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

[sToRmR1dR]

Putin presents new chief of Russian foreign intelligence service

http://tass.com/politics/904319?_ga=1.72967059.1081960895.1475302692

The president has stressed that the security of Russian citizens outside Russia must remain under special control, in particular, in the countries of the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has presented Sergey Naryshkin as the newly-appointed chief of the Russian foreign intelligence service (SVR).

The president has stressed that the security of Russian citizens outside Russia must remain under special control, in particular, in the countries of the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

"Of course, the security of our citizens abroad must remain under special control, in particular, in such regions as the Middle East, Africa and some countries of Central Asia," Putin said presenting Naryshkin to his subordinates.

"Today the situation in the world has special demands for the quality and efficiency of the SVR’s work. There is the need to be able to act proactively and use nonstandard and unconventional solutions," he said at the headquarters of the Foreign Intelligence Service in Moscow.

He also stressed that there is the need to "find out and analyze all external threats and define the key strategic tendencies of development of the international situation, to make contribution in enhancing Russia’s economic, technological and defense potential."

Putin said he expects that Naryshkin "use all his experience and broad-based knowledge to work efficiently and bring the work of the Service to a higher level."

The president wished Naryshkin and the SVR "success in the responsible work on maintaining security and interests of the motherland.".

Sergey Naryshkin was the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, before his appointment to the post. He has replaced Mikhail Fradkov who now will be nominated as the head of the Russian Railways Company board of directors.

Russia suspends cooperation with US in nuclear, energy sectors

http://tass.com/politics/904430?_ga=1.244024325.1081960895.1475302692

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree on the suspension of an agreement between Russia and the US on cooperation in research and development in the nuclear and energy sectors. The text of the document has been posted on the Cabinet website on Wednesday.

"In connection with the imposition of restrictions on cooperation with the Russian Federation in nuclear energy by the United States of America … to suspend the agreement between the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the United States of America on cooperation in research and development in the nuclear and energy sectors of September 16, 2013," the decree says.

Moscow says nuclear weapons can be banned only with support of all powers

http://tass.com/politics/904314?_ga=1.72967059.1081960895.1475302692

Russian diplomat said Moscow shares the noble goal of building a nuclear-free world; the question, however, is how to build the ways of moving towards this goal

The idea of a complete ban on nuclear weapons makes sense only if all nuclear powers join it, the director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s non-proliferation and arms control department said at a meeting of the first committee at the 71st UN General Assembly session in New York.

"Practically speaking, the initiative on banning nuclear weapons seems to be very doubtful," Mikhail Ulyanov said in a statement.

"It could have at least some sense only if all nuclear powers were ready to join it, and there is no such readiness on their part. In any case, definitely Russia won’t take part in the events out of synch with reality and conflicting with the previous understanding and agreements," he said.

Russia considers the idea of an immediate nuclear weapons ban as extremely counter-productive, the diplomat stated.

"We respect the views of those who speak for the repudiation of nuclear weapons," the Russian diplomat said.

"We themselves share the noble goal of building a nuclear-free world. The question, however, is how to build the ways of moving towards this goal, without simultaneously undermining strategic stability, without breaking the system of checks and balances in international relations, without plunging the world into chaos and dangerous unpredictability, without endangering the integrity of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and without exacerbating, even if unintentionally, disunity on such a sensitive issue," he noted.

US and the INF Treaty

Moscow is calling on Washington to immediately return to the impeccable and scrupulous compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty:

Ulyanov reiterated that Moscow had warned Washington and Bucharest against deploying a missile defense system to the territory of Romania, adding that this facility, "in spite of its allegedly defense nature, affects Russia’s national security interests," but this call was not heeded. "In spring, the facility was put into operation. Immediately after that, the construction of a similar facility began in Poland," Ulyanov said. He also noted that the next thing on the agenda is the deployment of the US THAAD anti-missile systems to South Korea.

"That means that the concept of the US global missile defense system, which undermines the foundations of strategic stability, makes further nuclear disarmament difficult and whips up tensions at regional and global levels, is being implemented step by step," the diplomat stressed.

According to Ulyanov, the matter is complicated by the fact that "the MK-41 launchers used for launching medium-range missiles from offshore platforms and prohibited for use on shore are deployed contrary to the provisions of the INF Treaty" at the missile defense system facilities in Romania and Poland. "The United States thus not only violates the Treaty itself, but is also involving two countries in no way related to the INF Treaty by its illegal actions. This is coupled with the US violations concerning target missiles and attack drones," Ulyanov explained.

"We are calling on Washington to immediately return to the flawless and scrupulous compliance with the INF Treaty," the diplomat said.

Nuclear Disarmament Conference

Moscow expects the Geneva Conference on Disarmament will resume operations next year.

"We can’t avoid touching upon the deplorable state of the UN disarmament mechanism, particularly, the Geneva Conference on Disarmament, which has been sitting idle for 20 years already," Ulyanov noted. "The efforts to unlock its potential by holding talks on some traditional agenda items have failed and it seems they won’t ever succeed because of the serious contradictions between the participant countries."

According to the Russian diplomat, this is the reason why this past March, Moscow came up with a proposal to hold talks on an issue new to the Conference on Disarmament, that is the International Convention on Suppressing Acts of Chemical and Biological Terrorism. "This is a highly pressing issue, especially taking into consideration the situation in the Middle East," Ulyanov noted. "We are pleased to note that this proposal has been gaining more and more support."

"We expect a consensus on this proposal to emerge next year so that the Conference on Disarmament at last resumes the negotiation activities," the Russian diplomat concluded.

Weapons in space

Moscow also believes it is essential to promptly begin coordination of a legally mandatory treaty on the non-deployment of weapons in space:

"Prevention of an arms race in Space is one of Russia’s priorities. We believe it is essential to start urgent coordination of a binding treaty on the non-deployment of weapons in space," Ulyanov said. "The Russian-Chinese project of such a statement remains on the table of the disarmament conference."

The text of the full statement can be found on the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.

Iran warns Israel against using terrorists as tools

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/iran-warns-israel-using-terrorists-tools/

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs, Hossein Jaber Ansari has warned Israel against using terrorist to advance their own agendas.

He made the remarks in a meeting with the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag in Tehran, IRNA reported on Wednesday.

Ansari that a scheme “could bring back short-term or tactical benefits for these players, but is [in fact] a big strategic mistake, which in mid- and long-term would prove detrimental to those very states.”

He referred to Israel's provocations in Lebanon and Syria, saying, “The equation which Israel is trying to implement and stabilize in Syria is one in which it is allowed to do whatever it wants, while the other party is unable to respond.” “This is a wrong wager. There is no guarantee that the existing equation will stand.”

Ansari also cautioned against ethnocentrism and religiously-charged divergence in the region, saying, “Syria’s crisis and the region’s other problems are neither of ethnic nor of religious nature. They are political crises, which can only be solved through serious political dialog.”

IRGC Warns S. Arabia to Stay Away from Iran's Waters in Military Drills

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714000971

"We declare to all the vessels present in Saudi Arabia's stated wargames, including the Saudi navy's vessels and others, that the IRGC Navy believes that principally, these drills are a clear instance of stirring tensions and weakening sustainable security in the Persian Gulf," the statement said.

The statement came a week after the Saudi navy said it plans to stage drills in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz in the near future.

The IRGC statement cautioned that the military vessels participating in the wargames "will not at all be allowed to sail through Iran's territorial waters", and warned the Saudis to avoid sailing through the international waters that are near Iran's territorial waters. "We declare that any such voyage would not be an instance of harmless passage."

"The IRGC Navy and the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army are fully prepared to maintain sustainable security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and will properly and rapidly confront any move, attempt and measure to disturb tranquility and security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman," the statement added.

The Saudi media had reported late September that the country's navy will hold exercises in the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz soon.

Exercise “Gulf Shield 1” will also take place in the Sea of Oman, with ships, planes, marines and other personnel taking part, said Royal Saudi Navy commander Abdullah Al Sultan.

Gulf Shield 1 is part of a series of exercises the fleet has carried out in the area, Sultan said in comments cited by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The maneuvers aim to “raise combat readiness” and improve skills for defending the country’s borders, protecting sea lanes “and to deter any aggression or potential terrorist operations”, the SPA report said.

Le Pen: Russia Fighting Daesh While 'EU Dipping Syria Into Terrible Civil War'

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20161005/1046016859/le-pen-eu-russia-daesh.html

The European Union is responsible for the ongoing civil war in Syria, French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who heads the country's National Front party, said Wednesday.

Speaking at the European Parliament plenary session, Le Pen said:

"You do everything to overthrow the Syrian government, dipping the country into a terrible civil war, while accusing Russia which actually fights Daesh. Your responsibility could not be concealed."

She also mentioned that conservative policies advocated by both the United States and the European Union contributed to plunging Iraq into chaos.

Le Pen blamed the "irresponsible" immigration policy of the bloc for a growing number of economic migrants.

Two warships with Kalibr cruise missiles to join Russia’s Mediterranean grouping

http://tass.com/defense/904381?_ga=1.244024325.1081960895.1475302692

The Serpukhov and the Zelyony Dol, which left Sevastopol on October 4, are now passing through the Black Sea straits and will enter "the Mediterranean Sea water area" in the evening

The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s small missile ships Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol armed with Kalibr cruise missiles will join the permanent grouping of Russia’s Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, Navy spokesman Nikolai Voskresensky said on Wednesday.

"In the Mediterranean Sea, the Serpukhov and the Zelyony Dol are set to join the permanent operational task force in the distant maritime zone on a planned rotational basis," the officer said.

The Serpukhov and the Zelyony Dol, which left Sevastopol on October 4, are now passing through the Black Sea straits and will enter "the Mediterranean Sea water area" in the evening, the Navy’s spokesman said.

The small missile ships Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol took part in Russia’s anti-terror operation in Syria in mid-August. They fired three Kalibr cruise missiles against Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia).

The Zelyony Dol and the Serpukhov are the fourth and the fifth representatives of the Project 21631 Buyan-M series of small missile ships. They are armed with the Kalibr missile systems, the A-190 100mm gun, the Gibka launchers with Igla antiaircraft missiles and the Duet small-caliber antiaircraft artillery complexes. Both warships joined the Black Sea Fleet in 2015.

This is How 'Extremely Efficient' S-300 Will Boost Russia's Defenses in Syria

https://sputniknews.com/military/20161005/1046013786/russia-s300-defense-syria.html

Russia deployed the S-300V4 "Antey-2500" anti-ballistic missile system to Syria to provide additional cover to the Russian Aerospace Forces taking part in Moscow's counterterrorism offensive in the war-torn country, experts say.

Victor Ozerov, head of the Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee, told RIA Novosti that this move could have been "necessary to prevent incidents similar to the Su-24 downing from happening."

The Russian senator was referring to the incident that saw the Turkish Air Force shot down the Russian Su-24 bomber in northern Syria on November 24. This episode sent cordial relations between the two countries into a deep freeze for several months.

Defense analyst Vladimir Evseev maintained that Russia could have deployed the S-300 to Syria in a bid to boost its defenses specifically against missile attacks.

"Unlike other air defense systems, say the S-400 Triumf, the S-300VM has additional capabilities against missile attacks. It is capable of intercepting warheads traveling at a speed of up to 5 kilometers per second and destroying them at a maximum altitude of 30 kilometers," he explained.

As a result, the S-300 is capable of defeating subsonic missiles like the Tomahawk, as well as ballistic missiles, he added.

Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev indirectly confirmed this assessment. The Antey-2500, he said, is primarily tasked with "countering a massive cruise missile airstrike on administrative, industrial or military objects, as well as our forces." He also told Svobodnaya Pressa that the S-300V4 is better at intercepting cruise missiles than the more advanced S-400.

The S-300V4, an upgraded version of the S-300VM, is "a highly automated and extremely efficient weapon," Bizhev said, adding that its readiness time is five minutes.

Anatoly Tsyganok, head of the Center for Military Forecasts, pointed out that the Pentagon has significantly more warplanes close to Syria.

"According to different sources, the Russian Aerospace Forces have deployed somewhere between 20 and 40 planes to Syria. The US has two air groups stationed on its aircraft carriers in the region. In other words, they have 140 aircraft. This is why Russian service personnel in Syria need additional protection form aerial attacks," he explained.

In service since 2013, the S-300V4 (NATO designation SA-23 Gladiator) is meant to track and intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missile, aeroballistic and cruise missiles, as well as fixed-wing aircraft, ECM (electronic countermeasure) platforms and precision-guided munitions. It is reported to have a range of 400 kilometers (nearly 250 miles) and can simultaneously engage up to 24 aircraft or 16 ballistic targets in various combinations.

The system has been designed and is manufactured by Almaz-Antey, a Russian state-owned defense company.

Large number of Syrian Army reinforcements arrive in Deir Ezzor

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/large-number-syrian-army-reinforcements-arrive-deir-ezzor/

A large number of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) reinforcements arrived in Deir Ezzor on Tuesday after completing they completed basic training in rural Damascus.

According to a military source from the 104th Airborne Brigade of the Republican Guard, the reinforcements were transported to Deir Ezzor via helicopter; these soldiers were then transferred to the 137th Brigade's headquarters near Jabal Thardeh.

As many as 10 helicopters flew these soldiers to Deir Ezzor on Tuesday, marking the first time since the U.S. Coalition's bombing that reinforcements were sent to this volatile front in eastern Syria.

In the coming days, ISIS is expected to launch another major attack on the Deir Ezzor Industrial District and Military Airport, as they look to tighten the siege on the provincial capital.

Russia Ready to Confront US Plan B in Syria

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714000459

Izvestia newspaper quoted a high-ranking military source as saying that the plan includes military and political measures. The source didn’t reveal the details of the Russian plan.

Also, Franz Klintsevich, the deputy head of the Unity group in the State Duma, revealed that "if needed, we can highly increase our military support for the Syrian armed forces".

Earlier this week, Izvestia had also reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense has transferred additional Su-24 and Su-34 tactical bombers to Khmeimim, its airbase in Syria.

It quoted a source as saying that the Su-25 attack bombers will also be deployed in response to the US announcement that it will turn to 'Plan B' in Syria. The US plans to increase the number of combat missions to Syria, transfer special forces to the region and start new arms deliveries to the so-called moderate opposition.

"If necessary, Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) will have to strengthen its command within the next 2-3 days. The Su-25 attack bombers have been designated for transfer to Khmeimim Air Base, the troops have already been selected and are prepared for deployment; the crews are on standby, waiting for command," Izvestia's source said.

Also, Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that a battery of Russian S-300 air defense missile launchers has been transported to Syria. Its sole purpose is to defend a Russian naval base and warships, the ministry added.

The information about the S-300’s deployment was confirmed by ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

“Indeed, the Syrian Arab Republic received an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. This system is designed to ensure the safety of the naval base in [Syrian city of] Tartus and ships located in the coastal area [in Syria]…” he told the media.

