Ah yes, I think you're right, thanks! It makes sense because this was also kind of a sales pitch for Russian military technology...
Russia Begins Operations in Syria: End Game for the US Empire?
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Ah yes, I think you're right, thanks! It makes sense because this was also kind of a sales pitch for Russian military technology...
Saudi Arabia Claims It's Open To Sending Troops To Syria
17.04.2018
Saudi Arabia is open for sending troops to Syria under the US-led coalition if such a decision is taken, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on April 17, according to the state-media.
The foreign minister added that Saudi Arabia had previously proposed this idea to then US President Barack Obama.
Earlier the Wall Street Journal’s report speculating that the administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking to establish some “Arab force” that would repalce US troops in northern and northeastern Syria. This “Arab force” reportedly could be established with the support of Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf states.
However, a possible deployment of Saudi troops in Syria is far away from reality according to Syrian experts. Saudi Arabia is currently involved into a long and complicated military conflict in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the country in 2015 in order to defeat the Houthis and to establish a puppet government in the area. However, since then, the Saudi-led coalition has not achieved its main goals in the country. Its forces have even failed to retake the Yemeni capital. At the same time, the Houthis have increased cross-border attacks against and missile launches at Saudi Arabia.
In November 2017, SouthFront released an analysis entitled “Would Anyone Profit From a New War in the Middle East?“. It provides a look at Saudi Arabia’s poisition in the region:
Syrian War Report – April 17, 2018: Syrian Forces Reportedly Repel More Missile Strikes
South Front Published on Apr 17, 2018
Would Anyone Profit From a New War in the Middle East?
28.11.2017 Video / 07:38
The world today, is on the brink of seeing a new conflict over Lebanon. While the chances for escalation are high, the essential
pre-conditions for a new, large-scale war in the region, are still in the works.
On November 22, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri temporarily suspended his resignation following an alleged request by the country’s president Michel Aoun to reconsider the decision.
Hariri originally announced his resignation in a televised speech from the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on November 4. Hariri’s resignation sparked a new round of tensions between Saudi Arabia on one end and Lebanon with Hezbollah on the other.
Saudi Arabia accused Lebanon of “declaring war” on Riyadh by allowing Hezbollah “aggression” against the kingdom. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Tehran of delivering missiles to Yemen’s Houthi forces for use against the kingdom, an act he described as “direct military aggression”.
On November 19, an emergency meeting was held between Saudi Arabia and other Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, calling for a united front, to counter Iran and Hezbollah. In a declaration, issued after the meeting, the Arab League accused Hezbollah of “supporting terrorism and extremist groups in Arab countries, with advanced weapons and ballistic missiles.” In turn, the Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah said that Hariri was held captive in Saudi Arabia because he had not returned to Lebanon as he promised. On November 22, Hariri arrived at the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and suspended his resignation. This marked a new phase of the political standoff between the sides.
Hariri is a compromise figure in the Lebanese politics.
His appointment as the Lebanese prime minister was de-facto supported by Saudi Arabia, the United States and some influential groups in Lebanon. This move was aimed to serve the “interethnic dialogue” in Lebanon.
However, the recent developments in the Middle East, including the nearing end of the conflict in Syria and the growing influence and military capabilities of Hezbollah, have changed the political situation in Lebanon. Hezbollah units de-facto fulfil functions of the presidential guard. Lebanese special services and the special services of Hezbollah are deeply integrated. Hezbollah’s victories in Syria and humanitarian activities in Lebanon increased the movement’s popularity among people.
All these have taken place amid the developing crisis in Saudi Arabia where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched a large-scale purge among the top officials, influential businesspersons and princes under the pretext of combating corruption. According to the experts, the move is aimed at consolidating the power of the crown prince and his father, King Salman. In general, the kingdom is seeking to shift its vector of development and to become a more secular state. In 5-10 years, it can even abandon Wahhabism as the official ideology. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is involved in an unsuccessful conflict in Yemen and a diplomatic crisis with Qatar. This situation fuels tensions and a competition for resources among the Saudi clans. As a result, the Saudi regime and the Saudi state in general, are now, in a weak position.
Let’s look at the interests of all parties.
On the one hand, the appearance of a new active foreign enemy could consolidate the Saudi population and its elites. The war with Hezbollah would allow the Kingdom to gain additional preferences from the United States. Furthermore, with Israel entering the conflict, the kingdom would significantly reduce the risks of losses in the direct military confrontation with Lebanon and Hezbollah.
On the other hand, Riyadh has a wide range of foreign and internal problems. Considering the current weakness of Riyadh, any push may lead to a fall of the colossus with feet of clay.
In the case of the conflict in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia will be involved in a military and diplomatic standoff on 3 fronts:
Israel and the West, in general, are not interested in high oil prices. In turn, Russia and Iran, who will not be involved in the initial stages of the conflict, will receive an increase in revenue from this scenario. The problem is that Tehran and Moscow are not interested in this “big new war” as well. Such a conflict in the Middle East will pose a direct threat to their national security
Israel’s attitude is another issue. Tel Aviv believes that the growing influence of Hezbollah and Iran in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Lebanon, is a critical challenge to its national security. The key issue is that Israeli military analysts understand that Hezbollah is now much more powerful than it was in 2006. Now, Hezbollah is a strong, experienced, military organization, tens of thousands troops strong, which has the needed forces and facilities to oppose a possible Israeli ground invasion in Lebanon.
Iran has also strengthened its positions in the region over the last ten years. It has reinforced its air defense with the Russian-made S-300 systems, strengthened its armed forces and got combat experience in Syria and other local conflicts. Tehran also strengthened its ideological positions among the Shia and even Sunni population which lives in the region.
Thus, Israel will decide to participate in a large-scale conflict in Lebanon only in the case of some extraordinary event. It is possible to assume that in the coming months, a large-scale war in Lebanon will not be initiated. Nonetheless, Israel will continue local acts of aggression conducting artillery and air strike on positions and infrastructure of Hezbollah in Syria and maybe in Lebanon. Israeli special forces will conduct operations aimed at eliminating top Hezbollah members and destroying the movement’s infrastructure in Lebanon and Syria. Saudi Arabia will likely support these Israeli actions. It is widely known that Riyadh would rather use a proxy and engage in clandestine warfare. This means that a peaceful life in the region will not come anytime soon.
In turn, Hezbollah still needs about 1.5 years to further strengthen its positions in Syria and to free additional forces, which could be used in other hot points. The movement will likely put an end to the separation of power in Lebanon. This would mean that Hezbollah and Lebanon would become synonyms. Hezbollah also needs time to expand its network in the Shia-populated part of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, as Hezbollah’s involvement in the Yemeni conflict deepens, the balance of power in the region may begin to shift, creating further setbacks of the Saudi-led coalition.
According to some estimates, Hezbollah will be ready for a new round of the “big game” in the Middle East in the spring of 2019.
Fallout From Sanctions Against Russia Fuels Commodities Rally
Updated April 17, 2018 10:20 a.m. ET
MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: Why Are Douma "Victims" Taking Selfies With The Russian Soldiers?
Russia Insight Published on Apr 17, 2018 Русский диалог / English Sub-T
17.04.2018
Saudi Arabia is open for sending troops to Syria under the US-led coalition if such a decision is taken, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on April 17, according to the state-media.
The foreign minister added that Saudi Arabia had previously proposed this idea to then US President Barack Obama.
Earlier the Wall Street Journal’s report speculating that the administration of US President Donald Trump is seeking to establish some “Arab force” that would repalce US troops in northern and northeastern Syria. This “Arab force” reportedly could be established with the support of Saudi Arabia and some other Gulf states.
However, a possible deployment of Saudi troops in Syria is far away from reality according to Syrian experts. Saudi Arabia is currently involved into a long and complicated military conflict in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the country in 2015 in order to defeat the Houthis and to establish a puppet government in the area. However, since then, the Saudi-led coalition has not achieved its main goals in the country. Its forces have even failed to retake the Yemeni capital. At the same time, the Houthis have increased cross-border attacks against and missile launches at Saudi Arabia.
In November 2017, SouthFront released an analysis entitled “Would Anyone Profit From a New War in the Middle East?“. It provides a look at Saudi Arabia’s poisition in the region:
Syrian War Report – April 17, 2018: Syrian Forces Reportedly Repel More Missile Strikes
Would Anyone Profit From a New War in the Middle East?
28.11.2017 Video / 07:38
The world today, is on the brink of seeing a new conflict over Lebanon. While the chances for escalation are high, the essential
pre-conditions for a new, large-scale war in the region, are still in the works.
On November 22, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri temporarily suspended his resignation following an alleged request by the country’s president Michel Aoun to reconsider the decision.
Hariri originally announced his resignation in a televised speech from the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on November 4. Hariri’s resignation sparked a new round of tensions between Saudi Arabia on one end and Lebanon with Hezbollah on the other.
Saudi Arabia accused Lebanon of “declaring war” on Riyadh by allowing Hezbollah “aggression” against the kingdom. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Tehran of delivering missiles to Yemen’s Houthi forces for use against the kingdom, an act he described as “direct military aggression”.
On November 19, an emergency meeting was held between Saudi Arabia and other Arab foreign ministers in Cairo, calling for a united front, to counter Iran and Hezbollah. In a declaration, issued after the meeting, the Arab League accused Hezbollah of “supporting terrorism and extremist groups in Arab countries, with advanced weapons and ballistic missiles.” In turn, the Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah said that Hariri was held captive in Saudi Arabia because he had not returned to Lebanon as he promised. On November 22, Hariri arrived at the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and suspended his resignation. This marked a new phase of the political standoff between the sides.
Hariri is a compromise figure in the Lebanese politics.
His appointment as the Lebanese prime minister was de-facto supported by Saudi Arabia, the United States and some influential groups in Lebanon. This move was aimed to serve the “interethnic dialogue” in Lebanon.
However, the recent developments in the Middle East, including the nearing end of the conflict in Syria and the growing influence and military capabilities of Hezbollah, have changed the political situation in Lebanon. Hezbollah units de-facto fulfil functions of the presidential guard. Lebanese special services and the special services of Hezbollah are deeply integrated. Hezbollah’s victories in Syria and humanitarian activities in Lebanon increased the movement’s popularity among people.
All these have taken place amid the developing crisis in Saudi Arabia where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched a large-scale purge among the top officials, influential businesspersons and princes under the pretext of combating corruption. According to the experts, the move is aimed at consolidating the power of the crown prince and his father, King Salman. In general, the kingdom is seeking to shift its vector of development and to become a more secular state. In 5-10 years, it can even abandon Wahhabism as the official ideology. At the same time, Saudi Arabia is involved in an unsuccessful conflict in Yemen and a diplomatic crisis with Qatar. This situation fuels tensions and a competition for resources among the Saudi clans. As a result, the Saudi regime and the Saudi state in general, are now, in a weak position.
Let’s look at the interests of all parties.
On the one hand, the appearance of a new active foreign enemy could consolidate the Saudi population and its elites. The war with Hezbollah would allow the Kingdom to gain additional preferences from the United States. Furthermore, with Israel entering the conflict, the kingdom would significantly reduce the risks of losses in the direct military confrontation with Lebanon and Hezbollah.
On the other hand, Riyadh has a wide range of foreign and internal problems. Considering the current weakness of Riyadh, any push may lead to a fall of the colossus with feet of clay.
In the case of the conflict in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia will be involved in a military and diplomatic standoff on 3 fronts:
- North – Hezbollah and Iran;
- South – Yemen; and
- East – Qatar.
Israel and the West, in general, are not interested in high oil prices. In turn, Russia and Iran, who will not be involved in the initial stages of the conflict, will receive an increase in revenue from this scenario. The problem is that Tehran and Moscow are not interested in this “big new war” as well. Such a conflict in the Middle East will pose a direct threat to their national security
Israel’s attitude is another issue. Tel Aviv believes that the growing influence of Hezbollah and Iran in the Middle East, particularly in Syria and Lebanon, is a critical challenge to its national security. The key issue is that Israeli military analysts understand that Hezbollah is now much more powerful than it was in 2006. Now, Hezbollah is a strong, experienced, military organization, tens of thousands troops strong, which has the needed forces and facilities to oppose a possible Israeli ground invasion in Lebanon.
Iran has also strengthened its positions in the region over the last ten years. It has reinforced its air defense with the Russian-made S-300 systems, strengthened its armed forces and got combat experience in Syria and other local conflicts. Tehran also strengthened its ideological positions among the Shia and even Sunni population which lives in the region.
Thus, Israel will decide to participate in a large-scale conflict in Lebanon only in the case of some extraordinary event. It is possible to assume that in the coming months, a large-scale war in Lebanon will not be initiated. Nonetheless, Israel will continue local acts of aggression conducting artillery and air strike on positions and infrastructure of Hezbollah in Syria and maybe in Lebanon. Israeli special forces will conduct operations aimed at eliminating top Hezbollah members and destroying the movement’s infrastructure in Lebanon and Syria. Saudi Arabia will likely support these Israeli actions. It is widely known that Riyadh would rather use a proxy and engage in clandestine warfare. This means that a peaceful life in the region will not come anytime soon.
In turn, Hezbollah still needs about 1.5 years to further strengthen its positions in Syria and to free additional forces, which could be used in other hot points. The movement will likely put an end to the separation of power in Lebanon. This would mean that Hezbollah and Lebanon would become synonyms. Hezbollah also needs time to expand its network in the Shia-populated part of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, as Hezbollah’s involvement in the Yemeni conflict deepens, the balance of power in the region may begin to shift, creating further setbacks of the Saudi-led coalition.
According to some estimates, Hezbollah will be ready for a new round of the “big game” in the Middle East in the spring of 2019.
Fallout From Sanctions Against Russia Fuels Commodities Rally
Updated April 17, 2018 10:20 a.m. ET
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fallout-from-sanctions-against-russia-fuels-commodities-rally-1523957401 MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: Why Are Douma "Victims" Taking Selfies With The Russian Soldiers?
Last edited:
angelburst29
The Living Force
17/04/2018 - BBC Reporter Discourages Syria Questions Due To “Information War” With Russia
_BBC Reporter Discourages Syria Questions Due To “Information War” With Russia
(6:47 min.)
A BBC interview is making the rounds today among opponents of western interventionism in Syria. The subject of the interview, Admiral Alan West, voiced some much needed skepticism about the establishment narrative around the alleged gas attack in Douma. Everybody’s talking about it because West is an empire loyalist that nobody in their right mind would accuse of being an “Assad apologist” or “useful idiot of the Kremlin”, as anyone else who doesn’t swallow the official story hook, line and sinker is uniformly labeled.
West made some sensible comments about the White Helmets and the fact that Jaysh al-Islam had far more incentive to stage such an attack than Assad had to perpetrate it. Even more helpful was his personal account of having been aggressively pressured to make false reports about the success of the British bombing campaign in Bosnia, suggesting that those pressures can lead to bad intelligence and erroneous military responses.
I just wonder, you know we’ve had some bad experiences on intelligence,” West said. “When I was chief of defense intelligence, I had huge pressure put on me politically to try and say that our bombing campaign in Bosnia was achieving all sorts of things which it wasn’t. I was put under huge pressure, so I know the things that can happen with intelligence.”
So that’s a very significant addition to the dialogue. For me, though the most interesting comments made in that interview came not from West, but from the BBC reporter who was interviewing him.
In the latter half of the interview, BBC’s Annita McVeigh asked the following questions after West’s comment about Bosnia:
“We know that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, or accused a western state on Friday, of perhaps fabricating evidence in Douma or somehow being involved in what happened in Douma. Given that we’re in an information war with Russia on so many fronts, do you think perhaps it’s inadvisable to be stating this so publicly given your position and your profile? Isn’t there a danger that you’re muddying the waters?”
Whoa. Wait a minute, did that just happen? Did a BBC reporter just suggest that it could possibly be “inadvisable” for a retired naval officer to make public statements questioning what we’re being told to believe about Syria? That the conversation shouldn’t even be had? That the questions shouldn’t even be asked? Because we’re trying to win an “information war”? Did McVeigh really suggest that the intelligence of the same war machine which led us into Iraq on false pretenses should not be questioned at the risk of “muddying the waters”?
West was introduced as someone who was skeptical of the official Douma narrative, so he didn’t spring this stuff on McVeigh out of the blue and her questions could easily have been prepared in advance. I am genuinely curious if she came up with this bizarre line of inquiry on her own or was given it by a superior. Attempts to contact McVeigh via email and Twitter have thus far gone unanswered; I’ll update this if she responds.
You know you’re in trouble when the military man tries to do the journalist’s job by asking questions and holding power to account… and the journalist tries to stop him.
I have said that truth is the first casualty in war and that this is doubly true of cold war, but it isn’t supposed to be that way. We all know that the BBC has an extensive history of functioning as a propaganda firm for the western war machine, but it isn’t supposed to be that way. It isn’t supposed to be a BBC reporter’s job to concern herself with beating Russia in an “information war”, it’s supposed to be her job to tell the truth and hold power to account.
By suggesting that winning an “information war” with Russia should take priority over critical thinking and truth telling, McVeigh essentially admitted that she is a propagandist for the western war engine. Her comments say a lot about how she sees her role at the BBC, and it’s likely that this is a culture that is being fostered within the entire outlet as well.
