopter Robinson R44 Crash in Eastern Russia Kills All 3 People on Board

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610241046648943-helicopter-crash-russia/

According to the spokesman of the Russia's Zabaikalsky Territory’s head, helicopter Robinson R44 crash in the Russia’ eastern Zabaykalsky Territory claimed the lives of the pilot and two passengers on board.

Helicopter Robinson R44 crash in the Russia’ eastern Zabaykalsky Territory claimed the lives of the pilot and two passengers on board, the spokesman of the Russia's Zabaikalsky Territory’s head said Monday.

"Nobody survived," the spokesman said.

Earlier in the day, the local department of the Ministry of Emergencies (EMERCOM) confirmed the finding of the helicopter fragments.

According to EMERCOM, in the evening October 22 the helicopter with three people on board headed from Zolotorechensk to the artel of Dzalay-Kaday of the Russia’ eastern Zabaykalsky Territory and failed to check in.

Russia and Belarus held joint airborne drills in Brest

http://tass.com/defense/908253?_ga=1.101224385.1783418038.1477117316

During the exercise, servicemen practiced training and combat tasks and exchanged experience

A joint tactical drill of Russian and Belarusian Airborne Troops has come to an end near the city of Brest, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

During the exercise, servicemen practiced training and combat tasks and exchanged experience, the statement said.

The participants of the drills were given a number of complex tasks, including in adverse weather conditions and on unknown terrain.

Overall, the maneuvers involved over 900 personnel and some 150 items of hardware, aircraft of the Belarusian Air Force and air defense army aviation.

Kremlin ex-chief: Russia is ready to open new page in relations with US after elections

http://tass.com/politics/908250?_ga=1.163295100.1783418038.1477117316

Ex-chief of the Kremlin administration said Russia’s leadership had been 'insulted' by anti-Russian rhetoric in the course of the U.S. election campaign, but hoped for American pragmatism to prevail

Ex-chief of the Kremlin administration, the Russian president’s special representative for environmental protection, ecology and transport Sergey Ivanov said Russia is ready to build new relations with the United States after the November 8 presidential elections.

"We are always ready for real politik," Ivanov told The Financial Times in an interview. "We are prepared for that. We just have to wait until the end of the election campaign. We have to wait a couple more weeks, we just have to be patient."

He said Russia’s leadership had been "insulted" by anti-Russian rhetoric in the course of the U.S. election campaign, but hoped for American pragmatism to prevail.

Ivanov rejected the U.S. government’s accusations that the Russian government allegedly was behind the Democratic National Committee emails leak, and said unless the United States presented proof, such accusations would sound like empty statements and "propaganda".

He also said it was "absolutely not true" that the Kremlin would like to see Donald Trump as the future U.S. president.

Speaking about intensification of Moscow’s military rhetoric in recent weeks, Ivanov voiced hope this was not a real threat.

"Especially when we talk about nuclear weapons and speak about the hypothetical possibility of world war three, I believe that everyone is smart enough not to take things to a hot war," he said. "But if we talk about cold war, information war and propaganda war, that is a fact of life. We see that every day.".

NATO plot fails miserably - Nuremberg 2.0 awaits?

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/10/nato-plot-fails-miserably-nuremberg-20.html

October 24th, 2016 - Fort Russ News -
Rossia 1- Translated by Inessa Sinchougova

What kind of "security alliance" gets their friends to go and do their dirty work? This week - Syria and Russia organised a 'humanitarian pause' to allow all civilians to leave the city of Aleppo. The only remaining ones should have been the terrorists who are standing their ground. Not only did the US-funded terror groups prevent civilians from leaving, but the Western Coalition delivered a fatal blow on a civilian area that had no known rebel groups.

NATO blatantly framed Belgium to bomb civilians, so that they could later accuse Russia of every war crime under the sun, which they themselves commit under the guise of Western Mainstream Media.

https://youtu.be/Y0eEaZKPOVE

Russian aircraft carrier shows off fighter jets, attack helicopters being deployed to Syria

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-aircraft-carrier-shows-off-fighter-jets-attack-helicopters-deployed-syria/

More pictures of the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, were released on Sunday, showing this massive vessel's military arsenal being deployed to Syria.

The pictures above show the fighter jets that Russia is deploying to the Mediterranean, as they intensify their airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) and Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front).

Based on the pictures posted by the Russian media, the Admiral Kuznetsov is carrying Su-33 fighter jets and Ka-31 attack helicopters.

The Admiral Kuznetsov will be deployed to Syrian territorial waters for at least 6 months, a military source told Al-Masdar News.

sToRmR1dR · Oct 24, 2016

Russia not considering new Syrian ceasefire

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-not-considering-new-syrian-ceasefire/

Russia Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, told Interfax News Agency on Monday that the Kremlin is not considering another humanitarian ceasefire in Syria.

"The question of renewing the humanitarian pause is not relevant now," Ryabkov told Interfax news agency on Monday.

Ryabkov's comments come just days after the jihadist rebels refused to adhere to the humanitarian ceasefire in east Aleppo.

"Our opponents must ensure appropriate behavior by the anti-government groups that in particular wrecked the medical evacuation that was intended during the humanitarian pause."

The Syrian Government accused the jihadist rebels in east Aleppo of opening fire on the vehicles delivering humanitarian aid to the civilians living in the besieged areas.

Kremlin in doubt if separation of Syrian opposition from terrorists 'is possible at all'

http://tass.com/politics/908311?_ga=1.130657103.1783418038.1477117316

Vladimir Putin's press secretary has refrained from forecasts about the chances of resuming the humanitarian pause in Aleppo

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has refrained from forecasts about the chances of resuming the humanitarian pause in Syria’s Aleppo.

"No, I cannot," he told journalists on Monday when asked to assess the chances for the resumption of the humanitarian pause in Aleppo.

Asked whether the humanitarian pause would not be resumed unless the so-called moderate opposition is separated from terrorist organizations in Syria, he replied: "I did not say that, hence, it would be wrong to interpret it that way."

He said that it would be expedient to ask the Russian military about all the details of a possible resumption of the humanitarian pause.

The spokesman has also called to think over if terrorists and moderate opposition in Syria can be separated.

"All these days the shellings of checkpoints continued. The attacks by terrorist groups on the major routes via which the delivery of humanitarian cargos is possible also continued. All this makes the formation of humanitarian convoys difficult or if not to say impossible," Peskov said.

"So far, the separation of the terrorist groups and the so-called moderate opposition has not taken place, and there is need to think if this is possible at all," he said, adding that no one who undertook these commitments has succeeded in this.

"All this does not contribute to pauses, to the process of providing humanitarian assistance or resolving the conflict," Peskov said, refusing to answer a question on the timeframe for the new stage of Russia’s operation in Syria.

BREAKING:

Over 80 NGOs call for Russia to be dropped from UN Human Rights Council

https://www.rt.com/news/363943-un-human-rights-russia/

A number of human rights and aid organizations have urged the United Nations to deprive Russia of its seat on the UN's Human Rights Council (UNHRC), AFP reported on Monday.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Syrian Air Force Drops Leaflets With Last Call on Militants to Leave Aleppo

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610241046674317-syria-air-force-leaflets/

The Syrian Air Force dropped leaflets in eastern Aleppo calling militants to exit the area, according local source.

The Syrian Air Force has dropped leaflets in eastern Aleppo calling on militants to take a last chance for a safe exit from the city, local source told Sputnik on Monday.

"This is your last chance. If you don’t quickly leave these areas, you will be destroyed. We have left you a safe corridor. Hurry up with a decision, save yourselves. You know that everybody has left you, nobody’s here to help you," the leaflet's text says.

Syrian National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar said earlier in the day that the militants in eastern Aleppo had prevented civilians from leaving the city and refused to leave themselves.

The Russian and Syrian governments announced a humanitarian pause last week to allow civilians and militants willing to leave their weapons behind flee the war-torn northern city. The ceasefire came into being on October 20 and was extended until late October 22.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier on Monday that exits from the eastern part of the city had been under attacks from militants throughout the "pause." Continued shelling prevented humanitarian agencies from delivering relief aid to those in need, Peskov stressed.

Russia Sends Mortar Launching Technical Vehicles to Syria

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950803001374

Komsomolskaya Pravda daily reported that Moscow has sent these modern UAZ Patriot pickups to Syria in response to the move done by several Middle-Eastern Arab states that have equipped terrorist groups in Syria with over 60,000 modern military vehicles.

"The UAZ Patriot pickups, equipped with Kord 12.7 mm heavy machineguns and AGS-17 grenade launchers, have been dispatched to Syria to enable the government forces to better stand clashes with the terrorist groups as they give operators a fire power 2 kilometers in radius. Additionally, if needed, the vehicle can be equipped with Konkurs or Kornet anti-tank missiles, capable of hitting enemy targets at distances of up to 5 km. It can also be fitted with a 120 mm mortar launcher with an effective range of 9 km," Komsomolskaya Pravda daily quoted the Russian Defense Ministry source as saying.

"The weapons can be mounted onboard a rotary turret, allowing the operator to instantaneously change his arc of fire, the source further added.

He added that the gas-powered vehicles feature upgraded all-terrain capabilities, a one ton carrying capacity, and armor protection. They also feature power plugs for night vision, special tents for protection against shrapnel, and storage for ammunition.

The vehicles are likely to be assigned to protect humanitarian convoys.

Experts suggest the new vehicles may replace or play a good complementary role for the UAZ-3132 Gusar, already engaged in Syria and used for operations by the Russian Special Forces.

Military analyst Igor Korotchenko told Komsomolskaya Pravda that the pickups will enable users "to engage in agile urban combat, attack and pursue the enemy in the desert, cover humanitarian convoys, which are regularly shelled, on the roads of Syria, and deliver ammunition to friendly checkpoints."

The Russian trucks were sent to Syria after Toyota customers' list in the Middle East showed that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Jordan were involved in purchasing 60,000 Toyota pickup trucks that were supplied to the ISIL terrorists in Syria and Iraq.

After photos of hundreds of ISIL's Toyota pickups seized or targeted by the Syrian Army were sent by the Russian army to the Toyota Company in Japan, the company revealed a list of its main customers that have bought the vehicles.

The customers' list shows that a Saudi firm has purchased a sum of 22,500 trucks, Qatar 32,000, the UAE 11,650 and the Jordanian Army 4,500 vehicles from Toyota company. The Jordanian Army had received loans from several Saudi banks for payments.

A large number of the purchased-vehicles by the four Arab countries have already been delivered to the ISIL terrorists in Syrian and Iraq.

Informed sources have confirmed that ISIL has received over 60,000 Toyota vehicles.

The US official had previously announced that they want to conduct a probe to find out that how ISIL had received these vehicles, but analysts said further that Washington itself had been involved in export of hundreds of these pickup trucks to Syria.

Fatah Al-Sham Centers in Dara'a Receive Severe Blow in Syrian Army Attacks

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950803001216

Syrian soldiers, for the second day in a row, hit Fatah al-Sham's strongholds hard in al-Hamadi neighborhood, near the post building, Bajabjah and al-Sibeh neighborhoods in Dara'a al-Balad, slowing down their movements in the districts.

The Syrian soldiers continued to target the terrorists' centers along a road connecting Busra al-Sham to the village of Samaad in Eastern Dara'a, inflicting several casualties on the terrorists.

In the meantime, a number of Fatah al-Sham terrorists were killed in army attacks near the towns of Tafas and al-Na'eimeh.

The Syrian soldiers also targeted the positions of a terrorist group in Busra square in Dara'a city, destroying the militants' command center.

In relevant developments in the Southern province on Sunday, Syrian military forces started fierce battle with Fatah al-Sham Front across the various districts of the Southern city of Dara'a.

The Syrian army men stormed Fatah al-Sham's base in al-Hamaadi neighborhood in Dara'a al-Balad, claiming the lives of several terrorists at the base.

Also, all members of a group of Fatah al-Sham were killed after their gathering in the Eastern side of the refugee camp in Dara'a al-Balad came under heavy attack by the Syrian soldiers.

Several members of Fatah al-Sham were killed and several more were wounded in the army attack near the post building in Dara'a al-Balad.

The pro-government troops also targeted the strongholds of the militant groups in al-Bajabjah, al-Sibeh and East of Ba'ar al-Shiyah in Dara'a al-Balad, killing or wounding several militants.

The Syrian soldier also struck terrorists' concentration centers along a road connecting Busra al-Sham to the village of Samaad in Eastern Dara'a, inflicting several casualties on the terrorists.

Bloody Monday in Syria’s Aleppo as rebels shell residential areas [+Video]

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/bloody-monday-syrias-aleppo-rebels-shell-residential-areas-video/

Indiscriminate rebel shelling in Syria's Aleppo killed at least 3 civilians – including a 7 year-old girl – and wounded 28 others.

Islamist fighters fired, on Monday early morning, a barrage of mortar shells and homegrown missiles on the government-held districts of Hamdaniya and Salah-Eddin.

The attack, which was initiated during morning rush, has left 3 people ddead - including a 7 year-old girl – and 28 other injured, including many schoolchildren.

Government-controlled parts of Aleppo have been repeatedly targeted by jihadi groups in vengeance attacks that only left local hospitals overwhelmed with dead bodies and injured.

SYRIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES USE IRANIAN ANTI-TANK MISSILES AGAINST MILITANTS IN SOUTHERN ALEPPO

https://southfront.org/syrian-government-forces-use-iranian-anti-tank-missiles-against-militants-in-southern-aleppo-video/

The recently appeared footage depicts the Syrian government forces using Iranian-made Toophan 1 anti-tank missiles against Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Qaeda) and its US-backed ‘moderate’ allies near the Air Defense Battalion in the southern countryside of Aleppo city. The Air Defense Battalion area was captured by the Syrian army, Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba last night.