Konashenkov said it is unclear why the deployment of the missile system has created such a fuss in the West.

“The S-300 is a purely defensive system and poses no threat,” he said.

He recalled that before the deployment of S-300, Russia had delivered Fort air defense missile systems to Syria.

 

[angelburst29]

This so-called incident happened back on September 22 and is only being reported now - of two French F-16 jets intercepting "Russian Bombers" (no amount given) close to EU borders causing panic among French media outlets and tension between European countries and Russia? The Russian Bombers were detected in the international zone, over international waters far beyond France's sovereign airspace .... so why are "the French" going in over drive - on a non issue? (Slow day at the Office?)

French Ministry of Defense issued an official statement saying that two French F-16 jets had to intercept and accompany Russian bombers after they were detected flying close to EU borders. In an interview with Sputnik, French military expert Jean-Vincent Brisset commented on the incident.

Panic in Western Media Over 'Russian Bombers' Intercepted by French Jets
https://sputniknews.com/europe/20161005/1046037076/panic-media-russian-bombers.html

According to the French side, the aircraft was flying from Scandinavia and "off the coast of Norway, then to the west of Ireland and from there down to the French Atlantic coast."

The incident that took place on September 22, caused panic among French media outlets many of which reminded their readers about "similar incidents" in Sweden, Finland and the Baltic countries, where the behavior of the Russian aircraft could "provoke serious accidents."

Sputnik discussed the issue of what has actually happened off the coast of Europe and whether the danger was as serious as it is being described with French military expert Jean-Vincent Brisset. "According to the Ministry of Defense, they [the bombers] were detected in the international zone, over international waters far beyond France's sovereign airspace," the expert said. "French media have been reporting a lot about the Russian aircraft near the borders of Western countries and nothing about NATO planes flying along the Russian borders. Most likely the situation is symmetrical on both sides," Brisset added.

According the expert, the incident caused tension between European countries and Russia, but there is nothing like a "third world war," which French media are so eagerly talking about.

"It is just an issue of intercepting Russian aircraft by the French aircraft. The reports say little about the involvement of other countries. Moreover, they also forget to mention that the French aircraft is guarding the airspace of the Baltic countries, which are located very close to the Russian borders," Brisset concluded.

France's former foreign minister Laurent Fabius will go down in history as a man who believed that Assad does not deserve to live and that al-Nusra has done some useful work. It is also possible that just in a few days he could be named as 2016 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

This Year's Nobel Peace Prize Nominee: The Man Who Praised Al-Nusra
https://sputniknews.com/society/20161005/1046038069/nobel-peace-prize-nominee.html

Fabius has been nominated for his role as head of the COP21 Paris climate accord. However, his nomination has been met with mixed feelings.

Gilbert Roger, a Socialist Senator from Seine-Saint-Denis who is close to the government said, “This is recognition of his [Fabius] special contribution, particularly in the climate COP21 Conference. It is, indeed, a real success, it is now clear that the Treaty of Paris was ratified at the international level.” “He was, I believe, an active ambassador of world peace. I have nothing to blame him for. His activity is crucial in dealing with Iran. He managed to do it,” Roger said. Djordje Kuzmanovic is national secretary of the Left Party on international issues. Commenting on Fabius’s nomination, he said, “At first I thought that today is April 1st because Mr Fabius took part in intensifying two wars, in particularly in Ukraine and Syria, where he played quite a disastrous role and that should not allow him to be awarded with a Nobel Peace Prize, which is something very significant,” Kuzmanovic said.

Jérôme Lambert an MP from the Charente department, the Socialist Party said, “I remember the selection of Barack Obama, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Considering the fact that Barack Obama has really served for peace all these years, the Nobel Peace Prize is given for specific actions, which are marked by a person's life.”

He further said that often it is either for a lifetime achievement or just for some main event of one’s life. “As for Laurent Fabius the role he played in the COP21 allowed to conclude an international agreement, which is important for the future of the planet,” Lambert said. Christian Hutin is a French politician, member of the French National Assembly and a member of the Civic Party and the Republican movement. Talking about Fabius, he said, “I believe that it is necessary to award the Nobel Peace Prize to the person who has done something important in their work.”

“Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry are awarded to those who conducted research for ten or fifteen years after a certain time. In my opinion, until now the Nobel Prize was awarded in the context of current events. We are not talking about the peacekeepers in Syria. I do not think we should give the Nobel Prize immediately, it takes time. It does not seem right to award it immediately.”

He further said that with regard to peacekeeping, it was right. “However, with regard to the climate agreement, it is premature. Does peace have anything to do with the environment? Probably yes, but it is still premature,” Hutin said.

Comment: (The Nobel Peace Prize seems to be the new Hollywood Oscar Trophies given to those who toe the line of their Masters? Add the White helmets - to the mix?)

With a debate about joining NATO flaring up in both Finland and Sweden, so far the only remaining non-aligned Nordic countries, Finnish Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President Martti Ahtisaari joined the ranks of NATO supporters by openly advocating for Finnish membership.

Finnish Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Makes a Stand for NATO Membership
https://sputniknews.com/military/20161005/1046029150/finland-nato-ahtisaari.html

Unlike Finland's incumbent President Sauli Niinistö, who remains sitting on the fence in the heated NATO debate, Martti Ahtisaari believes it is time for Finland to become a member of NATO. Furthermore, Helsinki need not wait for Stockholm to make this committal move and should act first.

Ahtisaari's recent book called "Miten tästä eteenpäin" ("The way ahead") investigates Finland's security. The book was penned in cooperation with diplomat and security expert Jaakko Iloniemi and Tapani Ruokanen, former chief editor of the Suomen Kuvalehti magazine — all Social Democrats politicians with impressive careers spanning from the President Urho Kekkonen-era in the 1970s. Contrary to many Nordic security pundits who ascribe imminent NATO membership to the fictitious Russian "threat," Ahtisaari's logic is quite different.

I've never proceeded from the idea that Russia was a threat to Finland. Instead, I have chosen an easier starting point, namely that Finland is a Nordic country, a Western democracy, one of the best by the way, and should be included in the organizations where the other Western democracies are. If one is a Western democracy, one should also act accordingly," Ahtisaari said, as quoted by Swedish daily Svenska Dagbladet.

In the book, Ahtisaari expresses his strong distrust for Sweden's and Finland's mutual vows of common policy on NATO. Earlier this year, a Finnish government report suggested that Finland and Sweden should maintain a coordinated NATO policy, that is either both join the alliance or keep out of it. According to Ahtisaari, Finland should join the military alliance before Sweden, which is bound to follow suit the same sooner or later.

"We should leave the Swedes behind us, and do as they did when they started negotiating EU membership behind our back," Ahtisaari wrote in one of the book's chapters.

Remarkably, Ahtisaari himself let go of the opportunity to join NATO during his tenure as Finnish president (1994-2000). By Ahtisaari's own admission, it seemed "impossible" at that time. During his time as Finland's president, Ahtissari dismissed the so-called "NATO option" as an illusion, making an analogy to trying to obtain fire insurance when the fire has already started. However, Ahtisaari subsequently changed his tune. In 2014, he insisted that joining NATO would increase the international community's confidence in Finland.

During the later stages of his political career, Ahtisaari became a vocal opponent of Finland's decade-long policy of maintaining formal independence while also being strongly influenced by its eastern neighbor the Soviet Union, internationally known as "Finlandization." This policy originated after World War II, after being formulated by President Juho Kusti Paasikivi, who emphasized the necessity to maintain a good and trusting relationship with the Soviet Union. In later years, it was maintained by Paasikivi's successor Urho Kekkonen.

In 2008, Ahtisaari was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his international diplomatic efforts in Namibia, Kosovo and Iraq, among others. Finland's Former Foreign Minister and UN ambassador Keijo Korhonen, who was strongly against awarding the prize to Ahtisaari, wrote a critical letter to the Nobel Committee. According to Korhonen, Ahtisaari did not deserve the prize, as he suffered from "lack of morality" and "enriched himself" on peace missions.

Earlier this year, Ahtisaari stated that only Russia and the US are capable of solving the Syrian crisis and advocated lifting the sanctions off Russia.

 

[goyacobol]

As Syrian Forces Make Gains in Aleppo, the US Intends to Escalate

New Eastern Outlook
05.10.2016 Author: Nile Bowie
As Syrian Forces Make Gains in Aleppo, the US Intends to Escalate
Column: Politics Region: USA in the World

Events in northern Syria have taken a dramatic turn in recent days, beginning with an unprecedented US airstrike on Syrian army positions in Deir ez-Zor. US officials have said they were aiming for ISIS targets but struck Syrian army positions accidently, killing 62 soldiers and exposing the remaining survivors to an Islamic State offensive.

In the days prior, the New York Times reported on a public disagreement between Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter over the terms of the proposed ceasefire being negotiated with Russia.

Carter was said to have ‘deep reservations’ over plans for American and Russian forces to share information and jointly target terrorist organisations as made conditional in the ceasefire proposal. Defense Department officials publically refused to affirm whether they would implement the agreement.

The subsequent attacks on a UN relief convoy saw US officials strongly imply responsibility on Moscow. Reuters and others carried claims by anonymous US officials identifying Russia as the perpetrator, while mention of the recent US strike in Deir ez-Zor was omitted from most dispatches.

The Syrian and the Russian militaries have since publicly and categorically denied striking the convoy. UN officials initially described the attack as an ‘airstrike’, implicitly pinning the blame on Russian or Syrian aircraft, but have since conceded to lacking conclusive evidence about what had happened.

Top US military officials admitted they were unsure who attacked the convoy, though Defense Secretary Carter maintains that “Russians are responsible for this strike whether they conducted it or not.” Through the words and actions of US officials, one can draw the conclusion that the US military establishment would not allow the Kerry-Lavrov ceasefire to succeed.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov hinted as much, telling Russian media that the “[US] military may not be obeying their supreme commander,” in reference to the increasingly apparent divisions within the Obama administration pertaining to policy on Syria.

In collapsing the ceasefire, the Pentagon is rejecting cooperation with Russia and refusing to enforce the separation of US-allied rebel groups from Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist organisations, likely on the basis that jihadists can act as the most effective bulwark against the Syrian army’s retaking of Aleppo.

The collapse of the ceasefire has coincided with a full-scale offensive to retake Aleppo by Syrian and Russian forces, supported by Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah allies. “The fall of Aleppo would restore Assad’s rule over western Syria’s most important city and deal a devastating blow to the rebels,” reports Reuters.

The strategic and symbolic significance of the liberation of Aleppo is apparent, and now the immediate focus of the US and Gulf powers that support the armed groups is to hinder the advance of Syrian forces and their allies as they consolidate control over Castello road (the last remaining rebel supply route) and surround areas of eastern Aleppo held by insurgents.

The torrent of war-crime accusations and scathing denunciations of Moscow and Damascus in recent days is not authentically motivated by human rights, but rather is a means of using adverse global opinion to pressure Russia into easing the Syrian army’s offensive, which may otherwise soon defeat the remaining rebel forces in Aleppo.

Dismal human rights violations have undoubtedly occurred since the collapse of the ceasefire, perpetuated by both sides. That being said, it is crucial to acknowledge that when similar rights violations are committed by Israel in its suppression of Palestinians, by Saudi Arabia in its illegal war in Yemen, or by US-backed forces fighting in Syria, the moral indignation of the international community is dramatically subdued.

The difference is that Syria is enforcing its legal right to territorial sovereignty against insurgents armed by hostile states, a predicament that any state would meet with lethal force. The furious vilification of the Syrian and Russian militaries is entirely political, and a telling indication that Western and Gulf powers see themselves on the losing side of the conflict.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has gone as far as threatening countries with complicity in war crimes should they not support an upcoming security council resolution imposing a ceasefire in Aleppo, which could only be an overtly politicised document filled with untenable concessions designed to be vetoed by Russia.

During his farewell address to the UN General Assembly, the supine and ever-obsequious Ban Ki-moon singled out the government of Syria as being the party most guilty of human rights violations. Is it not one of the great scandals of the Syrian conflict that the Secretary-General has placed the government of a UN member state on a lower moral tier than terrorist organisations like Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State?

Ban’s statement reflects the deep ideological distortions of the Syrian narrative pushed by Western and Gulf powers to support toppling the government of Bashar al-Assad. One cannot talk seriously of human rights violators without apportioning blame for the bloodshed on the parties who have flooded Syria with armed mercenaries for their geopolitical pursuits, all of whom the Secretary-General has never meaningfully taken to task.

In the face of the Syrian army closing in around Aleppo, the US has indicated that it intends to halt diplomacy with Russia and escalate its use of force. Reuters reports:

“The U.S. officials said the failure of diplomacy in Syria has left the Obama administration no choice but to consider alternatives, most of which involve some use of force… the list of options is narrowing to supporting rebel counter attacks elsewhere with additional weaponry or even air strikes, which ‘might not reverse the tide of battle, but might cause the Russians to stop and think.’”



“The most dramatic option under consideration – but considered less likely – would be a U.S. air strike on a Syrian air base far from the fighting between Assad’s troops and rebel forces in the north, officials said.”

Though the Obama administration has exercised a decreasing measure of restraint when directly engaging Syrian government targets, there are growing indications that the administration believes the objectives of Western and Gulf policy cannot be met without exerting greater force. Should the US president not show an appetite for escalation in his final months in office, his successor will.

Nile Bowie is a political analyst based in Malaysia who has written for a number of publications, his expertise lies in a number of areas, with a particular focus on Asian politics and geopolitics, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”.

 

[angelburst29]

A US official said the Obama administration is set to discuss striking positions of the Syrian military without a UN Security Council resolution, while bombing air force runways with missiles fired from coalition planes and ships is being considered, according to a report.

Report: Covert Strikes on Syrian Army Back on US Table to Prevent ‘Fall of Aleppo’
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714001436

A US administration official who is to take part in the discussions told the Washington Post that one proposed way "to get around the White House’s objection to striking the Assad regime without a UN Security Council resolution would be to carry out the strikes covertly and without public acknowledgment”, RT reported.

A meeting of the Obama administration’s Principals Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, the newspaper reported, adding that a meeting of the National Security Council could follow this weekend.

“The CIA and the Joint Staff have said that the fall of Aleppo would undermine America’s counterterrorism goals in Syria,” he added.

After threatening to withdraw from the Syrian peace process for weeks, Washington finally announced the “suspension” of bilateral contact with Moscow concerning the crisis on Monday.

Although contact to “deconflict” encounters between the aircraft of the US and Russian militaries in Syrian skies will continue, the US is withdrawing personnel dispatched for the purpose of setting up a Joint Implementation Center (JIC) for the ceasefire.

The JIC, which would have been located in Geneva, was to coordinate military cooperation and intelligence-sharing between Russia and the US-led coalition fighting ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

There is “nothing more for the US and Russia to talk about” in Syria, White House spokesman Josh Earnest concluded on Monday.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it was “disappointed” by the decision, while accusing the US of trying to shift the blame for its own failure in Syria. Russia has made efforts to preserve the September 9 ceasefire agreement, repeatedly urging Washington to live up to its obligations, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said on Monday.