This is very concerning. Anyone who’s studied the situation in Syria understands that western military involvement always comes with a risk of confrontation with not just the armed forces of the Syrian government, but with those of Russia and Iran as well. All that it would take right now is a miscommunication or a weapon discharging in an unintended way to set off a swift chain of events that could lead to all out hot war, which when Russia is involved always comes with the possibility of a nuclear warhead being deployed by either side in the chaos and setting Mutually Assured Destruction into effect.
These are not at all outlandish possibilities to consider; they are breathing down our necks as you read this. And yet in this hotly volatile climate, people are being dissuaded from asking questions.
We as individuals are all vastly smarter and wiser than the oligarchs who rule us, and we can handle picking our way through a wide array of information, even information which runs counter to western interests in an “information war”. Ideas are not inherently dangerous. What is dangerous is truth being hidden from the public, making us incapable of making accurate determinations about what’s true and what’s false and using that knowledge to make our wishes known to power. What is dangerous is escalations with a nuclear superpower and its allies and a steadily increasing hostility toward skepticism and detente advocacy.
It isn’t their place to protect us from ideas and information. It isn’t their place to use us as pawns in their idiotic “information war”. They need to stop concerning themselves with controlling the way we think. We are not children that they get to lie to because they believe it is in our best interest. The state of the world today shows that the people running our media and our governments are the very last people on earth who should be making such calls on our behalf.
UPDATE: I had a brief and unsatisfactory interaction with McVeigh on Twitter shortly after this article was published. I don’t feel like any relevant questions were answered; what a BBC reporter is doing arguing for an “information war” against Russia, if other BBC staff saw themselves as fighting an information war against Russia, if she was asked to conduct that line of inquiry with West by a superior at the BBC, etc.
Annita McVeigh @annita_mcveigh
https://twitter.com/annita_mcveigh/status/986266893077147650
Lord West told me he had no specific evidence about the Douma attack but from strategic point of view, it didn’t ‘fit well’ that Assad would have ordered it. We were very interested in his opinion, otherwise we wouldn’t have asked him to do the interview. ..... https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/986255199785201664 …
11:35 AM - Apr 17, 2018
Annita McVeigh @annita_McVeigh
https://twitter.com/annita_mcveigh/status/986267205590573058
2/2.... It was right that he got to give his opinion, and right in the context of the information war to question him about any evidence. https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/986255199785201664 …
11:36 AM - Apr 17, 2018
17/04/2018 - The search for truth in the rubble of Douma – and one doctor’s doubts over the chemical attack (Video - Photos)
Exclusive: Robert Fisk visits the Syria clinic at the centre of a global crisis
The search for truth in the rubble of Douma - and one doctor’s doubts over the chemical attack
This is the story of a town called Douma, a ravaged, stinking place of smashed apartment blocks – and of an underground clinic whose images of suffering allowed three of the Western world’s most powerful nations to bomb Syria last week. There’s even a friendly doctor in a green coat who, when I track him down in the very same clinic, cheerfully tells me that the “gas” videotape which horrified the world – despite all the doubters – is perfectly genuine.
War stories, however, have a habit of growing darker. For the same 58-year old senior Syrian doctor then adds something profoundly uncomfortable: the patients, he says, were overcome not by gas but by oxygen starvation in the rubbish-filled tunnels and basements in which they lived, on a night of wind and heavy shelling that stirred up a dust storm.
As Dr Assim Rahaibani announces this extraordinary conclusion, it is worth observing that he is by his own admission not an eyewitness himself and, as he speaks good English, he refers twice to the jihadi gunmen of Jaish el-Islam [the Army of Islam] in Douma as “terrorists” – the regime’s word for their enemies, and a term used by many people across Syria. Am I hearing this right? Which version of events are we to believe?
By bad luck, too, the doctors who were on duty that night on 7 April were all in Damascus giving evidence to a chemical weapons enquiry, which will be attempting to provide a definitive answer to that question in the coming weeks.
France, meanwhile, has said it has “proof” chemical weapons were used, and US media have quoted sources saying urine and blood tests showed this too. The WHO has said its partners on the ground treated 500 patients “exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals”.
from coming here to the site of the alleged gas attack themselves, ostensibly because they lacked the correct UN permits.
Before we go any further, readers should be aware that this is not the only story in Douma. There are the many people I talked to amid the ruins of the town who said they had “never believed in” gas stories – which were usually put about, they claimed, by the armed Islamist groups. These particular jihadis survived under a blizzard of shellfire by living in other’s people’s homes and in vast, wide tunnels with underground roads carved through the living rock by prisoners with pick-axes on three levels beneath the town. I walked through three of them yesterday, vast corridors of living rock which still contained Russian – yes, Russian – rockets and burned-out cars.
So the story of Douma is thus not just a story of gas – or no gas, as the case may be. It’s about thousands of people who did not opt for evacuation from Douma on buses that left last week, alongside the gunmen with whom they had to live like troglodytes for months in order to survive. I walked across this town quite freely yesterday without soldier, policeman or minder to haunt my footsteps, just two Syrian friends, a camera and a notebook. I sometimes had to clamber across 20-foot-high ramparts, up and down almost sheer walls of earth. Happy to see foreigners among them, happier still that the siege is finally over, they are mostly smiling; those whose faces you can see, of course, because a surprising number of Douma’s women wear full-length black hijab.
I first drove into Douma as part of an escorted convoy of journalists.
But once a boring general had announced outside a wrecked council house “I have no information” – that most helpful rubbish-dump of Arab officialdom – I just walked away. Several other reporters, mostly Syrian, did the same. Even a group of Russian journalists – all in military attire – drifted off.
It was a short walk to Dr Rahaibani. From the door of his subterranean clinic – “Point 200”, it is called, in the weird geology of this partly-underground city – is a corridor leading downhill where he showed me his lowly hospital and the few beds where a small girl was crying as nurses treated a cut above her eye.
“I was with my family in the basement of my home three hundred metres from here on the night but all the doctors know what happened. There was a lot of shelling [by government forces] and aircraft were always over Douma at night – but on this night, there was wind and huge dust clouds began to come into the basements and cellars where people lived. People began to arrive here suffering from hypoxia, oxygen loss. Then someone at the door, a “White Helmet”, shouted “Gas!”, and a panic began. People started throwing water over each other. Yes, the video was filmed here, it is genuine, but what you see are people suffering from hypoxia – not gas poisoning.”
Oddly, after chatting to more than 20 people, I couldn’t find one who showed the slightest interest in Douma’s role in bringing about the Western air attacks. Two actually told me they didn’t know about the connection.
But it was a strange world I walked into. Two men, Hussam and Nazir Abu Aishe, said they were unaware how many people had been killed in Douma, although the latter admitted he had a cousin “executed by Jaish el-Islam [the Army of Islam] for allegedly being “close to the regime”. They shrugged when I asked about the 43 people said to have died in the infamous Douma attack.
The White Helmets – the medical first responders already legendary in the West but with some interesting corners to their own story – played a familiar role during the battles. They are partly funded by the Foreign Office and most of the local offices were staffed by Douma men. I found their wrecked offices not far from Dr Rahaibani’s clinic.
A gas mask had been left outside a food container with one eye-piece pierced and a pile of dirty military camouflage uniforms lay inside one room. Planted, I asked myself? I doubt it. The place was heaped with capsules, broken medical equipment and files, bedding and mattresses.
Of course we must hear their side of the story, but it will not happen here: a woman told us that every member of the White Helmets in Douma abandoned their main headquarters and chose to take the government-organised and Russian-protected buses to the rebel province of Idlib with the armed groups when the final truce was agreed.
There were food stalls open and a patrol of Russian military policemen – a now optional extra for every Syrian ceasefire – and no-one had even bothered to storm into the forbidding Islamist prison near Martyr’s Square where victims were supposedly beheaded in the basements. The town’s complement of Syrian interior ministry civilian police – who eerily wear military clothes – are watched over by the Russians who may or may not be watched by the civilians. Again, my earnest questions about gas were met with what seemed genuine perplexity.
How could it be that Douma refugees who had reached camps in Turkey were already describing a gas attack which no-one in Douma today seemed to recall? It did occur to me, once I was walking for more than a mile through these wretched prisoner-groined tunnels, that the citizens of Douma lived so isolated from each other for so long that “news” in our sense of the word simply had no meaning to them. Syria doesn’t cut it as Jeffersonian democracy – as I cynically like to tell my Arab colleagues – and it is indeed a ruthless dictatorship, but that couldn’t cow these people, happy to see foreigners among them, from reacting with a few words of truth. So what were they telling me?
They talked about the Islamists under whom they had lived. They talked about how the armed groups had stolen civilian homes to avoid the Syrian government and Russian bombing. The Jaish el-Islam had burned their offices before they left, but the massive buildings inside the security zones they created had almost all been sandwiched to the ground by air strikes. A Syrian colonel I came across behind one of these buildings asked if I wanted to see how deep the tunnels were. I stopped after well over a mile when he cryptically observed that “this tunnel might reach as far as Britain”. Ah yes, Ms May, I remembered, whose air strikes had been so intimately connected to this place of tunnels and dust. And gas?
_BBC Reporter Discourages Syria Questions Due To “Information War” With Russia
A BBC interview is making the rounds today among opponents of western interventionism in Syria. The subject of the interview, Admiral Alan West, voiced some much needed skepticism about the establishment narrative around the alleged gas attack in Douma. Everybody’s talking about it because West is an empire loyalist that nobody in their right mind would accuse of being an “Assad apologist” or “useful idiot of the Kremlin”, as anyone else who doesn’t swallow the official story hook, line and sinker is uniformly labeled.
West made some sensible comments about the White Helmets and the fact that Jaysh al-Islam had far more incentive to stage such an attack than Assad had to perpetrate it. Even more helpful was his personal account of having been aggressively pressured to make false reports about the success of the British bombing campaign in Bosnia, suggesting that those pressures can lead to bad intelligence and erroneous military responses.
I just wonder, you know we’ve had some bad experiences on intelligence,” West said. “When I was chief of defense intelligence, I had huge pressure put on me politically to try and say that our bombing campaign in Bosnia was achieving all sorts of things which it wasn’t. I was put under huge pressure, so I know the things that can happen with intelligence.”
So that’s a very significant addition to the dialogue. For me, though the most interesting comments made in that interview came not from West, but from the BBC reporter who was interviewing him.
In the latter half of the interview, BBC’s Annita McVeigh asked the following questions after West’s comment about Bosnia:
“We know that the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, or accused a western state on Friday, of perhaps fabricating evidence in Douma or somehow being involved in what happened in Douma. Given that we’re in an information war with Russia on so many fronts, do you think perhaps it’s inadvisable to be stating this so publicly given your position and your profile? Isn’t there a danger that you’re muddying the waters?”
Whoa. Wait a minute, did that just happen? Did a BBC reporter just suggest that it could possibly be “inadvisable” for a retired naval officer to make public statements questioning what we’re being told to believe about Syria? That the conversation shouldn’t even be had? That the questions shouldn’t even be asked? Because we’re trying to win an “information war”? Did McVeigh really suggest that the intelligence of the same war machine which led us into Iraq on false pretenses should not be questioned at the risk of “muddying the waters”?
West was introduced as someone who was skeptical of the official Douma narrative, so he didn’t spring this stuff on McVeigh out of the blue and her questions could easily have been prepared in advance. I am genuinely curious if she came up with this bizarre line of inquiry on her own or was given it by a superior. Attempts to contact McVeigh via email and Twitter have thus far gone unanswered; I’ll update this if she responds.
You know you’re in trouble when the military man tries to do the journalist’s job by asking questions and holding power to account… and the journalist tries to stop him.
I have said that truth is the first casualty in war and that this is doubly true of cold war, but it isn’t supposed to be that way. We all know that the BBC has an extensive history of functioning as a propaganda firm for the western war machine, but it isn’t supposed to be that way. It isn’t supposed to be a BBC reporter’s job to concern herself with beating Russia in an “information war”, it’s supposed to be her job to tell the truth and hold power to account.
By suggesting that winning an “information war” with Russia should take priority over critical thinking and truth telling, McVeigh essentially admitted that she is a propagandist for the western war engine. Her comments say a lot about how she sees her role at the BBC, and it’s likely that this is a culture that is being fostered within the entire outlet as well.
This is very concerning. Anyone who’s studied the situation in Syria understands that western military involvement always comes with a risk of confrontation with not just the armed forces of the Syrian government, but with those of Russia and Iran as well. All that it would take right now is a miscommunication or a weapon discharging in an unintended way to set off a swift chain of events that could lead to all out hot war, which when Russia is involved always comes with the possibility of a nuclear warhead being deployed by either side in the chaos and setting Mutually Assured Destruction into effect.
These are not at all outlandish possibilities to consider; they are breathing down our necks as you read this. And yet in this hotly volatile climate, people are being dissuaded from asking questions.
We as individuals are all vastly smarter and wiser than the oligarchs who rule us, and we can handle picking our way through a wide array of information, even information which runs counter to western interests in an “information war”. Ideas are not inherently dangerous. What is dangerous is truth being hidden from the public, making us incapable of making accurate determinations about what’s true and what’s false and using that knowledge to make our wishes known to power. What is dangerous is escalations with a nuclear superpower and its allies and a steadily increasing hostility toward skepticism and detente advocacy.
It isn’t their place to protect us from ideas and information. It isn’t their place to use us as pawns in their idiotic “information war”. They need to stop concerning themselves with controlling the way we think. We are not children that they get to lie to because they believe it is in our best interest. The state of the world today shows that the people running our media and our governments are the very last people on earth who should be making such calls on our behalf.
UPDATE: I had a brief and unsatisfactory interaction with McVeigh on Twitter shortly after this article was published. I don’t feel like any relevant questions were answered; what a BBC reporter is doing arguing for an “information war” against Russia, if other BBC staff saw themselves as fighting an information war against Russia, if she was asked to conduct that line of inquiry with West by a superior at the BBC, etc.
Annita McVeigh @annita_mcveigh
https://twitter.com/annita_mcveigh/status/986266893077147650
Lord West told me he had no specific evidence about the Douma attack but from strategic point of view, it didn’t ‘fit well’ that Assad would have ordered it. We were very interested in his opinion, otherwise we wouldn’t have asked him to do the interview. ..... https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/986255199785201664 …
11:35 AM - Apr 17, 2018
Annita McVeigh @annita_McVeigh
https://twitter.com/annita_mcveigh/status/986267205590573058
2/2.... It was right that he got to give his opinion, and right in the context of the information war to question him about any evidence. https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/986255199785201664 …
11:36 AM - Apr 17, 2018
17/04/2018 - The search for truth in the rubble of Douma – and one doctor’s doubts over the chemical attack (Video - Photos)
Exclusive: Robert Fisk visits the Syria clinic at the centre of a global crisis
The search for truth in the rubble of Douma - and one doctor’s doubts over the chemical attack
This is the story of a town called Douma, a ravaged, stinking place of smashed apartment blocks – and of an underground clinic whose images of suffering allowed three of the Western world’s most powerful nations to bomb Syria last week. There’s even a friendly doctor in a green coat who, when I track him down in the very same clinic, cheerfully tells me that the “gas” videotape which horrified the world – despite all the doubters – is perfectly genuine.
War stories, however, have a habit of growing darker. For the same 58-year old senior Syrian doctor then adds something profoundly uncomfortable: the patients, he says, were overcome not by gas but by oxygen starvation in the rubbish-filled tunnels and basements in which they lived, on a night of wind and heavy shelling that stirred up a dust storm.
As Dr Assim Rahaibani announces this extraordinary conclusion, it is worth observing that he is by his own admission not an eyewitness himself and, as he speaks good English, he refers twice to the jihadi gunmen of Jaish el-Islam [the Army of Islam] in Douma as “terrorists” – the regime’s word for their enemies, and a term used by many people across Syria. Am I hearing this right? Which version of events are we to believe?
By bad luck, too, the doctors who were on duty that night on 7 April were all in Damascus giving evidence to a chemical weapons enquiry, which will be attempting to provide a definitive answer to that question in the coming weeks.
France, meanwhile, has said it has “proof” chemical weapons were used, and US media have quoted sources saying urine and blood tests showed this too. The WHO has said its partners on the ground treated 500 patients “exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals”.
from coming here to the site of the alleged gas attack themselves, ostensibly because they lacked the correct UN permits.
Before we go any further, readers should be aware that this is not the only story in Douma. There are the many people I talked to amid the ruins of the town who said they had “never believed in” gas stories – which were usually put about, they claimed, by the armed Islamist groups. These particular jihadis survived under a blizzard of shellfire by living in other’s people’s homes and in vast, wide tunnels with underground roads carved through the living rock by prisoners with pick-axes on three levels beneath the town. I walked through three of them yesterday, vast corridors of living rock which still contained Russian – yes, Russian – rockets and burned-out cars.
So the story of Douma is thus not just a story of gas – or no gas, as the case may be. It’s about thousands of people who did not opt for evacuation from Douma on buses that left last week, alongside the gunmen with whom they had to live like troglodytes for months in order to survive. I walked across this town quite freely yesterday without soldier, policeman or minder to haunt my footsteps, just two Syrian friends, a camera and a notebook. I sometimes had to clamber across 20-foot-high ramparts, up and down almost sheer walls of earth. Happy to see foreigners among them, happier still that the siege is finally over, they are mostly smiling; those whose faces you can see, of course, because a surprising number of Douma’s women wear full-length black hijab.