Warning!

https://youtu.be/E5PFeX81fR0

Toophan 1 is a reverse-engineered Iranian copy of the US military BGM-71 TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided) missile. The Toophan-1’s payload is a 3.6 kg high-explosive anti-tank warhead that can penetrate up to 550mm of steel armor. Toophan 1 range is about 3,850m Iran has produced this type of missiles since 2000.

angelburst29 · Oct 25, 2016

sToRmR1dR said:
Helicopter Robinson R44 Crash in Eastern Russia Kills All 3 People on Board

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610241046648943-helicopter-crash-russia/

According to the spokesman of the Russia's Zabaikalsky Territory’s head, helicopter Robinson R44 crash in the Russia’ eastern Zabaykalsky Territory claimed the lives of the pilot and two passengers on board.

Click to expand...

Just wanted to note - 4 helicopter crashes in 6 days.

Monday Oct. 24 - Helicopter Robinson R44 crash in Russia

Saturday Oct. 22 - 19 People Killed in Crash Landing of Helicopter in Siberia
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610221046606273-siberia-helicopter-crash/

Wednesday Oct. 19 - Nine Killed in Uzbekistan Defense Ministry Helicopter Crash
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201610191046507907-crash-victims-uzbekistan/

Wednesday Oct. 19 - Indian Air Force Helicopter Crashes During Drills Near Indo-China Border
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201610191046489237-india-helicopter-crash/
(The helicopter was carrying 15 people; some of them received minor injuries.)

Retired Canadian Armed Forces captain Brad Cabana says that when it comes to the situation in Aleppo, the Syrian Army has only two choices: press on with its effort to liberate the city, or allow the civilian population to starve. After the city is freed, the war will move east, but as that happens, the risk of a Russian-US escalation will grow.

Syrian Army's Aleppo Dilemma: Press on with Assault or Allow Civilians to Starve
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610241046679988-aleppo-operation-restarted-commentary/

On Monday, three people were killed and another 28 wounded after militants from the rebel-held portion of east Aleppo shelled a residential neighborhood in western Aleppo. Earlier, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov said that exit points for civilians in the eastern part of the city were subjected to constant attacks during the so-called humanitarian pause in hostilities, while humanitarian agencies were prevented from delivering relief.

Also on Monday, Syrian National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar said that militants in eastern Aleppo have refused to leave the city, and have prevented civilians from doing so. The Syrian Air Force has dropped leaflets in the militant-held portions of the city, calling on the militants to make a safe exit or face destruction.

On Sunday, the Syrian Army, supported by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, began a large-scale operation against militant positions in southeast Aleppo, just hours after the end of the three-day humanitarian pause.

The analyst believes that at this point militant resistance, and the desperate attempt to hang on to parts of the city is symbolic, not strategic in nature. The former population center and major industrial hub has lost much of its value through the war, and the rebels control only its eastern portion anyway, surrounded in all directions.

Cabana stressed that the decision to press forward to liberate the city may have been a tough one, "but what is the alternative? The alternative is to allow it to go on and on forever, at which point these people will be starving…"

Asked whether there is any hope for a negotiated solution and to a peaceful surrender of the city, the officer suggested that based on the rebels' penchant for ruthlessness, he just doesn't see that happening, unfortunately.

As far as UU involvement is concerned, including the recent threats in the Washington Post and elsewhere that Washington could begin equipping militants with anti-air missile systems, Cabana suggested that at this point, this is only a warning to Damascus and Moscow. "It's them sending a message to the Russians as well as the Syrians that 'this could still happen if you don't see it our way'. But that's failed the United States and its allies in the past, because they did the same thing in Afghanistan [against the Soviets in the 1980s] through Pakistan, and it came back to bite them, and they've now been in Afghanistan for over twice as long as we fought the Second World War."

Ultimately, Cabana expects that "eventually the Syrian government will take Aleppo, with the help of Russia of course. From there you're going to be seeing a push toward [the jihadists] capital [in Raqqa]. I think unfortunately that the further east the war goes in Syria, you're going to start coming into some conflicts with the United States and the Kurds; there's also the complication of Turkey."

"I would like to say that Syria is a sovereign country, and we lost the memo when we look at it and say 'listen, we have a right to go into a sovereign country and stage our troops there, supply weapons to rebels there.'…It's not respecting international law, and once you break international law, you've really returned us to the law of the jungle, and that's what we're seeing today in Syria…It's very concerning," the analyst concluded.

If you cannot find a “moderate” opposition, then you must create one. Apparently, this was the sentiment behind the decision by the UK Ministry of Defense to resume its suspended program of training so-called moderate opposition fighters in the war-torn country.

UK Plans to Train ‘Moderate Opposition’ Fighters in Syria Once More
https://sputniknews.com/military/201610251046686202-uk-moderate-opposition-syria-training/

UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon will announce the decision on Tuesday, according to British media reports. Some 20 UK trainers will be deployed in Syria or in neighboring territories "to provide vetted members of the moderate Syrian opposition with the skills they need to continue to take the fight to Islamic State."

The training is reported to include basic infantry drills and battlefield medicine, as well as skills to avoid mines and booby-traps, according to the text of the upcoming announcement.

The US Department of State has approved a $75 million sale of equipment needed to participate in military exercises to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a press release on Monday.

US Approves $75Mln Weapons Sale to United Arab Emirates
https://sputniknews.com/military/201610251046686122-us-uae-arms-sale/

The release noted that the proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the UAE’s ability to employ its fighter aircraft in multi-country coalition exercises.

"The government of the UAE requested a possible sale to include… aerial refueling, airlift and ferry support, training aids/devices/munitions, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support," the release explained. "The estimated cost is $75 million."

DSCA delivered the required notification to the US Congress last week, which will allow the sale to go ahead, the release said.

(Note) Saudi's continue to spend "Million's" for War, while it's economy goes bankrupt. Sounds like they are following the U.S.'s pattern of decline?

A two-year drop in oil prices has inflicted a dramatic blow to the economy of one of the world’s richest countries. If no changes are made, Saudi Arabia, according to some Saudi experts, will go bankrupt in three to four years.

Saudis Brace for Bankruptcy, Bring Dramatic Measures to Public Sector
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610251046684895-saudi-arabia-bankrupt-public-sector/

Since 90 percent of the kingdom's income is derived from oil exports, the price drop, from over $110 per barrel in mid 2014 to a low of just over $30 recently, is a disaster, as national monetary reserves are depleted at a breathtaking rate.

In 2015, Saudi foreign reserves were estimated at $654.5 billion, after the Saudi monetary agency lost almost $73 billion following the oil price drop, according to a 2015 Al Jazeera report. The monetary agency also withdrew some $70 billion managed by overseas financial institutions, and the state budget deficit that year was estimated at $98 billion. This year's budget deficit is expected to be only slightly smaller. Riyadh, in an unprecedented move, offered its first international bond sale last week, worth $17.5 billion, to bring in additional much-needed cash.

Mohamed Al Tuwaijri, the kingdom's deputy economy minister, said during a discussion of the Saudi economy, broadcast on Wednesday night: "If we didn't take any reform measures, and if the global economy stays the same, then we're doomed for bankruptcy in three to four years."

To slow the drain on the kingdom's treasury, Saudi leaders have resorted to cutting costs and expenditures, especially in the social sector.

angelburst29 · Oct 25, 2016

A senior Syrian legislator said the western states seek to rescue the terrorist groups' foreign ringleaders from Aleppo and ordered them to stay in the city until they can work out a deal with Damascus and Moscow.

Senior MP: West Paving Way for Foreign Terrorist Leaders' Escape from Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950803000267

"The terrorists stationed in Eastern Aleppo had taken orders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar to remain in the region," Fares al-Shahabi told FNA on Monday.

"The main reason behind such an order was the West's intention to make a deal (with Syria and Russia) which would lead to the evacuation of foreign ringleaders of the terrorists from Eastern Aleppo," he added.
Al-Shahabi said that the foreign commanders of the terrorist groups in Aleppo are nationals of the NATO member states and Israel.

The Syrian Arab Red Crescent in Deir Ezzur province started the distribution of a new batch of humanitarian aid that was dropped by the Syrian Air Force using parachute system.

New Aid Batch Dropped by Syrian Air Force in ISIL-Besieged Deir Ezzur
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950803000597

Head of the SARC branch Anas Ashawy said that the aid was provided by the World Food Program and the International Committee of the Red Cross and that it included 15 tons of rice, lentils and bulgur in 748 bags, in addition to 880 date biscuit boxes to be distributed among Deir Ezzur residents, SANA reported.

He pointed out that the dropped aid supplies also included cleaning and detergent materials and 32 chlorine bottle bags that will be given to the Deir Ezzur Water Establishment for sterilization of drinking water.

The city of Deir Ezzur has been under a crippling siege by ISIL terrorist organization which prevents the access of food and health materials to the residents of the city. The Syrian and Russian air forces are providing these substances by dropping them via parachutes, where the SARC distributes them to the locals.

A US spy plane was spotted flying off the coasts of Syria near the Russian navy base in Tartus and an airbase in Lattakia.

US Spy Planes Continue Reconnaissance Flights over Russian Base on Syria's Mediterranean Coasts
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950803000727

Western websites monitoring planes' flight course across the globe reported that a US spy plane carried out at least four reconnaissance flights over the Russian navy base in Tartus and its air fleet in Humeimim air base in Lattakia province.

Last week a US military plane carried out spy flights several kilometers away from a Russian technical center in the country's navy base in Tartus.

Also last month, a US P-8A Poseidon spy plane was spotted flying off the coast of Lebanon and Syria, near Tartus.

The US Navy reconnaissance plane was spotted at the time flying a few kilometers away from Russia’s Humeimim airbase in Syria.

The P-8A Poseidon aircraft flew close to Syria’s Mediterranean coast where Russia’s naval task force operates. It was the fourth time that a US spy plane was spotted near the Russian base in Humeimim.

Humeimim military airport, Southeast of the city of Lattakia, is Russia’s strategic center of operations against the ISIL and other terrorist groups.

According to reports, the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, designed and built for anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering, took off from the Mediterranean island of Sigonella in Sicily. The aircraft, with tail number 168761 then flew over Syria’s coast for one and a half hours in close proximity to the Russian airbase and logistics facility located at Tartus port, South of Lattakia.

Observers believe that the US spy planes have recently increased their flights over Syria to gather intelligence on the Syrian army and the Russian forces' moves in the region.

According to reports, on August 30, September 2 and September 17, the P-8A Poseidon spy plane was also spotted flying toward the vicinity of the Russian airbase.

Over a dozen Kurdish fighters were killed in Turkish airstrikes in Northern Syria, Arab media reports said on Monday.

Turkish Airstrikes Kill More Kurdish Troops Fighting ISIL in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950803001044

A sum of 14 Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), predominantly comprised of Kurdish fighters, were killed in Turkish air raids on their position in the Northern parts of Syria, the Arabic-language media reported.

The Turkish airstrikes on the Kurdish militias that are fighting the ISIL came as Ankara claims that its warplanes and ground troops are attacking the ISIL and PKK terrorists.

On Friday, the Syrian Defense Ministry vowed to give crushing response to any Turkish violation of the Syrian airspace.

Hours after the Turkish Air Force carried out several airstrikes in Northern Syria, the Syrian Defense Ministry underlined preparedness of the country's air-defense units to target Turkish warplanes that violate its airspace.

Ankara claimed as many as 200 Kurdish fighters were killed during their raids in northern Syria; however, the People's Protection Units (YPG) denied the report.

sToRmR1dR · Oct 25, 2016

Developer shows first image of Russia's new Sarmat ballistic missile

http://tass.com/defense/908267?_ga=1.171073632.1783418038.1477117316

The RS-28 Sarmat is the newest heavy liquid-propelled intercontinental ballistic missile currently being co-developed to replace the world’s largest and most formidable ballistic missile, the Voyevoda

Russia's Makeyev State Rocket Centre has published the first image of the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

The RS-28 Sarmat is the newest heavy liquid-propelled intercontinental ballistic missile currently being co-developed for the Russian military by NPO Mashinostroyeniya in Reutov (Moscow Region) and the Makeyev State Missile Centre in Miass.

The beginning of Sarmat’s drop tests depends on the time of the reconfiguration of the silo at the Plesetsk site, which will be used for testing.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said previously that the mass of the Sarmat ICBM warhead is 10 tonnes, and the missile is capable of destroying targets flying across both the North and South Pole. The Sarmat ICBM that is to replace the Voyevoda, will be created in several versions, Borisov said.

According to the developers, the advanced Sarmat will weigh within 100 tonnes. According to Yuri Borisov, its range will exceed 11,000 km.

The cutting-edge missile is designed as a successor to the world’s largest and most formidable ballistic missile, the R-36M Voyevoda, weighing 210 tonnes and carrying 10 individually targeted warheads 750 kilotons each.

https://youtu.be/-TlGN55RmQM

Russian, Syrian Air Forces Ceased Flights Over Aleppo During Last Week

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610251046687147-aleppo-flights-cease/

The Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Arab Air Force have not either approached Aleppo or carried out airstrikes during the last week, Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday.

On September 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry announced a ceasefire in Syria that took effect three days later. The ceasefire unraveled, however, after a September 17 US airstrike on Syrian troops and the government's subsequent offensive against terrorist positions in the city of Aleppo.