“It turns out that Washington has failed to fulfill the key condition of the agreement to ease humanitarian situation for the residents of Aleppo” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. “And now, apparently, having failed to honor these agreements that they themselves worked out, the US is trying to shift the blame.”

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended Moscow’s participation in a program that disposes of plutonium from decommissioned nuclear warheads, citing “a radical change in the environment, a threat to strategic stability posed by the hostile actions of the US against Russia, and the inability of the US to deliver on the obligation to dispose of excessive weapons plutonium under international treaties.”

Washington deemed that decision “disappointing.”

Asked if the US had fulfilled its own long-standing obligation to separate militants from terrorists, State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau replied, “We believe we did.”

When RT’s Gayane Chichakyan reminded Trudeau that several major militant groups had refused to abide by the ceasefire outright, the spokeswoman hit back: “We expected good faith efforts, not only from rebel groups on the ground… but also Russia."

“If attacked, opposition groups have the right to defend themselves,” she added.

A Russian navy spokesman said on Wednesday that two missile corvettes of Russia's Black Sea Fleet left their base in Sevastopol to reinforce Russia's group of warships in the Mediterranean.

Two Russia's Kalibr Missile-Armed Ships to Reach Mediterranean
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714001220

The warships, The Serpukhov and The Zelyony Dol which are equipped with Kalibr long-range cruise missiles, left Sevastopol on Tuesday and are expected to reach the Mediterranean on Wednesday evening, Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet spokesman Nikolai Voskresensky said, Business Standard reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that a battery of S-300 air defense systems has been delivered to Syria to protect a naval base in the port of Tartus as well as Russian warships deployed off the Syrian coast.

“Syria received an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. This system is designed to ensure the safety of the naval base in Syrian city of Tartus and ships located in the coastal area in Syria said Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov.

Konashenkov said it is unclear why the deployment of the missile system has created such a fuss in the West, adding that the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system is a purely defensive system and poses no threat.

The system reportedly has a range of 250 kilometers (roughly 150 miles) and can simultaneously engage up to 24 aircraft or 16 ballistic targets in various combinations.

Several Syrian parliamentary and legal figures have called on the people of Deir Ezzur to lodge a complaint over Washington's recent killing of civilians and destruction of the province's infrastructure.

Syrian People to File Lawsuit against US over Deir Ezzur Massacre
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714001144

According to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Nabil Saleh, a senior Syrian lawmaker, has filed the lawsuit and wants the US to compensate for the damages and losses it has inflicted on the people of Deir Ezzur.

Also, Bassam Sabbaq, a specialist in the international laws, said that a US attorney can be hired to lodge a complaint with the country's courts against Washington.

If the Deir Ezzur people win the legal dispute, then they can receive compensation from the US, and Washington should apologize to them, he added.

Sabbaq called on those people of Deir Ezzur who have lost their family members or sustained damage in the US fighter jets' airstrikes to provide him with their information for legal procedures.

Local sources in Deir Ezzur said on Monday that the US airstrikes have destroyed more bridges and supply routes in the province, adding that 50 civilians were killed in the attacks.

"50 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the US-led coalition airstrikes on Deir Ezzur," the sources said.

Noting that the US airstrikes have pounded 7 bridges in the past four days, they said that the bridges on the Euphrates in al-Mayadeen, al-Bu Kamal, al-Ashara, al-Basira, al-Tarif and al-Nowam in the Eastern and Western countryside of Deir Ezzur were attacked before the airstrike on al-Abbas bridge on Sunday.

Army sources in Syria said on Sunday that the US pounded several strategic bridges in Deir Ezzur in the last few days to prevent the army and its allies' further advances in the fight against the ISIL terrorists.

"The US aimed to extend the geographical area of its influence by bombing the strategic bridges in Deir Ezzur and stop the Syrian army's advance in the war against the ISIL," the source told FNA.

"Washington also sought to cut the supply routes between the provinces and separate Deir Ezzur's countryside from the city of Deir Ezzur through the bombing," the source added.

"Destruction of Deir Ezzur bridges was also aimed at dividing the regions under the US and Russian influence in the Eastern and Western parts of the Euphrates," the source said.

The US-led coalition fighter jets once again conducted air raids over Deir Ezzur province on Friday, destroying two other key bridges over the Euphrates River, just three days after demolishing two other strategic bridges in similar airstrikes in the same region near the border with Iraq.

According to reports, the Coalition’s airstrikes resulted in the destruction of al-Shihan Bridge near al-Salhin neighborhood in al-Bu Kamal countryside and Tarif Bridge in the Western countryside that extends between Deir Ezzur and Raqqa provinces.

The US-led coalition warplanes had also destroyed al-Asharah Bridge that links the two banks of the river in the Eastern part of the Deir Ezzur province last Wednesday, only few hours after demolishing al-Mayadeen Bridge.

The bombers had also targeted the Syrian army troops near the city of Deir Ezzur on September 17, leaving over 90 military personnel dead and a hundred wounded.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed a report by the Syrian state news agency that an ISIL offensive began right after Syrian Army positions were hit by the bombers of the US-led coalition.

The actions of the coalition “clearly paved the way for ISIL terrorists to attack the position and take control of it,” the agency said citing the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces.

The General Command called the bombing a “serious and blatant aggression” against Syrian forces, and said it was "conclusive evidence" that the US and its allies support ISIL terrorist group.

A day later, a military source disclosed that the ISIL launched attacks on the Syrian army positions in Deir Ezzur only 7 minutes after the US-led coalition's airstrikes.

The military source reiterated that the air and ground assault were highly coordinated.

A Syrian top official said the country's intelligence unit possesses an audio recording of a conversation between the ISIL group and the US military before the airstrikes by the US-led coalition on the Syrian army troops near Deir Ezzur on September 17.

The speaker of the People's Council of Syria, Hadiya Khalaf Abbas, said that after the US coalition's airstrikes on the government troops, US military directed terrorists' attack on the Syrian army.

A senior commander of Ahrar al-Sham terrorist group was killed in clashes with Syrian Army troops in Northern Homs.

Notorious Field Commander of Terrorists Killed in Syrian Army Attacks in Homs
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714001000

Abdul Qader Jahwani, a commander of Ahrar al-Sham, was killed in the Syrian military forces' attacks on the terrorist group's stronghold in Talbiseh.

Several more notorious terrorists, including Samer Abdu Satouf, Adnan Hossein Da'aboul and Abdul Wahab al-Shaqar were also killed in the attacks.

In the meantime, concentration centers of Ahrar al-Sham and Fatah al-Sham Front (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) in Ezzedeen, al-Houla, Abu Anz Farms in Northern and Northwestern Homs came under the attack of the Syrian government forces.

Initial reports indicated dozens of casualties on the terrorists' side.

Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was a “gibbering super junkie” in the final year of the Second World War, an author has claimed.

New Book Reveals Adolf Hitler Drug Addiction
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950714001478

In a new book on the Fuhrer’s drug addiction, it is revealed that when Adolf Hitler found that bull semen was no longer giving him the lift he needed, he turned to injections of a heroin-like opiate that eventually caused his veins to collapse, News daily reported.

And while Hitler and his Nazi regime murdered millions in the name of a physically and morally superior ‘master race’, award-winning German author Norman Ohler’s appropriately titled Blitzed says the German troops’ march through Europe was fuelled by crystal meth,

By Ohler’s account, Hitler was an irredeemable drug user with ruined veins by the time he retreated to the last of his bunkers as the Red Army invaded Berlin in 1945.

Using notes made by Hitler’s personal physician, Dr Theodor Morell, Ohler narrowed down the Nazi leader’s drug use to three distinct stages.

While Hitler favoured high intravenous doses of vitamins and glucose from 1936, by the time Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 the Fuhrer had turned to “steroids and hormone products like liver extracts of pigs, stuff like that, pretty unsavoury things got into his veins”, Ohler told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.

Hitler was said to have taken crystal meth before his final meeting with Italian fascist leader Benito Mussolini in July 1943, during which he reportedly ranted solidly for two hours.

The Fuhrer then became addicted to a heroin-like substance called Eukodel, which was prescribed following a nervous breakdown in 1944.

According to Ohler, Hitler began the Eukodel regime after narrowly surviving the 1944 assassination attempt known as Operation Valkyrie, in which German resistance planted a bomb in a briefcase under his desk.

Both of Hitler’s eardrums were burst in the explosion and his body was riddled with splinters from the wooden table that shielded him from the blast, leaving him a nervous wreck.

Dr Morell’s diaries also suggest Hitler was treated with Mutaflor for stomach cramps, the barbiturate Brom-Nervacit, bulls’ semen for testosterone boosts and crystal meth.

 

[angelburst29]

US prepared ‘to fight’ in Russia, China missile defense zones – Naval ops chief (Video)
https://www.rt.com/usa/361708-us-navy-zones-access/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vuNuR4tvKE (58:53 min.)

The US Navy is seemingly ready to conduct operations in areas regarded as no-go missile areas, said the US Chief of Naval Operations. Such defense missile zones can be found at Russia’s and China’s coastlines.

This was announced by Admiral John Richardson during remarks made at the US Naval Institute – CSIS Maritime Security Dialogue.

He said that from now on the US Navy is “scaling down” the term ‘A2/AD’ (anti-access/area denial) from its communications.

Earlier, these areas were viewed as “an impenetrable keep out zone that forces can only enter at extreme peril to their existence, let alone their mission,” Richardson wrote in an article for the National Interest outlet.

“It’s a term bandied about pretty freely and lacks the precise definition it probably would benefit from, and that ambiguity sends a variety of signals,” he said on Tuesday.

“We’ll no longer use the term A2/AD as a stand-alone acronym [sic] that can mean all things to all people or anything to anyone – we have to be better than that,” Richardson said.

He went on to explain why the US military decided to ditch the reference.

“Since different theaters present unique challenges, a ‘one size fits all’ term to describe the mission and the challenge creates confusion, not clarity. Instead, we will talk in specifics about our strategies and capabilities relative to those of our potential adversaries, within the specific context of geography, concepts, and technologies,” he said.

According to Richardson, the current understanding of the term simplifies the real state of things which is “far more complex” than lines on the map.

The lines marking these zones used to show the limits of missile defense systems’ ranges. If the aircraft or an aircraft carrier crossed the ark, it was risking to be destroyed, he said.

It is noteworthy that such zones – at least, the majority of them – are located on the coastlines of Russia and China.

It would appear as if the US were prepared to take a risk to increase their presence in the no-go zones.

“It's actually really hard to achieve a hit. It requires the completion of a really complex chain of events. The threats they are based on are not insurmountable, and can be managed, will be managed,” Richardson said.

“Have no doubt, the US Navy is prepared to go wherever it needs to go, at any time, and stay there for as long as necessary in response to our leadership’s call to project our strategic influence,” he said.

Tensions have been running high over the US expansion. In June, Russia warned the US about American warships entering the Black Sea and “response measures” from Moscow that could follow. The USS Porter (DDG-78), armed with assault cruise missiles and an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System entered the Black Sea at the beginning of June.

Another hotspot for the conflict is South Korea, where the US is determined to deploy the THAAD anti-missile system.

Beijing has repeatedly voiced strong objections to the deployment of the system, vowing to take the “necessary” steps to maintain a strategic power balance in the region. A week ago, however, the US said it will deploy the system to South Korea “as soon as possible.”

In mid-September, Russia and China held joint drills, with their culmination off the coast of China’s southern Guangdong Province.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has criticized Russia for supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, describing it as "irresponsible and profoundly ill-advised."

Kerry slams Russia for backing Syrian government
http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/10/05/487720/US-Russia-Syria-Kerry

Kerry made the remarks on Tuesday before the opening of a conference on Afghanistan organized by the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.

“My government is absolutely convinced that we are in pursuit of the correct goals in Syria,” Kerry said, adding, “but we acknowledge in sorrow, and I have to tell you with a great sense of outrage, that Russia has turned a blind eye to Assad’s deplorable use of…chlorine gas, barrel bombs against his people.”

He alleged that Russia and the Syrian government “have rejected diplomacy,” and instead are “trying to pursue a military victory over the broken bodies, the bombed-out hospitals, the traumatized children of a long-suffering land.”

US to blame for talks failure

Russia, however, says that the US is to blame for the failure of diplomatic talks aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria.

“The problem is that for the whole time we were involved in Russian-American negotiations… we realized very clearly that the US had no joint position. Different organizations, different structures in Washington were taking different positions on what’s going on Syria. They had absolutely different views,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during an interview with RT on Tuesday.

The American officials have repeatedly changed their minds and points of view over the events in Syria, she said. “Probably, that was the main reason why they failed in fulfilling those agreements that we achieved.”

US State Department spokesman John Kirby said Monday that Washington was suspending participation in bilateral channels with Moscow that were established to maintain the cessation of hostilities in the war-torn country.

He also accused Russia of not delivering on its commitments under a ceasefire agreement by stepping up airstrikes in the city of Aleppo, which has been divided between government forces in the west and the militants in the east since 2012.

Russia to keep assisting Syrian forces

On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the suspension of the talks did not mean "Russia will renounce its plans to assist Syria's armed forces in the fight against terrorism."

The Russian Defense Ministry announced on the same day that it had deployed the S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system to Syria to defend Russia's naval base in the city of Tartus and its ships in the coastal area.

Last November, Russia deployed its newest S-400 missile system to Hmeimim Air Base in Syria following the downing of a Russian jet by Turkey in Syria.

Russia has been supporting the Syrian government in its campaign to take back Aleppo from the terrorists.

Government forces, backed by the Russian air campaign, have managed to gain more ground against foreign-sponsored militants in the strategic northwestern city.

Kerry urges Russia to ground its aircraft

“Russia knows exactly what it needs to do to get that cessation implemented in a fair and reasonable way,” Kerry said on Tuesday.

"We will continue to pursue a meaningful, sustainable, enforceable cessation of hostilities throughout the country – and that includes the grounding of Syrian and Russian combat aircraft in designated areas," he noted.

The foreign-sponsored crisis in Syria began in March 2011 and has so far claimed the lives of more than 400,000 people, according to a UN estimate.

Meanwhile, the official SANA news agency said Syrian government forces killed 30 terrorists in Dayr Khabiya settlement in a suburb of the capital, Damascus.

Syrian government forces also destroyed 12 vehicles belonging to the terrorists. The army also gained control of eight buildings southwest of the strategic Abu Siyah Hill in the suburban Damascus area.

Government forces also repelled a militant attack and inflicted losses on militants in West Ghouta in the vicinity of Quneitra, the capital of the Quneitra Governorate in southwestern Syria

On the ground

Meanwhile, the official SANA news agency said Syrian government forces killed 30 terrorists in Dayr Khabiya settlement in a suburb of the capital, Damascus.