I first drove into Douma as part of an escorted convoy of journalists.
But once a boring general had announced outside a wrecked council house “I have no information” – that most helpful rubbish-dump of Arab officialdom – I just walked away. Several other reporters, mostly Syrian, did the same. Even a group of Russian journalists – all in military attire – drifted off.
It was a short walk to Dr Rahaibani. From the door of his subterranean clinic – “Point 200”, it is called, in the weird geology of this partly-underground city – is a corridor leading downhill where he showed me his lowly hospital and the few beds where a small girl was crying as nurses treated a cut above her eye.
“I was with my family in the basement of my home three hundred metres from here on the night but all the doctors know what happened. There was a lot of shelling [by government forces] and aircraft were always over Douma at night – but on this night, there was wind and huge dust clouds began to come into the basements and cellars where people lived. People began to arrive here suffering from hypoxia, oxygen loss. Then someone at the door, a “White Helmet”, shouted “Gas!”, and a panic began. People started throwing water over each other. Yes, the video was filmed here, it is genuine, but what you see are people suffering from hypoxia – not gas poisoning.”
Oddly, after chatting to more than 20 people, I couldn’t find one who showed the slightest interest in Douma’s role in bringing about the Western air attacks. Two actually told me they didn’t know about the connection.
But it was a strange world I walked into. Two men, Hussam and Nazir Abu Aishe, said they were unaware how many people had been killed in Douma, although the latter admitted he had a cousin “executed by Jaish el-Islam [the Army of Islam] for allegedly being “close to the regime”. They shrugged when I asked about the 43 people said to have died in the infamous Douma attack.
The White Helmets – the medical first responders already legendary in the West but with some interesting corners to their own story – played a familiar role during the battles. They are partly funded by the Foreign Office and most of the local offices were staffed by Douma men. I found their wrecked offices not far from Dr Rahaibani’s clinic.
A gas mask had been left outside a food container with one eye-piece pierced and a pile of dirty military camouflage uniforms lay inside one room. Planted, I asked myself? I doubt it. The place was heaped with capsules, broken medical equipment and files, bedding and mattresses.
Of course we must hear their side of the story, but it will not happen here: a woman told us that every member of the White Helmets in Douma abandoned their main headquarters and chose to take the government-organised and Russian-protected buses to the rebel province of Idlib with the armed groups when the final truce was agreed.
There were food stalls open and a patrol of Russian military policemen – a now optional extra for every Syrian ceasefire – and no-one had even bothered to storm into the forbidding Islamist prison near Martyr’s Square where victims were supposedly beheaded in the basements. The town’s complement of Syrian interior ministry civilian police – who eerily wear military clothes – are watched over by the Russians who may or may not be watched by the civilians. Again, my earnest questions about gas were met with what seemed genuine perplexity.
How could it be that Douma refugees who had reached camps in Turkey were already describing a gas attack which no-one in Douma today seemed to recall? It did occur to me, once I was walking for more than a mile through these wretched prisoner-groined tunnels, that the citizens of Douma lived so isolated from each other for so long that “news” in our sense of the word simply had no meaning to them. Syria doesn’t cut it as Jeffersonian democracy – as I cynically like to tell my Arab colleagues – and it is indeed a ruthless dictatorship, but that couldn’t cow these people, happy to see foreigners among them, from reacting with a few words of truth. So what were they telling me?
They talked about the Islamists under whom they had lived. They talked about how the armed groups had stolen civilian homes to avoid the Syrian government and Russian bombing. The Jaish el-Islam had burned their offices before they left, but the massive buildings inside the security zones they created had almost all been sandwiched to the ground by air strikes. A Syrian colonel I came across behind one of these buildings asked if I wanted to see how deep the tunnels were. I stopped after well over a mile when he cryptically observed that “this tunnel might reach as far as Britain”. Ah yes, Ms May, I remembered, whose air strikes had been so intimately connected to this place of tunnels and dust. And gas?
angelburst29
The Living Force
April 13, 2018 - Pentagon acknowledges US contractor presence in Syria for first time
Pentagon acknowledges US contractor presence in Syria for first time
The US military is using more than 5,500 contractors in the campaign to defeat the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon revealed in a quarterly report this week that acknowledges the use of contractors in the Syrian war zone for the first time.
The latest figures from US Central Command indicate that 5,508 US and foreign contractors are working alongside US troops in the two combat zones. That’s an increase of 581, or 12%, over January’s numbers, which did not include Syria. About half of the contractors are US citizens, while the rest are local or third-country hires.
The disclosure comes as President Donald Trump has signaled his desire to pull US troops out of Syria “very soon” after the end of the counter-IS mission. The role of contractors in Syria is also under increasing scrutiny after hundreds of Russian contractors died in a battle with US troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province, as CIA Director and Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo publicly confirmed in his Senate confirmation hearing April 12.
Unlike the Russians, however, the US contractors are mostly focused on supporting the 2,000 US troops in Syria by delivering hot meals, gasoline and other supplies. More than 30% of them support logistics and maintenance, according to the quarterly Pentagon report, and another 27% help with support and construction of US military outposts in the region.
“It’s not the Russian contractor role in Syria, which is … deploying tactical military units of squad company size,” said Peter Singer, a senior fellow and strategist at the New America think tank in Washington. “It’s the old stuff that Halliburton used to do.”
More than 400 “security” contractors are also involved in the fight in both countries, but “you’re not seeing the 163rd private US military group invading a city in Syria,” Singer said. Russian military contractors are also helping to protect oil fields across the country, protecting an industry that represented a quarter of Syria’s government revenue in 2010.
Though previous Defense Department personnel reports in the region hadn’t mentioned a Pentagon contractor presence in Syria, the US Department of Labor acknowledged in a report last year that two contractors were killed and six injured in fiscal year 2017. The Pentagon numbers don’t represent contractors working for other US agencies, such as the State Department, which assists with demining.
The Pentagon’s admission comes after an awkward back-and-forth between Trump and his top military and diplomatic advisers at a National Security Council meeting last week. While the president wants to declare victory on IS and pull out, the Pentagon has asked the commander-in-chief to leave US forces in Syria to prevent insurgent cells from regrouping along Syria’s border with Iraq.
Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of US Central Command, said at a public event last week, “The hard part is in front of us” in the war-torn country. Less than a mile away at the White House, Trump appeared to contradict US pledges to stay in the Syria fight at an open Cabinet meeting after long expressing his frustration over US military spending in the Middle East. The White House also recently announced a $200 million cut in funds earmarked for stabilizing Syria.
Despite their nonkinetic role, some experts say contractors face many of the same dangers as the US troops and Syrian forces who battled Russian mercenaries in February. With IS on the run and multiple US antagonists ready to push out the United States and its allies, civilian personnel risk getting caught in the crossfire.
“I would give America a six-month honeymoon here,” said Joshua Landis, the director of the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Middle East Studies. “Turkey, Syria and Iran are just sitting there, waiting to stick shivs in us.”
April 16th, 2018 - How the US Occupied the 30% of Syria Containing Most of its Oil, Water and Gas
How the US Occupied the 30% of Syria Containing Most of its Oil, Water and Gas
While gaining control of key resources for partitioning Syria and destabilizing the government in Damascus, the U.S.’ main goal in occupying the oil and water rich northeastern Syria is aimed not at Syria but at Iran.
After the U.S. launched “limited” airstrikes on Friday against Syria, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced that the U.S. will maintain its illegal presence in Syria until U.S. goals in the area are fulfilled, opening the door for the U.S. occupation to continue indefinitely.
While the U.S. military presence in Syria has been ongoing since 2015 – justified as a means of countering Daesh (ISIS) — U.S. troops have since turned into an occupying force with their failure to pull out following Daesh’s defeat in northeastern Syria. Currently, the U.S. occupies nearly a third of Syrian territory — around 30 percent — including much of the area east of the Euphrates River, encompassing large swaths of the Deir Ezzor, Al-Hasakah and Raqqa regions.
Though the U.S. currently has between 2,000 to 4,000 troops stationed in Syria, it announced the training of a 30,000-person-strong “border force” composed of U.S.-allied Kurds and Arabs in the area, which would be used to prevent northeastern Syria from coming under the control of Syria’s legitimate government. Though it backtracked somewhat after backlash from Turkey, the U.S. has continued to train “local forces” in the area. Russian military sources have asserted that former members of Daesh — who were allowed to leave cities attacked by the U.S. and their proxies, as was the case in battle for Raqqa — are to be included among the force’s ranks.
This, along with the U.S. government’s insistence on maintaining the occupation until Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is removed from power, shows that the U.S. government has no intention of permitting the reunification of Syria and will continue to occupy the region over the long term.
The illegal U.S. occupation of Syria has been widely noted in independent and corporate media, but little media attention has focused on identifying the wider implications of this occupation and the U.S.’ main objectives in keeping northeastern Syria from coming under the control of the legitimate, democratically elected Syrian government. As is often the case in U.S. occupations, both historical and present, it is an effort born out of two goals: resource acquisition for U.S. corporations and the destabilization of a government targeted for U.S.-backed regime change.
Control of fossil fuel deposits and flow -
Northeastern Syria is an important region owing to its rich natural resources, particularly fossil fuels in the form of natural gas and oil. Indeed, this area contains 95 percent of all Syrian oil and gas potential — including al-Omar, the country’s largest oil field. Prior to the war, these resources produced some 387,000 barrels of oil per day and 7.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, and were of great economic importance to the Syrian government. However, more significantly, nearly all the existing Syrian oil reserves – estimated at around 2.5 billion barrels – are located in the area currently occupied by the U.S. government.
In addition to Syria’s largest oil field, the U.S. and its proxies in northeast Syria also control the Conoco gas plant, the country’s largest. The plant, which can produce nearly 50 million cubic feet of gas per day, was originally built by U.S. oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips, which operated the plant until 2005, after which Bush-era sanctions made it difficult to operate in Syria. Other foreign oil companies, like Shell, also left Syria as a result of the sanctions.
With the U.S. now occupying the area, the oil and gas produced in this region are already benefiting U.S. energy corporations to which Trump and his administration have numerous ties. According to Yeni Şafak, the U.S. along with the Saudis, Egypt, and Kurdish officials held meetings where decisions were made to extract, process and market the fossil fuels harvested in the region, with the Kurds being given a handsome share of the profits. As of 2015, the Kurds were said to be earning in excess of $10 million every month.
Syria’s Kurdistan exports its oil to Iraq’s Kurdistan, with which it conveniently shares a border, and it is then refined and sold to Turkey. Though no corporations are publicly involved, the deal between Syrian and Iraqi Kurds was brokered by unnamed “oil experts” and “oil investors.” The Kurds in Syria and Iraq did not even sign the agreement in person. They were subsequently “informed” of the agreement by the United States and instructed to supervise the operation.
A source in Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) told NOW News that “with regard to southern Kurdistan, it was a company and not the KRG that signed the deal, and it is [the company] that directly hands over the sums in cash every month.” Given that over 80 foreign companies are involved in the KRG’s oil trade, most of them U.S.-based, we can safely assume that many of the same players have also been involved in developing the oil trade of Syria’s Kurdistan.
Major corporate interests -
The Trump administration’s numerous connections to the U.S. oil industry make this alliance clear. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired in March, was previously the top executive at ExxonMobil, an oil company that unilaterally brokered an oil deal with Iraqi Kurds behind the back of the Iraqi government and has expressed interest in developing Syrian oil interests in the portion of the country currently occupied by the U.S.
ExxonMobil also had a major stake in the proposed Qatari pipeline, whose rejection by Assad was a likely factor in jumpstarting the Syrian conflict. Trump himself, prior to assuming the presidency, also had sizable investments in ExxonMobil — as well as in 11 other major oil and gas companies, including Total, ConocoPhillips, BHP and Chevron.
In addition, even though Tillerson has now gone, his replacement, Mike Pompeo, is equally a friend to the U.S. oil and gas industry. Pompeo is the “#1 all time recipient” of money from Koch Industries, which has numerous interests in oil and gas exploration, drilling, pipelines, and fossil-fuel refining.
While the U.S. occupation of Syria is no doubt motivated by a desire to exploit the region’s oil and gas resources for itself, the U.S.’ refusal to leave the area is also born out of a concern that, were the U.S. to leave, its chief rival, Russia, would claim the oil and gas riches of Syria’s northeast. Indeed, according to an energy cooperation framework signed in January, Russia will have exclusive rights to produce oil and gas in areas of Syria controlled by the Syrian government.
Since 2014, the U.S. has been aggressively trying to limit Russia’s fossil-fuel sector, particularly its exports to Europe, and replace them with U.S.-produced fossil fuels. As former Speaker of the House John Boehner wrote in 2014, “The ability to turn the tables and put the Russian leader in check lies right beneath our feet, in the form of vast supplies of natural energy.” Allowing the Russian fossil fuel sector to strengthen, whether in Syria or elsewhere, would harm U.S. strategic objectives, U.S. corporate bottom lines and the U.S.’ vision of maintaining a unipolar world at all costs.
Location, location: pipeline maps and a zero-sum game with Russia -
In addition to its fossil fuel resources, Syria’s strategic location makes it crucial to the regional flow of hydrocarbons. Having the northeastern section of Syria under the control of the U.S. and its proxies could have a profound effect on future and existing pipelines. As The New York Times noted in 2013, “Syria’s prime location and muscle make it the strategic center of the Middle East.”
For that very reason, much of the U.S.’ Middle East policy has been aimed at seizing control of territory and pushing for the partition of countries to secure safe transit routes for oil and gas. In Syria such plans to partition the country for this purpose date back to as early as the 1940s, when European oil interests in the country’s northeast began to grow. Since then, several countries have tried to occupy parts of northern Syria to secure control of the region for these strategic purposes, including Turkey and Iraq in addition to Western powers.
A crucial pipeline already exists in northeastern Syria that connects Syria’s oil fields to the Ceyhan-Kirkuk pipeline. Though that pipeline sustained heavy damage in 2014, there are plans to rebuild it or build a new pipeline alongside it. Thus, northeastern Syria also boasts oil export infrastructure that could help Syrian oil travel easily to Turkey and thus to the European market.
In addition, the conflict in Syria – now in its seventh year – was, in part, initiated as a result of clashes over two pipeline proposals that needed to secure passage through Syria. Syria, not long before the foreign-funded proxy war besieged the country, had turned down a U.S.-backed proposal that would take to Europe natural gas from Qatar in favor of a Russia-backed proposal that would take natural gas originating in Iran.
Though those pipeline proposals are no longer as powerful in shaping motives as they once were – largely due to Qatar’s rift with other Gulf monarchies and improved relations with Iran – the northeastern part of Syria remains key to U.S. objectives. According to the German publication Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten, the U.S. has developed plans to build a new pipeline from the Persian Gulf to Northern Iraq and into Turkey through northeastern Syria, with the ultimate goal of supplying oil to Europe. Russia, for its part, opposes this plan, as it seeks to maintain its own lucrative exports of fossil fuels to Europe.
Water and land -
Beyond fossil fuels and pipelines, northeast Syria boasts several other key advantages in terms of resources. Chief among those is water – a resource of prime importance in the Middle East. The U.S.-controlled portion of Syria is home to the country’s three largest freshwater reservoirs, which are fed by the Euphrates river.
One of those reservoirs now controlled by the U.S. and its proxies, Lake Assad, is the country’s largest freshwater reservoir and supplies government-held Aleppo with most of its drinking water. It also provides the city with much of its electrical power, which is generated by Tabqa Dam, also located in the occupied territory. Another key hydroelectric power plant is located at Tishrin Dam and is also controlled by U.S.-backed proxy forces.
In addition to its abundant water resources, northeastern Syria is also home to nearly 60 percent of Syria’s cropland, a key resource in terms of Syria’s sustainability and food independence. Prior to the conflict, Syria invested heavily in bringing irrigation infrastructure into the area in order to allow agriculture there to continue despite a massive regional drought. Much of that irrigation infrastructure is fed by the occupied Tabqa Dam, which controls the irrigation water for 640,000 hectares (2,500 square miles) of farmland.
Game plan for occupation, partition -
Unlike the northeast’s fossil fuel resources, the U.S. is not hoping to gain financially from the region’s water and agricultural resources. Instead, the interest there is strategic and serves two main purposes.
First, control over those resources – particularly water and the flow of the Euphrates – gives the U.S. a key advantage it could use to destabilize Syria. For example, the U.S. could easily cut off water and electricity to government-held parts of Syria by shutting down or diverting power and water from dams in order to place pressure on the Syrian government and Syrian civilians.
Though such actions target civilians and constitute a war crime, the U.S. has used such tactics in Syria before, such as in the battle for Raqqa when it cut off water supplies to the city as its proxies took control of the city from Daesh (ISIS). Other countries, like Turkey, have also cut off the flow of the Euphrates on two occasions over the course of the Syrian conflict in order to gain a strategic advantage.
By controlling much of the country’s water and agricultural land – not to mention its fossil fuel resources — the U.S. occupation will not only accomplish its goal of destabilizing Syria’s government by depriving it of revenue; it also invites a broader conflict from Syria and its allies, who are eager to prevent another long-term U.S. occupation in the Middle East and to reclaim the territory for Syria.