Fighting has been continuing in Aleppo during most of the five-year Syrian conflict. The Russian and Syrian governments agreed to stop airstrikes on Islamist fighters controlling parts of the city starting on Thursday. The humanitarian pause was later extended into Friday afternoon.

"Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force completely ceased flights over Aleppo during the last seven days," Konashenkov said, adding that the states’ air forces neither approach Aleppo, nor conduct airstrikes.

Almost 50 Women, Children Left Aleppo via Humanitarian Corridor

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610251046687051-aleppo-humanitarian-corridor/

Total of 48 women and children left the Syrian city of Aleppo through humanitarian corridor accompanied by Russian reconciliation center’s officers and Syrian authorities, Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Tuesday.

On September 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry announced a ceasefire in Syria that took effect three days later. The ceasefire unraveled, however, after a September 17 US airstrike on Syrian troops and the government's subsequent offensive against terrorist positions in the city of Aleppo.

Fighting has been continuing in Aleppo during most of the five-year Syrian conflict. The Russian and Syrian governments agreed to stop airstrikes on Islamist fighters controlling parts of the city starting on Thursday. The humanitarian pause was later extended into Friday afternoon.

"Late on Monday, October 24, 48 women and children, accompanied by the officers of the Russian reconciliation center and Syrian authorities left eastern Aleppo through humanitarian corridor. They have been provided with the necessary medical aid, hot meal and night accommodation."

Konashenko added, that six humanitarian corridors, hot meals and first aid stations continued working for those civilians who wanted to flee Aleppo.

On October 20, the humanitarian pause was introduced in the embattled city of Aleppo to ensure the safe evacuation of unarmed militants, and civilians from eastern Aleppo via eight designated corridors. However, al-Nusra Front, recently renamed as Jabhat Fatah al Sham, prevented civilians who wanted to flee the city, attacking people, during their attempts to leave Aleppo.

Al-Jaafari calls upon UN to halt aggressions of so-called “Intel Coalition” on Syrian territories and infrastructure

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91517

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari called for working on halting the aggressions launched by the so-called US-led international coalition on the Syrian territories, its economic infrastructure and its oil and gas facilities, which contribute to destroying the potential of the Syrian people and prolonging the crisis.

Al-Jaafari clarified in two letters directed to the Chiefs of UN Secretary General and the UN Security Council that the aggressions which have recently targeted the oil and gas fields in the Provinces of Deir Ezzor, Raqqa and Hasaka caused huge material damages and an almost complete demolition of some facilities.

He noted that the aggression of the “international coalition” along with the unilateral coercive measures imposed by some states on the Syrian people are responsible for the deterioration of the difficult circumstances Syria is going through.

He said that Syria keeps its right of demanding the US-led international coalition to pay compensations due to the targeting of its infrastructure being a right preserved by the international law.

An attempt to smuggle Grad rockets to ISIS in Sweida Countryside foiled

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91520

A unit of the popular defense groups in Sweida eastern countryside on Monday evening foiled an attempt to smuggle Grad rockets to the ISIS terrorist organization in the eastern Badiya “desert”.

A source in Sweida Province told SANA that a unit of the popular defense groups working in the eastern countryside confiscated a pickup car which was coming from the western countryside of the province and heading for the eastern Badiya, adding that four Grad Rockets were seized onboard the car.

On Oct. 14th, the popular defense groups foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons to the ISIS terrorist organization in the eastern countryside of the province after confiscating a civilian car which was carrying a number of Grad rockets onboard.

Syrian Army, Hezbollah capture more points in southern Aleppo

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-hezbollah-capture-points-southern-aleppo/

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA), alongside Hezbollah and Harakat Al-Nujaba (Iraqi paramilitary), continued their large-scale offensive in southern Aleppo on Monday night, targeting new points near the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Complex.

Led by the 800th Regiment of the Republican Guard, the Syrian Armed Forces and their allies launched a new assault at the large hilltop of Tal Ahed, which is located directly north of recently captured Tal Bazou.

Following an intense battle on Monday night, the Syrian Armed Forces and their allies overran Jaysh Al-Fateh's (Army of Conquest) defenses at Tal Ahed, paving the way for their eventual capture of this large hilltop.

The Syrian Arab Army's next target is the nearby hilltop of Tal Mu'tah, which is situated just south of the Hikmah School and directly north of Tal Ahed.

If the Syrian Armed Forces and their allies seize Tal Ahed, they will be in prime position to strike the Hikmah School from its southern perimeter.

sToRmR1dR · Oct 25, 2016

sToRmR1dR said:
Developer shows first image of Russia's new Sarmat ballistic missile

http://tass.com/defense/908267?_ga=1.171073632.1783418038.1477117316

Russian Strategic Missile Force successfully test-fires RS-18 ICBM at Kamchatka range

http://tass.com/defense/908535?_ga=1.94603100.1783418038.1477117316

The missile was launched from the Orenburg Region in the south Urals

Russia’s Strategic Missile Force has successfully test-fired an RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Orenburg Region in the south Urals at a practice range on Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"At 11:58 a.m. Moscow time [08:58 GMT], an RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the position area of the Yasnensky missile formation [the Orenburg Region]. The launch has been a success and the warhead has been delivered to the area of the Kura combat field [Kamchatka Peninsula]," the Defense Ministry said.

The launch was aimed at confirming the stability of the flight and technical characteristics of these missiles, the Defense Ministry said.

According to public sources, the first modification of the RS-18 missile was put into service in 1975 and the second in 1979. These missiles are placed in silos and carry up to six 550 kiloton warheads.

Russian forces assume combat duty in all Arctic garrisons — ministry

http://tass.com/defense/908561?_ga=1.94603100.1783418038.1477117316

The Russian deputy defense minister says the creation of military infrastructure in the Arctic is a unique project

Infrastructure preparedness on Arctic islands has allowed Russian army units to assume combat duty, Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov said on Tuesday.

"The infrastructure preparedness on all the Arctic islands has already allowed units there to assume combat duty," the deputy defense minister said, adding that work for the accommodation of troops in the Arctic would be continued.

The creation of permanently operating military aerodromes in the Arctic, including Tiksi, Anadyr, Vorkuta, Temp on Kotelny Island are at the stage of designing and preparatory work, he said.

The construction of the Nagurskoye aerodrome on the Alexandra Land Island, part of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, is in full swing. The airfield will be put into operation in 2017 and will be fully equipped in 2018, he added.

Also, "measures are planned to build a new a new berth for loading and unloading supplies and hardware in the settlement of Severny on Novaya Zemlya," he said.

The creation of military infrastructure in the Arctic is a unique project "by the organization of logistics, the delivery of supplies and cargoes, and also construction and assembly works," the Russian deputy defense minister said.

"For the first time in the history of modern Russia, works on such a scale are being carried out in the conditions of the Extreme North," he said.

Moscow: States Demanding Assad's Removal Keep Military Option for Syria in Mind

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610251046719028-assad-syria-russia/

Some countries demanding President Bashar Assad's removal actually do not rule out a military solution to the Syrain crisis, according to Russia's deputy foreign minister.

Some western partners leave window of opportunity for military resolution of the situation in Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Tuesday.

“Some continue saying that [Syrian President Bashar] Assad must either leave willingly or unwillingly, meaning they leave a window of opportunity for military resolution of the issue of the leadership of the Syrian Arab Republic,” Bogdanov said.

Russia continues to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations in Syria, Bogdanov said.

"Everything that depends on us, everything that we can do to help the International Red Cross, different humanitarian missions, we do it … we try to help practically," he said.

He added that Russian and US experts were working every day on the issue of the cessation in hostilities in Syria.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Assad fighting numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations such as Daesh and al-Nusra Front. Since the war's beginning it has claimed lives of thousands of people and displaced millions more. The international community has undertaken steps to end the Syrian conflict and to solve the humanitarian crisis in the Middle Eastern country.

Russia Has No Hidden Agenda on Syria, Abides by UNSC Resolutions

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610251046717720-russia-syria-unsc/

Moscow has no hidden agenda on Syria and adheres to the UN Security Council's resolutions, Russia's deputy foreign minister said.

Russia has no hidden agenda on Syria, Moscow remains committed to resolutions of the UN Security Council, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said Tuesday.

"We have no hidden agenda. We are committed to the resolutions of the [UN] Security Council and within the framework of our international discussion," Bogdanov said.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Assad fighting numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations such as Daesh and al-Nusra Front. Since the war's beginning it has claimed lives of thousands of people and displaced millions more. The international community has undertaken steps to end the Syrian conflict and to solve the humanitarian crisis in the Middle Eastern country.

sToRmR1dR said:
Russia Considers New Zealand Draft Resolution on Syria ‘Interesting Effort’

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201610181046434263-russia-new-zealand-syria-draft/

Churkin: New Zealand’s draft resolution on Syria does not match with Russia’s conceptual approaches

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91536

New Zealand’s draft resolution on Syria does not match with Russia’s conceptual approaches, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin said.

The chances of New Zealand’s draft resolution on the Syrian city of Aleppo going forward at the UN Security Council are still unclear, Churkin told reporters after holding informal Security Council consultations on Monday.

“So far the prospects are unclear. Not even regarding the adoption but also regarding further work,” Churkin stated. “We have our conceptual approaches and the text of the draft does not match them”.

After holding informal Security Council consultations, New Zealand Ambassador to the United Nations Gerard van Bohemen told reporters that UN Security Council members still need to discuss the main paragraph of the draft.

Van Bohemen also noted that so far there has been no progress regarding the draft resolution’s main paragraph, and New Zealand is making efforts to see if it could bring the UN Security Council members closer on the issue.

New Zealand’s draft resolution calls for an immediate end to all attacks, particularly the airstrikes on Aleppo city.

Russia and the Syrian Government repeatedly announced, during the past months, commitment to the cessation of hostilities, but the terrorist organizations have always violated the agreement upon orders of the sponsoring countries.

The latest the 3-day humanitarian pause in Aleppo, which started on October 20th and was extended for additional 24 hours in response to the UN and other international organizations’ request, was also breached by the terrorist organizations.

Assad's political advisor to visit Moscow this week — source

http://tass.com/politics/908598?_ga=1.175859810.1783418038.1477117316

As reported earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem may visit Moscow this Friday

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s media and political advisor Bouthaina Shaaban intends to visit Moscow later in the week, a Syrian source told TASS on Tuesday.

"The visit is under consideration," the source said. "It may take place at the end of the working week."

As reported earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem may visit Moscow this Friday.

Pentagon Rules Out Russia's Participation in US-Led Coalition's Raqqa Operation

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610251046717471-us-russia-raqqa/

The United States has begun planing an offensive to liberate Raqqa from Daesh, and Russia will not be a member of the operation, US Defense Secretary Carter said.

Russia will not take part in the planed operation by the US-led coalition to retake Raqqa, the Daesh’s stronghold in Syria, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters at a joint press conference with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on Tuesday

“Russia is not a participant in our Raqqa plan,” Carter stated. “We do deconflict our coalition operations with Russia through a very professional military-to-military channel. That channel is active every day, and everyone behaves themselves very professionally on both sides in that channel.”

The US-led coalition is planning an offensive to free the Syrian city of Raqqa from Daesh and expects the operation to overlap with the offensive to retake Mosul, Carter said.

"We have already begun laying the groundwork with our partners to commence the isolation of Raqqa," Carter stated. “There will be overlap [with Mosul operation]. That is part of our plan and we are prepared for that.”

The secretary pointed out that "capable, motivates" local Syrian forces will lead the offensive on the city.

Last week, US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford said the Pentagon expects to see success in Mosul and Raqqa in the coming months.

Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and other countries, seized Mosul in 2014 and Raqqa in 2013 along with a number of other cities and towns in the two countries.

Russia ready to deliver strikes on militants moving into Syria from Iraq — general

http://tass.com/defense/908612?_ga=1.166841470.1783418038.1477117316

According to a Russian general, Islamic State terrorists continue moving from Iraq to Syria, while around 300 terrorists have already arrived in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor from Iraq’s Mosul

Russian warplanes are ready at any moment to deliver strikes against militants moving into Syria from Iraq, Head of the Main Operations Department at Russia’s General Staff Lieutenant-General Sergey Rudskoi said on Tuesday.

"The Russian Aerospace Force is monitoring the situation in the area of the Syrian-Iraqi border day and night with the help of unmanned aerial vehicles and other reconnaissance means. Russian planes are on patrol missions in the airspace and are ready to immediately deliver strikes against terrorists," the general said.

According to Rudskoi, the members of the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in Russia) continue moving from Iraq to Syria, while around 300 terrorists have already arrived in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor from Iraq’s Mosul.

"The IS militants are leaving Iraq’s territory and entering Syria. According to our information, around 300 combatants have arrived in the city of Deir ez-Zor from Mosul," he said.

Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city with a population of 1.3 mln, has been controlled by the IS for more than two years.

No major success in Mosul operation

The general has pointed out that the Russian military are keeping a close eye on the situation around Iraq’s Mosul but see no "major success" in liberating this city from terrorists.

"We are closely watching the situation around Mosul. So far, we see no major success in the coalition’s operation to liberate this city from Islamic State terrorists," he said.

Over 60 civilians killed in coalition’s air strikes in Iraq

The official noted that over 60 civilians had been killed and more than 200 have been wounded in the past three days in air strikes by the United States-led coalition in Mosul and neighboring settlements.

"We know about numerous facts of the U.S.-led coalition’s air strikes against living quarters, schools and other civil infrastructure buildings both in Mosul and in other settlements in the Iraq’s Nineveh governorate," he said. "In the past three days alone, more than 60 civilians, including children, have fell victims of these air strikes. More than 200 people have been wounded."