Syrian government forces also destroyed 12 vehicles belonging to the terrorists. The army also gained control of eight buildings southwest of the strategic Abu Siyah Hill in the suburban Damascus area.

Government forces also repelled a militant attack and inflicted losses on militants in West Ghouta in the vicinity of Quneitra, the capital of the Quneitra Governorate in southwestern Syria

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia suspends cooperation with US in nuclear, energy sectors

http://tass.com/politics/904430?_ga=1.244024325.1081960895.1475302692

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree on the suspension of an agreement between Russia and the US on cooperation in research and development in the nuclear and energy sectors. The text of the document has been posted on the Cabinet website on Wednesday.

"In connection with the imposition of restrictions on cooperation with the Russian Federation in nuclear energy by the United States of America … to suspend the agreement between the government of the Russian Federation and the government of the United States of America on cooperation in research and development in the nuclear and energy sectors of September 16, 2013," the decree says.

Russia suspends another nuclear deal with US due to Washington's unfriendly steps

http://tass.com/politics/904464?_ga=1.240151683.1081960895.1475302692

"The step has been taken in response to restrictions imposed by the United States on Russia in the nuclear energy sector," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement

Russia has suspended its agreement with the United States on cooperation in nuclear and energy research as a countermeasure against Washington’s unfriendly steps, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The step has been taken in response to restrictions imposed by the United States on Russia in the nuclear energy sector. In 2014 a notification was received from Washington, saying that the US suspended such cooperation with Russia over the Ukraine developments," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary released on Wednesday.

"In the current situation, Russia suspends the agreement as a countermeasure to US unfriendly activities," the commentary said.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry pointed out that the United States by its decision to freeze cooperation with Russia over the Ukraine events "has in fact frozen ties in sciences and technology in all the spheres fixed in the agreement and made impossible implementation of the projects that are of interest for both countries."

Earlier in the day, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev put his signature under a resolution suspending the Russian-US nuclear and energy research agreement.

Russian Eastern Military District’s missile regiment up for snap checks

http://tass.com/defense/904477?_ga=1.2244656.1081960895.1475302692

The exercise involves Iskander-M tactical missile systems

A missile regiment of the Russian Eastern Military District stationed in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast was alarmed for snap checks, the district’s acting head of the press service Colonel Vadim Astafyev said on Thursday.

"The regiment’s personnel including a column of military equipment, with Iskander-M tactical missile systems among them, carried out a two-kilometer march to the Bidjansky training range," Astafyev said.

During the snap checks, representatives of a special commission will assess military and mobilization readiness of the missile regiment, the level of personnel’s military training and coordination between units. "During the week, servicemen will demonstrate individual skills in fire and tactical training; radiation, chemical and biological protection and other parts of military training," Astafyev noted.

He added that the whole personnel of the missile regiment will be involved in the snap checks, along with 100% of weapons, military and special equipment.

Duma’s committee to consider issue of indefinite deployment of Russia air group in Syria

http://tass.com/politics/904469?_ga=1.77705108.1081960895.1475302692

The explanatory note to the agreement says that the Russian air group is deployed on the Syrian territory at the request of Damascus

The Russian State Duma’s Committee on International Affairs will consider on Thursday the issue of ratifying the agreement between Moscow and Damasus on indefinite deployment of the Russian air group in Syria. Deputy Defense Minister Nikolay Pankov will present a report at the Duma committee’s session.

The document was signed on 26 August 2015 in Damascus, and almost a year later - on 9 August 2016 - was submitted to the State Duma for consideration by the Russian president, the committee’s head Leonid Slutsky told journalists. "In light of the latest steps made by our partners from the United States, first of all, in their unilateral withdrawal from the February agreements with Russia on Syrian settlement, in particular on ceasefire, the ratification of the agreement is becoming especially relevant," Slutsky said. He added that the deployment of the Russian air group in Syria "is in line with the aims of maintaining peace and stability in the region," including in the sphere of fighting against international terrorism.

The explanatory note to the agreement says that the Russian air group is deployed on the Syrian territory at the request of Damascus. The group is stationed at the Hmeymim airbase in the Latakia province free of charge. The Russian air group is used in accordance with a decision of its commander and in coordination with representatives of Syria. The composition of the air group is determined by the Russian side.

"Armaments, ammunition, equipment and materials necessary for the fulfillment of appropriate tasks by the Russian air group, for ensuring security and vital functions of its personnel, are delivered to Syria without any charges or tariffs. The personnel of the Russian air group freely cross the border, and are not subject to any checks by Syrian border control or customs authorities," the document noted.

The agreement guarantees immunity to all members of the Russian air group, including their family, analogous to diplomatic immunity, as well as untouchability of their property, archives, documents and transport.

"The agreement is made for an indefinite period of time and is temporarily used from the date of its signing," the explanatory note to the document said.

On 30 September 2015, Russia launched a military operation in Syria on the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad. In March 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to withdraw the main part of the Russian air group from Syria.

Obama considering more sanctions against Syria

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/06/487841/Obama-US-UN-sanctions-Syria

US President Barack Obama is considering more sanctions against Syria that could target lower-level military officers, following the failure of US and Russian efforts to revive a failed ceasefire in the country.

American officials and diplomats said the new strategy is still being discussed, but initial efforts may focus on passing United Nations sanctions against those responsible for the chemical weapons attack three years ago.

A UN-backed panel is expected in the next few weeks to present new findings about the deadly chemical attacks in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta in 2013.

Syrian opposition groups and their western allies claim the nerve gas attacks were launched by the Syrian government. Damascus rejects the allegation, saying the attack was carried out by militants operating inside the country to draw in foreign intervention. Subsequent investigations by the UN and Russia backed Syria’s assertions.

Most of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's top government and military officials are already the subjects of US travel bans and assets freezes.

However, Washington’s efforts to add sanctions against Damascus could force Moscow to wield its veto in the UN Security Council.

"What we are doing now is a different type of diplomacy -- one which might be more robust -- it could be resolutions which are designed to put pressure on them," a US diplomat at the UN said.

"The strategy that we are on is to try to change Russian behavior and let's face it, we have not been very successful at that in the year that they have been militarily supporting Assad," the diplomat added.

Russia has been supporting the Syrian government in its campaign against terrorist groups operating in the country.

Syrian government forces, backed by the Russian air campaign, have managed to gain more ground against foreign-sponsored militants.

On Monday, the United States suspended bilateral channels with Moscow that were established to maintain the cessation of hostilities in the war-torn country amid rising tensions over the embattled city of Aleppo. The US has been working with Russia for months to try to secure a ceasefire in Syria.

Al Nusra Takes Advantage of Aid Corridors to Regroup – Moscow

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20161006/1046044751/nusra-uses-aid-corridors.html

Jabhat Fatah al Sham terrorists in Syria used the recent US-Russia peace agreement to regroup near the city of Aleppo.

Members of the Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as al-Nusra Front, or Jabhat al-Nusra) extremist group in Syria used the recent US-Russia peace agreement to regroup near the city of Aleppo, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"In the time that was supposed to be used to implement the agreements, Nusra regrouped, replenished its supplies, including weapons, changed its disposition," Zakharova said in a Wednesday interview with the Rossiya 1 TV channel.

The spokeswoman explained that the US-Russia peace agreement on Syria reached in September was supposed to ensure that none of the conflicting sides in Syria use humanitarian corridors for weapons supplies.

According to Zakharova, while the Syrian government forces fulfilled the agreements, "on the other side nobody moved a finger" to follow through with the deal.

On September 9, Russia and the United States reached an agreement for a peace process in Syria. A ceasefire stipulated by the deal entered into force on September 12, but while it was supposed to last at least seven days for the next steps to be taken toward the Syrian settlement, it disintegrated soon.

Both Syrian government forces and the so-called "moderate" opposition claimed the other side had violated the truce.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that the United States had proven unable to meet its obligations on Syria, including unblocking the Castello road in Aleppo and differentiating between terrorists and armed opposition groups in Syria.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups, such as Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham, both of which are banned in Russia and a range of other countries.

ISIS suicide bombing kills 23 people near Syrian border-town (Photos)

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-suicide-bombing-kills-23-people-near-syrian-border-town/

The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) conducted a suicide bombing at the border-town of Atmeh on thursday, killing 23 people and wounding several others.

According to Syrian opposition activists on social media, the suicide bombing killed 23 people in total, including 16 militants that were fighting with Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest) in the Idlib Governorate.

The Islamic State's media wing "Al-Amaq" released an official statement on Thursday morning that claimed responsibility for this suicide bombing.

Today's suicide bombing is the first Islamic State attack on the Syrian border-town of Atmeh.

 

[goyacobol]

U.S. runs out of options in Syria

Shortly before the US announcement of its decision to suspend talks with Russia on the 'cessation of hostilities' agreement reached by US Secretary State Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov on 9th September 2016, a clearly well-sourced article setting out US options was published by Reuters.

This article was clearly written on the basis of information provided by senior officials of the US government. It confirms that "staff level" discussions are underway in the US in light of the collapse of the Kerry-Lavrov agreement and the Syrian army's advances in Aleppo, though as of the date of publication of the Reuters article (29th September 2016) no suggestions of what to do had been made to Obama.

Here is a list of the options apparently being considered

(1) "supporting rebel counter attacks elsewhere with additional weaponry or even air strikes, which "might not reverse the tide of battle, but might cause the Russians to stop and think"";

(2) "a U.S. air strike on a Syrian air base far from the fighting between Assad's troops and rebel forces in the north" (the Syrian air base in question is probably the one at Deir Ezzor);

(3) "sending more U.S. special operations forces to train and advise Kurdish and Syrian rebel groups";

(4) "deploying additional American and allied naval and airpower to the eastern Mediterranean, where a French aircraft carrier is already en route".

Apparently the idea of supplying more shoulder held surface to air missiles to the Jihadis has been ruled out because "the Obama administration fears (they) could fall into the hands of Islamic State militants or al Qaeda-linked groups".

As for the idea of a no-fly zone ("a humanitarian airlift to rebel-held areas (NB: this almost certain refers to Aleppo - AM), which would require escorts by U.S. warplanes") this has apparently been deemed "too risky" and has been "moved down the list".

This list of options exposes how completely out of options the US really is.

Options (1) and (2) cannot influence the course of the fighting in Aleppo and US officials apparently admit as much. On past experience option (1) is less likely to make the Russians "stop and think" than to make them more determined and more angry.

Option (3) is a case of more of the same. The US has been doing this for years without achieving any results.

Option (4) is essentially symbolic unless it is intended to prepare the way for the declaration of a no-fly zone, which however US officials seem to be ruling out.

If reports are to be believed the Russians may be taking more steps to guard against the possibility of the US declaring a no-fly zone. Fox News is reporting US officials as saying that the Russians have reinforced the S400 anti aircraft missile system they have already deployed to Syria with a number of advanced S-300VM "Antey-2500″ anti aircraft systems.

Whilst the Russians have not confirmed this report, if it is true then it makes any US attempt to impose a no-fly zone even more risky. A sign that the report probably is true is that the Kremlin is pointedly failing to deny it.

Comment: Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed the deployment of advanced S-300VM "Antey-2500" surface to air missiles to Syria.


The Russians have also pointedly reminded the US that they know the whereabouts of all US military personnel in Syria, including presumably those supposedly present in the various Jihadi headquarters (or "operations rooms") existing in the country.

This looks frankly like a threat to retaliate against US military personnel if Russian military personnel in Syria are attacked by the US.

There have been unconfirmed reports that the Russians did exactly that by attacking a Jihadi "operations room" partly staffed by US and Western military personnel following the US attack on the Syrian military near Deir Ezzor. If those reports are true then the implied threat the Russians are making to retaliate against US troops in the event of attacks upon their own military is not an empty one.

One way or the other, it is not difficult to see why the US might conclude that imposing a no-fly zone is "too risky" and why this option has been "moved down the list".

Possibly because the US has no real options short of steps that might threaten a nuclear war with Russia, Kerry spoke twice by telephone to Lavrov over the weekend, presumably in an attempt to get the Russians to get the Syrians to pull back in Aleppo so as to preserve the US's bluff. However it is clear he found Lavrov immoveable.

Lavrov has instead been issuing a series of statements accusing the US of siding with Jabhat Al-Nusra (ie. Al-Qaeda), questioning whether President Obama is any longer in control of the US military, and calling into question Kerry's good faith.

Further twisting the knife, Valentina Matviyenko, the Speaker of Russia's Federation Council (the upper house of Russia's parliament) and a member of Russia's top executive body, the Security Council, has dismissively characterised the US decision to suspend work with Russia on implementing the Kerry-Lavrov agreement as the
".... agony of the ingloriously outgoing administration which has totally failed its foreign policy in the Middle East"
Here I would say that I am personally somewhat baffled by some of the alarm expressed over the US decision to pull out of further talks on implementing the Kerry-Lavrov agreement. Since the agreement has completely collapsed I for once agree with the US that there is little point continuing to talk about implementing it.

The US is not saying that it is suspending all diplomatic contact with Russia over Syria, as some commentators appear to think. On the contrary diplomatic and military contacts between the US and Russia over Syria are continuing as before.

As I have said previously, given the fanatical nature of some of the people in Washington it is impossible to be sure that a dangerous escalation will not happen. Advocates of imposing a no-fly zone and of attacks on the Syrian military and by extension on the Russian military in Syria (eg. Senators McCain and Lindsey Graham and General David Petraeus) are certainly still there.

However the risks seem so wildly out of proportion to the potential gains that it is difficult to believe that such things will happen, and the Reuters report appears to confirm that these madly dangerous ideas are continuing to be ruled out.

The reality is that on any sane assessment it is the Russians who now hold all the cards in Syria. Even a commentator such as the BBC's Mark Mardell, who is no friend or admirer of Putin's or of Russia's, has now acknowledged as much
"No-one I have spoken to can explain to me why Russia will not get its way in Syria and, by extension, how President Assad could be removed from power, unless President Putin wills it.

This may not be a desirable state of affairs but, unless I am missing something profound, it is the state of the world in which we live."
As time runs out for the Jihadis in Aleppo that is the reality which the paucity of viable US options in Syria exposed by the article Reuters makes increasingly obvious.

Comment: For more analysis:Escalations in the war on Syria: Russia sends in S-300 missile defense system, Syrian Army advances in Aleppo

 

[angelburst29]

Russian Defense Ministry believes that the leaks to the media about possible US strikes on the Syrian army could be a preface to real action, spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.

Intel Suggests CIA, Pentagon Behind Media Leaks About US Strikes on Syrian Army
https://sputniknews.com/news/20161006/1046061966/cia-pentagon-strikes-syrian-army.html

"A number of Western media outlets have published "leaks" about the talks held in the White House administration about the possibility to hold missile and airstrikes on the positions of the Syrian army," Konashenkov said. "As history has shown, such "leaks" often prove to be a preface to real action."