Another way the U.S. has the ability to destabilize Syria through its occupation of the northeast is its plan to have the Saudis rebuild much of the area. Though the U.S. initially allied itself with the Kurds in northeastern Syria, opposition from Turkey has led Washington to focus more on working with Arabs in the area, particularly those allied with or formerly part of Saudi-allied Wahhabi groups, in order to create a Saudi-controlled enclave that could be used to destabilize government-controlled areas of Syria for years to come. The area is set to become much like the Idlib province, which is also essentially an enclave for Wahhabi terrorists.
The U.S. plan to create a Wahhabi enclave in northeast Syria was directly referenced in a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report from 2012. That report stated:
“THE WEST, GULF COUNTRIES, AND TURKEY [WHO] SUPPORT THE [SYRIAN] OPPOSITION… THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A DECLARED OR UNDECLARED SALAFIST PRINCIPALITY IN EASTERN SYRIA (HASAKA AND DER ZOR), AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SUPPORTING POWERS TO THE OPPOSITION WANT, IN ORDER TO ISOLATE THE SYRIAN REGIME…” [capitalization original]
Despite Daesh’s defeat, their presence in Northeastern Syria, as the DIA reveals, was cultivated to provide a pretext for the foreign control of the region.
Partition chess: thinking two moves ahead -
Whether the Saudis or the Kurds ultimately end up dominating the portion of Syria currently occupied by the United States is besides the point. The main U.S. purpose in occupying the northeast portion of Syria is its long-standing goal of partitioning Syria, thereby permanently separating the country’s northeast from the rest of the country.
Throughout the Syrian conflict, the U.S. government has repeatedly tried to sell partition to the public, arguing that partition is the “only” solution to Syria’s ongoing “sectarian” conflict. However, this sectarianism was cynically engineered and stoked by foreign powers precisely to bring about the current conflict in Syria and ultimately justify partition.
WikiLeaks revealed that the CIA was involved in instigating anti-Assad and “sectarian” demonstrations as early as March 2011. Declassified CIA documents show that the plan to push partition by directly engineering sectarianism in order to weaken the Syrian state dates back to at least the 1980s. The partition idea was also repeatedly touted by the Obama administration, which stated on several occasions that it “may be too late” to keep Syria whole.
Though the Obama administration has come and gone, the Trump administration is also set to push for partition, thanks to the recent appointment of John Bolton to the position of National Security Adviser. As MintPress recently reported, Bolton has long advocated for combining northeastern Syria with northwestern Iraq in order to create a new country, which Bolton called “Sunnistan,” that would dominate the two countries’ fossil fuel resources and would count on the key water and agricultural resources of the region to sustain the population. Bolton called for the Gulf Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, to finance the creation of that state – hence the Trump administration’s recent attempts to negotiate a “deal” with the Saudis by which they take over control of the U.S.-occupied portion in Syria if they agree to pay $4 billion for reconstruction.
Aiming at Iran -
While gaining control of key resources for partitioning Syria and destabilizing the government in Damascus, the U.S.’ main goal in occupying the oil and water rich northeastern Syria is aimed not at Syria but at Iran.
As U.S.-based intelligence firm Stratfor noted in 2002, taking control of Syria’s northeast would greatly complicate the land route between Syria and Iran as well as the land route between Iran and Lebanon. In January, Tillerson made this objective clear. Speaking at Stanford University, Tillerson noted that “diminishing” Iran’s influence in Syria was a key goal for the U.S. and a major reason for its occupation of the northeast.
By cutting off the route between Tehran and Damascus, the U.S. would greatly destabilize and weaken the region’s “resistance axis” and the U.S. — along with its regional allies – would be able to greatly increase its regional influence and control. Given the alliance between Syria and Iran, as well as their mutual defense accord, the occupation is necessary in order to weaken both nations and a key precursor to Trump administration plans to isolate and wage war against Iran.
With internal reports warning of the U.S.’ waning position as the “world’s only superpower,” the U.S. has no intention of leaving Syria, as it is becoming increasingly desperate to maintain its influence in the region and to maintain as well the influence of the corporations that benefit the most from U.S. employment.
April 17th, 2018 - Defense Contractors Saw $10 Billion Stock Boost Following Syria Airstrikes
War, who is it good for? Missile manufacturers, that’s who.
Defense Contractors Saw $10 Billion Stock Boost Following Syria Airstrikes
Since President Trump announced that he intended to bomb Syria, the stock values of some of the country’s top weapons manufacturers have soared, adding a collective $10 billion in market capitalization values over the course of just one week. With Trump delivering on his promise this weekend, the rally on Wall Street continues.
A barrage of 118 (or more) U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles rained down on Syria Friday night—Trump’s punishment for the alleged chemical weapons attack carried out by Bashar al-Assad’s government in Douma (for which the world is still awaiting hard evidence). Trump’s tweet on April 9 that he would be taking action against Syria launched the stock prices of some of America’s major defense suppliers into the skies, and they are still climbing.
For Raytheon (RTN), the company which manufactures the Tomahawk cruise missiles used against Syria, nearly $2.5 billion has been added to the company’s market value. Add together the gains from other top weapons makers Lockheed Martin (LMT), General Dynamics (GD), Boeing (BA), and Northrop Grumman (NOC), and it becomes apparent just how profitable a business war can be.
Lockheed Martin makes the tactical control system, another of the required components of the Tomahawk launch apparatus. General Dynamics, meanwhile, manufactures the missile’s firing system. Boeing builds the B-1 bombers used in the strikes as well as its own variety of cruise missiles, while Northrop Grumman produces radar systems and other bombers, like the B-2 Stealth.
The investor crowd was giddy about the money-making opportunities last week. On the stock tip blog “The Street” on Friday, trader Stephen Guilfoyle was recommending “4 Hot Defense Stocks for Syria,” telling his readers, “The world remains dangerous, and dangerous ‘toys’ are increasingly in demand.”
For the American people, the immediate cost of subsidizing the profits of war was at least $165 million—just for the Tomahawk missiles themselves, which cost the government $1.4 million each. This, of course, doesn’t account for the tens of millions of dollars or more that it cost to mobilize the equipment and forces necessary to carry out the air strikes.
Even though this round of strikes is being spun as a one-night affair, it is actually part of a sustained campaign in Syria and across the Middle East aimed at protecting U.S. dominance against the growth of Iranian and Russian influence. Almost exactly a year ago, there was a round of air strikes on Syria over another alleged chemical attack, and U.S. troops have been on the ground inside the country since late 2015.
With known war-hawks now holding prominent positions in the cabinet—including John Bolton as National Security Advisor, Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, and Gina Haspel as head of the CIA—the likelihood that this weekend’s missile strikes were a one-off event are next to nil. All three of these figures were connected with the disastrous war in Iraq under George W. Bush, which was justified by the need to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s “weapons of mass destruction”—weapons which didn’t actually exist.
Meanwhile, the party on Wall Street carries on, with the promise of even brighter days ahead for defense contractors. Immediately following the bombing, Trump pledged “billions of fully approved dollars” in additional military spending on Saturday morning. Speaking of the U.S. military’s overwhelming power in the world, he continued, saying, “There won’t be anything, or anyone, even close!” That is exactly what this weekend’s air strikes were intended to tell the world
Top Photo | Raytheon CEO Tom Kennedy, left, former Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, center, and Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson wait for the arrival of President Donald Trump in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, March 22, 2018
17 Apr, 2018 - UK PM’s husband’s Capital Group is largest shareholder in BAE, shares soar since Syrian airstrikes
UK PM’s husband’s Capital Group is largest shareholder in BAE, shares soar since Syrian airstrikes
Philip May, husband of the UK prime minister, works for a company that is the largest shareholder in arms manufacturer, BAE Systems, whose share price has soared since the recent airstrikes in Syria.
The company, Capital Group, is also the second-largest shareholder in Lockheed Martin – a US military arms firm that supplies weapons systems, aircraft and logistical support. Its shares have also rocketed since the missile strikes last week.
The fact has not gone unnoticed by some on Twitter, who agree that BAE Systems has done very well out of the UK-US-France allied airstrikes on Syria, which were sanctioned by Theresa May. It has been reported that the UK’s contribution to military strikes was to fire eight ‘Storm-Shadow’ missiles at an alleged chemical weapons facility, each of which cost £790,000 ($1.13 million) – totaling £6.32 million ($9 million). The missiles were manufactured by BAE Systems.
Theresa May’s husband has worked as a relationship manager for the research investment company Capital Group since 2005. The Tory-BAE links go even deeper, however. The former chancellor of the exchequer and present editor-in-chief at the Evening Standard, George Osborne’s other employer Black Rock is the fifth-largest shareholder in BAE Systems.
Figures revealed as of March 31, 2018 reveal that the Capital Group has amassed over 360,000 shares in the company, up over 11 percent on the previous quarter, which may have contributed to a hefty rise in BAE’s share price, which currently stands at around 600p.
Philip May’s Capital Group was linked to the Paradise Papers scandal in 2017. News and current affairs magazine, Private Eye, suggested at the time that Philip May's company used offshore law firm Appleby to devise investments in tax havens.
When asked at the time of the scandal about her husband's role, a spokesperson for the UK PM told reporters: "Mr May is involved in the development of Capital Group’s retirement solutions. He is not an investor but consults with other Capital associates on retirement products and solutions for clients.”
The latest news comes on the back of a recent deal agreed by BAE Systems and the Saudi government for the provisional sale of 48 Typhoon jets to the kingdom. The deal was welcomed by the relevant government officials from the UK and Saudi Arabia, who say it would help safeguard jobs. However, it was criticized by arms campaigners worried about the ongoing war in Yemen.
Companies profiting from war – not a new concept, but many may question how this all sits with Philip May, the PM’s supposedly ‘closest political ally.’
17 Apr, 2018 - North & South Korea may announce official end to war – local media
North & South Korea may announce official end to war – local media
Seoul and Pyongyang are reportedly set to make a huge step in the peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula, as officials from the two states are negotiating a joint statement outlining a formal end to hostilities.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the South’s president, Moon Jae-in, are scheduled to meet at a rare inter-Korean summit on April 27. A local media report indicated that the date could put an end to more than half a century of confrontation.
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in are to meet in the demilitarized zone in the village of Panmunjom, 53km north of Seoul. It will be the third event of its kind in the history of the two nations. Two previous meetings in 2000 and 2007 focused on political and economic issues.
Delegations from the North and the South have been holding meetings prior to the high-level talks to discuss a joint statement. The document may lead to “the end of confrontation,” newspaper Munhwa Ilbo reported Tuesday, citing a government official.
War broke out between the two Koreas in 1950, and they formally remain at war despite the de facto end of hostilities in 1953.
The thaw in relations began on the eve of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, when the two nations formed a joint women’s ice-hockey team and agreed to march under a unified banner at the opening ceremony.
On Monday, South Korean envoy to Russia Wu Yun Gin said that Seoul will “do its utmost” to persuade the North to support the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula during the forthcoming talks. North Korea has repeatedly stressed that it is not going to stop its nuclear program until the US abandons its ‘hostile’ policy towards Pyongyang and halts military drills on the country’s doorstep.
Pentagon acknowledges US contractor presence in Syria for first time
The US military is using more than 5,500 contractors in the campaign to defeat the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon revealed in a quarterly report this week that acknowledges the use of contractors in the Syrian war zone for the first time.
The latest figures from US Central Command indicate that 5,508 US and foreign contractors are working alongside US troops in the two combat zones. That’s an increase of 581, or 12%, over January’s numbers, which did not include Syria. About half of the contractors are US citizens, while the rest are local or third-country hires.
The disclosure comes as President Donald Trump has signaled his desire to pull US troops out of Syria “very soon” after the end of the counter-IS mission. The role of contractors in Syria is also under increasing scrutiny after hundreds of Russian contractors died in a battle with US troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province, as CIA Director and Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo publicly confirmed in his Senate confirmation hearing April 12.
Unlike the Russians, however, the US contractors are mostly focused on supporting the 2,000 US troops in Syria by delivering hot meals, gasoline and other supplies. More than 30% of them support logistics and maintenance, according to the quarterly Pentagon report, and another 27% help with support and construction of US military outposts in the region.
“It’s not the Russian contractor role in Syria, which is … deploying tactical military units of squad company size,” said Peter Singer, a senior fellow and strategist at the New America think tank in Washington. “It’s the old stuff that Halliburton used to do.”
More than 400 “security” contractors are also involved in the fight in both countries, but “you’re not seeing the 163rd private US military group invading a city in Syria,” Singer said. Russian military contractors are also helping to protect oil fields across the country, protecting an industry that represented a quarter of Syria’s government revenue in 2010.
Though previous Defense Department personnel reports in the region hadn’t mentioned a Pentagon contractor presence in Syria, the US Department of Labor acknowledged in a report last year that two contractors were killed and six injured in fiscal year 2017. The Pentagon numbers don’t represent contractors working for other US agencies, such as the State Department, which assists with demining.
The Pentagon’s admission comes after an awkward back-and-forth between Trump and his top military and diplomatic advisers at a National Security Council meeting last week. While the president wants to declare victory on IS and pull out, the Pentagon has asked the commander-in-chief to leave US forces in Syria to prevent insurgent cells from regrouping along Syria’s border with Iraq.
Gen. Joseph Votel, the head of US Central Command, said at a public event last week, “The hard part is in front of us” in the war-torn country. Less than a mile away at the White House, Trump appeared to contradict US pledges to stay in the Syria fight at an open Cabinet meeting after long expressing his frustration over US military spending in the Middle East. The White House also recently announced a $200 million cut in funds earmarked for stabilizing Syria.
Despite their nonkinetic role, some experts say contractors face many of the same dangers as the US troops and Syrian forces who battled Russian mercenaries in February. With IS on the run and multiple US antagonists ready to push out the United States and its allies, civilian personnel risk getting caught in the crossfire.
“I would give America a six-month honeymoon here,” said Joshua Landis, the director of the University of Oklahoma’s Center for Middle East Studies. “Turkey, Syria and Iran are just sitting there, waiting to stick shivs in us.”
April 16th, 2018 - How the US Occupied the 30% of Syria Containing Most of its Oil, Water and Gas
How the US Occupied the 30% of Syria Containing Most of its Oil, Water and Gas
While gaining control of key resources for partitioning Syria and destabilizing the government in Damascus, the U.S.’ main goal in occupying the oil and water rich northeastern Syria is aimed not at Syria but at Iran.
After the U.S. launched “limited” airstrikes on Friday against Syria, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced that the U.S. will maintain its illegal presence in Syria until U.S. goals in the area are fulfilled, opening the door for the U.S. occupation to continue indefinitely.
While the U.S. military presence in Syria has been ongoing since 2015 – justified as a means of countering Daesh (ISIS) — U.S. troops have since turned into an occupying force with their failure to pull out following Daesh’s defeat in northeastern Syria. Currently, the U.S. occupies nearly a third of Syrian territory — around 30 percent — including much of the area east of the Euphrates River, encompassing large swaths of the Deir Ezzor, Al-Hasakah and Raqqa regions.
Though the U.S. currently has between 2,000 to 4,000 troops stationed in Syria, it announced the training of a 30,000-person-strong “border force” composed of U.S.-allied Kurds and Arabs in the area, which would be used to prevent northeastern Syria from coming under the control of Syria’s legitimate government. Though it backtracked somewhat after backlash from Turkey, the U.S. has continued to train “local forces” in the area. Russian military sources have asserted that former members of Daesh — who were allowed to leave cities attacked by the U.S. and their proxies, as was the case in battle for Raqqa — are to be included among the force’s ranks.
This, along with the U.S. government’s insistence on maintaining the occupation until Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is removed from power, shows that the U.S. government has no intention of permitting the reunification of Syria and will continue to occupy the region over the long term.
The illegal U.S. occupation of Syria has been widely noted in independent and corporate media, but little media attention has focused on identifying the wider implications of this occupation and the U.S.’ main objectives in keeping northeastern Syria from coming under the control of the legitimate, democratically elected Syrian government. As is often the case in U.S. occupations, both historical and present, it is an effort born out of two goals: resource acquisition for U.S. corporations and the destabilization of a government targeted for U.S.-backed regime change.
Control of fossil fuel deposits and flow -
Northeastern Syria is an important region owing to its rich natural resources, particularly fossil fuels in the form of natural gas and oil. Indeed, this area contains 95 percent of all Syrian oil and gas potential — including al-Omar, the country’s largest oil field. Prior to the war, these resources produced some 387,000 barrels of oil per day and 7.8 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, and were of great economic importance to the Syrian government. However, more significantly, nearly all the existing Syrian oil reserves – estimated at around 2.5 billion barrels – are located in the area currently occupied by the U.S. government.
In addition to Syria’s largest oil field, the U.S. and its proxies in northeast Syria also control the Conoco gas plant, the country’s largest. The plant, which can produce nearly 50 million cubic feet of gas per day, was originally built by U.S. oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips, which operated the plant until 2005, after which Bush-era sanctions made it difficult to operate in Syria. Other foreign oil companies, like Shell, also left Syria as a result of the sanctions.