Thus, according to the Russian defense ministry, a US warplane delivered an air strike on the Al-Hajj Yunus school for girls in southern Mosul on October 21. On the following day, air strikes hit living quarters in the settlements of Qaraqosh 20 kilometers east of Mosul and Hazna 15 kilometers east of Mosul.

On October 23, US warplane bombed the settlements of Qaraqharab 17 kilometers north of Mosul and al-Shura 34 kilometers south of Mosul, where many social buildings were destroyed, Rudskoi said.

The ground operation to liberate Mosul from terrorists of Islamic State began on October 17. It involves the Iraqi government troops, Kurdish units and the US-led international anti-terrorist coalition. Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city with a population of 1.3 million, has been controlled by Islamic State for over two years.

No-fly regime around Syria’s Aleppo

Russian and Syria’s warplanes perform no flights around Syria’s city of Aleppo, and the no-fly regime will be extended.

"I would like to drew your attention to the fact that since October 18, Russian and Syrian warplanes have been performing no flights in a ten-kilometer zone around Aleppo. The moratorium on airstrikes by Russian and Syrian aviation around this city will be extended," Rudskoi said.

Humanitarian pauses were imposed in Aleppo during three days starting from October 20 when Syrian government troops stopped fire completely. Eight humanitarian corridors were open during these pauses for those willing to leave Aleppo: two corridors were meant for armed militants and for evacuation of the sick and the wounded, and six corridors were meant for civilians, he reminded.

Over the three days the humanitarian pauses were effective militants bombarded residential areas in the western part of Aleppo (held by the government army) 52 times, killing 14 civilians and injuring 50 others. In fifteen cases fire was opened against the humanitarian corridors, Russian military sources said.

Euronews allegations about Russian air strike at hospital

According to Rudskoi, Russian defense ministry has refuted Euronews’ allegations about a Russian air strike at the Sahour hospital in Syria’s Aleppo.

"An image taken from space on September 24, or before the date of the alleged bombardment, features the Sahour hospital. No changes to the facility can be observed on another image taken on October 11, or after the alleged air strike. This fact proves that all accusations of indiscriminate strikes voiced by some alleged eyewitnesses turn out to be mere fakes," he said.

On October 2, Euronews reported about an air strike on the Sahour hospital in eastern Aleppo. The television channel claimed that Russia warplanes had taken part in the air raid. According to Euronews, at least seven missiles fired from jet planes and helicopters hit the hospital, destroying its walls, infrastructure, equipment and electricity generators.

Humanitarian pause

Russia is prepared to introduce humanitarian pauses in Aleppo on short notice, but only if there is reliable information the sick, the injured and civilians are ready for evacuation, Rudskoi added.

"We will be prepared to introduce humanitarian pauses on short notice, but only if there is reliable information the sick, the injured and civilians are ready for evacuation," he said..

"The terrorists have been doing their utmost to prevent civilians and militants to leave eastern Aleppo. Humanitarian corridors that civilians might use remain blocked and all those who try to leave Aleppo come under sniper fire," Rudskoi said.

Rudskoi recalled that UN officials had had the intention to take 200 sick and injured persons out of eastern Aleppo, but the operation failed to be agreed with the militants.

"As a result, on the first day of the humanitarian pause only eight injured militants and ten civilians got out of the eastern quarters of the city. It was a result of joint efforts by Aleppo’s authorities and the Russian center for the reconciliation of warring factions. The calls addressed to the leaders of the so-called moderate opposition and their sponsors for permitting the evacuation of the sick, the inured and civilians, as well as armed militants, have remained unanswered," Rudskoy said.

"Despite all this we keep working to provide assistance to the local population," he stated, adding the evacuation of 48 people had been arranged for Monday evening.

Senior MP: US Helping ISIL to Flee Mosul to Syria's Raqqa

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001333

"The US has opened the Southern side of Mosul city to the terrorists to allow them run away from Iraq to Syria," Syrian Legislator and Professor of International Law at Damascus University Mohammad Kheir Akam told FNA on Tuesday.

He said that the US fighter jets could easily target the terrorists' military convoys, but allow them to cross the border into Syria, to make yet another instance of Washington's full-fledged cooperation with the terrorists.

Akam reiterated that putting an end to the terrorism crisis in Syria and the region is only possible through cooperation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the country's army.

He underlined the Syrian army's ability to uproot terrorism in all parts of Syria, and said, "Other countries may also launch effective cooperation with Syria in the campaign against terrorism."

In relevant remarks in mid-April, the Iraqi volunteer forces' commanders lashed out at the US and its regional allies for continuing their military and logistical supports for the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Iraq.

"Washington is still continuing its military supports for the terrorists in Iraq," Spokesman of Iraq's Ansarullah al-Nujaba Movement Hashem al-Moussavi told FNA.

He reiterated that al-Nujaba Movement forces are collecting documents, photos and videos of supplies airdropped by the US-led coalition forces for the ISIL terrorists in Iraq.

"Our forces have filmed the US aircraft while dropping military aids for the besieged ISIL terrorists," al-Moussavi said.

He reiterated that while the ISIL was losing the battle, they continued fighting the volunteer forces for 48 hours after they received mortar shells and weapons airdropped by the US warplanes.

Meantime, member of Iraq's Seyed al-Shohada battalions' politburo Hassan Abdel Hadi said the Iraqi volunteer forces are concerned about coming under further attacks of the US warplanes in order to prevent their advances in different parts of the ISIL-controlled areas.

"Unfortunately, there are still some people in Iraq who have been deceived by the US-led coalition, while Washington supports the ISIL and is trying to compensate for the damages done to the Takfiri terrorists by the volunteer forces," Abdel Hadi said.

Video footage of the Syrian Army destroying an entire jihadist convoy in rural Damascus

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-footage-syrian-army-destroying-entire-jihadist-convoy-rural-damascus/

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) destroyed a large convoy of jihadist vehicles traveling to the contested town of Khan Al-Sheih on Tuesday morning.

A convoy consisting of 4 technical vehicles and 1 BMP tank carrying several combatants from Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front) and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham were reportedly destroyed by the Syrian Armed Forces.

Video footage of this ambush was captured by Hezbollah's official media wing on Tuesday, confirming the reports from earlier today about a destroyed jihadist convoy.

https://youtu.be/H192RyWX79Y

The Syrian Armed Forces are currently storming Khan Al-Sheih, capturing several farms surrounding this key town in the West Ghouta region of rural Damascus.

Syrian Army Targets ISIL's Military Column in Dara'a Province

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001368

Syrian army artillery units opened heavy fire at a group of ISIL terrorists in al-Badiyeh region as they were heading to al-Lejat region.

The ISIL's military convoy was on a road connecting North al-Shahib region to Sweida-Damascus highway when it came under the fire of artillery units.

The terrorists suffered a heavy death toll and their vehicles sustained major damage in the attack.

Positions of Fatah al-Sham Front (formerly al-Nusra Front) in Qasr al-Saudi region North of al-Bitar farms towards the town of Tafas also came under attack by the Syrian soldiers.

In the meantime, army troops targeted a Fatah al-Sham in al-Abasiyeh neighborhood, leaving several militants dead.

On Monday, the pro-government troops stormed the positions of Fatah al-Sham Front across Dara'a city.

Syrian soldiers hit Fatah al-Sham's strongholds hard in al-Hamadi neighborhood, near the post building, Bajabjah and al-Sibeh neighborhoods in Dara'a al-Balad, slowing down their movements in the districts.

The Syrian soldiers continued to target the terrorists' centers along a road connecting Busra al-Sham to the village of Samaad in Eastern Dara'a, inflicting several casualties on the terrorists.

In the meantime, a number of Fatah al-Sham terrorists were killed in army attacks near the towns of Tafas and al-Na'eimeh.

The Syrian soldiers also targeted the positions of a terrorist group in Busra square in Dara'a city, destroying the militants' command center.

Syria: Widening Rifts Lead to War among Terrorist Groups in Eastern Damascus

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001419

Rifts widened in Eastern Ghouta after the terrorists' continued heavy defeats in Eastern Ghouta where the army continues march on militant-held regions in the last few weeks. Over 4,000 militants have laid down arms and surrendered to the army or were relocated to Idlib in Northwestern Syria after evacuating tens of villages and towns. Meantime, those that continued fighting against the army sustained heavy and humiliating defeats in the region, all in the last few weeks.

"Rifts widened among militants so much that the former commanders of Fatah al-Sham Front (formerly known as the al-Nusra Front) even declared that killing the Top Leader of Faylaq al-Rahman, Abdul Naser al-Shamir, is now even more important and necessary than than holy fight (Jihad)," Anab, a webiste close to the militant groups in Syria, reported.

"Both Faylaq al-Rahman and Jeish al-Islam agreed to set up a committee to end their differences, but the committee failed to mediate between them in the last 30 days," it added.

"People in several towns in Eastern Ghouta took to the streets calling for the end of clashes in the region, but some masked assailants, reportedly members of Faylaq al-Rahman, opened fire at them," the source said.

Last month, heavy infighting between Jeish al-Islam and Fatah al-Sham Front in Eastern Ghouta claimed the lives of scores of terrorists from both sides.

Serious argument between commanders of Jeish al-Islam and Fatah al-Sham ended in the escalation of fierce clashes between the groups' members in Douma.

Tens of fighters from both sides were killed and wounded in the clashes.

The non-stop infightings of rival terrorist groups have caused people to call on militants to leave the region.

Five civilians injured in terrorist attacks in Quenitra and Idleb

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91553

Two civilians were injured, including a woman, in a terrorist rocket attack on Harfa village in the countryside of the southern Quneitra province.

SANA reporter quoted a source at Quneitra Police Command as saying that Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists positioned in Mas’hara village targeted on Tuesday afternoon Hafra village with 10 Grad rockets, with one of them hitting in the surroundings of the Health Center.

The source confirmed that two people were injured in the attack, including a woman, adding that huge material damage was caused to houses and public and private properties in the areas where the rockets hit.

Terrorists attack Kefraya town in Idleb with machine guns, injuring three people

Meanwhile, three civilians got injured when terrorists of the so called “Jaish al-Fatah” targeted the terrorist-besieged town of Kefraya in the northern countryside of Idleb with heavy machineguns.

Local sources told SANA that the terrorist organizations positioned around Maartamsarin open heavy machinegun fire on the locals’ houses in Kefraya town, leaving one person and two children injured.

Locals of the two adjacent towns of Kefraya and al-Fouaa have been for several years suffering from a crippling siege imposed on by terrorist organizations, which continuously target the two towns with rockets, mortars, gas-cylinder bombs and sniper fire, claiming the lives of many people and wounding others, mostly women, children and elderly people.

Jihadist commander beheaded by jihadist rebels in Idlib

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-commander-beheaded-jihadist-rebels-idlib/

The jihadist rebels of Jund Al-Aqsa (Al-Qaeda franchise) reportedly beheaded the leader of another jihadist group, Faylaq Al-Sham, in southern Idlib on Tuesday.

According to a press release by Faylaq Al-Sham, their commander, Baha'a Al-Nizal, was beheaded by a group of fighters from Jund Al-Aqsa near the village of Hish in the southern Idlib countryside.

Nizal was the commander of Faylaq Al-Sham's northern Hama forces before he was beheaded by Jund Al-Aqsa this week.

Tensions between Jund Al-Aqsa and other jihadist rebel factions continue, as they exchange hostilities at several fronts in southern Idlib and northern hama.

Fatah Al-Sham Senior Commander Killed in Clashes with Syrian Army in Lattakia

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001075

Abu Yusuf al-Askari and a number of his forces were killed in Syrian army soldiers' attack on Fatah al-Sham's positions along a road to the town of Kabani in the Kurds mountain.

Meanwhile, Syrian warplanes targeted bases, artillery and mortar units of the terrorist groups near the towns and villages of Jabal Kanz, Tadin, Kafr Sandou, Kandeh, Marand and Qarfous in Northern Lattakia, inflicting a heavy death toll on the militants.

In relevant developments in the province on Friday, Syrian Army aircraft carried out several combat flights over terrorist centers in the mountainous regions in Northern Lattakia, inflicting serious damage on the terrorists' hardware, mainly their armored vehicles.

A number of armored vehicles of the terrorist groups were destroyed in the Syrian air raid on their positions in Tardin, Kafr Sandou, al-Kinda, Ktaf Rajjoub and Hallouz.

The vehicles' crew also were killed or wounded in the attack.

ISIL Still Training, Dispatching Child Soldiers to Battlefields across Syria

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001307

The Smart news website reported that the first group of child soldiers, who were trained in ISIL's Abu Mohammad al-Adnani Military Camp in the town of al-Tabaqa in Western Raqqa, will join their elder comrades to fight against rival terrorist groups in Northern Aleppo.

"The first groups of ISIL's child soldiers in al-Adnani camp were between the ages of 14 and 18 and have been dispatched to the war fronts. The total number of child soldiers in al-Adnani camp stands at around 350," the news website said.

Reports said in August that the ISIL was holding thousands of young boys captive in Syria and Iraq, where it was teaching them how to become deadly child soldiers.

The group reportedly gave up on turning adults into terrorists and instead focused on turning out a new generation of what it calls “lion cubs”.

A 14-year-old child who managed to escape from ISIL lands said that the leaders of the group told him and other boys that they should sacrifice everything, even themselves. The child fled when he was ordered to kill his brother.

According to the boy, ISIL thought children on only how to kill their enemies and how to show full loyalty to their commander.