I point out to all the 'hotheads' that following the September 17 coalition airstrike on the Syrian Army in Deir ez-Zor we took all necessary measures to exclude any similar 'accidents' happening to Russian forces in Syria," Konashenkov said.

Today, the majority of Russian officers from the Russian Centre for reconciliation of opposing sides in the Syrian Arab Republic, are working on the ground, providing humanitarian help and holding talks with the leaders of local communities and militia units in the majority of Syrian provinces."

He commented further that "Russian S-300, S-400 air defense systems deployed in Syria's Hmeymim and Tartus have combat ranges that may surprise any unidentified airborne targets. Operators of Russian air defense systems won't have time to identify the origin of airstrikes, and the response will be immediate. Any illusions about "invisible" jets will inevitably be crushed by disappointing reality."

The US' efforts to separate "moderate rebels" from radical extremists in northern Aleppo largely failed because there aren't any "moderates" in the region, experts assume, adding that Washington is taking efforts to prevent the Syrian Arab Army from liberating Aleppo.

US Ready 'to Do Whatever It Takes to Prevent Assad From Liberating Aleppo'
https://sputniknews.com/politics/20161006/1046067933/us-syria-aleppo.html

Washington has failed to separate so-called moderate rebels from terrorists in Syria; furthermore, the US leadership has repeatedly tried to divert public attention from the fact that "moderates" have been spotted cooperating with designated foreign terrorist organizations including al-Qaeda affiliates and Daesh (ISIS/ISIL), Bangkok-based geopolitical researcher and writer Tony Cartalucci noted in his article for New Eastern Outlook.

http://journal-neo.org/2016/10/06/the-real-reason-the-us-cant-separate-moderates-from-al-qaeda-in-syria/

Instead, Washington has shifted the focus of its narrative to the humanitarian crisis unfolding amid final operations to restore security to the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, Cartalucci stressed.

"The operation however, headed by Syrian forces [the Syrian Arab Army] and supported by its allies including Russia, aims to bring the last remaining districts of the city under government control. Already, the vast majority of Aleppo's remaining 2 million residents live in government controlled territory, with less than a quarter of a million trapped in terrorist held sections of the city," the geopolitical analyst emphasized.


In his recent interview with RT Bashar al-Jaafari, the current Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the UN, specified that "1.75 million people [in Aleppo] decided to live in the areas under government control because they feel safer," while "about 275,000 civilians unfortunately were taken hostage by the terrorists of al-Nusra Front and Jaish al-Fath."

https://www.rt.com/op-edge/361309-syria-us-russia-un/

However, the Syrian Arab Army's efforts to liberate Aleppo from terrorists have been presented by the Western media as "Assad's aggression" against Syrian civilians.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the White House is considering launching "limited military strikes against the regime as a means of forcing Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to pay a cost for his violations of the cease-fire, disrupt his ability to continue committing war crimes against civilians in Aleppo."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2016/10/04/obama-administration-considering-strikes-on-assad-again/

What is more important, however, "the fall of Aleppo would undermine America's counterterrorism goals in Syria," an unnamed senior administration official told the media outlet.

Russian online newspaper Vzglyad's observers Andrei Rezchikov and Mikhail Moshkin suggest that the US leadership will do whatever it takes to prevent the Russian-backed Syrian Arab Army (SAA) from liberating Aleppo.

http://vz.ru/politics/2016/10/4/836211.html

The observers quoted Russia's former deputy general secretary of the UN, Sergei Ordzhonikidze
who told RIA Novosti that Washington "does not want the Syrian [Arab Army] forces to retake Aleppo [from Islamists] with [Russia's] assistance."

https://ria.ru/syria/20161004/1478460001.html

The crux of the matter is that in the event of this, extremists of all sorts would be eventually defeated in the region, he explained; thus far, Washington is taking every effort to prevent such an outcome.

Ordzhonikidze's remarks come as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Hussein called for the UN Security Council to limit permanent member states' veto power "as a way to resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Syrian city of Aleppo." Ordzhonikidze suspects that Washington could have been behind Hussein's initiative, seeking to limit Russia's veto power in the UN Security Council.

It is worth mentioning that the initiative was voiced after the US' unilateral decision to halt cooperation with Russia on Syria, Rezchikov and Moshkin highlighted.

Commenting on the matter Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reminded journalists that "having the veto is not a privilege but… an issue of the balance of power." According to Cartalucci, the root of Washington's unusual affection for "moderate Islamists" goes deep into history.
He quoted Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh, who shed light on the Bush administration's plans aimed against Iran and Syria in his 2007 article.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/03/05/the-redirection

To undermine Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, the Bush Administration has decided, in effect, to reconfigure its priorities in the Middle East… The US has also taken part in clandestine operations aimed at Iran and its ally Syria. A by-product of these activities has been the bolstering of Sunni extremist groups that espouse a militant vision of Islam and are hostile to America and sympathetic to al-Qaeda," Hersh wrote.

"[Saudi Prince] Bandar [bin Sultan] and other Saudis have assured the White House that 'they will keep a very close eye on the religious fundamentalists. Their message… was 'We've created this movement, and we can control it'," the investigate journalist revealed.

Remarkably, a 2012 Defense Intelligence Agency's report released by Judicial Watch (Pdf) shows that the Obama administration has been aware since the outset that major driving forces behind the Syrian turmoil were Salafists, the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda in Iraq.

The 2007 report clearly explains why the US cannot 'separate' its alleged 'moderate rebels' from al-Qaeda and its various affiliates — precisely because there were never any 'moderate rebels' to begin with," Cartalucci underscored.

Syrian President Bashar Assad said he regretted the breakdown of Russia-US cooperation on ceasefire in the country, but said he knew from the start it would not work.

Assad Says Regrets US, Russia Halting Cooperation on Syria Ceasefire
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20161006/1046070159/assad-truce-aleppo-cooperation.html

On October 3, US State Department deputy spokesman John Kirby announced that Washington was cutting off participation in bilateral channels with Russia on sustaining a ceasefire agreement in Syria.

"We regret it, but we knew in advance that it wouldn’t work, because the agreement, it’s not only about the talks between the two great powers, it’s not about what they’re going to sign or agree upon; it’s about the will, and we already knew, we had already known that the Americans didn’t have the will to reach any agreement," Assad said in an interview.

At the same time, the Syrian army will continue fighting militants until they leave Aleppo, and will not accept that terrorists are controlling any part of the country, Syrian President Bashar Assad said.

"To continue the fight with the rebels till they leave Aleppo. They have to. There’s no other option. We won’t accept that terrorists will take control of any part of Syria, not only Aleppo. This is our mission, and this is our goal, and this is our next step," Assad told the Danish TV2 channel, as quoted by the SANA news agency, when asked what the Syrian army would do to retake eastern Aleppo.

The transcript of the interview was published by the state-run SANA news agency.

President al-Assad to Denmark’s TV 2: Moderate opposition is a myth… We won’t accept that terrorists will take control of any part of Syria
http://sana.sy/en/?p=89763

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Two warships with Kalibr cruise missiles to join Russia’s Mediterranean grouping

http://tass.com/defense/904381?_ga=1.244024325.1081960895.1475302692

The Serpukhov and the Zelyony Dol, which left Sevastopol on October 4, are now passing through the Black Sea straits and will enter "the Mediterranean Sea water area" in the evening

Third Russian Black Sea Fleet Missile Ship en Route to Syria

https://sputniknews.com/military/20161006/1046049195/russia-syria-missile-ship.html

A third Russian Black Sea Fleet small missile ship has embarked on a voyage to Syria a day after two others entered the Mediterranean waters.

The Kalibr cruise missile-equipped Serpukhov and Zeleny Dol corvettes are planned to join the Russian Navy's permanent task force as part of an off-shore maritime zone rotation in the Mediterranean.

"The third Black Sea Fleet small missile ship, The Mirazh [Project 1234], has left Sevastopol heading to the Mediterranean Sea," a source in the Crimean security agencies told RIA Novosti said, noting that the vessel is equipped with the Malakhit anti-ship missile.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet confirmed that its third small missile ship has embarked on a voyage from Sevastopol, Crimea, to the Mediterranean.

"It is planned that the Black Sea Fleet small missile ship will pass through the Black Sea straits and enter the Mediterranean Sea tomorrow, where it will join the Navy's permanent task force in accordance with the rotation plan," the fleet said.

Russian Navy ships in fight against Islamic State

http://tass.com/defense/838723?_ga=1.43157797.1081960895.1475302692

Russian warships with Kalibr cruise missiles reinforced country’s Mediterranean grouping

The Mirazh small missile-carrying ship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet left for the Mediterranean, where it will join Russia’s permanent naval task force. The ship is armed with Malakhit anti-ship cruise missiles, the Osa-M air defense missile system and artillery pieces. On October 5, two other small missile ships, Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol armed with Kalibr cruise missiles left Sevastopol to join Russia’s Mediterranean grouping. Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol took part in Russia’s anti-terror operation in Syria in mid-August. They fired three Kalibr cruise missiles against Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia). Earlier, Russia's Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu announced that Russia’s heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov is set to join the naval task force in the Mediterranean too.

Several combat ships of the Russian Navy were involved in the anti-terrorism operation in Syria. Guided missile cruiser Moskva was the flagship of Russia's action group in Syria. It was later replaced with Varyag cruiser. According to military-diplomatic source, the group then was reinforced with anti-submarine destroyer Vice-Admiral Kulakov. Starting the October 2015 ships of the Caspian Fleet were also involved in the operation in Syria. Surface action group of the Caspian Fleet comprised the Dagestan missile carrier ship and the Uglich, Grad Sviyazhsk and Veliky Ustyug small-size missile ships. The ships were tasked with protecting cargoes and ensuring air defense.

President al-Assad to Denmark’s TV 2: Moderate opposition is a myth… We won’t accept that terrorists will take control of any part of Syria (Full text of the interview)

http://sana.sy/en/?p=89763


Intel Suggests CIA, Pentagon Behind Media Leaks About US Strikes on Syrian Army

https://sputniknews.com/news/20161006/1046061966/cia-pentagon-strikes-syrian-army.html

Russian Defense Ministry believes that the leaks to the media about possible US strikes on the Syrian army could be a preface to real action, spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said.

"A number of Western media outlets have published "leaks" about the talks held in the White House administration about the possibility to hold missile and airstrikes on the positions of the Syrian army," Konashenkov said. "As history has shown, such "leaks" often prove to be a preface to real action."

"I point out to all the 'hotheads' that following the September 17 coalition airstrike on the Syrian Army in Deir ez-Zor we took all necessary measures to exclude any similar 'accidents' happening to Russian forces in Syria," Konashenkov said.

Konashenkov also said that any missile or air strike on the territories controlled by the Syrian government, would pose clear threat to Russian military personnel.

"Today, the majority of Russian officers from the Russian Centre for reconciliation of opposing sides in the Syrian Arab Republic, are working on the ground, providing humanitarian help and holding talks with the leaders of local communities and militia units in the majority of Syrian provinces."

He commented further that "Russian S-300, S-400 air defense systems deployed in Syria's Hmeymim and Tartus have combat ranges that may surprise any unidentified airborne targets. Operators of Russian air defense systems won't have time to identify the origin of airstrikes, and the response will be immediate. Any illusions about "invisible" jets will inevitably be crushed by disappointing reality."

BREAKING: Russia announces readiness to shoot-down US attack planes - Syria

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/10/breaking-russia-announces-readiness-to.html

October 6th, 2016 - Fort Russ News -
- Collated sources - By Joaquin Flores -

In a stunning development, Russia’s Defense Ministry spokesman General Igor Konashenkov cautioned the US against carrying out airstrikes on Syrian army positions as in Syria there are numerous S-300 and S-400 Russian made air defense systems up and running, which have a a radius that may come as a “a surprise” to all unauthorized US planes in the air, as reported by TASS, RIA, and RT.

The Russian Defense Ministry explained clearly that any airstrikes or missile attacks in territory controlled by the Syrian government would put Russian personnel in danger.

These would, as a matter of policy, require both preventive or responsive measures

According to the defense official, unarmed workers of the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria are also operating in these places and are delivering aid and doing community work with a large number of communities in Syria.

“Therefore, any missile or air strikes on the territory controlled by the Syrian government will create a clear threat to Russian servicemen.”, RIA quoted Konashenkov.

“Russian air defense system crews are unlikely to have time to determine in a ‘straight line’ the exact flight paths of missiles and then who the warheads belong to. And all the illusions of amateurs about the existence of ‘invisible’ jets will face a disappointing reality,” Konashenkov added.

The US's 'stealth' program has been exposed, with increasing public awareness, that it is generally ineffective. The Yugoslav army shot down a US F-117A Nighthawk stealth aircraft in 1999, using the S-125 air defense system from 1961.

According to RT: He also noted that Syria itself has S-200 as well as BUK systems, and their technical capabilities have been updated over the past year."

RT continued their report, stating that: "The Russian Defense Ministry’s statement came in response to what it called “leaks” in the Western media alleging that Washington is considering launching airstrikes against Syrian government forces."

This has been confirmed - Reuters ran the report clearly citing official sources who as a matter of practice normally go unnamed.

“Of particular concern is information that the initiators of such provocations are representatives of the CIA and the Pentagon, who in September reported to the [US] President on the alleged controllability of ‘opposition’ fighters, but today are lobbying for ‘kinetic’ scenarios in Syria,” he said to TASS.

The other clear warning of Russia's readiness to shoot-down US attack planes and respond appropriately to missile attacks (possibly from battleships), he cautioned Washington to conduct a “thorough calculation of the possible consequences of such plans.”

Russia relocated its S-300 system in order to protect Russian ships and the naval base in Tartus, which was confirmed by Russian defense officials on October 4th. Konashenkov explained that the S-300 is a “purely defensive system and poses no threat.”

Russia additionally has S-400 missile defense systems at Hmeimim air base that were placed there after Turkey downed a Russian SU-24 jet in November of 2015, which the general has reiterated will target any unidentified or aggressive planes over Syria's skies which pose a credible threat.

Fatah Al-Sham's Strongholds Smashed in Quneitra

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950715000731

Media sources said that the Syrian army and National Defense Forces (NDF) shelled the Fatah al-Sham militants' bases in Western al-Naqar village in the Southwestern parts of Mashati al-Hazar in heavy artillery fire.

The sources said that the militants' positions were fully destroyed and over 15 terrorists were killed and wounded.

In a relevant development on Wednesday, the Syrian army soldiers ambushed a group of terrorists affiliated to Fatah al-Sham Front in Northern Quneitra, killing and wounding most of the group members.

Syrian army men ambushed a Fatah al-Sham-affiliated group, who wanted to attack army sites near al-Amal farms in Zahrat al-Kasari, Northeast of Toranjeh village, and killed or wounded most of them.

The Syrian army also seized the terrorist group's weapons and equipment.