With the U.S. now occupying the area, the oil and gas produced in this region are already benefiting U.S. energy corporations to which Trump and his administration have numerous ties. According to Yeni Şafak, the U.S. along with the Saudis, Egypt, and Kurdish officials held meetings where decisions were made to extract, process and market the fossil fuels harvested in the region, with the Kurds being given a handsome share of the profits. As of 2015, the Kurds were said to be earning in excess of $10 million every month.
Syria’s Kurdistan exports its oil to Iraq’s Kurdistan, with which it conveniently shares a border, and it is then refined and sold to Turkey. Though no corporations are publicly involved, the deal between Syrian and Iraqi Kurds was brokered by unnamed “oil experts” and “oil investors.” The Kurds in Syria and Iraq did not even sign the agreement in person. They were subsequently “informed” of the agreement by the United States and instructed to supervise the operation.
A source in Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) told NOW News that “with regard to southern Kurdistan, it was a company and not the KRG that signed the deal, and it is [the company] that directly hands over the sums in cash every month.” Given that over 80 foreign companies are involved in the KRG’s oil trade, most of them U.S.-based, we can safely assume that many of the same players have also been involved in developing the oil trade of Syria’s Kurdistan.
Major corporate interests -
The Trump administration’s numerous connections to the U.S. oil industry make this alliance clear. Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who was fired in March, was previously the top executive at ExxonMobil, an oil company that unilaterally brokered an oil deal with Iraqi Kurds behind the back of the Iraqi government and has expressed interest in developing Syrian oil interests in the portion of the country currently occupied by the U.S.
ExxonMobil also had a major stake in the proposed Qatari pipeline, whose rejection by Assad was a likely factor in jumpstarting the Syrian conflict. Trump himself, prior to assuming the presidency, also had sizable investments in ExxonMobil — as well as in 11 other major oil and gas companies, including Total, ConocoPhillips, BHP and Chevron.
In addition, even though Tillerson has now gone, his replacement, Mike Pompeo, is equally a friend to the U.S. oil and gas industry. Pompeo is the “#1 all time recipient” of money from Koch Industries, which has numerous interests in oil and gas exploration, drilling, pipelines, and fossil-fuel refining.
While the U.S. occupation of Syria is no doubt motivated by a desire to exploit the region’s oil and gas resources for itself, the U.S.’ refusal to leave the area is also born out of a concern that, were the U.S. to leave, its chief rival, Russia, would claim the oil and gas riches of Syria’s northeast. Indeed, according to an energy cooperation framework signed in January, Russia will have exclusive rights to produce oil and gas in areas of Syria controlled by the Syrian government.
Since 2014, the U.S. has been aggressively trying to limit Russia’s fossil-fuel sector, particularly its exports to Europe, and replace them with U.S.-produced fossil fuels. As former Speaker of the House John Boehner wrote in 2014, “The ability to turn the tables and put the Russian leader in check lies right beneath our feet, in the form of vast supplies of natural energy.” Allowing the Russian fossil fuel sector to strengthen, whether in Syria or elsewhere, would harm U.S. strategic objectives, U.S. corporate bottom lines and the U.S.’ vision of maintaining a unipolar world at all costs.
Location, location: pipeline maps and a zero-sum game with Russia -
In addition to its fossil fuel resources, Syria’s strategic location makes it crucial to the regional flow of hydrocarbons. Having the northeastern section of Syria under the control of the U.S. and its proxies could have a profound effect on future and existing pipelines. As The New York Times noted in 2013, “Syria’s prime location and muscle make it the strategic center of the Middle East.”
For that very reason, much of the U.S.’ Middle East policy has been aimed at seizing control of territory and pushing for the partition of countries to secure safe transit routes for oil and gas. In Syria such plans to partition the country for this purpose date back to as early as the 1940s, when European oil interests in the country’s northeast began to grow. Since then, several countries have tried to occupy parts of northern Syria to secure control of the region for these strategic purposes, including Turkey and Iraq in addition to Western powers.
A crucial pipeline already exists in northeastern Syria that connects Syria’s oil fields to the Ceyhan-Kirkuk pipeline. Though that pipeline sustained heavy damage in 2014, there are plans to rebuild it or build a new pipeline alongside it. Thus, northeastern Syria also boasts oil export infrastructure that could help Syrian oil travel easily to Turkey and thus to the European market.
In addition, the conflict in Syria – now in its seventh year – was, in part, initiated as a result of clashes over two pipeline proposals that needed to secure passage through Syria. Syria, not long before the foreign-funded proxy war besieged the country, had turned down a U.S.-backed proposal that would take to Europe natural gas from Qatar in favor of a Russia-backed proposal that would take natural gas originating in Iran.
Though those pipeline proposals are no longer as powerful in shaping motives as they once were – largely due to Qatar’s rift with other Gulf monarchies and improved relations with Iran – the northeastern part of Syria remains key to U.S. objectives. According to the German publication Deutsche Wirtschafts Nachrichten, the U.S. has developed plans to build a new pipeline from the Persian Gulf to Northern Iraq and into Turkey through northeastern Syria, with the ultimate goal of supplying oil to Europe. Russia, for its part, opposes this plan, as it seeks to maintain its own lucrative exports of fossil fuels to Europe.
Water and land -
Beyond fossil fuels and pipelines, northeast Syria boasts several other key advantages in terms of resources. Chief among those is water – a resource of prime importance in the Middle East. The U.S.-controlled portion of Syria is home to the country’s three largest freshwater reservoirs, which are fed by the Euphrates river.
One of those reservoirs now controlled by the U.S. and its proxies, Lake Assad, is the country’s largest freshwater reservoir and supplies government-held Aleppo with most of its drinking water. It also provides the city with much of its electrical power, which is generated by Tabqa Dam, also located in the occupied territory. Another key hydroelectric power plant is located at Tishrin Dam and is also controlled by U.S.-backed proxy forces.
In addition to its abundant water resources, northeastern Syria is also home to nearly 60 percent of Syria’s cropland, a key resource in terms of Syria’s sustainability and food independence. Prior to the conflict, Syria invested heavily in bringing irrigation infrastructure into the area in order to allow agriculture there to continue despite a massive regional drought. Much of that irrigation infrastructure is fed by the occupied Tabqa Dam, which controls the irrigation water for 640,000 hectares (2,500 square miles) of farmland.
Game plan for occupation, partition -
Unlike the northeast’s fossil fuel resources, the U.S. is not hoping to gain financially from the region’s water and agricultural resources. Instead, the interest there is strategic and serves two main purposes.
First, control over those resources – particularly water and the flow of the Euphrates – gives the U.S. a key advantage it could use to destabilize Syria. For example, the U.S. could easily cut off water and electricity to government-held parts of Syria by shutting down or diverting power and water from dams in order to place pressure on the Syrian government and Syrian civilians.
Though such actions target civilians and constitute a war crime, the U.S. has used such tactics in Syria before, such as in the battle for Raqqa when it cut off water supplies to the city as its proxies took control of the city from Daesh (ISIS). Other countries, like Turkey, have also cut off the flow of the Euphrates on two occasions over the course of the Syrian conflict in order to gain a strategic advantage.
By controlling much of the country’s water and agricultural land – not to mention its fossil fuel resources — the U.S. occupation will not only accomplish its goal of destabilizing Syria’s government by depriving it of revenue; it also invites a broader conflict from Syria and its allies, who are eager to prevent another long-term U.S. occupation in the Middle East and to reclaim the territory for Syria.
Another way the U.S. has the ability to destabilize Syria through its occupation of the northeast is its plan to have the Saudis rebuild much of the area. Though the U.S. initially allied itself with the Kurds in northeastern Syria, opposition from Turkey has led Washington to focus more on working with Arabs in the area, particularly those allied with or formerly part of Saudi-allied Wahhabi groups, in order to create a Saudi-controlled enclave that could be used to destabilize government-controlled areas of Syria for years to come. The area is set to become much like the Idlib province, which is also essentially an enclave for Wahhabi terrorists.
The U.S. plan to create a Wahhabi enclave in northeast Syria was directly referenced in a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report from 2012. That report stated:
“THE WEST, GULF COUNTRIES, AND TURKEY [WHO] SUPPORT THE [SYRIAN] OPPOSITION… THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A DECLARED OR UNDECLARED SALAFIST PRINCIPALITY IN EASTERN SYRIA (HASAKA AND DER ZOR), AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SUPPORTING POWERS TO THE OPPOSITION WANT, IN ORDER TO ISOLATE THE SYRIAN REGIME…” [capitalization original]
Despite Daesh’s defeat, their presence in Northeastern Syria, as the DIA reveals, was cultivated to provide a pretext for the foreign control of the region.
Partition chess: thinking two moves ahead -
Whether the Saudis or the Kurds ultimately end up dominating the portion of Syria currently occupied by the United States is besides the point. The main U.S. purpose in occupying the northeast portion of Syria is its long-standing goal of partitioning Syria, thereby permanently separating the country’s northeast from the rest of the country.
Throughout the Syrian conflict, the U.S. government has repeatedly tried to sell partition to the public, arguing that partition is the “only” solution to Syria’s ongoing “sectarian” conflict. However, this sectarianism was cynically engineered and stoked by foreign powers precisely to bring about the current conflict in Syria and ultimately justify partition.
WikiLeaks revealed that the CIA was involved in instigating anti-Assad and “sectarian” demonstrations as early as March 2011. Declassified CIA documents show that the plan to push partition by directly engineering sectarianism in order to weaken the Syrian state dates back to at least the 1980s. The partition idea was also repeatedly touted by the Obama administration, which stated on several occasions that it “may be too late” to keep Syria whole.
Though the Obama administration has come and gone, the Trump administration is also set to push for partition, thanks to the recent appointment of John Bolton to the position of National Security Adviser. As MintPress recently reported, Bolton has long advocated for combining northeastern Syria with northwestern Iraq in order to create a new country, which Bolton called “Sunnistan,” that would dominate the two countries’ fossil fuel resources and would count on the key water and agricultural resources of the region to sustain the population. Bolton called for the Gulf Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, to finance the creation of that state – hence the Trump administration’s recent attempts to negotiate a “deal” with the Saudis by which they take over control of the U.S.-occupied portion in Syria if they agree to pay $4 billion for reconstruction.
Aiming at Iran -
While gaining control of key resources for partitioning Syria and destabilizing the government in Damascus, the U.S.’ main goal in occupying the oil and water rich northeastern Syria is aimed not at Syria but at Iran.
As U.S.-based intelligence firm Stratfor noted in 2002, taking control of Syria’s northeast would greatly complicate the land route between Syria and Iran as well as the land route between Iran and Lebanon. In January, Tillerson made this objective clear. Speaking at Stanford University, Tillerson noted that “diminishing” Iran’s influence in Syria was a key goal for the U.S. and a major reason for its occupation of the northeast.
By cutting off the route between Tehran and Damascus, the U.S. would greatly destabilize and weaken the region’s “resistance axis” and the U.S. — along with its regional allies – would be able to greatly increase its regional influence and control. Given the alliance between Syria and Iran, as well as their mutual defense accord, the occupation is necessary in order to weaken both nations and a key precursor to Trump administration plans to isolate and wage war against Iran.
With internal reports warning of the U.S.’ waning position as the “world’s only superpower,” the U.S. has no intention of leaving Syria, as it is becoming increasingly desperate to maintain its influence in the region and to maintain as well the influence of the corporations that benefit the most from U.S. employment.
April 17th, 2018 - Defense Contractors Saw $10 Billion Stock Boost Following Syria Airstrikes
War, who is it good for? Missile manufacturers, that’s who.
Defense Contractors Saw $10 Billion Stock Boost Following Syria Airstrikes
Since President Trump announced that he intended to bomb Syria, the stock values of some of the country’s top weapons manufacturers have soared, adding a collective $10 billion in market capitalization values over the course of just one week. With Trump delivering on his promise this weekend, the rally on Wall Street continues.
A barrage of 118 (or more) U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles rained down on Syria Friday night—Trump’s punishment for the alleged chemical weapons attack carried out by Bashar al-Assad’s government in Douma (for which the world is still awaiting hard evidence). Trump’s tweet on April 9 that he would be taking action against Syria launched the stock prices of some of America’s major defense suppliers into the skies, and they are still climbing.
For Raytheon (RTN), the company which manufactures the Tomahawk cruise missiles used against Syria, nearly $2.5 billion has been added to the company’s market value. Add together the gains from other top weapons makers Lockheed Martin (LMT), General Dynamics (GD), Boeing (BA), and Northrop Grumman (NOC), and it becomes apparent just how profitable a business war can be.
Lockheed Martin makes the tactical control system, another of the required components of the Tomahawk launch apparatus. General Dynamics, meanwhile, manufactures the missile’s firing system. Boeing builds the B-1 bombers used in the strikes as well as its own variety of cruise missiles, while Northrop Grumman produces radar systems and other bombers, like the B-2 Stealth.
The investor crowd was giddy about the money-making opportunities last week. On the stock tip blog “The Street” on Friday, trader Stephen Guilfoyle was recommending “4 Hot Defense Stocks for Syria,” telling his readers, “The world remains dangerous, and dangerous ‘toys’ are increasingly in demand.”
For the American people, the immediate cost of subsidizing the profits of war was at least $165 million—just for the Tomahawk missiles themselves, which cost the government $1.4 million each. This, of course, doesn’t account for the tens of millions of dollars or more that it cost to mobilize the equipment and forces necessary to carry out the air strikes.
Even though this round of strikes is being spun as a one-night affair, it is actually part of a sustained campaign in Syria and across the Middle East aimed at protecting U.S. dominance against the growth of Iranian and Russian influence. Almost exactly a year ago, there was a round of air strikes on Syria over another alleged chemical attack, and U.S. troops have been on the ground inside the country since late 2015.
With known war-hawks now holding prominent positions in the cabinet—including John Bolton as National Security Advisor, Mike Pompeo as Secretary of State, and Gina Haspel as head of the CIA—the likelihood that this weekend’s missile strikes were a one-off event are next to nil. All three of these figures were connected with the disastrous war in Iraq under George W. Bush, which was justified by the need to eliminate Saddam Hussein’s “weapons of mass destruction”—weapons which didn’t actually exist.
Meanwhile, the party on Wall Street carries on, with the promise of even brighter days ahead for defense contractors. Immediately following the bombing, Trump pledged “billions of fully approved dollars” in additional military spending on Saturday morning. Speaking of the U.S. military’s overwhelming power in the world, he continued, saying, “There won’t be anything, or anyone, even close!” That is exactly what this weekend’s air strikes were intended to tell the world
Top Photo | Raytheon CEO Tom Kennedy, left, former Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, center, and Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson wait for the arrival of President Donald Trump in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, March 22, 2018
17 Apr, 2018 - UK PM’s husband’s Capital Group is largest shareholder in BAE, shares soar since Syrian airstrikes
UK PM’s husband’s Capital Group is largest shareholder in BAE, shares soar since Syrian airstrikes
Philip May, husband of the UK prime minister, works for a company that is the largest shareholder in arms manufacturer, BAE Systems, whose share price has soared since the recent airstrikes in Syria.
The company, Capital Group, is also the second-largest shareholder in Lockheed Martin – a US military arms firm that supplies weapons systems, aircraft and logistical support. Its shares have also rocketed since the missile strikes last week.
The fact has not gone unnoticed by some on Twitter, who agree that BAE Systems has done very well out of the UK-US-France allied airstrikes on Syria, which were sanctioned by Theresa May. It has been reported that the UK’s contribution to military strikes was to fire eight ‘Storm-Shadow’ missiles at an alleged chemical weapons facility, each of which cost £790,000 ($1.13 million) – totaling £6.32 million ($9 million). The missiles were manufactured by BAE Systems.
Theresa May’s husband has worked as a relationship manager for the research investment company Capital Group since 2005. The Tory-BAE links go even deeper, however. The former chancellor of the exchequer and present editor-in-chief at the Evening Standard, George Osborne’s other employer Black Rock is the fifth-largest shareholder in BAE Systems.
Figures revealed as of March 31, 2018 reveal that the Capital Group has amassed over 360,000 shares in the company, up over 11 percent on the previous quarter, which may have contributed to a hefty rise in BAE’s share price, which currently stands at around 600p.
Philip May’s Capital Group was linked to the Paradise Papers scandal in 2017. News and current affairs magazine, Private Eye, suggested at the time that Philip May's company used offshore law firm Appleby to devise investments in tax havens.
When asked at the time of the scandal about her husband's role, a spokesperson for the UK PM told reporters: "Mr May is involved in the development of Capital Group’s retirement solutions. He is not an investor but consults with other Capital associates on retirement products and solutions for clients.”
The latest news comes on the back of a recent deal agreed by BAE Systems and the Saudi government for the provisional sale of 48 Typhoon jets to the kingdom. The deal was welcomed by the relevant government officials from the UK and Saudi Arabia, who say it would help safeguard jobs. However, it was criticized by arms campaigners worried about the ongoing war in Yemen.
Companies profiting from war – not a new concept, but many may question how this all sits with Philip May, the PM’s supposedly ‘closest political ally.’
17 Apr, 2018 - North & South Korea may announce official end to war – local media
North & South Korea may announce official end to war – local media
Seoul and Pyongyang are reportedly set to make a huge step in the peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula, as officials from the two states are negotiating a joint statement outlining a formal end to hostilities.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the South’s president, Moon Jae-in, are scheduled to meet at a rare inter-Korean summit on April 27. A local media report indicated that the date could put an end to more than half a century of confrontation.
Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in are to meet in the demilitarized zone in the village of Panmunjom, 53km north of Seoul. It will be the third event of its kind in the history of the two nations. Two previous meetings in 2000 and 2007 focused on political and economic issues.
Delegations from the North and the South have been holding meetings prior to the high-level talks to discuss a joint statement. The document may lead to “the end of confrontation,” newspaper Munhwa Ilbo reported Tuesday, citing a government official.
War broke out between the two Koreas in 1950, and they formally remain at war despite the de facto end of hostilities in 1953.
The thaw in relations began on the eve of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, when the two nations formed a joint women’s ice-hockey team and agreed to march under a unified banner at the opening ceremony.
On Monday, South Korean envoy to Russia Wu Yun Gin said that Seoul will “do its utmost” to persuade the North to support the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula during the forthcoming talks. North Korea has repeatedly stressed that it is not going to stop its nuclear program until the US abandons its ‘hostile’ policy towards Pyongyang and halts military drills on the country’s doorstep.
angelburst29
The Living Force
14 Apr, 2018 - Putin: History pinned blame on US for ‘bloody carnage’ in Yugoslavia & Iraq, same will be with Syria
Putin: History pinned blame on US for ‘bloody carnage’ in Yugoslavia & Iraq, same will be with Syria
History will set things straight on Syria for the US, which is already responsible for a chain of “bloody carnage” in other countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said following the US-led attack on the country.
“History will set things right, and Washington already bears the heavy responsibility for the bloody carnage in Yugoslavia, Iraq and Libya,” Putin said in a statement. His disdain was triggered by the overnight attack on Syria launched by the US and its allies, who cited an alleged chemical incident in the town of Douma as a pretext.
This unilateral military action has “a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations” and only escalates the Syrian crisis instead of defusing it, the Russian president stated.
The attack came shortly before the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) experts were set to begin their fact-finding mission in Douma. The OPCW mission was disregarded, however, and “in a sign of cynical disdain, a group of Western countries decided to take military action without waiting for the results of the investigation,” Putin said.
Despite the attack, the chemical watchdog’s experts are set to begin their work in Syria, to determine the circumstances of the alleged chemical incident, reported last Saturday. Pro-militant sources, including the controversial White Helmets group, claimed that a chlorine-filled munition was deployed by government troops, killing and injuring dozens of civilians.
The area that allegedly came under attack has since been surrendered by the militants. The site was explored by Russian military
specialists, who found no signs of chemical weapons use, victims of the purported incident or even locals, who heard about the “attack.”
Back-dated 2014 - FROM WOUNDED KNEE TO SYRIA - A CENTURY OF U.S. MILITARY INTERVENTIONS
FROM WOUNDED KNEE TO SYRIA – Zoltán Grossman
The following is a partial list of U.S. military interventions from 1890 to 2014 By Dr. Zoltan Grossman.
Below the list is a Briefing on the History of U.S. Military Interventions.
The list and briefing are also available as a powerpoint presentation.
Among sources used, beside news reports, are the Congressional Record (23 June 1969), 180 Landings by the U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Ege & Makhijani in Counterspy (July-Aug, 1982), “Instances of Use of United States Forces Abroad, 1798-1993” by Ellen C. Collier of the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service, and Ellsberg in Protest & Survive.
Versions of this list have been published on Zmag.org, Neravt.com, and numerous other websites.
Translations of list: Spanish French Turkish Italian Chinese Greek Russian Czech Tamil Portuguese
Quotes in Christian Science Monitor and The Independent
Turkish newspaper urges that the United States be listed in Guinness Book of World Records as the Country with the Most Foreign Interventions. (L-O-N-G List follows)
Putin: History pinned blame on US for ‘bloody carnage’ in Yugoslavia & Iraq, same will be with Syria
History will set things straight on Syria for the US, which is already responsible for a chain of “bloody carnage” in other countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said following the US-led attack on the country.
“History will set things right, and Washington already bears the heavy responsibility for the bloody carnage in Yugoslavia, Iraq and Libya,” Putin said in a statement. His disdain was triggered by the overnight attack on Syria launched by the US and its allies, who cited an alleged chemical incident in the town of Douma as a pretext.
This unilateral military action has “a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations” and only escalates the Syrian crisis instead of defusing it, the Russian president stated.
The attack came shortly before the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) experts were set to begin their fact-finding mission in Douma. The OPCW mission was disregarded, however, and “in a sign of cynical disdain, a group of Western countries decided to take military action without waiting for the results of the investigation,” Putin said.
Despite the attack, the chemical watchdog’s experts are set to begin their work in Syria, to determine the circumstances of the alleged chemical incident, reported last Saturday. Pro-militant sources, including the controversial White Helmets group, claimed that a chlorine-filled munition was deployed by government troops, killing and injuring dozens of civilians.
The area that allegedly came under attack has since been surrendered by the militants. The site was explored by Russian military
specialists, who found no signs of chemical weapons use, victims of the purported incident or even locals, who heard about the “attack.”
Back-dated 2014 - FROM WOUNDED KNEE TO SYRIA - A CENTURY OF U.S. MILITARY INTERVENTIONS
FROM WOUNDED KNEE TO SYRIA – Zoltán Grossman
The following is a partial list of U.S. military interventions from 1890 to 2014 By Dr. Zoltan Grossman.
Below the list is a Briefing on the History of U.S. Military Interventions.
The list and briefing are also available as a powerpoint presentation.
Among sources used, beside news reports, are the Congressional Record (23 June 1969), 180 Landings by the U.S. Marine Corps History Division, Ege & Makhijani in Counterspy (July-Aug, 1982), “Instances of Use of United States Forces Abroad, 1798-1993” by Ellen C. Collier of the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service, and Ellsberg in Protest & Survive.
Versions of this list have been published on Zmag.org, Neravt.com, and numerous other websites.
Translations of list: Spanish French Turkish Italian Chinese Greek Russian Czech Tamil Portuguese
Quotes in Christian Science Monitor and The Independent
Turkish newspaper urges that the United States be listed in Guinness Book of World Records as the Country with the Most Foreign Interventions. (L-O-N-G List follows)
angelburst29
The Living Force
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Syrian Army Air Defense Units Intercept Missiles Fired at Airbases in Damascus, Homs
Farsnews
The Syrian Army air defense units intercepted 12 missiles fired at two key airbases in the provinces of Damascus and Homs early Tuesday, Syria's state news agency reported.
SANA reported that the air defense units intercepted 12 missiles fired at al-Dumayr airbase in Northern Damascus and Sha'eirat airbase in Eastern Homs in the early hours of Tuesday.
Also, the Arabic-language website of Russia's state-run Sputnik reported that the air defense units intercepted nine missiles before they could reach al-Sha'eirat.
It further said that the al-Sha'eirat and T4 airbases in Homs province have not sustained any damage in the missile attack.
In the meantime, Al-Mayadeen TV reported that the air defense units intercepted three missiles before they could reach al-Dumayr airbase in Northern Damascus.
It further said that the missile attack at al-Dumayr airbase was amid talks between the militants and the army to reach an agreement over evacuation of the gunmen from al-Dumayr region.
Field sources said that the missile attacks were launched by Israel, adding that the Syrian air defense units fired several surface-to-air missiles at Israeli fighter jets that had attacked Syria's soil from outside of the country.
The US Pentagon has denied any involvement in the Tuesday morning missile attacks.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Washington Asking Arab Nations to Replace US Military in Syria after Defeat of ISIL
Farsnews
The Donald Trump administration is reportedly trying to recruit Arab nations to commit funding and troops to eventually replace the US military presence in Syria, according to a report.
US officials have reached out to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates about contributing billions of dollars and military resources to help secure Syria after ISIL (ISIS or Daesh) is defeated, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
National Security Adviser John Bolton has also reportedly reached out to Egyptian officials about the initiative.
He recently held a phone conversation with Abbas Kamel, Egypt’s acting intelligence chief, to see if Cairo was willing to contribute to the implementation of the plan.
The unnamed officials told The Wall Street Journal that Washington wanted Arab nations to send their servicemen to the area, while military officials told the Journal that it would be difficult to convince Arab nations to send troops if the US withdrew its forces entirely.
The US President has in recent weeks created uncertainty over the future of the US role in Syria. Trump had stated that Washington would withdraw from Syria “soon”, but no deadline for any such move has been announced.
Later, Trump suggested the US could extend its military presence in Syria if other Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, paid for it.
But, Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley said days ago that the US will not pull its troops out of Syria until its goals are accomplished there.
While it is America's goals to see the troops come home, "We are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things," she told Fox News, adding that the United States wants to ensure that chemical weapons are not used in a way that is of risk to US interests, the ISIL is defeated and Iran’s actions are monitored.
Multiple military advisers and lawmakers have pushed back on Trump's comments, warning that pulling troops out of Syria would be a mistake that could destabilize the region. US officials were previously saying that their goal in Syria is just defeating ISIL.
The report came after Washington, London and Paris unleashed scores of missiles on civilian and military facilities in Syria in response to an alleged gas attack in Douma, which the West blamed on Bashar Assad’s government.
Damascus and Moscow previously rejected the chemical attack accusations, saying the whole thing may have been fabricated. The missile strikes occurred on the same day that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in Damascus to investigate the claims.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Russian Military Seize 1.5 Tons of Explosives from Militants’ Depots in Syria
Farsnews
A sum of 250 land mines, 25 kilograms of trinitrotoluol and 1.5 tons of other explosives were seized from militants’ depots in Douma region by the Russian military forces during the past day, Chief of the Russian reconciliation Center for Syria Yuri Yevtushenko said.
"Yesterday, with the assistance of Russian reconciliation center and military police officers, munitions and explosives were seized from depots and hideouts organized by militants of the Jaysh al-Islam illegal armed group. In all, 250 land mines, 25 kilograms of trinitrotoluol, 1.5 tons of other explosives and 1,520 fuses were seized and handed over to the Syrian army command," Yevtushenko said, TASS reported.
The Russia center once again reiterated its readiness to help ensure safe operation of OPCW experts in Eastern Ghouta and to provide special transport vehicles and bodyguards to them.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Terrorists Forced to Call for Reconciliation Talks after Syrian Army Advances in Homs, Hama
Farsnews
The terrorist groups, deployed in Hama-Salamiyah-Homs Triangle, have called on the Syrian Army for reconciliation talks after frequent defeats in recent days, an Arab media outlet said on Tuesday.
The Arabic-language al-Watan daily reported that the army has temporarily halted its operation in Southeastern Hama and Northern Homs to pave the ground for the start of reconciliation talks with the militants that have applied for a peace agreement.
The daily further said that the militants have demanded local activists to mediate and end the army assault amid the government forces' rapid advances in Southeastern Hama and Northern Homs.
Al-Watan went on to say that the army has remarkably advanced against the terrorists in the town of al-Rastan that is a main bastion of the militants.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Russia, US Backed Fighters Preparing for Colossal Showdown in Eastern Syria
Farsnews
The US and Russian backed forces in Syria are preparing for a major battle for the strategic oilfields in the Eastern countryside of Deir Ezzur, a military source said.
The Syrian Army troops and their allies have been amassing their forces along the Western bank of the Euphrates River for nearly two weeks now, massdar quoted the source.
The source added that the government forces are planning on crossing the bridge that was recently constructed by the Russian military near the key town of Khasham in Eastern Deir Ezzur.
If the Syrian military does in fact cross the bridge, they will be within the striking distance of the Al-Umar Oilfields.
The region hosts Deir Ezzur’s largest oilfields, making its capture all the more important for the Syrian government.
However, the US-backed forces are not likely to give it up without a fight, despite the fact they are greatly outnumbered by the Syrian military.
While Russia and the US will provide their respective sides with military support, it will be the latter that might have to militarily intervene.
The US Coalition has bombed the Syrian military before and given their latest attack, they may choose to do so again.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Russian FM: US Strikes against Syria ‘Play into Hands of Extremists’
Farsnews
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday missile strikes against Syria delivered by the United States, Great Britain and France play into the hands of extremists and delay the perspectives of the peace settlement in the Arab republic.
"Such aggressive steps only aggravate the humanitarian situation, play into the hands of extremists and delay the perspectives for the peace settlement on the territory of long-suffering Syria," the top Russian diplomat stressed, TASS reported.
Lavrov said Russia would continue seeking that the sovereignty of Syria is respected.
"The escalation around the Syrian situation has definitely a negative impact on the whole system of international relations," Lavrov stated, adding that "Russia will continue holding its firm stance to see that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as of other countries in this region and other regions, are observed."
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Mass Grave Discovered in Syria's Douma
Farsnews
The Syrian Army troops found a mass grave while carrying out mop-up operation in the town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta on Wednesday that contains the bodies of tens of people believed to have been executed by the terrorists of Jeish al-Islam.
The army discovered the mass grave of Jeish al-Islam's victims South of al-Jala Garden in Douma, where 30 bodies had been buried.
In the meantime, the army men found a large workshop of Jeish al-Islam in Douma that was used for making mortar shells.
Syria's state-run news network reported on Tuesday that the army men found a series of documents in the house of Jeish al-Islam's commander in Eastern Ghouta that proved the terrorist group was working on making chemical weapons.
It further said that other units of the army men discovered a workshop in Jeish al-Islam's security zone in the town of Douma, adding that the terrorist group was manufacturing different weapons in the workshop.
The army men found two sets of machinery that they say were used by the terrorists to make chemical weapons, the network added.
In the meantime, a field source reported that the army soldiers seized al large number of missiles, including Grade missiles, at the base of Jeish al-Islam's missile Brigade in Eastern Ghouta.
The army also found a long network of tunnels that connects Douma neighborhoods to its outskirts.
18/04/2018 - Breaking: Syrian Army uncovers mass grave with 150+ bodies in rural Raqqa
Breaking: Syrian Army uncovers mass grave with 150+ bodies in rural Raqqa
Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uncovered a mass grave while combing through the Al-Raqqa countryside, a military source told Al-Masdar News.
According to the military source, the mass grave was located inside the town of Al-Wawai, which is situated in the western countryside of Al-Raqqa Governorate.
The source added that the mass grave contained over 150 bodies of Syrian Arab Army soldiers and civilians that were executed by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in western Al-Raqqa. More details to come…
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Russian Military Finds Chemical Weapons Stockpile in Syria's Douma
Farsnews
Russian troops found a stockpile of precursors and other substances needed for the production of chemical weapons in Douma in Eastern Ghouta, a Russian media outlet reported, citing chemical defense specialist Alexander Rodionov.
"The discovered substances, such as thiodiglycol and diethanolamine, are necessary for the production of sulfur and nitrogen mustard gas. In addition, a cylinder with chlorine, similar to the one used by the militants for the false-flag operation, was found in the warehouse. It can be concluded that this laboratory was used by illegal armed groups for the production of poisonous substances," Rodionov said the Russian language Zvezda TV channel reported.
The tensions in Syria have increased sharply in the recent weeks after several media outlets, citing Syrian militants, blamed Damascus for using chemical weapons in the town of Duma in the Damascus suburb on April 7. The Syrian Foreign Ministry denied the claims, saying that the use of chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta may have been planned by the terrorist groups.
On Saturday, the United States, the United Kingdom and France launched 103 missiles on multiple targets in Syria before the results of the investigation of the case by the experts of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The attack has already been slammed by a number of countries, including Russia and Iran.
Meanwhile, the OPCW fact-finding mission was deployed to Syria to probe the allegations of a chemical attack last week. However, on Monday, OPCW Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu said that the mission had not reached Douma yet as Syrian and Russian officials informed it that there were still pending security issues.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Modern Mortar, Missile Production Equipment Found in Syria's Douma
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129000802
The Syrian Army bomb disposal squads have found ammunition depots and production plants left by militants in Douma.
Sputnik quoted a military source as saying that advanced and modern equipment, required for producing ammunition for mortars and missiles have been found in the basements of many houses.
The Syrian military has revealed that while clearing buildings in the liberated Douma, several HQs and ammo depots, filled with armaments and corresponding ammunition have been found.
"This means that militants have violated a treaty struck with the army, that they would surrender their weapons in exchange for a free exit from Douma," the military source said.
He also added that some of the headquarters were booby-trapped, but noted that bomb squads had done their job and no one was hurt.
The militants' HQs were equipped with modern radio and space communication means, the military source said.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Terrorists Hand over Heavy Weapons to Syrian Army in Al-Dumayr Region
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129001037
The Jeish al-Islam terrorist group handed over its heavy weapons to the Syrian Army troops on Wednesday within the framework of an agreement to leave al-Dumayr region for the town of Jarabulus in Northern Syria.
Jeish al-Islam terrorists have delivered their heavy weapons and military hardware, including five armored vehicles, BMP vehicles, missile launching pads and cannons to the army following an evacuation agreement that allows militants to leave al-Dumayr for Jarabulus in Northeastern Aleppo.
In the meantime, a sum of 1,500 Jeish al-Islam militants along with 3,500 family members are to leave al-Dumayr for Jarabulus.
Those militants that do not want to be relocated to Jarabulus are allowed to apply for government amnesty.