Most of the children are from Syria. Of the 89 cases eulogized by the ISIL in the past 13 months, 39% died detonating a vehicle born IED device and 33% were killed as foot soldiers. Some 4% killed themselves while committing mass casualty attacks against civilians, and 6% died as propagandists embedded with brigades.

In an ISIL video released in 2015, a boy was shown beheading a Syrian soldier under adult supervision.

Also last year, another video showed 25 child soldiers shooting 25 captured Syrian soldiers in the head.

Syria: ISIL Retreats from More Heights in Energy-Rich Regions East of Homs

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001199

The Syrian ground troops that received strong air support from the Syrian and Russian fighter strikers inflicted major losses on the ISIL terrorists, driving the Takfiri terrorists out of more strategic heights in al-Sha'er oil-rich region.

In the meantime, the army soldiers pushed ISIL back from a terrain near al-Maher oilfield and established a deep buffer zone around the energy field.

Positions of Fatah al-Sham Front (the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) in the villages of Deir Foul and al-Za'afaraniyeh and al-Rastasn region in Northern Homs also came under heavy attacks by the Syrian army men.

Syrian military forces also targeted terrorists' movements in the villages of Rahoum, Mas'adeh, Um al-Rish and Salam al-Sharghiyeh, destroying their bases and military vehicles.

In relevant developments in Eastern Homs on Monday, Syrian Army soldiers and National Defense Forces (NDF), backed up by Russian warplanes, struck ISIL's positions in an energy-rich region in Eastern Homs province, capturing at least four strategic hills.

The ISIL suffered a heavy death toll and its military hardware sustained major damage in the government forces' offensive near al-Maher oilfield.

Army officers said that the Russian fighter jets also played a crucial role in their advance.

The army and popular forces also seized a number of ISIL's military vehicles.

Syrian government forces launched their operation on Sunday and ended it on Monday morning, cleansing vast areas in al-Maher region.

Weapons bound for terrorists in Qalamoun seized

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91590

Competent authorities confiscated two cars loaded with weapons and ammunition that were prepared to be smuggled to the terrorist organizations in Damascus countryside.

SANA reporter said after close inspection, two shipments of weapons and ammunition which had been prepared to be sent to terrorist organizations in Qalamoun area in Damascus countryside were seized.

The terrorists who were inside the cars were arrested.

Syrian truck carrying large supply of captagon pills seized in Lebanon

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-truck-carrying-large-supply-captagon-pills-seized-lebanon/

The Lebanese Security Forces seized a Syrian truck carrying a large supply of captagon pills in Tripoli, the National News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The large supply of captagon pills were reportedly en route to the Tripoli port, where they were intended to be transported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

According to a source in Beirut, the Syrian truck driver was transferred to the competent authorities in Tripoli, where he will be interrogated by the security forces.

Keit · Oct 25, 2016

Today an annual Valdai Discussion Club started in Sochi. And in the opening discussion talked Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov. He talked about current developments in Syria, terrorism, and many other issues. It was vivid that Russia took turn toward less diplomatic, but more truthful and no BS approach. Take a look at the video (the event starts from 16th minute of the video). For example the point starting at 32:30 , where Bogdanov talks about Israel's direct responsibility in Palestinian suffering and the resulting continuous violence.

https://youtu.be/9rM_qLdmlLM

angelburst29 · Oct 26, 2016

Chairman of Syria's Democratic Union Party Salih Muslim Muhammad underlined that the Ankara government is in no way willing to see ISIL's collapse in Iraq and Syria because it will lose its arm in the region.

Syrian Politician: Turkey Not Willing to Lose ISIL in Region for Own Interests
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804000895

"If ISIL is defeated Turkey will lose its instrument in the region," Muslim Muhammad said, adding that the Ankara government is trying to increase its regional dominance through supporting the ISIL terrorist group.

He blasted the international community for keeping mum about the Turkish military incursions in the region, and said, "We call on Washington to support the Damascus government in areas where it is fighting the terrorists."

The General Command of the Syrian Armed Forces in a statement issued on Saturday lashed out at Turkey, specially President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for its continued aggression on Syrian soil, and described Ankara as a staunch supporter of terrorists.

"The government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan has played a filthy role since the start of the aggression against Syria by sheltering, training, arming and sponsoring the terrorist groups financially and opening its borders to facilitate crossing of thousands of mercenary terrorists into the Syrian territories," the statement said.

Noting that the Syrian army and its allies' victories against the terrorists, specially in Aleppo, have defused Erdogan's plots against Syria, it added that Ankara has now resorted to intensified attacks and airstrikes against the villages and towns of Northern Aleppo and renders direct support for the terrorists with artillery fire and deployment of troops and tanks inside Syria to help them commit crimes against the civilians in Northern Aleppo.

The statement condemned Turkey's violation of Syria's territorial integrity and deployment of its forces in Syrian territories, warning that the Turkish forces will be confronted and treated like aggressors.

Ankara has sent several trucks of ammunition to the Fatah al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra) Front and Ahrar al-Sham terrorists stationed at a base near Atme border region in the Northern province of Idlib.

Turkey Continues Support for Terrorists in Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001214

According to al-Ahd news website, the Turkish army has sent 20 trucks loaded with ammunition for the terrorist groups in Northern Syria.

The trucks entered Atme two days ago through Bukulmez region which borders Deir Balut village in the Northwestern parts of Aleppo.

Relevant reports said last week that the terrorists of Fatah al-Sham Front had acknowledged that they recently received military training in camps in Turkish territories.

Justice Minister Najm Hamad al-Ahmad blasted the Riyadh government for sending the largest number of terrorists from among over 80 world countries to Syria.

Justice Minister: Saudi Arabia Ranks 1st in Exporting Terrorists to Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804000961

"Thousands of terrorists have been sent to Syria from 83 world nations, but Saudi Arabia stands atop all exporters of terrorists to Syria," al-Ahmad said.

He noted that Saudi Arabia has sent around 30,000 terrorists to Syria, and said, "Turkey by over 25,000 terrorists ranks second after Saudi Arabia."

Many regional and world countries say the number of foreign terrorists fighting in Syria surpassed 100,000 last year, while the UN still insists on numbers lower than what mentioned in other reports. Yet, the UN has also warned that the figures are skyrocketing.

Opposition groups disclosed on their media pages on Tuesday that over 155 child soldiers have finished their military courses in an ISIL-held training camp in Raqqa and are to be sent to battlefields in Northern Aleppo.

ISIL Still Training, Dispatching Child Soldiers to Battlefields across Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001307

The Smart news website reported that the first group of child soldiers, who were trained in ISIL's Abu Mohammad al-Adnani Military Camp in the town of al-Tabaqa in Western Raqqa, will join their elder comrades to fight against rival terrorist groups in Northern Aleppo.

"The first groups of ISIL's child soldiers in al-Adnani camp were between the ages of 14 and 18 and have been dispatched to the war fronts. The total number of child soldiers in al-Adnani camp stands at around 350," the news website said.

Reports said in August that the ISIL was holding thousands of young boys captive in Syria and Iraq, where it was teaching them how to become deadly child soldiers.

The group reportedly gave up on turning adults into terrorists and instead focused on turning out a new generation of what it calls “lion cubs”.

A 14-year-old child who managed to escape from ISIL lands said that the leaders of the group told him and other boys that they should sacrifice everything, even themselves. The child fled when he was ordered to kill his brother.

According to the boy, ISIL thought children on only how to kill their enemies and how to show full loyalty to their commander.

Most of the children are from Syria. Of the 89 cases eulogized by the ISIL in the past 13 months, 39% died detonating a vehicle born IED device and 33% were killed as foot soldiers. Some 4% killed themselves while committing mass casualty attacks against civilians, and 6% died as propagandists embedded with brigades.

In an ISIL video released in 2015, a boy was shown beheading a Syrian soldier under adult supervision.

Also last year, another video showed 25 child soldiers shooting 25 captured Syrian soldiers in the head.

The militants of Jund al-Aqsa militant group reportedly beheaded the leader of rival Faylaq al-Sham group in Southern Idlib on Tuesday.

Militant Commander Beheaded by Rival Group in Syria's Idlib
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001298

According to a press release by Faylaq Al-Sham, their commander, Baha'a al-Nizal, was beheaded by a group of militants from Jund al-Aqsa near the village of Hish in Southern Idlib, Al Masdar reported.

Nizal was the commander of Faylaq al-Sham's Northern Hama forces before he was beheaded by Jund al-Aqsa this week.

Tensions between Jund al-Aqsa and other militant groups continue, as they are engaged in hostilities at several fronts in Southern Idlib and Northern Hama.

Officials in Damascus expressed deep worries about the United States' deliberate moves to help ISIL terrorists to flee to Raqqa in Syria from the city of Mosul in Iraq's Nineveh province.

Senior MP: US Helping ISIL to Flee Mosul to Syria's Raqqa
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001333

"The US has opened the Southern side of Mosul city to the terrorists to allow them run away from Iraq to Syria," Syrian Legislator and Professor of International Law at Damascus University Mohammad Kheir Akam told FNA on Tuesday.

He said that the US fighter jets could easily target the terrorists' military convoys, but allow them to cross the border into Syria, to make yet another instance of Washington's full-fledged cooperation with the terrorists.

Disputes and sporadic clashes between Jeish al-Islam and Faylaq al-Rahman have increased after the Syrian army's crushing victories in Eastern Ghouta in recent days, media sources close to the opposition forces disclosed.

Syria: Widening Rifts Lead to War among Terrorist Groups in Eastern Damascus
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950804001419

Rifts widened in Eastern Ghouta after the terrorists' continued heavy defeats in Eastern Ghouta where the army continues march on militant-held regions in the last few weeks. Over 4,000 militants have laid down arms and surrendered to the army or were relocated to Idlib in Northwestern Syria after evacuating tens of villages and towns. Meantime, those that continued fighting against the army sustained heavy and humiliating defeats in the region, all in the last few weeks.

"Rifts widened among militants so much that the former commanders of Fatah al-Sham Front (formerly known as the al-Nusra Front) even declared that killing the Top Leader of Faylaq al-Rahman, Abdul Naser al-Shamir, is now even more important and necessary than than holy fight (Jihad)," Anab, a webiste close to the militant groups in Syria, reported.

"Both Faylaq al-Rahman and Jeish al-Islam agreed to set up a committee to end their differences, but the committee failed to mediate between them in the last 30 days," it added.

sToRmR1dR · Oct 26, 2016

Putin to Speak at All-Russia People's Front Crimea Forum

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610261046733290-putin-russia-crimea-forum/

Vladimir Putin will speak at the All-Russia People's Front forum in Crimea on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak at the All-Russia People's Front forum in Crimea on Wednesday.

"On October 26, Vladimir Putin will take part in the regional forum of All-Russia People's Front called ‘Forum of action. Crimea.’ The president will speak at the plenary session and answer participants’ questions," the Kremlin said.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Russian president will also meet representatives of the All-Russia People's Front for talks on the situation in Crimea.

The "Forum of action. Crimea" event is taking place on October 25-26 in Yalta, Crimea. The issues of energy, gas supplies, development of agricultural industry and other promising sectors of the economy are on the forum's agenda.

Russia ready to resume humanitarian pauses in Aleppo

http://tass.com/world/908715?_ga=1.105474883.1783418038.1477117316

According to the military, about 3,000 civilians still remain in the terrorist-held territory at the moment

Russia and the Syrian government are ready to resume the humanitarian pauses in Aleppo if they receive guarantees from international organizations about readiness to evacuate the sick and the wounded as well as peaceful civilians from the rebel-held areas, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.

"The Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force have been sticking to a moratorium on air strikes for the past eight days. They are staying out of a 10-km (six-mile) zone around Aleppo," Konashenkov explained.

"Six humanitarian corridors, field kitchens and first aid stations are open for civilians leaving eastern Aleppo 24 hours a day," the Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman said.

"Russia and the Syrian government are ready to resume ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Aleppo if they receive guarantees from international organizations confirming readiness to evacuate the sick and the wounded as well as civilian population from the rebel-held areas," Konashenkov emphasized.

He also said that the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria had turned over 10 tonnes of humanitarian cargoes to the local population in the Sheikh Maqsud neighborhood of Aleppo.

Militants continur to torture those trying to leave Aleppo

Militants in Aleppo are seizing and torturing the relatives of those who used the humanitarian corridors to leave the besieged neighborhoods. They are also using civilians as live shields, according to the refugees who have got in touch with their families and relatives by using local communications means.

"Almost all the refugees have relatives who remained on the opposite side. They say that it is living hell. The militants have captured several people - the relatives of those who managed to flee. Now, all of them are in prison. They say they are being tortured. All of us are very much afraid," one civilian who had recently left Aleppo via a humanitarian corridor said.

Refugees who manage to escape prefer to be anonymous and are asking journalists not to show their faces on TV. This elderly man’s daughter is staying in eastern Aleppo together with her husband. They have managed to evacuate only their children.

"These are my grandchildren who managed to flee yesterday. Their mother and father stayed there. If the terrorists learn that we are here, they are going to find them and then they will be as good as dead. We believe that they will be able to run away too. Hopefully, our government will be able to evacuate all the people from the besieged city because there is no life there at all," the man said.

About 50 civilians were evacuated from the eastern part of Aleppo thanks to a joint Russian-Syrian operation late on October 24. They are staying at a humanitarian center in the Ashrafiya district. Russian officers from the Center for the Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in the Syrian conflict brought the relief aid: canned food, sugar and grits. Volunteers from charitable organizations delivered matrasses and warm things - it is already cold in Aleppo at night. Syrian military often come to treat the children with chocolate and cookies. Everybody helps as he or she can. "We have brought carpets and matrasses here. We are going to bring some warm blankets, food, personal hygiene products and tableware here too to make them feel at home," Ahmad Ogla, a volunteer from the city of Aleppo, said.