Fatah al-Sham's strongholds in Tal al-Hamriyeh in Northern Quneitra also came under heavy attack by the Syrian military forces.

Fatah Al-Sham Sustains More Casualties in Army's Massive Operations in Dara'a

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950715000799

"The army smashed the terrorists' positions in Dara'a al-Balad, al-Naeema, Western al-Qariya and al-Abbasiya districts," a military source said on Thursday.

Also, the army killed a number of terrorists who were building fortresses in the Southeastern parts of the power building and the refugees camp in Dara'a al-Balad, he added.

According to the source, the army operations against the terrorists' gathering centers in Dara'a al-Balad destroyed three of their bases in the Eastern parts of Basari square, destroyed a vehicle in the South of Qatifan building and killed several terrorists.

The Syrian army forces also targeted a terrorist group in a missile attack in the Northeastern parts of Western al-Qariya bridge. Army reports said tens of the terrorists were killed in the attack and their weapons and equipment were also destroyed.

The army operations in the Eastern parts of al-Naeemah town also left dozens of militants dead and wounded.

Reports said on Wednesday that the Syrian army troops attacked a group of terrorists affiliated to Fatah al-Sham Front (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front), killing the entire fighters of the group and destroying their positions, sources in the Southern battlefields said.

"The positions of a Fatah al-Sham-affiliated terrorist group near the Dara'a Dam came under the Syrian army attack," the sources said, adding, "None of the terrorists remained alive in the army attack on their strongholds.

"The Syrian army men, meantime, opened clashes with a unit of Fatah al-Sham in Dara'a al-Balad," they added.

"A sum of 20 militants were killed and their weapons and ammunition were destroyed in the clashes," the sources continued.

The sources went on to say that an artillery-mortar site used by Fatah al-Sham to target residential areas in Dara'a city was targeted by the Syrian soldiers and was destroyed completely.

Army Units Further Advance in Aleppo City

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950715000519

"The pro-government forces managed to take full control over the Sports club, its housing compound and a school in the neighborhood," the source said.

Tens of militants were killed or injured during the operations, while the rest fled into the neighboring regions, the source added.

Earlier today, the Syrian army and popular forces, supported by the Russian warplanes, attacked the terrorists in the Northeastern parts of Aleppo, forcing them to leave their positions in the region.

The Syrian army and the Russian air force launched offensives on terrorists' sites in Oweijeh, Maqta al-Baqara and al-Shalal regions and managed to win control over the textile and weaving plants, the water facility building, some parts of al-Shalal region, the Milano and Torang swimming pools and Housing Project 10 towards al-Ameriya.

On Wednesday, field sources had reported tough battle between the Syrian government forces and Jeish al-Fatah terrorists in at least four districts of Aleppo city.

Syrian Army soldiers and their popular allies continued to hit Jeish al-Fatah's strongholds in the districts of Sheikh Saeed, Torab, Azizeh and Harableh.

"The toughest clashes have been underway in Sheikh Saeed where the warring sides have advanced and withdrawn from several areas repeatedly," city sources said, adding that the terrorist groups' mortar and missile units have been shelling government-controlled Western districts of al-Jaberiyeh, al-Meidan and the University of Aleppo, killing at least six and wounding 37 civilians.

"Syrian army soldier have gained the upper-hand in battlefields in Bostan al-Pasha and Suleiman al-Halabi and have captured several government buildings in these districts," the Human Rights Watch said.

French media reported that Syrian and Russian fighter jets have jointly pounded Jeish al-Fatah's strongholds across the Eastern districts of Aleppo.

 

[angelburst29]

President al-Assad to Denmark’s TV 2: Moderate opposition is a myth… We won’t accept that terrorists will take control of any part of Syria
http://sana.sy/en/?p=89763

Following is the full text of the interview:

Question 1: So, Mr. President, let us begin with the current situation in Aleppo. The last few weeks, terrifying pictures have come out from Aleppo. I mean, we see the residents of the rebel-held eastern part of Aleppo in a very dire situation. They seem exhausted, they seem terrified, the situation is very violent. What is the strategy behind launching such fierce attack from the Syrian and Russian armies at the moment?

President Assad: Actually, we didn’t launch an attack, because the Syrian Army has continued its drive toward liberating every part of Syria including Aleppo or eastern Aleppo from the terrorists, but there was a ceasefire for one week in order to give the treaty, or the agreement, let’s say, between the Russians and the Americans a way to be implemented, and it didn’t work. When that week ended, we continued our drive as army to liberate eastern Aleppo from the terrorists. But actually, when you want to talk about the dire situation in eastern Aleppo, it’s not because of the government; it’s because of the terrorists. They’ve been in that area for years now, but we only heard about that “dire situation” in the media recently, in the Western media, because the situation of the terrorists is very bad. This is the only reason. While if you want to talk about the situation there, we never prevented any medical supply or food supply or any other thing from entering east Aleppo. There’s no embargo, if that’s what you mean, there’s no embargo, and our role as a government is to encircle the terrorists in order to liberate every part of the city.

Question 2: But what I also mean, we see pictures of children being killed, children at hospitals, we see pictures of demolished hospitals. Who’s targeting those hospitals?

President Assad: Let me tell you something about those pictures of children; of course, in every war, there are victims, there are innocent victims, and that’s why every war is a bad war, but if you look at those pictures that they’ve been promoted as pictures in the Western media, they only singled out a few pictures of children that suit their political agenda, just to accuse the Syrian government, while – you’ve been here now for two days – and they’ve been daily shelling from the eastern part of Aleppo toward the rest of the city, and there was wholesale killing and destruction of the other part of the city and tens of victims and tens of wounded people from Aleppo that the Western corporations didn’t talk about them. The Western officials didn’t issue a single statement regarding those children and women and elderly and innocents in general. So, this is part of the propaganda and demonization of the government in Syria. That doesn’t mean when you have war, again, that you don’t have victims, but the Syrian government has opened the door for the militants in the eastern part of Aleppo to leave safely with guarantees, and for the people of that area to go back to their houses.

Question 3: But residents in the area, eyewitnesses, international aid organizations, all saying that the hospitals have been targeted, and when I look at the pictures, I see hospitals, I see the beds inside the hospitals, and to me it really looks like it is demolished, it has been targeted, so who’s targeting the hospitals?

President Assad: I don’t have the answer to which hospital are you talking about, because we don’t have any facts about it, we only have allegations, so answering allegations shouldn’t be only through-

Question 4: But pictures are facts.

President Assad: Pictures cannot tell you the story, even videos, everything could be manipulated these days. I wouldn’t say that there are no such attacks on any building, but as a government, we don’t have a policy to destroy hospitals or schools or any such facility for a simple reason: first of all, morally, the second reason is that if we do so, we are offering the militants the incubator, the social incubator that they’ve been looking for, it’s going to be a gift, something we wouldn’t do because it’s against our interests. It’s like shooting ourselves in the foot. If there’s such an attack from the army, it could be by mistake, but we don’t have any information that thing has happened. All what we have is allegations and only in the Western media, not from Syria.

Question 5: So, if the Syrian Army didn’t attack hospitals, or maybe they did by mistake, you say, are you sure it’s not the Russian air force who are targeting hospitals?

President Assad: The question that you should ask when you have a crime: who is the beneficiary of that crime? What would they get, I mean for the Russians or the Syrians, if they attack a school or if they attack hospital? What would they get if they attack a hospital? Nothing, they wouldn’t get anything. I mean, even if you want to talk about the terrorists, most of their hospitals for the militants would be in the basement in ordinary buildings. So, attacking a hospital intentionally by the army is based on shaky logic, let’s say.

Question 6: Do you then agree that whoever attacks hospitals, they are guilty of war crimes?

President Assad: Of course, by international law, it is. I mean, hospitals have immunity. Any other facility for any inhabited area – inhabited by civilians, not by militants – has immunity, and any government shouldn’t do it, of course, I agree with you.

Question 7: Mr. President, you have kids yourself, and I’m sure you’re also watching television, you also watch these pictures of children at the hospitals, children being buried in the rubble. How does it affect you when you look at these pictures of Syrian children?

President Assad: Of course, I have children, I have the same feelings of any father and mother who would care a lot about their children, and how would they feel if they lose a member of their family. And by the way, we lost members of our families during the conflict because of the terrorist attacks. But when you look at those killed children, you think why? Why the terrorists did so? Why did Qatar and Saudi Arabia and Turkey commit those crimes? And I wonder why would the Western countries, mainly the USA and its allies in Europe, have supported those terrorists who’ve been committing crimes in Syria? That’s the first thing I thought about. Of course, as President, the second thing that I would think about is how can I protect the Syrian people and the Syrian children, and how can I protect the innocent from having the same fate in any coming day.

Question 8: So, you are blaming the rebels in the eastern part of Aleppo of being behind the attacks on the children of Aleppo?

President Assad: You can take your camera to Aleppo, to the other part of Aleppo which is under the control of the government, which is – I mean, when you see the fact, it’s more credible than what I’m going to say – but you can see how many civilians have been killed during the last two months in Aleppo. Hundreds of civilians have been killed by the rebels. The question is why didn’t we hear about them in the Western media? That’s my question. Again, I wouldn’t say that you don’t having civilians going as victims, but when it’s shelled by mortars by the rebels intentionally, we have to talk about this crime as well.

Question 9: At the moment, there’s a seven-year-old girl, her name is Bana al-Abed, from Aleppo. She’s Tweeting about her life in the eastern part of Aleppo. She’s talking about the massive bombardment. She’s very scared, every time she wakes up and realizes, fortunately, she’s still alive. Do you trust her as an eyewitness?

President Assad: You cannot build your political position or stand, let’s say, according to a video promoted by the terrorists or their supporters. It’s a game now, a game of propaganda, it’s a game of media. You can see anything, and you can be sympathetic with every picture and every video you see. But our mission as a government is to deal with the reality. You have terrorists in Syria, they are supported by foreign powers and foreign countries, and we have to defend our country. In some areas, the terrorists use the civilians as a human shield, but we have to do our job to liberate them, we cannot say “we won’t do anything because the terrorists are holding those hostages.” It’s our mission. Again, we are going to the same point; you always have mistakes that are committed by anyone, but this is not policy, and you always have innocent victims of that war.

Question 10: What kind of mistakes did the Syrian Army do?

President Assad: Any individual mistakes.

Question 11: Have you any examples of mistakes?

President Assad: I mean, you have institutions, I mean anyone could be punished if he commits a mistake, that would happen in any war, in every army, this is common sense.

Question 12: You have encouraged the civilians in the eastern part of Aleppo, and also actually the rebels, to leave the place. You wanted to create a humanitarian corridor. Can you guarantee the safety of those civilians and the rebels if they leave the rebel-held part of the city?

President Assad: Exactly, that’s what we announced a few days ago, and we announced it two months ago, because we wanted the civilians to leave away from the terrorists. Yeah.

Question 13: And how are you going to protect them?

President Assad: They are allowed to leave. It happened many times, in many different areas in Syria. We allowed the terrorists to leave that area in order to protect the civilians. We don’t need any more blood-letting and blood-shedding. This is one of the ways or the methods we’ve been using in order to protect the civilians. Of course, if they don’t obey, we tell the civilians that we’re going to attack that area, so they can move away from it. But the best way is to allow the terrorists to leave, and the civilians will be safe, then you can if you want to follow or chase the terrorists, you can chase them somewhere else where there’s no civilians.

Question 14: Do you understand if people around the world who are watching these terrifying pictures coming out of the eastern part of Aleppo, if they maybe think that you are denying facts? That you also have some kind of responsibility for the victims, for the bombing of the hospitals, for the bombing of the civilian infrastructure? Do you understand that some people, they may think you are denying facts?

President Assad: Look, if we’ve been faced by lies since the beginning of the war on Syria, accepting those lies as reality doesn’t make me credible. I wouldn’t be credible if I say “oh, yeah, you’re right.” That’s why I said there’s a difference between accepting that this is a policy, or accepting that they always have mistakes. I didn’t deny any mistake to be committed by any individual. I said there’s always mistakes. There are always mistakes committed in any war. So, I’m very realistic. But to say that this is our aim as a government, we give the order to destroy hospitals or schools or to kill civilians, this is against our interests. I mean, if you want to put the morals aside, we wouldn’t do it because this is against us, so how can those people, that would say that we are only denying facts, convince anyone that we are working against our interests?

This is first. Second, if we are killing people, Syrian people, and destroying hospitals and committing all these atrocities, and we’ve been faced by all the great powers and the petrodollars in the world, how can I be President after nearly six years of the beginning of the war? I’m not Superman, if I don’t have support, I wouldn’t be here, and because I have the support, and because we defend the Syrian people, we have the support as President or as a government. This is how to refute all these claims. I mean, at the end, the reality is telling.

Question 15: So, there’s a fierce battle going on in Aleppo right now. What will be the Syrian army and the Russian army’s next move to retake the eastern rebel-held part of Aleppo?

President Assad: To continue the fight with the rebels till they leave Aleppo. They have to. There’s no other option. We won’t accept that terrorists will take control of any part of Syria, not only Aleppo. This is our mission, and this is our goal, and this is our next step.

Question 16: So, this intense way of warfare that we see right will continue, that’s what you’re saying?

President Assad: No, if you have any other option like the reconciliations in other areas, that’s the best option, not the war, and that’s why we announced – we gave many amnesties to hundreds, and maybe thousands, not hundreds, thousands of militants, in order to save blood, and it worked. That’s why we said we give them guarantee, whether they want to have reconciliation and to have the amnesty, or to leave with their armaments outside the city of Aleppo completely, to leave the city safe, and for the people to go back to their normal life.

Question 17: The United States, they stopped all bilateral talks with Russia about any kind of peace agreement, and the Russians they said that they actually regret this. Do you regret it as well?

President Assad: We regret it, but we knew in advance that it wouldn’t work, because the agreement, it’s not only about the talks between the two great powers, it’s not about what they’re going to sign or agree upon; it’s about the will, and we already knew, we had already known that the Americans didn’t have the will to reach any agreement, because the main part of that agreement is to attack al-Nusra which is, according to the American list and to the United Nations list, is a terrorist group, but in the Syrian conflict, it’s an American card. Without al-Nusra, the Americans cannot have any real, let’s say, concrete and effective card in the Syrian arena. That’s why we regret it, but we already knew that it wouldn’t happen.

Question 18: But isn’t it very difficult for the United States to separate the so-called “moderate rebels” and some of the more radical ones? This is very difficult, when you are attacking the moderate rebels all the time.

President Assad: You are right, do you know why you are right? Do you know the unicorn, the animal that’s like a horse, has a long horn? It’s a myth. And the moderate opposition is a myth. That’s why you cannot separate something that doesn’t exist from something that exists. All of them have the same grassroots, the same grassroots that used to be called “free Syrian army” four years ago, five years ago, then it became al-Nusra, then it became ISIS. So, the same grassroots move from group to another group. That’s why they cannot separate it. And they don’t want.. if this is reality, not a myth, they don’t want, but they cannot, because it doesn’t exist.