In a similar development on Tuesday the army troops repelled the terrorists' heavy attack on Eastern Qalamoun region after an agreement between the army and militants in al-Dumayr came into force.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Syria Envoy: UN Security Team Visits Douma to Assess Safety Ahead of OPCW Probe
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129000749
UN Ambassador Bashar Jaafari told the UN Security Council that UN security experts have visited the town of Douma to assess the safety of the Damascus suburb before OPCW experts are scheduled to visit the scene of an alleged chemical attack on Wednesday.
A team of inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has arrived in the Syrian town of Douma, to investigate an alleged attack from two weeks ago, Middle East News reported.
Fact-finding experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) may get down to working at the site of the presumed chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma near Damascus on Wednesday if the UN finds the situation in the area to be safe enough, the Syrian Ambassador to the UN said.
The team arrived in Syria earlier this week, but its deployment on the ground in the Damascus suburb was slowed down by "security concerns".
Douma was freed by Syrian government forces last week, after a Russia-brokered agreement with Jeish al-Islam militants occupying the town resulted in their mass evacuation to Syria's North. Civilians who had been forced to endure life under the militants left the town through humanitarian corridors in their thousands.
Early Saturday morning, Washington and its allies unleashed scores of missiles on civilian and military facilities in Syria in response to an alleged gas attack in Douma, which the West blamed on Bashar Assad’s government. Immediately after the alleged chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta, the United States and its allies accused the Damascus government of killing civilians with prohibited weapons.
Notably, the bombing occurred just hours before the UN’s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) experts were set to carry out an on-site inspection in Douma on Saturday to establish whether chemical weapons had been used there.
Damascus and Moscow previously rejected the chemical attack accusations, saying the whole thing may have been fabricated. Russia and Syria have also called on the international community for an independent investigation.
18/04/2018 - UN security team comes under fire in Douma: Head of OPCW
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/un-security-team-comes-under-fire-in-douma-head-of-opcw/
The head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) stated during a meeting on Wednesday that U.N. security personnel came under fire in Douma while conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town.
OPCW Director General Ahmet Üzümcü told a meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in The Hague that the security team was forced to withdraw, delaying the arrival of chemical weapons inspectors due to visit the site, Reuters reported.
No one was injured during the attack.
The U.N. security team was conducting a reconnaissance mission in Douma to ensure that the OPCW staff would not be put in harms way when they begin their work in the town.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Turkish Army Starts Fresh Operation against Kurdish Fighters in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129000479
The Turkish Army troops and Ankara-backed militants have started an assault on the outskirts of the occupied town of Afrin in Northwestern Aleppo to hunt the Kurdish fighters that are carrying out sporadic attacks against them, militant-affiliated websites reported on Wednesday.
The news websites reported that the Turkish soldiers and their allied militants have kicked off a fresh round of operation against the Kurds in a mountainous region, including Mound Hassan Dayereh, between Bolbol and Rajou region North of Afrin.
The websites further said that the Turkish troops' operation is aimed at putting an end to the Kurdish fighters' sporadic attacks on the Ankara forces, adding that tens of Kurdish militias are still operating in the region.
They went on to say that the Kurdish fighters have been launching surprise attacks on the Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army in Afrin region, and inflicted tens of casualties on the militants so far.
In a relevant development earlier this month, a number of Turkish troops and Ankara-backed militants were killed and several more were wounded in a fresh round of clashes with the Kurdish fighters in Afrin region in Northwestern Aleppo.
The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that the Kurdish militants stormed one of the positions of the Turkish soldiers in the Central part of the town of Afrin, killing an Ankara-backed gunman and wounding two Turkish army soldiers.
It added that a key position of the Turkish army was destroyed in the Kurdish fighters' attack in the village of Kafr Safreh in Jandaris region, leaving three Turkey-backed gunmen dead and two more wounded.
The entire Afrin region has been occupied by the Turkish troops and Ankara-backed militants.
Farsnews
The Syrian Army air defense units intercepted 12 missiles fired at two key airbases in the provinces of Damascus and Homs early Tuesday, Syria's state news agency reported.
SANA reported that the air defense units intercepted 12 missiles fired at al-Dumayr airbase in Northern Damascus and Sha'eirat airbase in Eastern Homs in the early hours of Tuesday.
Also, the Arabic-language website of Russia's state-run Sputnik reported that the air defense units intercepted nine missiles before they could reach al-Sha'eirat.
It further said that the al-Sha'eirat and T4 airbases in Homs province have not sustained any damage in the missile attack.
In the meantime, Al-Mayadeen TV reported that the air defense units intercepted three missiles before they could reach al-Dumayr airbase in Northern Damascus.
It further said that the missile attack at al-Dumayr airbase was amid talks between the militants and the army to reach an agreement over evacuation of the gunmen from al-Dumayr region.
Field sources said that the missile attacks were launched by Israel, adding that the Syrian air defense units fired several surface-to-air missiles at Israeli fighter jets that had attacked Syria's soil from outside of the country.
The US Pentagon has denied any involvement in the Tuesday morning missile attacks.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Washington Asking Arab Nations to Replace US Military in Syria after Defeat of ISIL
Farsnews
The Donald Trump administration is reportedly trying to recruit Arab nations to commit funding and troops to eventually replace the US military presence in Syria, according to a report.
US officials have reached out to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates about contributing billions of dollars and military resources to help secure Syria after ISIL (ISIS or Daesh) is defeated, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
National Security Adviser John Bolton has also reportedly reached out to Egyptian officials about the initiative.
He recently held a phone conversation with Abbas Kamel, Egypt’s acting intelligence chief, to see if Cairo was willing to contribute to the implementation of the plan.
The unnamed officials told The Wall Street Journal that Washington wanted Arab nations to send their servicemen to the area, while military officials told the Journal that it would be difficult to convince Arab nations to send troops if the US withdrew its forces entirely.
The US President has in recent weeks created uncertainty over the future of the US role in Syria. Trump had stated that Washington would withdraw from Syria “soon”, but no deadline for any such move has been announced.
Later, Trump suggested the US could extend its military presence in Syria if other Arab states, like Saudi Arabia, paid for it.
But, Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley said days ago that the US will not pull its troops out of Syria until its goals are accomplished there.
While it is America's goals to see the troops come home, "We are not going to leave until we know we have accomplished those things," she told Fox News, adding that the United States wants to ensure that chemical weapons are not used in a way that is of risk to US interests, the ISIL is defeated and Iran’s actions are monitored.
Multiple military advisers and lawmakers have pushed back on Trump's comments, warning that pulling troops out of Syria would be a mistake that could destabilize the region. US officials were previously saying that their goal in Syria is just defeating ISIL.
The report came after Washington, London and Paris unleashed scores of missiles on civilian and military facilities in Syria in response to an alleged gas attack in Douma, which the West blamed on Bashar Assad’s government.
Damascus and Moscow previously rejected the chemical attack accusations, saying the whole thing may have been fabricated. The missile strikes occurred on the same day that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) arrived in Damascus to investigate the claims.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Russian Military Seize 1.5 Tons of Explosives from Militants’ Depots in Syria
Farsnews
A sum of 250 land mines, 25 kilograms of trinitrotoluol and 1.5 tons of other explosives were seized from militants’ depots in Douma region by the Russian military forces during the past day, Chief of the Russian reconciliation Center for Syria Yuri Yevtushenko said.
"Yesterday, with the assistance of Russian reconciliation center and military police officers, munitions and explosives were seized from depots and hideouts organized by militants of the Jaysh al-Islam illegal armed group. In all, 250 land mines, 25 kilograms of trinitrotoluol, 1.5 tons of other explosives and 1,520 fuses were seized and handed over to the Syrian army command," Yevtushenko said, TASS reported.
The Russia center once again reiterated its readiness to help ensure safe operation of OPCW experts in Eastern Ghouta and to provide special transport vehicles and bodyguards to them.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Terrorists Forced to Call for Reconciliation Talks after Syrian Army Advances in Homs, Hama
Farsnews
The terrorist groups, deployed in Hama-Salamiyah-Homs Triangle, have called on the Syrian Army for reconciliation talks after frequent defeats in recent days, an Arab media outlet said on Tuesday.
The Arabic-language al-Watan daily reported that the army has temporarily halted its operation in Southeastern Hama and Northern Homs to pave the ground for the start of reconciliation talks with the militants that have applied for a peace agreement.
The daily further said that the militants have demanded local activists to mediate and end the army assault amid the government forces' rapid advances in Southeastern Hama and Northern Homs.
Al-Watan went on to say that the army has remarkably advanced against the terrorists in the town of al-Rastan that is a main bastion of the militants.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Russia, US Backed Fighters Preparing for Colossal Showdown in Eastern Syria
Farsnews
The US and Russian backed forces in Syria are preparing for a major battle for the strategic oilfields in the Eastern countryside of Deir Ezzur, a military source said.
The Syrian Army troops and their allies have been amassing their forces along the Western bank of the Euphrates River for nearly two weeks now, massdar quoted the source.
The source added that the government forces are planning on crossing the bridge that was recently constructed by the Russian military near the key town of Khasham in Eastern Deir Ezzur.
If the Syrian military does in fact cross the bridge, they will be within the striking distance of the Al-Umar Oilfields.
The region hosts Deir Ezzur’s largest oilfields, making its capture all the more important for the Syrian government.
However, the US-backed forces are not likely to give it up without a fight, despite the fact they are greatly outnumbered by the Syrian military.
While Russia and the US will provide their respective sides with military support, it will be the latter that might have to militarily intervene.
The US Coalition has bombed the Syrian military before and given their latest attack, they may choose to do so again.
Tue Apr 17, 2018 - Russian FM: US Strikes against Syria ‘Play into Hands of Extremists’
Farsnews
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday missile strikes against Syria delivered by the United States, Great Britain and France play into the hands of extremists and delay the perspectives of the peace settlement in the Arab republic.
"Such aggressive steps only aggravate the humanitarian situation, play into the hands of extremists and delay the perspectives for the peace settlement on the territory of long-suffering Syria," the top Russian diplomat stressed, TASS reported.
Lavrov said Russia would continue seeking that the sovereignty of Syria is respected.
"The escalation around the Syrian situation has definitely a negative impact on the whole system of international relations," Lavrov stated, adding that "Russia will continue holding its firm stance to see that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as of other countries in this region and other regions, are observed."
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Mass Grave Discovered in Syria's Douma
Farsnews
The Syrian Army troops found a mass grave while carrying out mop-up operation in the town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta on Wednesday that contains the bodies of tens of people believed to have been executed by the terrorists of Jeish al-Islam.
The army discovered the mass grave of Jeish al-Islam's victims South of al-Jala Garden in Douma, where 30 bodies had been buried.
In the meantime, the army men found a large workshop of Jeish al-Islam in Douma that was used for making mortar shells.
Syria's state-run news network reported on Tuesday that the army men found a series of documents in the house of Jeish al-Islam's commander in Eastern Ghouta that proved the terrorist group was working on making chemical weapons.
It further said that other units of the army men discovered a workshop in Jeish al-Islam's security zone in the town of Douma, adding that the terrorist group was manufacturing different weapons in the workshop.
The army men found two sets of machinery that they say were used by the terrorists to make chemical weapons, the network added.
In the meantime, a field source reported that the army soldiers seized al large number of missiles, including Grade missiles, at the base of Jeish al-Islam's missile Brigade in Eastern Ghouta.
The army also found a long network of tunnels that connects Douma neighborhoods to its outskirts.
18/04/2018 - Breaking: Syrian Army uncovers mass grave with 150+ bodies in rural Raqqa
Breaking: Syrian Army uncovers mass grave with 150+ bodies in rural Raqqa
Minutes ago, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uncovered a mass grave while combing through the Al-Raqqa countryside, a military source told Al-Masdar News.
According to the military source, the mass grave was located inside the town of Al-Wawai, which is situated in the western countryside of Al-Raqqa Governorate.
The source added that the mass grave contained over 150 bodies of Syrian Arab Army soldiers and civilians that were executed by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) in western Al-Raqqa. More details to come…
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Russian Military Finds Chemical Weapons Stockpile in Syria's Douma
Farsnews
Russian troops found a stockpile of precursors and other substances needed for the production of chemical weapons in Douma in Eastern Ghouta, a Russian media outlet reported, citing chemical defense specialist Alexander Rodionov.
"The discovered substances, such as thiodiglycol and diethanolamine, are necessary for the production of sulfur and nitrogen mustard gas. In addition, a cylinder with chlorine, similar to the one used by the militants for the false-flag operation, was found in the warehouse. It can be concluded that this laboratory was used by illegal armed groups for the production of poisonous substances," Rodionov said the Russian language Zvezda TV channel reported.
The tensions in Syria have increased sharply in the recent weeks after several media outlets, citing Syrian militants, blamed Damascus for using chemical weapons in the town of Duma in the Damascus suburb on April 7. The Syrian Foreign Ministry denied the claims, saying that the use of chemical weapons in Eastern Ghouta may have been planned by the terrorist groups.
On Saturday, the United States, the United Kingdom and France launched 103 missiles on multiple targets in Syria before the results of the investigation of the case by the experts of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The attack has already been slammed by a number of countries, including Russia and Iran.
Meanwhile, the OPCW fact-finding mission was deployed to Syria to probe the allegations of a chemical attack last week. However, on Monday, OPCW Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu said that the mission had not reached Douma yet as Syrian and Russian officials informed it that there were still pending security issues.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Modern Mortar, Missile Production Equipment Found in Syria's Douma
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129000802
The Syrian Army bomb disposal squads have found ammunition depots and production plants left by militants in Douma.
Sputnik quoted a military source as saying that advanced and modern equipment, required for producing ammunition for mortars and missiles have been found in the basements of many houses.
The Syrian military has revealed that while clearing buildings in the liberated Douma, several HQs and ammo depots, filled with armaments and corresponding ammunition have been found.
"This means that militants have violated a treaty struck with the army, that they would surrender their weapons in exchange for a free exit from Douma," the military source said.
He also added that some of the headquarters were booby-trapped, but noted that bomb squads had done their job and no one was hurt.
The militants' HQs were equipped with modern radio and space communication means, the military source said.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Terrorists Hand over Heavy Weapons to Syrian Army in Al-Dumayr Region
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129001037
The Jeish al-Islam terrorist group handed over its heavy weapons to the Syrian Army troops on Wednesday within the framework of an agreement to leave al-Dumayr region for the town of Jarabulus in Northern Syria.
Jeish al-Islam terrorists have delivered their heavy weapons and military hardware, including five armored vehicles, BMP vehicles, missile launching pads and cannons to the army following an evacuation agreement that allows militants to leave al-Dumayr for Jarabulus in Northeastern Aleppo.
In the meantime, a sum of 1,500 Jeish al-Islam militants along with 3,500 family members are to leave al-Dumayr for Jarabulus.
Those militants that do not want to be relocated to Jarabulus are allowed to apply for government amnesty.
In a similar development on Tuesday the army troops repelled the terrorists' heavy attack on Eastern Qalamoun region after an agreement between the army and militants in al-Dumayr came into force.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Syria Envoy: UN Security Team Visits Douma to Assess Safety Ahead of OPCW Probe
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129000749
UN Ambassador Bashar Jaafari told the UN Security Council that UN security experts have visited the town of Douma to assess the safety of the Damascus suburb before OPCW experts are scheduled to visit the scene of an alleged chemical attack on Wednesday.
A team of inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has arrived in the Syrian town of Douma, to investigate an alleged attack from two weeks ago, Middle East News reported.
Fact-finding experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) may get down to working at the site of the presumed chemical attack in the Syrian city of Douma near Damascus on Wednesday if the UN finds the situation in the area to be safe enough, the Syrian Ambassador to the UN said.
The team arrived in Syria earlier this week, but its deployment on the ground in the Damascus suburb was slowed down by "security concerns".
Douma was freed by Syrian government forces last week, after a Russia-brokered agreement with Jeish al-Islam militants occupying the town resulted in their mass evacuation to Syria's North. Civilians who had been forced to endure life under the militants left the town through humanitarian corridors in their thousands.
Early Saturday morning, Washington and its allies unleashed scores of missiles on civilian and military facilities in Syria in response to an alleged gas attack in Douma, which the West blamed on Bashar Assad’s government. Immediately after the alleged chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta, the United States and its allies accused the Damascus government of killing civilians with prohibited weapons.
Notably, the bombing occurred just hours before the UN’s Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) experts were set to carry out an on-site inspection in Douma on Saturday to establish whether chemical weapons had been used there.
Damascus and Moscow previously rejected the chemical attack accusations, saying the whole thing may have been fabricated. Russia and Syria have also called on the international community for an independent investigation.
18/04/2018 - UN security team comes under fire in Douma: Head of OPCW
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/un-security-team-comes-under-fire-in-douma-head-of-opcw/
The head of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) stated during a meeting on Wednesday that U.N. security personnel came under fire in Douma while conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town.
OPCW Director General Ahmet Üzümcü told a meeting at the organisation’s headquarters in The Hague that the security team was forced to withdraw, delaying the arrival of chemical weapons inspectors due to visit the site, Reuters reported.
No one was injured during the attack.
The U.N. security team was conducting a reconnaissance mission in Douma to ensure that the OPCW staff would not be put in harms way when they begin their work in the town.