The humanitarian center has minimal conveniences. But the refugees are happy to have even this. The most important thing, adults say, is that our children have started smiling at last, and this is worth living and fighting. The local authorities have already started building small houses for five people for the refugees. The largest family of 16 members will have three such houses at their disposal.

According to the military, about 3,000 civilians remain in the terrorist-held territory for the moment. The Syrian army command established a humanitarian pause in Aleppo from October 20 to 22 along with the Russian side. All the humanitarian corridors are open 24 hours a day.

US-led coalition killed 300 Syrian civilians in airstrikes: Amnesty

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/26/490723/Amnesty-International-US-Syria-Daesh

Amnesty International says the US-led coalition has killed hundreds of civilians during its air raids in Syria since 2014, calling for an investigation into potential violations of international law during the so-called campaign against terror.

“It’s high time the US authorities came clean about the full extent of the civilian damage caused by coalition attacks in Syria," Deputy Director for Research at Amnesty’s Middle East and North Africa Regional Office Lynn Maalouf said Tuesday.

The UK-based rights group said as many as 300 civilians had been killed in 11 attacks conducted by the Washington-led alliance since September 2014.

“Analysis of available evidence suggests that in each of these cases, coalition forces failed to take adequate precautions to minimize harm to civilians and damage to civilian objects,” Maalouf added.
Amnesty further urged independent investigations into possible violations of international law, calling on the coalition to take more precautions prior to their attacks.

“Some of these attacks may constitute disproportionate or otherwise indiscriminate attacks,” Maalouf said.

2014 saw the rise of the Takfiri group of Daesh in the Arab country and neighboring Iraq.

Washington subsequently brought scores of its allies under the military umbrella to hit what it calls Daesh targets in the two Arab countries.

The campaign has fallen well short of eliminating the terrorists, raising questions as to the nature of the coalition’s military engagement.

In July, a US airstrike reportedly killed at least 70 civilians, mostly women and children, near the city of Manbij in northern Syria.

There are also reports that the US-led attacks have on numerous occasions hampered counterterrorism operations by Syrian armed forces.

In September, a US-led airstrike hit a military base belonging to the Syrian army, leaving over 80 army troops dead and some 100 others wounded in the eastern part of the country. The raid helped Daesh terrorists make some gains in the area at the time.

The US Defense Department has not made any comment on the report so far, but it has invariably insisted that the forces are taking enough precautions to avoid civilian fatalities.

Elite pro-government forces arrive in Aleppo

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/elite-pro-government-forces-arrive-aleppo/

The elite Desert Hawks Brigade (Liwaa Suqour Al-Sahra) traveled to the Aleppo Governorate this week to partake in the military operations against the jihadist rebels, a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) told Al-Masdar News on Tuesday.

Led by their commander Colonel Mohammad Jaber, the Desert Hawks will be responsible for opening a new front in the Aleppo Governorate, absent of the Syrian Arab Army units fighting there already.

No information could be released at this time regarding the Desert Hawks upcoming operation; however, Al-Masdar was notified that they will be on the offensive, despite the news of an upcoming jihadist assault.

Typically, the Desert Hawks fight alongside the Syrian Marines, but there has been no confirmation regarding their arrival to the Aleppo Governorate.

Jihadist counter-offensive in southern Aleppo ends in disaster

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/jihadist-counter-offensive-southern-aleppo-ends-disaster/

Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest) launched a counter-offensive in the southern sector of Aleppo City on Tuesday night, targeting the Syrian Arab Army's defenses at the Air Defense Base.

However, the jihadist rebel counter-offensive in southern Aleppo ended way before it could ever get started; this was due in large part to the nonstop air raids conducted by the Russian Air Force and the heavy artillery launched by the Syrian Arab Army.

According to a military source in Aleppo City, the Syrian Armed Forces killed over 20 jihadist rebels and destroyed 8 of their armored vehicles that were traveling from Tal Mu'tah to the Air Defense Base.

The military source added that the southern Aleppo front is now quiet, with sporadic gunfire taking place every few minutes.

Tanker transporting gas oil for ISIS terrorists seized in eastern Sweida

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91604

A unit of the popular defense groups seized Tuesday evening a tanker transporting gas oil to ISIS terrorist groups in the southern Sweida province.

According to a source at Sweida Governorate, the terrorist groups’ smuggling routes and movements were monitored and the popular defense unit ambushed the tanker to the east of Shaaf village in eastern Sweida on the border of the Syrian Badia (desert).

The source told SANA reporter that the two terrorists who were driving the tanker were arrested.

NATO pushes military buildup plans near Russia

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/26/490722/NATO-Russia-military-buildup-eastern-flank

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is pushing for its biggest military buildup near Russian borders, as the Western military alliance continues to harbor perceptions of a Russian “threat” since the days of the Cold War.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will discuss the plan for military deployments to the Baltic states and eastern Poland at a two-day meeting of NATO ministers in Brussels on Wednesday.

The military alliance aims to send “battle groups” to the Baltic states and Poland early next year. The groups will consist of 40,000 forces. It will be the biggest military buildup near Russia since the Second World War. More forces would also be deployed if necessary.

“This is credible deterrence. Not to provoke a conflict, but to prevent conflict,” Stoltenberg claimed contradictorily on Tuesday, referring to the planned deployments near Russia. “Concrete proof that NATO can and will deploy thousands of forces to support our allies. And a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond.”

The United States, Germany, Britain, and Canada have already agreed to contribute forces to the “battle groups,” which are to be deployed to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

France, Denmark, Italy and other NATO members are expected to contribute forces of their own but have been reluctant so far.

Anti-Russia by default

Russia had previously warned that it would take unspecified measures to respond to the increased activities by the Western military bloc.

It also moved nuclear-capable missiles to its westernmost region of Kaliningrad, near its border with the Baltic countries and NATO member states earlier this month. The Iskander-M cruise missiles are capable of hitting targets across Poland and the Baltics.

NATO was formed during the Cold War as a means of countering the former Soviet Union.

The military alliance suspended all ties with Moscow in April 2014, after the then-Ukrainian Crimea Peninsula voted in a referendum to join Russian territory.

Shortly afterwards, an armed conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine, areas where an ethnically-Russian population lived. The Ukrainian government, which militarized the originally peaceful unrest in the regions — known as the Donbass — has ever since been accusing Russia of having a hand in the conflict there. Moscow denies the claim.

The conflict has so far claimed the lives of more than 9,200 people and left over 21,000 others injured.

US Seeks ‘Balkanization’ of the Middle East After Daesh

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201610261046731541-us-wants-colonize-middle-east/

Loud & Clear host Brian Becker was joined on Radio Sputnik by political analyst and commentator Catherine Shakdam to discuss the motives behind the US coalition against Daesh.

According to Shakdam, Daesh became dangerous after being provided with weapons and military training by powerful forces using the violent extremists to propagate a specific agenda in the Middle East.

"We need to understand that Daesh is an enemy which has been used and actually exploited by colonial powers to fragment, destabilize and weaken countries such as Iraq and Syria, because they have been seen by people in Washington, in London, in Paris, as being strategically important for their own geopolitical investment," Shakdam said.

"In a sense Washington has used terror, but it's trying to use terror in a way which is manageable, and so it doesn't want to allow terror to become too prominent in the region and take too much space," she suggested.

The US seeks to make Middle Eastern countries dependent on its military, creating situations in which nations become desperate for assistance and request Washington's intervention, thereby allowing the US pursue its geopolitical strategies.

Terror by third-party actors has been useful for the US and other western countries, using it as a pretext to intervene in nations with strategically important resources in the Middle East and Asia.

"War makes money, and it's allowing for the US to protect this sense of power, and its enabling [the US] to shut down other issues that they do not want to deal with, for example, civil liberties at home, by forcing the public to look upon the Middle East and say: ‘You know, we are right now concentrating on this, we can't really deal with human rights issue or even the economy, so we are going to do this now and you have to back us because the threat of terror is so great, and you just have to agree with us, no matter what,'" she said.

Shakdam noted that the US does, in fact, seek to end the practice of terrorism, but pointed out that the military-industrial-surveillance architecture in Washington has found terror to be a very useful, and profitable, weapon of geopolitical influence.

Pushing Daesh out of Mosul would play directly to the US, she opined, as the terrorists will then enter Syria, where Americans have a clear goal of eliminating the Bashar al-Assad government.

America's ultimate goal in the Middle East appears to be a form of economic colonization, Shakdam offered, but Washington is not a powerful enough player in the region to accomplish this alone. Saudi Arabia pursues its own political agenda, separate from that of America, and curiously, Daesh ideology is the state religion of Saudi Arabia, taken to the extreme, she remarked.

Shakdam suggested that nation-states in the Middle East would benefit from reclaiming the right to religious freedom and political self-determination. This cultural reclamation is happening right now in Yemen, as the populace has realized that they can stand together against Saudi Arabia and its Western-bought weapons.

US Calls on NATO Allies to Vote Against UN Anti-Nuclear Resolution

https://sputniknews.com/world/201610261046734466-us-nato-anti-nuclear-resolution/

According to media reports, United States urged its NATO allies to vote against the UN General Assembly’s draft resolution calling for the initiation of negotiations on nuclear weapons prohibition and to ignore the talks in case they started in 2017.

The United States urged its NATO allies to vote against the UN General Assembly’s draft resolution calling for the initiation of negotiations on nuclear weapons prohibition and to ignore the talks in case they started in 2017, local media reported Wednesday.

"The United States calls on all allies and partners to vote against negotiations on a nuclear weapons treaty ban, not to merely abstain. In addition, if negotiations do commence, we ask allies and partners to refrain from joining them," a letter obtained by the Kyodo news agency on Tuesday said.

The letter is said to be dated October 17.

According to the news agency, in case of enforcement of the nuclear weapons ban treaty, it could have a "direct impact" on the US capability to implement its commitments on the NATO and Pacific deterrence, as well as on the US partners' and allies' possibilities to participate in joint operations with nuclear-weapon states.

Earlier in October, a draft UN resolution on launching negotiations on nuclear weapons ban was introduced by delegations from Australia and other non-nuclear-weapon states.

According to Kyodo, over 50 states expressed support for the initiative by the end of the previous week.

The draft resolution is expected to be submitted for confirmation this week in order to be considered by the General Assembly at the plenary meeting in December.

sToRmR1dR · Oct 26, 2016

Putin Ready to Cooperate With Any US Leader to Promote Russia’s Interests

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201610261046748334-putin-us-cooperation/

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin is ready to cooperate with any future US leader, be it Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, in order to promote the interests of Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to cooperate with any future US leader, be it Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, in order to promote the interests of Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

“For the president of Russia it is not important who it is – [Donald] Trump of Hillary Clinton, the most important is the interests of the Russian Federation. And for the interests of the Russian Federation, the president has repeatedly said it, he is ready to hold talks with any foreign leader, including the US, to develop fruitful bilateral cooperation, helping the two countries to prosper. Who will become the next US leader – this is not Putin’s question, and not the question of Russian citizens, it is the question of US electorate,” Peskov said.

Crimea Energy Blockade, Water Outage Borders on Crimes Against Humanity - Putin

https://sputniknews.com/europe/201610261046758342-russia-crimea-blockode/

Russian President Vladimir Putin called the termination of the water supply and moves related to the blackout in Crimea "crimes against humanity."

The energy blockade and a water outage in the Russian peninsula of Crimea borders on crimes against humanity whose masterminds are "incredible idiots," Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"As for the termination of the water supply or moves related to the blackout, all this verges on a crime against humanity: taking a sufficiently large region with 2.6 million residents and disconnecting them from the power supply in winter," Putin said.

Speaking at the All-Russia People's Front "Forum of Action. Crimea" event, Putin expressed surprise with the lack of outrage among human rights organizations and lauded the local population for its "courage, self-discipline, willingness to fight for their interests."

"But for those who did it, it is so stupid. What did they expect? I simply do not understand: for them all to get on their knees and ask for handouts? Surprisingly simple. Incredible idiots," he stressed.

Russian Federation Council Suspends Agreement With US on Plutonium Disposal

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201610261046742812-russis-us-plutonium-agreement/

The upper house of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, approved on Wednesday the bill on the suspension of the Russia-US agreement on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium.

According to the bill, the decision on the revival of the agreement from the Russian side is made by the country's president.

On October 19, the lower house of the Russian parliament ratified the bill, put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 3 in light of, according to Putin, fundamental changes in US-Russian relations.

The deal on the disposal of weapons-grade plutonium signed in 2000 stipulated that both sides were obliged to dispose of 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium by burning it in nuclear reactors, starting in 2018. Russia has created all necessary infrastructure to destroy plutonium under the deal, while the United States has failed to meet its obligations intending to mix plutonium with other materials placing it in a radioactive waste repository.

Russia & allies test joint air defenses as over 100 aircraft, 130 command centers put on alert

https://www.rt.com/news/364176-russia-joint-air-defense-exercise/

Over 100 fighter jets, long-range bombers and combat helicopters have been scrambled at their bases across Russia and six post-Soviet states as the allies prepare to test their integrated air defense system in a massive military exercise.

More than 130 command and control centers have been put on alert in Russia and six former Soviet republics – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

All the countries contribute to the integrated air defense system overseen by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – an alliance of former Soviet republics that emerged after the collapse of the USSR.