Question 19: But why did you ask them to do it if it’s not possible?

President Assad: Because they insisted that there is a moderate opposition, and the Russian told them “ok, if there is a moderate opposition, please separate those moderates from the extremists,” and it didn’t work, because they don’t exist, that’s why.

Question 20: What do you think will be the consequences of the US suspension of the bilateral talks? I mean, until now, the Syrian and Russian armies, they have avoided direct clashes with the US army. Do you think that there’s an increased risk of direct attacks between you and your allies and the US army?

President Assad: Many people are talking about the escalation, if the agreement didn’t work or if it’s not implemented. But actually that escalation has been happening for a while now. I mean, before that agreement, let’s say, failed, the Americans attacked our forces in Deir Ezzor, and everybody knows that only one group existed in Deir Ezzor, which is ISIS, and ISIS came and took the place of the Syrian Army and they threaten the city, which is called Deir Ezzor, because of the American attacks. So, talking about escalation, it’s already happening. Talking about direct confrontation, since World War II, that never happened, I mean, it was very close to happening during the Cuban missile crisis, in 1962 I think. Now the situation is different, because in the United States you don’t have superior statecraft. When you don’t have superior statecraft, you should expect anything, and you should always expect the worse. I’m sure that Russia is doing its best not to reach that point, but do the Americans – or, let’s say, the “hawks” part or the group within the administration – do their best to avoid that confrontation, or the opposite, do their best to have this confrontation with Russia? That’s what worries us.

Question 21: And talking about the incident in Deir Ezzor on September 17. It was British, Australian, US, and Danish fighter jets who allegedly attacked the Syrian Army. Denmark, like the other countries, they said it was a mistake. Do you accept that explanation?

President Assad: We accept the explanation, but that doesn’t mean we accept that error, doesn’t mean we justify it. To say a mistake, maybe you have the wrong information, especially as you are fulfilling an American mission; I’m sure not the Danish, not the British, decided which target they should attack. I’m sure the Americans said “this is our target, and this is where ISIS is.” Of course, they deceive the others, and tell them “we’re going to attack ISIS.” Maybe that’s the truth. But is it acceptable for the Danish people that your army is fulfilling military missions of other countries without verifying the target and knowing where is it heading? Do you take a bus without knowing where the bus is going to? You don’t. So, it’s not acceptable. Maybe it’s a mistake, that’s true, but the mistake is not acceptable.

Question 22: So do you think that, indirectly, Denmark, they were helping ISIS?

President Assad: In reality, they helped ISIS because of this attack, because they killed tens of Syrian soldiers who are defending the city of Deir Ezzor from being under the control of ISIS, and now ISIS took the place, took the hills that overlook the city, so they could be able someday to take control of Deir Ezzor because of that attack.

Question 23: And you think that the US, they did that on purpose, and Denmark, they helped them without knowing?

President Assad: I don’t know about Denmark; I don’t know if it’s without knowing. Maybe. The only reason that makes me believe so is because the Europeans implement and fulfill what the Americans want in every field without asking and without discussing, to be frank, so it could be one of the reasons. But for the Americans, a hundred percent, they did it intentionally, because ISIS gathered their militants in the same place before the attack, and when the attack started, it took about one hour, and in the next hour ISIS attacked and took control of those hills. How could ISIS knew about this raid before it happened? Of course, this is not the only indication for us that the United States is supporting ISIS, the attack on Palmyra, when they occupied and took control of Palmyra under the supervision of the Americans, the smuggling of oil, the extraction of oil from oil fields in Syria in the desert in the middle of the day. This is a strong indication that the United States has been supporting ISIS in order to use ISIS.

Question 24: Until now, the Danish government they have followed US policy towards Syria. They even said that they were willing to engage in a military operation against the Syrian Army. What do you think about the Danish policy towards Syria?

President Assad: First of all, the intervention in Syria, as part of the international coalition which is actually an American coalition, this is against the international law, this is against the sovereignty of Syria because this is not in coordination with the Syrian government, while the Russian came to Syria after taking the permission of the Syrians; actually after having an invitation from the Syrian government to support us in our fight against the terror. So this is against the sovereignty, this is against the international law and this is against any moralized policy anywhere in the world. It’s illegal.

The other aspect of that policy is the embargo. As part of the European Union, they made embargo on the Syrian population; tens of millions of Syrians, they are not allowed to reach the basic needs of their life. For example, you cannot buy now pumps for the water, they cannot buy medical equipment to diagnose somebody who has a cancer who would die because he cannot afford these materials. The embargo prevents the Syrian companies, airlines companies, from having spare parts for their airplanes in order to prevent those airplanes from crashing in the air and killing the passengers. This is the policy of the European Union, and Denmark is part of that policy.

Question 25: But what else should they do? I mean, they are very much against what’s going on in Syria right now. They have been supporting the opposition. Maybe they don’t want to be involved in a direct war with the Syrian Army. So what else to do?

President Assad: For the government?

Journalist: Yes.

President Assad: The question is would you as a Danish citizen accept me as a foreigner to support opposition in your country with money and to tell them “go and kill, and that’s how you achieve your political goals?” If there is opposition, what is the definition of opposition? Could you accept an opposition in your country that belongs to other countries? Or should it be a Danish opposition that belongs to Danish people. They cannot tell which opposition to support in any other country. This is an intervention in internal matters. This is against the sovereignty, against the international law. They don’t have the right to support anyone in Syria against anyone. It’s not their business. We are a sovereign country; we are independent. We have the right to tackle our problems. So, they’re not in a position to support anyone, whether right or wrong.

Question 26: Do you see Denmark as an enemy of Syria?

President Assad: No, they are not. They are not an enemy. There is a big difference between the Danish people, like most of the European people, they were friends to Syria, but it’s about the policy of the government. It’s about whole Europe now being absent from the political map at least since 2003 after the invasion of Iraq, just because they had to follow the Americans, and they don’t dare to take their independent, let’s say, path in politics. We differentiate precisely between the government and the people of Denmark, and the same for other countries.

Question 27: If it could speed up the negotiations for a peaceful future in Syria, if you left office and may be another one from the Syrian administration took over, why wouldn’t you do that?

President Assad: To leave, you mean?

Journalist: Yes.

President Assad: That depends on the Syrian people. It’s not my decision. And if you don’t have the support of the Syrian people, you have to leave right away, because without their support, you cannot achieve anything, you cannot produce anything, you are going to fail. So that’s simply the reason, especially during the war you have to lead the ship to the shore; you don’t run away because there is a war, unless the Syrian people want you to leave. If I’m the problem, again, or the other point, let’s say, or the other side of the story, if I’m the reason of the war, I would leave. But it’s not about me; I am just used as a nominal reason. It’s much bigger than that; it’s about Syria, it’s about the government, it’s about the independence, it is about the war on the regional level, it is about the war between the great powers. Syria is just the headline and the President is the main headline.

Question 28: So you don’t think that you are one of the reasons for the war?

President Assad: No, I am not a reason for the war, because if I am a reason, the war should have started in 2000, since I became President, not 2011 when the money started pouring from Qatar and when the United States took the decision that they want topple governments and presidents because they do not suit them.

Question 29: But don’t you think you are the reason that the war escalated?

President Assad: Because of me?

Journalist: Yes.

President Assad: So, the terrorists according to what you are saying, terrorists are not responsible, they are very peaceful people. The money of Qatar and Saudi Arabia and Turkey are something legal and natural, let’s say, and the agenda of the United States fulfilled the needs of the Syrian people, which is not realistic.

Question 30: Mr. President, you have said many times that you will continue the fight until you have recaptured the whole country, is that still your approach to this process?

President Assad: Definitely.

Question 32: I mean more than hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed; some people say 250 thousands; some people say 300 thousands. Do you think that you are defending the civilians in Syria?

President Assad: The majority of those that you are talking about, the victims, are supporters of the government, not the opposite. Another part which is unbiased, in the middle, it doesn’t belong to the government or to the other. So the majority are supporters. So, of course, I am defending the civilians. Again, otherwise if I’m not, If I’m killing the civilians, as the propaganda would promote for four years, I wouldn’t be here as President. I cannot withstand for nearly six years.

Question 33: Last question, Mr. President: Do you believe in a diplomatic political solution, or do you, deep inside your heart, know that this is going to be a military solution, and that is really what you want?

President Assad: Neither, neither, because when you have a problem you have a solution, you don’t have a kind of solution, but the problem itself will tell you how many aspects of that problems you have. For example, if I believe in political solution but you have terrorism, you cannot have a political solution because you have chaos. If you have chaos, this is the antithesis to anything natural, including the political process. So, you need first to fight terrorists in order to reach political solution. So, in reality, you have to follow both paths; the military and the diplomatic or the political, because they are related to each other. So, it’s not about my belief; it’s not what I believe; it’s what the requirement of this conflict to be solved. So you don’t define it. The whole circumstances define it. For example, regarding the terrorists, it’s not only about military solution; it’s about the adjacent countries and the Western countries stop supporting the terrorists. If they stop supporting them, the military aspect of that solution will be marginalized; it won’t be important because they will be weak. You will give a chance to more political initiatives in that regard. If they support them more, actually what is going to happen is the opposite; the political solution or path will be marginalized. So, it’s not about what I believe in. I wish we can solve everything politically, I wish, that’s what I think is suitable, but it’s not about what I wish, it’s about the facts on the ground.

Journalist: Thank you very much, Mr. President.

President Assad: Thank you for coming.

 

[angelburst29]

Ambassador Ala: Countries that take part in war on Syria responsible for humanitarian suffering of displaced people
http://sana.sy/en/?p=89722

Geneva, SANA – Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Hussam Eddin Ala held
the states that are taking part in the war on Syria responsible for the humanitarian suffering of displaced people who are exploited by terrorist recruiting networks and human and limb trafficking in some migration countries.

Ala was speaking at the 67th Session of the Executive Committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva.

He added that those states had started to build camps before the beginning of the crisis in Syria to force the Syrians leave their homeland and make use of them later on as a tool of political and financial blackmail and to serve their schemes.

“Ignoring those factors don’t help reach real solutions to the humanitarian crisis and its repercussions in Syria, rather it contributes to prolonging the dirty war on the country,” said Ala, expressing astonishment at overlooking the underlying causes for the humanitarian crisis and forced migration like supporting terrorism, illegitimate unilateral procedures, irresponsible interventions and policies despite they constitute violations of the UN’s Charter and the international law.

“The multi-sided war imposed on Syria led to humanitarian and economic crises and forced the Syrians to leave and seek more stable and secure areas inside Syria or abroad fleeing terrorism backed by regional and international states and looking for better living conditions after the unilateral economic sanctions imposed by the same parties and affected vital service sectors,” Ambassador Ala said.

He added that the unprecedented challenges due to the sharp increase in the number of displaced people necessitate adopting a comprehensive rapprochement and mobilizing efforts to find sustainable solutions to deal with reasons for the doubled forced migration and addressing the underlying causes such as intervention policies, attacks on the national sovereignty of states and attempts to destabilize their safety and territorial integrity.

The Ambassador regretted that the UN still ignores dealing with terrorism which has turned into a threat to the security and stability of states and a main factor for the emergence of humanitarian crises, noting that in addition to the fact that the Israeli entity remains a main reason for forced migration in our region, the foreign interventions in states’ internal affairs and the establishment of illegitimate military alliances to target political regimes and the use of foreign-backed terrorism and unilateral procedures to serve their schemes have contributed, over the last few years, to more destabilize the region and force citizens to flee the stressful security and living conditions.

Ambassador Ala added that the Syrian government is looking forward to get more support in order to provide the appropriate circumstances to facilitate the voluntary return of Syrian citizens who left the country, adding that it stresses its commitment to take necessary procedures in this regard.


Interior Ministry: 100 Kg of Captagon pills confiscated in Damascus
http://sana.sy/en/?p=89698

Damascus, SANA- The Interior Ministry said that 100 kg of Captagon pills have been confiscated in Damascus.

The Ministry said on Wednesday that the Narcotics Administration confiscated at a shipping company in Damascus 100 Kg of Captagon, which is around 600,000 pills, that were hidden inside home furniture.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Mr.Cyan]In the North of Syria, Turkish and US forces are creeping ever closer south.

It looks like we have come now to the critical point in this whole war.[/quote]

Turkey's intentions aren't all that clear I think, And this may be done intentional. The saying, keep your friends close but your enemies closer very much applies here. Turkey NATO bases are crucial for the US to operate effectively inside Syria during a massive air campaign.

Turkey could deny the US access to do those bases shortly after they start their campaign against the SAA. If that happens the war is over before it even began, and the US loses almost immediately. I can't imagine a more perfect way for Erdogan to have his revenge because of the coup.

Besides Erdogan ain't building that massive wall along the border to keep the Eastern Bunny out. Something is definitely brewing, and I think in a positive way. But we have to wait and see ofcourse.


You can bet that Iraq will do the same thing, they won't allow their airfields and airspace to be used against the SAA, and in favor of their enemy. The US will find itself all alone, with only their aircraft carriers at their disposal to wage air attacks. Which severely limit their capabilities.


[quote author= Angelburst29 (Assad interview)]Question 24: Until now, the Danish government they have followed US policy towards Syria. They even said that they were willing to engage in a military operation against the Syrian Army. What do you think about the Danish policy towards Syria?[/quote]

Denmark is willing to engage the Syrian army? I bet they will lose those seven F16 on the first day. 1 US coalition member out, 10 to go. After Deir Ezzor you think they would have apologized. Instead they are showing willingness to take more Syrian lives. Like dogs who tasted their first blood.


[quote author= Angelburst29 (Assad interview)]President Assad: The question is would you as a Danish citizen accept me as a foreigner to support opposition in your country with money and to tell them “go and kill, and that’s how you achieve your political goals?”[/quote]

Well said by Assad.

 

[angelburst29]

[quote author= Angelburst29 (Assad interview)]Question 24: Until now, the Danish government they have followed US policy towards Syria. They even said that they were willing to engage in a military operation against the Syrian Army. What do you think about the Danish policy towards Syria?

Denmark is willing to engage the Syrian army? I bet they will lose those seven F16 on the first day. 1 US coalition member out, 10 to go. After Deir Ezzor you think they would have apologized. Instead they are showing willingness to take more Syrian lives. Like dogs who tasted their first blood.
[/quote]

Interesting that you mention F16's, Bjorn. A report just came out that Israel is having a lot of problems with their F16's.

Israeli Fighter Jet Malfunction Leaves Pilot Dead, Navigator Injured
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20161006/1046044051/f-16i-malfunction.html

On Wednesday, a squadron of Israeli Air Force jets was deployed in response to a rocket attack launched from Gaza.

Today’s attack, the second since the beginning of August in the city of Sderot, is the direct result of Hamas’ terror agenda in the Gaza Strip that encourages deliberate attacks against Israeli civilians," said Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, according to Defense News.

While no civilians were killed in the attack, the Israeli military did lose one of its own in what it called a "Class A mishap." Returning from its strike mission over Gaza, one of the F-16I fighter jets was en route to Ramon Air Base southwest of Beersheba. The pilot and navigator operated normally when, around 5 pm, "for some reason, they felt the need to eject."

According to the Jerusalem Post, the jet caught fire shortly before the pilots ejected.

"We have no specifics yet to offer," said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman, according to Defense One.

"It happened while they were landing. An inquiry is ongoing to review the circumstances."

While the navigator suffered only minor injuries, the pilot, identified as Major Ohad Cohen, was killed.

While an investigation is ongoing, officials so far believe the incident to be the result of human error. The air force has no plans to ground its F-16I fleet.

A similar incident occurred in 2013, when an F-16I crashed into the Mediterranean during a training flight
The pilot and navigator ejected in time and both parachuted to sea, where they were rescued.

Another F-16I fighter crashed in southern Israel during a training exercise in 2010. Both the pilot and navigator were killed.

 

[angelburst29]

A massive banner praising Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “peacemaker” was hung from the Manhattan Bridge on Thursday afternoon.

Banner Calling Putin a ‘Peacemaker’ Unfurled From New York City Bridge (PHOTOS)
https://sputniknews.com/politics/20161007/1046078259/putin-peacemaker-banner-manhattan.html

At around 1:45 p.m., a 20 foot by 30 foot banner, featuring a photo of Putin with Russian and Syrian flags as the background was hung over the Brooklyn side of the bridge.

Over an hour later, at around 3 p.m., the banner was removed by city officials, but not before plenty of onlookers grabbed photos to post on social media.

The New York Police Department does not have anyone in custody and are currently reviewing surveillance footage in an attempt to find the culprits.

The UN Security Council will convene a meeting on the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo.

UN Security Council Meeting on Syria to Be Held on Friday
https://sputniknews.com/politics/20161007/1046079642/unsc-friday-syria-meeting.html

The UN Security Council will convene a meeting on the situation in the Syrian city of Aleppo at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, the Russian permanent mission to the United Nations told RIA Novosti.

According to the Russian mission, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura will brief the Security Council remotely from Geneva.

The Finnish Air Force suspects that there has been another alleged violation of its airspace by a Russian aircraft.

Finnish Air Force Suspects Two Airspace Violations by Two Different Su-27 Planes
https://sputniknews.com/europe/20161007/1046082634/finland-russia-jet-airspace-violation.html

On Thursday, Finland's Yle television reported citing border guard services that a Russian Su-27 jet had alleged stayed in the Finnish airspace for about a minute after crossing the border near the town of Porvoo some 30 miles east of the capital, Helsinki.

"Russian SU-27 fighter suspected of having violated Finnish airspace in the afternoon on October 6. Later in the evening there was another suspected violation of airspace by the same aircraft type. The Air Force identified and described both machines," the Finnish Air Force said in a Friday statement.

According to the release, the first suspected alleged violation occurred at 16:43 local time on Thursday, while the second event took place in the same area at 21:33.

The Russian Defense Ministry has denied reports of the first alleged violation of the Finnish airspace by a Su-27 jet, saying that the aircraft carried out a training flight over neutral waters in the Bay of Finland on Thursday.


White House may impose 'costs' on Russia and Syria without UN approval
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5nyX4dbMb0 (RT Video - 5:06 min.)


Obama suggests climate change to blame for Syrian civil war
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FREq99KaLX4 (1:04 min.)

Published on Oct 4, 2016 - Discussing the threat of climate change with Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, President Obama says "powerful" studies suggest "the droughts that happened in Syria contributed to the unrest and the Syrian civil war."

PRESIDENT OBAMA: "There's already some really interesting work -- not definitive but powerful -- showing that the droughts that happened in Syria contributed to the unrest and the Syrian civil war. Well, if you start magnifying that across a lot of states, a lot of nation states that already contain a lot of poor people who are just right at the margins of survival, this becomes a national security issue. And, that's why even as we have members of Congress who scoff at climate change at the same time as they are saluting and wearing flag pins and extolling their patriotism they're not paying attention to our Joints Chief of Staff and the Pentagon who are saying this is one of the most significant national security threats that we face over the next fifty years."

SXSL: President Obama Participates in a Discussion with Leonardo DiCaprio and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
The White House
October 3, 2016

Earlier this year Obama shelved plans to cut the U.S. force in Afghanistan nearly in half by year's end, opting instead to keep 8,400 troops there through the end of his presidency in January. The military training program brings troops to the United States from around the world in order to build on military relations and improve capabilities for joint operations.

Exclusive: Dozens of Afghan troops AWOL from military training in U.S.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-military-idUSKCN1260A1

Forty-four Afghan troops visiting the United States for military training have gone missing in less than two years,
presumably in an effort to live and work illegally in America, Pentagon officials said.

Although the number of disappearances is relatively small -- some 2,200 Afghan troops have received military training in the United States since 2007 -- the incidents raise questions about security and screening procedures for the programs.

They are also potentially embarrassing for U.S. President Barack Obama's administration, which has spent billions of dollars training Afghan troops as Washington seeks to extricate itself from the costly, 15-year-old war.

While other foreign troops on U.S. military training visits have sometimes run away, a U.S. defense official said that the frequency of Afghan troops going missing was concerning and "out of the ordinary."

Since September alone, eight Afghan troops have left military bases without authorization, Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump told Reuters. He said the total number of Afghan troops who have gone missing since January 2015 is 44, a number that has not previously been disclosed.

The Israeli navy has intercepted a boat carrying female pro-Palestinian activists trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip and said it was escorting the vessel to shore.

Israel intercepts protest vessel trying to break naval blockade of Gaza
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/05/israel-intercepts-protest-vessel-trying-to-break-naval-blockade-of-gaza

The Israeli military said the interception had been brief and there had been no injuries, unlike the 2010 takeover of an international flotilla in which 10 Turks were killed in clashes with Israeli troops.

The incident occurred on the same day as the Israeli air force struck a series of targets in Gaza in response to the firing of a Palestinian rocket. There were no reports of injuries on either side.

The boat was sponsored by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group of pro-Palestinian groups based mostly in Europe. The Dutch-registered vessel was carrying 13 activists headed by Mairead Maguire, an Irish Nobel peace prize laureate. A retired US colonel and a former South African Olympic athlete were also on board, along with women from the UK, Sweden, Russia and Malaysia.

Zaher Darwish, one of the flotilla’s coordinators, said the boat had been intercepted about 40 miles (60 kilometres) from Gaza and was not carrying aid. He said the goal was “symbolic” — to call attention to the Israeli naval blockade, which he said was illegal.

The boat was being escorted to the Israeli port of Ashdod, the military said, a process that was expected to take several hours. There was no word on what would happen to the people on board. In the past, activists have been arrested and quickly deported.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Five militants liquidated in Russia's North Caucasus Ingushetia

http://tass.com/world/904765?_ga=1.35145761.1081960895.1475302692

A total of five militants were killed in a special operation in Russia's southern Ingushetia republic on Friday.

According to a source two militants were killed on Friday during a special operation in Gazi-Yurt, a village outside the republic's capital.

"A private house in Gazi-Yurt was blocked this morning, and in a fight two members of the criminal underworld were killed," the source said.

Earlier on Friday, reports came about three militants - two men and one woman - killed in the republic’s capital city - Nazran. The terrorist security alert was announced in a part of Nazran and in the Gazi-Yurt settlement overnight to Friday.

"Today during the counter-terrorist regime’s operation the forces blocked a house in Nazran (republic’s capital city)," the source said. "During the special operation, three militants were killed."

In the house, the security forces found a five year-old, whom they managed to persuade to leave the house and get to the street.

The special operation is over now. Investigation is under way. The source said the militants had been identified already.

"They were spouses - Rustam and Zulfiya Aushev."

UN Security Council Meeting on Aleppo scheduled for 17:00 MSK

http://tass.com/politics/904753?_ga=1.4826163.1081960895.1475302692

The meeting will be held behind closed doors

The United Nations Security Council will hold a meeting on the initiative of Russia on the situation in Aleppo, to discuss the proposal of UN Secretary General Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on the withdrawal of the militants of the terrorist organization Jabhat al-Nusra from the eastern part of the city. Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations told TASS, the meeting is scheduled for 10:00 New York time (17:00 MSK).

"The meeting will be held at 10:00," the Mission’s press service told TASS. The meeting, which will be held behind closed doors, was included in the Council's work program for Friday.

Staffan de Mistura on Thursday proposed to hold consultations on withdrawal of organization Jabhat al-Nusra militants from eastern Aleppo to Idlib. This, according to him, might end armed confrontation in this part of town, and its residents will have access to humanitarian aid. According to him, there are about 900 organization Jabhat al-Nusra fighters in eastern Aleppo.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the initiative "deserves careful consideration." "We focus on always looking for constructive steps," Lavrov added.

Military attaches from US, China, India observe drills in Kyrgyzstan

http://tass.com/defense/904762?_ga=1.71986963.1081960895.1475302692

More than 1,000 servicemen from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia are involved in the drills of the Collective Security Treaty Organization

Military attaches of the U.S., China and India are watching a counter-terrorist operation at the drill of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) active phase in Kyrgyzstan, TASS correspondent reported on Friday.

"To the drill’s active phase we have invited representatives of the U.S., the Chinese People’s Republic and India," Deputy Commander of the Central Military District Yaroslav Roshchupkin said. "Representatives of the CSTO military-diplomatic representations are also watching elimination of the simulated enemy." The special operation features more than 1,000 servicemen from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, more than 200 items of hardware - tanks T-72, BTR-80 armored fighting vehicles, Tigr armored cars, Grad multiple launch rocket systems and more than 20 helicopters and aircraft, including long-range aviation of the Russian Federation Air Force - Tu-22M3 and Tu-95MS.

According to Kurgyz General Staff, the exercises dubbed the Rubezh-2016 (or Frontier-2016) are being held at the Edelweiss mountainous shooting range.

The CSTO’s Central Asian rapid deployment forces are taking part in the military drills. "The drills will last until October 7, they involve servicemen and military hardware from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia as well as the personnel of Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry and Emergencies Ministry," the statement says.

The CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian and Tajikistan.

Syria to continue anti-terrorism cooperation with Russia — diplomat

http://tass.com/world/904733?_ga=1.71986963.1081960895.1475302692

Russia's Aerospace Forces’ involvement in antiterror fight in Syria was timely, says an ambassador

Syria plans to continue cooperation with Russia in struggle with terrorism and it hopes to weed the danger of terrorism out on its land, the Syrian Ambassador in Moscow, Riyad Haddad told Rossiya’24 news channel on Thursday.

"We’ll continue cooperation with our Russian friends in order to defeat terrorism and extremism," he said.

"We’ve heard many a time the U.S. assurances in this respect and yet we don’t see any result," he said. "Americans themselves don’t have an understanding of what they want. They don’t see a clear solution to the conflict in Syria."

Haddad said it was important to destroy all the terrorist groupings operating in Syria if someone wanted to reach peace and tranquility in Syria.

"President Assad said winning over terrorism is our objective and we shouldn’t stop at the current achievements but should continue our war versus terrorism and extremism," Haddad said.

"We see the terrorist organizations are still present on the Syrian soil and we can’t leave the fact just like that," he said. "We must eliminate them."

Russia's involvement

The diplomat went on to say that involvement of Russia’s Aerospace Forces in the antiterrorism fight in Syria a year ago was very timely.

"Russia’s participation was very timely, it was very important and effective," the diplomat said.

He said Russia is playing a key role in the issue of counteraction to the terrorist threat.

"We will certainly be trying to keep cooperating with Russian friends to overcome extremism," Haddad underscored.

Russia’s operation against the terrorist organizations Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (now called Jabhat Fath al-Sham) in Syria started September 30, 2015 on a request from Syrian President Bashar Assad. With support from Russia’s aircraft, the Syrian government forces recaptured about 400 inhabited localities.

On March 14, 2016 Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to withdraw the main part of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ air group from Syria. Two Russian military facilities - at the Hmeymim airfield and in Tartus keep operating on Syrian territory.

Syrian Army, Hezbollah advance in southern Aleppo amid the crumbling jihadist defenses

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-hezbollah-advance-southern-aleppo-amid-crumbling-jihadist-defenses/

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had a great day inside Aleppo City on Thursday, capturing large parts of the eastern and northern neighborhoods after a fierce battle with Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki.

Meanwhile, on Thursday night, the Syrian Armed Forces, backed by Hezbollah, continued their large-scale offensive in southern Aleppo, targeting the jihadist-held Sheikh Sa'eed District near Al-Ramouseh.

According to an Al-Masdar correspondent in Aleppo, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah captured several building blocks inside Sheikh Sa'eed tonight, leaving a little more than half the district still under the control of Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest).

With the jihadist rebels suffering heavy losses at three different fronts in Aleppo, the Syrian Armed Forces will likely make another big push on Friday morning.

Huge attack launched by Syrian Army, Hezbollah in southern Aleppo

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/huge-attack-launched-syrian-army-hezbollah-southern-aleppo/

Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Army's 800th Regiment of the Republican Guard, backed by the Ba'ath Battalions and Hezbollah, launched their second attack on the southern districts of Aleppo, striking the jihadist rebels at Sheikh Sa'eed and the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project.

Backed by Russian airstrikes, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah continued where they left off last night, advancing eastward inside the Sheikh Sa'eed District, despite fierce resistance from Jaysh Al-Fateh (Army of Conquest).

According to preliminary reports from southern Aleppo, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah managed to capture an important hilltop inside Sheikh Sa'eed after an intense battle with the jihadist rebels.

The hill was identified by a Syrian field journalist as Tal Sheikh Sa'eed, which is considered one of the most important sites inside the district.

Meanwhile, at the 1070 Al-Hamdaniyah Housing Project, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah are attempting to capture the remaining building blocks under jihadist control.

Thus far, the Syrian Armed Forces and Hezbollah have managed to capture a few buildings in the 1070 Housing Project; however, they have yet to seize something significant inside this district.

Syrian Army launches new assault in rural Damascus after Islamist rebels violate peace agreement

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-launches-new-assault-rural-damascus-islamist-rebels-violate-peace-agreement/

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a new assault inside the Damascus suburb of Al-Hamah on Friday after the Islamist rebels violated the peace agreement set forth earlier this week.

According to an Al-Masdar field correspondent in Damascus City, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and their Islamist allies violated the peace settlement after they refused to retreat from the agreed upon points inside Al-Hamah.

In response to this violation, the Syrian Armed Forces stormed these points inside of Al-Hamah, resulting in a fierce battle with the Islamist rebels.

Intense clashes are still ongoing at the moment, as the Syrian Armed Forces attempt to expel the Islamist rebels from the Al-Hamah suburb of Damascus.