The large-scale military exercise is to train high-readiness forces in dealing with “airspace violations, including by hijacked aircraft” as well as “assisting crews of aircraft in distress,” the ministry added.

Some 100 aircraft, including Su-27, MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighter jets, Su-24 and Su-34 bombers, as well as Su-25 ground attack jets and combat helicopters provided by the allies, are expected to take part in the drill.

Troops from electronic warfare and surface-to-air missile units are also participating.

The exercise started at 8am Moscow time with Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 aircraft given the roles of aggressor. The planes, simulating an adversary force, were spotted over Eastern European and Central Asian airspaces, the Russian military said.

All units are being coordinated from a Russian Air Force command center located outside Moscow.

The joint CIS air defense system, established in 1995, currently focuses on protecting the ex-Soviet countries’ airspace as well as providing air or missile strike early warnings and coordinated responses.

Russia contributes the bulk of the system’s early warning and air defense capacities, with short- and long-range radar stations monitoring the area.

Notably, the system does not have a single commander. It is collectively controlled by the chiefs of the air defense forces of the member states themselves.

Bilateral air defense systems between Russia and its neighbors have also been established in recent years. Last December, an air defense agreement between Russia and Armenia was signed by the two countries’ defense ministers, Sergey Shoigu and Seyran Oganyan, respectively.

In 2013 Moscow signed a separate treaty on a joint regional air defense system with Kazakhstan. Russian and Belarusian anti-aircraft missile forces have already been unified into an integrated system designed to contain any security threats in the European theater.

Moscow Waiting for Washington's Accusations of Preparing Color Revolution in US

https://sputniknews.com/politics/201610261046749032-russia-us-color-revolutions/

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov deplored the level of Russophobia in Washington.

Moscow does not overestimate the importance of the confidential documents about the US elections published on whistleblowing website WikiLeaks, while accusations of the Russian involvement in cyberattacks on the US soil is disappointing, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Wednesday.

"We believe that the things that WikiLeaks writes, they were there literally since their first day. You know, work and life are richer than any leaks and any publications. In any case any publication bears the shade of subjective perception of an event by the author. Therefore, we do not exaggerate its importance," Ryabkov told journalists.

"As for the accusation of hacking attacks, it is sad that the US politicians reached such lows in their Russophobia. The only thing lacking in their escapades and exercises, I'm still waiting when they will finally accuse Russia of preparing a color revolution in the United States," he stressed.

On Tuesday, WikiLeaks released the 18th batch of emails of the US Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, on their website, bringing the total of the published letters to over 31,000. The emails shed light on the strategic planning and decision-making process behind Clinton's campaign.

On October 19, during the third presidential debate, Clinton stated that Russia was behind the WikiLeaks' releases in an attempt to influence the outcome of the US elections, citing US intelligence agencies as the source for this claim.

Earlier, the US government formally accused Russia of interfering with the election and using cyberattacks to do so.

UK announces new troop deployment near Russia's borders

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/26/490824/UK-Russia-Fallon-NATO-Baltic

British Defense Minister Michael Fallon says the UK is set to deploy hundreds of troops to the Baltic region in Europe to support its NATO allies in the face of a “more assertive Russia.”

Fallon told a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels on Wednesday that Britain would send 800 soldiers to Estonia to fulfill its pledge to deliver one of four battalions to NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe.

“Backed by a rising defense budget, this deployment of air, land and sea forces shows that we will continue to play a leading role in NATO, supporting the defense and security of our allies from the north to the south of the alliance,” Fallon said.

NATO had announced in July that it would deploy, on a rotational basis, four multinational battalions to Poland and the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—to deter what it referred to as “any Russian incursion.”

During his address at the meeting, Fallon also said that four British Typhoon fighter jets would be dispatched to Romania under the NATO Southern Air Policing mission, which is supposed to protect the Baltic states' airspace against possible attacks from Russia.

“This is about two things: reassurance, and that needs to be done with some formidable presence, and deterrence,” Fallon had said in an earlier interview. “This is not simply a trip-wire….This is a serious military presence.”

The move is likely to draw criticism from Moscow, which has been angered by NATO’s military buildup on its Western borders.

The US-led military alliance cut its ties with Moscow in 2014 and has been reinforcing its presence near Russia’s borders ever since.

The UK and Russia have strong disagreements over a number of issues, mainly the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.

The two countries’ military forces have been involved in a series of aerial and naval confrontations, with Britain sending its jets and warships on several occasions to intercept Russian bombers and naval fleets.

The latest of those encounters occurred on Thursday, when the Russian aircraft career Admiral Kuznetsov and its seven-ship task force were “shadowed” by two British warships on a course to sail through the North Sea and English Channel, on their way to Syria.

NATO defense ministers discuss more presence in Black Sea region — Stoltenberg

http://tass.com/world/908802?_ga=1.66808942.1783418038.1477117316

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance will mark progress in plans for more NATO presence in the eastern flank

The defense ministers of the North Atlantic alliance will discuss strengthening of NATO presence in the Black Sea region, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.

"We will mark progress in plans for more NATO presence in the eastern part of our Alliance, and also in the Black Sea region," Stoltenberg said at the start of the meetings of NATO defense ministers.

"And we will discuss Russia’s recent military activity along our borders. Close to our borders, Russia continues its assertive military posturing," he added.

Stoltenberg also expressed discontent with the deployment of Iskander missile systems in Russia’s westernmost Kaliningrad region and the suspension of the weapons-grade plutonium disposal agreement with the United States. He also accused Russia of destabilizing eastern Ukraine saying that Moscow allegedly provides the separatists with military and financial support.

The law on suspending this agreement was unanimously approved by the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, earlier on Wednesday. The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said Iskander missile systems were deployed in Kaliningrad for combat training purposes.

Ties with Russia

The North Atlantic Alliance plans to have more constructive relationship with Moscow, Stoltenberg added.

"We continue to strive for more cooperative and constructive relationship with Russia," Stoltenberg said, adding that there is no contradiction between dialogue and strong defense.

"We are now in dialog with Russia on how to follow up the different proposals, the different ideas to create more predictability, more transparency and to develop mechanisms for risk reduction and we are ready to convene a new meeting of that NATO-Russia Council," Stoltenberg said.

NATO discusses with Russia warplane transponder switch-on above Baltic Sea — Stoltenberg

http://tass.com/world/908874?_ga=1.126452813.1783418038.1477117316

NATO is also in dialogue with Finland and Sweden being closer to the Baltic Sea

NATO is discussing with the Russian Federation Moscow’s initiative on mandatory switch-on of transponders by warplanes of all countries above the Baltic Sea, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

"We have now a dialogue with Russia on issues related to risk reduction and transparency concerning military activity along our borders," Stoltenberg said.

"And since we have seen such a strong increase in military activity both at sea and in the air there is an increased need for mechanisms to avoid incidents and accidents," he said.

"We have been very focused over a long period of time how can we avoid… incidents and accidents, how can we increase air safety and establish more predictability and transparency to military activities closed to NATO’s borders and in a dialogue with Russia," Stoltenberg said.

"Russia put forward of proposals on a table this summer in July. I met with Foreign Minister Lavrov in New York and we discussed these proposals," he said.

"NATO has responded and we are now in a dialogue with Russia on how to follow up the different proposals and different ideas to create more predictabilities and more transparency and develop more risk reduction and we are ready to… take further these discussions," Stoltenberg said.

"We are also in dialogue with Finland and Sweden being closer to the Baltic Sea. They are also engaged in these issues that we can take forward in taking risk reduction and transparency," he said.

In August, Russia’s Defense Ministry addressed Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden and Poland with the initiative to hold consultations on security in the Baltic region.

"Besides the issue of transponders, the Defense Ministry of Russia suggests discussing a broad range of issues: from interaction with NATO to joint reaction to common challenges and threats," chief of the ministry’s main directorate of international military cooperation Sergey Koshelev told journalists.

In early July, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto that Russia supports Finland’s proposal to ban flights above the Baltic Sea for aircraft with switched-off transponders.

Six NATO countries say ready to dispatch their forces to Black Sea area

http://tass.com/world/908945?_ga=1.162557052.1783418038.1477117316

Jens Stoltenberg says Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the US confirmed their plans to dispatch units to Romania

As many as six NATO countries are prepared to send their ground-based, naval and air force units to the Black Sea area in 2017, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday upon the completion of the first day of a conference of the North-Atlantic pact's defense ministers.

He said Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the U.S. had confirmed their plans to dispatch units to Romania for a strengthening of NATO presense in the Black Sea area.

Seventeen NATO member-states will delegate their military to join the four multinational battalions, which the North-Atlantic pact will deploy in Eastern Europe at the beginning of 2017.

Specifically, he said Albania, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia will join the Canadian military already depoloyed in Latvia, Belgium, Croatia, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway will join the Germans in Lithuania. Denmark and France will send unit to pool with the Brits in Estonia, while Romania and Britain will augment the U.S. troops in Poland.

Russia-NATO council meeting

NATO is ready to hold a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council at the level of ambassadors, Stoltenberg said.

In his words, NATO members are ready to hold a Russia-NATO Council meeting in the near future.

Russian Baltic Fleet frigate arrives in Cuba on visit

http://tass.com/defense/908755?_ga=1.107054146.1783418038.1477117316

In mid-October, the Yaroslav Mudry left the Mediterranean Sea where it was part of the Russian Navy’s permanent grouping

The Russian Baltic Fleet’s Yaroslav Mudry frigate and Lena tanker have arrived in the Cuban port of Havana on a business visit, fleet spokesman Roman Martov said on Wednesday.

"The Yaroslav Mudry frigate and the Lena tanker have arrived in Cuba on a business visit. In the capital of the Freedom Island, sailors of the Baltic Fleet will replenish water and food supplies, hold a planned check of the ships and get a rest after the trans-Atlantic passage," Martov said.

In mid-October, the Yaroslav Mudry left the Mediterranean Sea where it was part of the Russian Navy’s permanent grouping. For several weeks, the ship was performing anti-piracy missions in the Indian Ocean, after which it crossed the Mediterranean into the Atlantic Ocean. The frigate has been on a distant voyage since June 1.

Pentagon Wastes Nearly $60Bln in Canceled Weapons Over Past 20 Years

https://sputniknews.com/us/201610261046765199-pentagon-us-weapons/

Pentagon spent $58.3 billion since 1997 for development weapon systems programs, which have been later canceled, according to report.

The US Department of Defense has spent $58.3 billion over the past two decades for development weapon systems programs, which have been later canceled, a recent Pentagon's report said.

Since 1997, the US Department of Defense has canceled 23 military programs, which were initially funded, the report issued on Tuesday by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics claimed.

"Almost 44 percent of those dollars are in two programs: Future Combat System (FCS; $20.7 billion) and the RAH — 66 Comanche reconnaissance/attack helicopter ($9.8 billion). Eight canceled programs spent at least 100 percent of their original RDT&E [Research Development Test and Evaluation] baseline, including Comanche (but not FCS). On average, about two-thirds to three-fourths of the original RDT&E baselines were spent before these programs were canceled," the report reads.

According to the authors of the report, not all the spent money should be considered wasted, because, despite the cancellation of a program, newly developed technologies can be used in creation of other weapons systems.

US-Led Coalition to 'Move Soon to Isolate Raqqa'

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610261046762971-coalition-raqqa-operation-local-fighters/

The US-led coalition intends to recruit more Syrian fighters for the upcoming offensive on Daesh-held Raqqa. The operation to isolate the Daesh stronghold will begin soon.

The US-led coalition to dislodge Daesh intends to deploy additional Syrian fighters for the upcoming operation to retake the city of Raqqa from the jihadist group, coalition commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said at a briefing Wednesday.

“On Raqqa, I believe that there are sufficient local forces already available for that operation. However, we have a plan to…recruit and equip and train more local forces for that operation,” Townsend told reporters.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter said Wednesday that the campaign to retake Raqqa from Daesh is expected to begin within weeks, ruling out that US special operations troops in Iraq could be a part of occupation forces.

Carter also said that the Raqqa operation is expected to overlap with the offensive to retake Iraq's Mosul.

Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and other countries, seized Mosul in 2014 and Raqqa in 2013 along with a number of other cities and towns in the two countries.

"We will move soon to isolate Raqqa with the forces that are ready to go soon," he said.

The Daesh terror group, outlawed in Russia, took full control of Raqqa in 2014 and declared it the capital of their "caliphate." Earlier this month, the Iraqi government launched an offensive to seize the Daesh stronghold of Mosul with air cover from the US-led coalition.

The United States and Turkey are in talks over Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) involvement in the operation to liberate Raqqa from Daesh, Townsend said.

Ankara opposes SDF’s involvement since the force includes People's Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey considers to be an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), outlawed in the country.

"We are negotiating, we are planning, we are having talks with Turkey. And we are going to take this in steps,” Townsend said.

Daesh 'Creatively' Flies Drones for Surveillance, Attacks

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610261046765579-daesh-drones-townsend/

The commander of the US-led coalition fighting Daesh said the jihadists "make extensive use of drones" for surveillance and attacks.

Fighters with the Daesh terror group persistently use drone aircraft for surveillance and attacks on enemies, indicating a technical prowess that is becoming more "creative," the commander of the US-led coalition fighting Daesh, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, said at a briefing Wednesday.

"The ISIL [Daesh] makes extensive use of drones. It is not episodic or sporadic, it is relatively constant and creative," Townsend told reporters.

Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and other countries, seized Mosul in 2014 and Raqqa in 2013 along with a number of other cities and towns in the two countries.

ISIL Heavily Pounded in Eastern Aleppo

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805001411

"The attacks destroyed 6 military vehicles of terrorists and killed dozens of the ISIL militants," a military source said on Wednesday.

Analysts believe that intensified army attacks on ISIL gathering centers in Deir Hafer and Maskanah which is seen as the gate to Raqqa province is a sign of imminent operations by the Syrian forces to capture the terrorist group's self-proclaimed capital.

Military sources disclosed today that experienced commandoes of Desert Hawks Brigade have arrived in Aleppo city to join a large-scale battle against the terrorist groups in the region.

"The Syrian Special Forces, also known as Liwa Suqour al-Sahra, are also experienced in street battle," the sources said, adding, "The Brigade will lead the operation of government forces to drive Jeish al-Fatah out of Aleppo city and its outskirts in the next few days."

A military source said on Tuesday that the Syrian Army troops and Air Force struck a large gathering of the terrorist groups in the Northern outskirts of Aleppo city, killing or wounding scores of them and foiling their plan to hit government strongholds.

"Following sensitive intel received from army agent in the region, the Syrian government forces and fighter jets carried out surprise attacks on terrorists' concentration centers in Haraytan and al-Malaah regions near Castello road to preempt them and defuse their plan for raiding army positions in the Northern outskirts of Aleppo city," an army officer told FNA.

"Dozens of militants were killed or wounded in the attack, and now the Castello road is safe and under the army's full control," he added.

Syria: Gov't Forces Continue to Advance along Aleppo-Khan Touman Road

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000801

"Following the recapture of the air defense battalion base and its nearby hills along the Aleppo-Khan Touman road, the Syrian government forces have launched a new round of attacks on Jeish al-Fatah to capture more strategic hills along the road and open a safe way towards the town," the sources said.

"The Syrian Air Force has also been targeting Jeish al-Fatah's gatherings in the neighborhoods of Rashedeen 4 and 5 and Arz al-Jabas, the town of Khalseh, Zeitan, Khan Touman, al-Eis, al-Zerbeh and along the Aleppo-Damascus highway, inflicting major losses and heavy casualties on the militants," the sources went on to say.

Field sources disclosed on Monday that Syrian government forces are getting ready for an imminent large-scale operation to end Jeish al-Fatah's rule over Khan Touman region.

"Syrian army troops and the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters are preparing to push South towards Khan Touman, al-Eis and al-Zerbeh after capturing air defense battalion, Tal Bazo, and finding full fire control over Rashedeen 4 ad 5 on the Southern outskirts of Aleppo city in the last few days," the sources said.

The sources added that Syrian government forces, backed up by Russian and Syrian fighter jets, continue to hit Jeish al-Fatah's centers in neighborhoods on the Aleppo-Khan Touman road and in Housing Project 1070 and the districts of Sheikh Saeed and Ameriyeh.

Jeish al-Fatah's centers in Rashedeen 4 and 5 and Ramouseh's road came under heavy air raids by the Syrian and Russian warplanes.

Wining back Khan Touman region will bring the Aleppo-Damascus highway under government's control.

Russian Air Force conducts heavy airstrikes over Idlib

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-air-force-conducts-heavy-airstrikes-idlib/

The Russian Air Force carried out several airstrikes over the Idlib Governorate on Tuesday night, targeting Jaysh Al-Fateh's (Army of Conquest) positions near the provincial capital.

According to an Al-Masdar field correspondent, the Russian Air Force conducted more than 10 airstrikes over the Idlib Governorate on Tuesday night, striking Jaysh Al-Fateh at Idlib City, Binnish, Taftanaz, and Ma'arat Al-Nu'man.

In addition to their airstrikes over the Idlib Governorate last night, the Russian Air Force also carried out an attack against the jihadist rebels of Jund Al-Aqsa and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham in the northern countryside of Hama.

The Russian airstrikes in northern Hama were followed by a ground assault from the Syrian Arab Army at the village of Souran; clashes are still ongoing at this moment.

ISIS launches offensive against Nusra in east Lebanon

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-launches-offensive-nusra-east-lebanon/

Intense clashes broke-out between the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham" (ISIS) and Jabhat Al-Nusra in the 'Arsal Barrens of east Lebanon on Wednesday, resulting in the death of several jihadist combatants near the Syrian border.

According to a Lebanese security source, a group of Islamic State terrorists launched a powerful attack against a Jabhat Al-Nusra contingent inside the Hamid Valley of Jaroud 'Arsal on Wednesday morning.

The specific location of the Islamic State attack was pinpointed at the Sirj Al-Nammoura Checkpoint, which is situated directly west of the Jaroud Rankous border-crossing into the Rif Dimashq Governorate of Syria.

Clashes are still ongoing in the Hamid Valley at the moment, as the Islamic State terrorists continue their onslaught against their former allies.

Israeli soldiers come under attack at Lebanese border

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/israeli-soldiers-come-attack-lebanese-border/

Minutes ago, a unit from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) came under attack by an unknown group of gunmen at the Lebanese border.

"Initial report: Shots were fired towards IDF forces on the border with Lebanon, injuring a soldier. Details to follow," the IDF Spokesperson reported at 12:33 P.M. (Beirut Time).

The attack on the IDF today comes just 24 hours after an Israeli was shot and killed at the Israeli-Egyptian border.

No further details were released at this time...

Lebanese Army denies attacking Israeli forces

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/lebanese-army-denies-attacking-israeli-forces/

The Lebanese Army has denied attacking the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) near the southern border-crossing today.

In a statement to the National News Agency (NNA), the Lebanese Army spokesperson said that all reports claiming their forces attacked the IDF are false.

The IDF spokesperson alleged that a drive-by shooting took place near the Lebanese-Israeli border this morning; however, no Lebanese party has claimed responsibility.

angelburst29 · Oct 26, 2016

A plenary session of the Open Innovation Forum in Skolkovo attended by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was interrupted after blast-like sounds were heard in the building where the forum was being held.

Skolkovo Forum Meeting With PM Medvedev Evacuated After Blast-Like Sounds (Video)
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610261046743729-skolkovo-medvedev-forum-evacuated/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iC249ajb7g (1:31 min.)

The plenary session's guests included Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, government officials and businessmen.

After the sounds were heard, the guests and participants were evacuated from the building. The Skolkovo fire department told RIA Novosti that the sounds had been the result of a short circuit. After the short circuit a fire occurred in one of the domes of the building, the source in the Skolkovo fire department added.

Shortly after the incident, the forum re-opened. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev will hold a meeting of the modernization presidium in the innovation center, the government's press service announced.

A senior commander of the Damascus government's allied forces on Wednesday cautioned Turkey to stop army incursions towards the regions North and North-East of the city of Aleppo, warning that Syria and its allied forces will give a crushing response to any further Turkish advance in the region.

Commander of Syria's Allied Forces Warns of Tough Battle against Turkey's Incursion into Northern Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805001257

"We will forcefully confront the Turkish army advances towards Eastern and Northern Aleppo," the Arabic language al-Mayadeen news channel quoted a commander of the Syrian forces' allied forces without mentioning his name and nationality.

Al-Mayadeen reported that the commander made the remarks during his visit to the battlefields in Northern Aleppo.

The commander underlined that any further advance by the Turkish forces will be tantamount to war as it will mean a crossing of Syria's redline. "We will never allow Turkey to get close to the defense lines of our allied forces on the pretext of fighting the ISIL terrorist group."

Turkey is planning to create a no-fly zone in an area of 5,000 kilometers in Northern Syria in cooperation with the Free Syrian Army and enjoying the US support.

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, a retired Syrian army general said that the Syrian government troops and Kurdish fighters have formed a coalition to stand against Turkish army's incursion into Northern Syria.

"We will see the start of military operations towards Northern and Northeastern Aleppo province near al-Bab city in order to block the Turkish army and the Turkish-backed militants' approach to the strategic city," Retired Syrian Army General Heisam Hassoun told FNA.

He pointed to the Turkish army's military operations in Northern, Northwestern and Northeastern parts of Syria, and said, "The Syrian army has dispatched forces towards al-Bab city since the liberation of the Eastern parts of Aleppo city three months ago, but it postponed further advances to help other army units fortify their military positions in the Southern and Southeastern parts of al-Bab and Daber cities."

He said that the Syrian army and the Kurdish and Arab popular defense forces have been working to work out an alliance in Northern Syria since late September, adding, "These forces have initiated action since Monday to push back the Turkish army in the North."

In mid-October, a prominent Syrian analyst said the army and its allies will move to free the strategic city of al-Bab after wining full control over Aleppo city.

"End of the Aleppo battle will focus efforts on al-Bab which is the most important and last ISIL base in Northern Aleppo province, a city that despite tough clashes between the warring sides, neither the Kurds nor the Turkish forces and their allies from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) will dare to enter, given the warnings Russia and Iran have given to the Turkish officials," Kamal Fayyadh told FNA.

He underlined the high importance of the battle in al-Bab, and said liberation of the city would prevent Erdogan's control over regions between al-Rai and al-Bab and strengthen the Syrian army's control over its Northern borders.

"The future confrontation with the ISIL in Raqqa and Deir Ezzur as well as liberation of al-Bab means seizing back more Syrian and Iraqi territories from the ISIL hand," Fayyadh said.

A leading US senator said the war in Syria would have been over by now if the US had put an end to its intervention when Russia entered the war-ravaged country.

Senator: US Supporting War in Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805001219

“If the United States had just stayed out of it at that point, the war would be over by now; people would be rebuilding, refugees would be returning back to Syria, but the United States rushed anti-Tank missiles, and we used these so-called moderate rebels as a conduit to supply al-Nusra Front (also known as Fatah al-Sham Front), which is al-Qaeda in Syria,” republican member of the Virginia State in US Senate, Richard Hayden Black said in an exclusive interview with Press TV.

“If we were not supporting the war in Syria, I believe that the Syrians, combined with their allied forces from Iran, Lebanon and Russia… would move very steadily and restore the borders of Syria.”

The senate member, who visited Syria in April, refused to distinguish between militants and terrorists fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad, saying, the two are “thoroughly integrated.”

“They really are one and the same, they’re part of the same army,” he said, citing a US defense intelligence agency’s investigation in 2013, which showed Washington’s ties with the terror group.

The outspoken state senator referred to plans by the CIA to transfer arms from Libya to Turkey and from there to Syria to supply the militants, noting that the move “evolved into an indiscriminate program of supplying all militant groups, including specifically ISIL and al-Qaeda.”

“We do it indirectly because it’s unlawful to do it directly,” he said, adding that the US keeps “extremely violent organizations… off the terrorist watch list because these are the agents that take our weapons and then distribute them to ISIL and al-Qaeda.”

In response to a question on why Iran and Russia are portrayed as the “bad guys,” while they are the ones really fighting terrorism there, as put recently by GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump, Black said the Republican candidate has a “clear understanding of what’s happening over there.”

“Sometimes, his rhetoric has to match the political mood of the moment… but I know a number of his advisers and they believe that our determination to topple the government in Syria is suicidal, that it threatens not only the entire Middle East but literally the entire world.”

He further warned that the US itself could be “threatened,” arguing that, “if Syria falls, it will be dominated by some al-Qaeda-related organization; Lebanon will fall; Jordan will fall and the entire area will be destabilized.”

The Vietnam war veteran also elaborated on his personal definition of the Middle East “axis of evil,” naming Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and “particularly” Turkey over their support for terrorism.

“Probably, three quarters of the rebels are not Syrian at all, they are mercenaries recruited by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia,” he asserted, describing the three countries as “the primary force behind the terrorist movement.”

“Turkey has invaded Iraq and Syria with heavy military forces. Turkey has really become a rogue nation,” he added, referring to a 1923 treaty that set the border between Turkey and Greece, saying that was even being questioned by President Rececp Tayyip Erdogan.

“And now you see this emerging threat against Western Europe by Turkey,” he noted, further adding that Erdogan “has made it clear that he looks to resurrection of the Ottoman Empire.”

“He has become more and more aggressive; he’s crushed the military, the free press; every powerful institution of the Turkish government has come under his iron fist and he’s now a total dictator. He’s a man who has said that he wants the constitution amended so that he will have power similar to those of Adolf Hilter… This is our great ally; we’re allied with a man who would be Hitler.”

He also blasted Washington’s alliance with Saudi Arabia, “where women are not allowed to walk out in the front yard to pick up the newspaper without a man’s permission; they can’t drive a car!”

“Somehow, this is part of the liberalization that we seek to impose on the Middle East,” he said ironically, calling it “bizarre.” (Article continues.)

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan blasted the US and its allies for their hollow human rights slogans, and said they are blocking evacuation of civilians from Aleppo war zone through their continued support for the terrorist groups.

Iranian DM: US Support for Human Rights A Gesture to Rescue Terrorists in Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950805000366

"On one hand, the US and its regional and trans-regional allies chant humanitarian slogans, and on the other hand, they give the green light to the terrorist groups affiliated to them, including Fatah al-Sham Front, formerly al-Nusra Front, to prevent people's exit from the military regions so that they can use people as human shield, distort the Syrian army's anti-terrorism operations and guarantee the terrorists' survival with such measures," General Dehqan said in Tehran on Wednesday.

He warned that the western powers and their regional allies are attempting to create and spread terrorism and extremism to support the Zionist regime and continue instability in the region and their hegemonic presence.

General Dehqan stressed the necessity for the US and its allies to terminate their support for terrorism, abandon their evil plots to disintegrate the regional states, recognize the legal governments and help them to fight against terrorism and hold internal talks, adding that these are the needed recipe for ending the crisis.

Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?

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