Wed Apr 18, 2018 - Turkish Army Starts Fresh Operation against Kurdish Fighters in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970129000479
The Turkish Army troops and Ankara-backed militants have started an assault on the outskirts of the occupied town of Afrin in Northwestern Aleppo to hunt the Kurdish fighters that are carrying out sporadic attacks against them, militant-affiliated websites reported on Wednesday.
The news websites reported that the Turkish soldiers and their allied militants have kicked off a fresh round of operation against the Kurds in a mountainous region, including Mound Hassan Dayereh, between Bolbol and Rajou region North of Afrin.
The websites further said that the Turkish troops' operation is aimed at putting an end to the Kurdish fighters' sporadic attacks on the Ankara forces, adding that tens of Kurdish militias are still operating in the region.
They went on to say that the Kurdish fighters have been launching surprise attacks on the Ankara-backed Free Syrian Army in Afrin region, and inflicted tens of casualties on the militants so far.
In a relevant development earlier this month, a number of Turkish troops and Ankara-backed militants were killed and several more were wounded in a fresh round of clashes with the Kurdish fighters in Afrin region in Northwestern Aleppo.
The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that the Kurdish militants stormed one of the positions of the Turkish soldiers in the Central part of the town of Afrin, killing an Ankara-backed gunman and wounding two Turkish army soldiers.
It added that a key position of the Turkish army was destroyed in the Kurdish fighters' attack in the village of Kafr Safreh in Jandaris region, leaving three Turkey-backed gunmen dead and two more wounded.
The entire Afrin region has been occupied by the Turkish troops and Ankara-backed militants.
angelburst29
The Living Force
April 18, 2018 - Trump Administration Notifies Russian Embassy No More Sanctions in Near Future
Trump Administration Notifies Russian Embassy No More Sanctions in Near Future
The Russian embassy in the US has received notification from the Trump administration that there will be no new anti-Russia sanctions in the near future, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“I confirm that the Russian embassy has been notified that there will be no new sanctions in the near future,” the source said.
On April 15, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would announce new sanctions the following day, but media reports later said Trump decided not to give his final authorization for the measures.
A senior US administration official said the sanctions had been developed as part of a comprehensive plan for potential military and economic measures that Trump could take against Damascus and Moscow.
April 18, 2018 - Haley Hits back at WH official over Russia Sanctions ‘Confusion’ Remarks
Haley Hits back at WH official over Russia Sanctions ‘Confusion’ Remarks
US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday shot back at a White House aide who suggested that “confusion” had led her to mistakenly announce fresh sanctions on Russia.
“With all due respect, I don’t get confused,” Haley said in a statement to Fox News that was confirmed by the US mission to the United Nations.
Haley on Sunday said new US sanctions on Russia would be announced on Monday by US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, but the White House said no such decision had been made.
President Donald Trump’s assistant for economic policy, Larry Kudlow, told reporters that Haley “got ahead of the curve” with her announcement of sanctions on Russia over an alleged chemical attack in Syria.
“There might have been some momentary confusion about that,” Kudlow told reporters ahead of a meeting between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
A former governor of South Carolina who has been a leading voice on foreign policy since taking over as US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has taken a hard line on Russia.
April 18, 2018 - Zionist Entity (Israel) Withdraws Warplanes from Alaska Drills
Zionist Entity Withdraws Warplanes from Alaska Drills
The Israeli Air Force has decided to not participate in joint drills with the United States amid mounting tensions in Syria.
Occupation army spokesman said although Tel Aviv may send some representatives, there will be no planes.
“Israel’s first participation in the Red Flag exercise in Alaska will take place as planned in May. In accordance with assessments of the situation, the air force has decided to tailor the participation of its planes,” Israeli occupation army spokesperson said.
The Israeli Air Force was expected to take part in the Red Flag exercises in Alaska for the first time.
Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that two Israeli F-15 fighter jets had attacked Syria’s T-4 airfield in the Homs province from Lebanese territory, stating that five out of the eight strikes had been destroyed by Syrian air defenses.
April 18, 2018 - Militants’ Lab Equipment in Douma Made in UK or Germany: Ex-UN Commission Member
Militants’ Lab Equipment in Douma Made in UK or Germany: Ex-UN Commission Member
A military expert and a former member of the UN’s biological commission said equipment found in the militants’ chemical warehouse discovered by Russian forces in Douma was made in UK or Germany.
“The equipment found in the laboratory, including the chemical reactor, and shown in the video was made in the West, highly likely – in the UK or Germany,” Igor Nikulin, told Sputnik.
Russian military forces had unearthed on Tuesday (April 17) a warehouse of substances essential for the manufacture of chemical weapons in the Syrian city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta.
“The substances discovered, such as thiodiglycol and diethanolamine, are necessary for the production of sulfur and nitrogen mustard gas. In addition, a cylinder with chlorine, similar to that used by militants to set up the widely spread fake story, was found in the warehouse. It can be concluded that this laboratory was used by illegal armed groups for the production of poisonous substances,” Nikulin said, as cited by the Zvezda TV channel.
April 17, 2018 - Lavrov: Russia May Rethink Stance on Supplying S-300 to Syria
Lavrov: Russia May Rethink Stance on Supplying S-300 to Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrvo hinted that Moscow may rethink its stance on supplies of the S-300 long range surface-to-air missile systems to Damascus following the tripartite aggression by US, Britain and France on the Arab country.
“Several years ago we decided not to supply S-300 systems to Syria at our partners’ request. Now, we will consider options to ensure the Syrian state’s security after this outrageous act of aggression from the United States, France and Great Britain,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the BBC.
Responding to the interviewer’s question whether the foreign minister was implying that the recent developments in Syria had made Russia rethink its stance on supplies of the S-300 long range surface-to-air missile systems, Lavrov said that Moscow was ready to consider any means to help the Syrian army curb further aggression.
Lavrov’s interview with the BBC came two days after the US, France and the UK carried out aggression against Syria in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by government forces in the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Syrian air defense systems managed to intercept 71 out of the 103 missiles, fired by the trilateral alliance. The Ministry’s spokesman said that the Syrian army had used Russian-made air defense systems such as S-125, S-200, as well as Buk and Kvadrat units to repel the missile strike.
April 17, 2018 - Locals of Occupied Golan Heights Rally in Support of President Assad
Locals of Occupied Golan Heights Rally in Support of President Assad
Hundreds of locals in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights marched Tuesday in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Syrian independence day and in protest over Western airstrikes against the country.
An AFP journalist said that more than 500 people waving Syrian flags and carrying portraits of President Assad took part in the rally in the village of Ein Qiniye, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the Syrian-controlled part of the heights.
They chanted: “Bashar defeated the terrorists” and “Bashar beat the American bombers,” referring to US-led strikes over the weekend in which British and French forces participated.
Trump Administration Notifies Russian Embassy No More Sanctions in Near Future
The Russian embassy in the US has received notification from the Trump administration that there will be no new anti-Russia sanctions in the near future, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“I confirm that the Russian embassy has been notified that there will be no new sanctions in the near future,” the source said.
On April 15, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would announce new sanctions the following day, but media reports later said Trump decided not to give his final authorization for the measures.
A senior US administration official said the sanctions had been developed as part of a comprehensive plan for potential military and economic measures that Trump could take against Damascus and Moscow.
April 18, 2018 - Haley Hits back at WH official over Russia Sanctions ‘Confusion’ Remarks
Haley Hits back at WH official over Russia Sanctions ‘Confusion’ Remarks
US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Tuesday shot back at a White House aide who suggested that “confusion” had led her to mistakenly announce fresh sanctions on Russia.
“With all due respect, I don’t get confused,” Haley said in a statement to Fox News that was confirmed by the US mission to the United Nations.
Haley on Sunday said new US sanctions on Russia would be announced on Monday by US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, but the White House said no such decision had been made.
President Donald Trump’s assistant for economic policy, Larry Kudlow, told reporters that Haley “got ahead of the curve” with her announcement of sanctions on Russia over an alleged chemical attack in Syria.
“There might have been some momentary confusion about that,” Kudlow told reporters ahead of a meeting between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
A former governor of South Carolina who has been a leading voice on foreign policy since taking over as US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley has taken a hard line on Russia.
April 18, 2018 - Zionist Entity (Israel) Withdraws Warplanes from Alaska Drills
Zionist Entity Withdraws Warplanes from Alaska Drills
The Israeli Air Force has decided to not participate in joint drills with the United States amid mounting tensions in Syria.
Occupation army spokesman said although Tel Aviv may send some representatives, there will be no planes.
“Israel’s first participation in the Red Flag exercise in Alaska will take place as planned in May. In accordance with assessments of the situation, the air force has decided to tailor the participation of its planes,” Israeli occupation army spokesperson said.
The Israeli Air Force was expected to take part in the Red Flag exercises in Alaska for the first time.
Last week, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that two Israeli F-15 fighter jets had attacked Syria’s T-4 airfield in the Homs province from Lebanese territory, stating that five out of the eight strikes had been destroyed by Syrian air defenses.
April 18, 2018 - Militants’ Lab Equipment in Douma Made in UK or Germany: Ex-UN Commission Member
Militants’ Lab Equipment in Douma Made in UK or Germany: Ex-UN Commission Member
A military expert and a former member of the UN’s biological commission said equipment found in the militants’ chemical warehouse discovered by Russian forces in Douma was made in UK or Germany.
“The equipment found in the laboratory, including the chemical reactor, and shown in the video was made in the West, highly likely – in the UK or Germany,” Igor Nikulin, told Sputnik.
Russian military forces had unearthed on Tuesday (April 17) a warehouse of substances essential for the manufacture of chemical weapons in the Syrian city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta.
“The substances discovered, such as thiodiglycol and diethanolamine, are necessary for the production of sulfur and nitrogen mustard gas. In addition, a cylinder with chlorine, similar to that used by militants to set up the widely spread fake story, was found in the warehouse. It can be concluded that this laboratory was used by illegal armed groups for the production of poisonous substances,” Nikulin said, as cited by the Zvezda TV channel.
April 17, 2018 - Lavrov: Russia May Rethink Stance on Supplying S-300 to Syria
Lavrov: Russia May Rethink Stance on Supplying S-300 to Syria
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrvo hinted that Moscow may rethink its stance on supplies of the S-300 long range surface-to-air missile systems to Damascus following the tripartite aggression by US, Britain and France on the Arab country.
“Several years ago we decided not to supply S-300 systems to Syria at our partners’ request. Now, we will consider options to ensure the Syrian state’s security after this outrageous act of aggression from the United States, France and Great Britain,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the BBC.
Responding to the interviewer’s question whether the foreign minister was implying that the recent developments in Syria had made Russia rethink its stance on supplies of the S-300 long range surface-to-air missile systems, Lavrov said that Moscow was ready to consider any means to help the Syrian army curb further aggression.
Lavrov’s interview with the BBC came two days after the US, France and the UK carried out aggression against Syria in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by government forces in the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Syrian air defense systems managed to intercept 71 out of the 103 missiles, fired by the trilateral alliance. The Ministry’s spokesman said that the Syrian army had used Russian-made air defense systems such as S-125, S-200, as well as Buk and Kvadrat units to repel the missile strike.
April 17, 2018 - Locals of Occupied Golan Heights Rally in Support of President Assad
Locals of Occupied Golan Heights Rally in Support of President Assad
Hundreds of locals in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights marched Tuesday in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Syrian independence day and in protest over Western airstrikes against the country.
An AFP journalist said that more than 500 people waving Syrian flags and carrying portraits of President Assad took part in the rally in the village of Ein Qiniye, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the Syrian-controlled part of the heights.
They chanted: “Bashar defeated the terrorists” and “Bashar beat the American bombers,” referring to US-led strikes over the weekend in which British and French forces participated.
angelburst29
The Living Force
April 16th, 2018 - THE US SECRET PLAN FOR SYRIA THAT WAS FOILED BY RUSSIA (Maps - Photos)
THE US SECRET PLAN FOR SYRIA THAT FOILED BY RUSSIA
a.k.a
"US secret plan for Damascus failed: Russia's role before and after the attack revealed"
By Elijah J. Magnier - Translation: Daniel G.
Donald Trump had to come down from the pedestal he was riding on a few days ago by gathering a massive military force and firepower reminiscent of "Desert Storm Operation" (but without land forces). "Plan A" provided for a devastating attack on Syria to destroy its army, the presidential palace, its command and control centers, its elite troops, its military stores and strategic ammunition, its radars, its systems of defense and the institutions of its political leaders.
Before the triple attack on Syria by the US, the UK and France, Russia and President Vladimir Putin himself maintained intensive contacts around 4 am in order to reduce the scope of the attack in favor of a "plan B" without consequences.
In contact with several heads of state, Russia rejected any strikes likely to paralyze the Syrian army, and informed the leaders in Damascus that the West would now think carefully before radically changing the balance of power to the Levant.
But what is the real reason behind the US, UK and France attack? Is this the so-called "chemical attack" in Douma? The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is already in Damascus and its members went to Duma on Saturday to inspect the place where the chemical attack in question took place. Why then did not they wait to know the results before hitting?
Sources in Damascus say that the Syrian army and its allies, with Russia's support, were carrying out a major attack in rural Idlib and had reached Abu Dhabi airport. Duhur when suddenly the military operation has stopped. The whole strike force then headed for Ghouta. But what has happened?
Russia had informed Syrian leaders of a large gathering of troops at the US-occupied military base at Al-Tanf on the Syrian-Iraqi border, where tens of thousands of US attorneys are undergoing training. continual military. The Russians had detected unusual military movements and understood that the US was preparing to send its agents to eastern Ghouta, in order to establish a link with the 30,000 or so jihadists in Ghouta. An attack was planned along with a diversion from Daraa in southern Syria to attack southern Damascus to deceive the Syrian army and its allies by reducing the number of their fighters around the country. the capital.
The US plan, according to sources, was to support their proxies and the jihadists of Ghouta to reach Damascus and take full control. Except that the displacement of the military operation from rural Idlib to Ghouta thwarted the American plan to force Russia into a forced confinement in Latakia and Tartus, and finally to bring about a change of regime. This "plan of genius" would have ruined Russia's efforts after almost three years of sustained participation in the war in Syria, while allowing the US to gain the upper hand, just as Moscow and the Syrian army were on the point of ending the war in Syria, where only a few pockets of resistance remain.
Russia's response to the Ghouta has shattered the US plan by forcing tens of thousands of Ghouta militants and their families to flee north of Syria. The capital is now much safer and there is only one area south of Damascus occupied by al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) armed group, Yarmouk camp and al-Hajar al-Aswad.
Today, Russia has emptied the US, UK, and France of its content and purpose by imposing a worthless "restraint", which has little chance of changing anything on the market. field in Syria.
When Russia promised to shoot down any missile launched against Syria, Trump answered this: "Get ready Russia, because they are coming, beautiful, new and intelligent". After the strike, Russia replied: "We used old Soviet air defense systems against these smart, new and very expensive missiles launched by the Americans". But that's not all. The US and UK strikes have achieved targets that Israel is practically bombarding on a regular basis. Having succeeded in intercepting two-thirds of the missiles, as Russia has asserted, Syria perceives the attack as a sort of "training with real ammunition, in preparation for a possible Israeli attack on Syrian territory". Israel is very disappointed and does not seem to appreciate the final result at all.
Showing restraint and self-control, Defense Secretary James Mattis, who said, "The Pentagon still has no independent evidence to confirm that there was a chemical attack in Syria last week" , reported that any major attack in Syria could provoke a direct engagement of Russia and a deadly riposte against US objectives. Mattis has accepted an "honorable strike" to save the face of his inexperienced boss. The strike of the trio in Syria seems to have boosted the blazon of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. People went out to celebrate in the streets of Damascus, making fun of the West's attack on their country!
The trio avoided at all times to directly provoke Russia, bypassing the bases and the operational theaters of the Russians instead of overflowing them. Russia imposed its presence and provoked the US Navy and the French Navy by simulating air attacks, to show that it was ready to retort. The Russian navy was positioned opposite the Lebanese coast to cover this part and avoid blind spots.
Moscow managed to avoid a direct confrontation with Washington outside its territory. Syria is surrounded by US military bases (Israel, Jordan, al-Tanf, Hasakah, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey). Russia remembers how Leonid Brezhnev fell into the trap set by the CIA in 1979, supporting the mujahideen six months before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Zbigniew Brzezinski said that the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets was deliberately provoked by the US: "It was a great idea. It dragged the Soviets into the Afghan war and we gave them a Vietnam war. Almost 40 years later, Putin avoided falling into the same trap.
What's the next step?
Now that the security of Damascus is assured, all eyes are on the city of Idlib in northern Syria, which is under the control of al-Qaeda. Why Idlib?
The situation in Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, seems directly related to that prevailing in Foua and Kafraya. During the talks in Zabadani, al-Qaeda and the allies in Damascus agreed that al-Yarmouk on the one hand, and the two besieged cities in northern Syria on the other, should not be attacked. However, Damascus is pushing to clean up the capital completely, trying to persuade its allies to reverse their previous commitments.
With regard to Daraa and Quneitra in the south, it seems that no one in Syria is ready to provoke the US and Israel at this moment of tension. It may be that we only take care of it at the very end. In the Badia (Syrian steppes), Daesh is completely surrounded and has no choice but to wait for its extermination in the coming months.
Idlib remains a problem despite the economic and financial agreement between Turks, Russians and Iranians. There is no doubt that there are marked economic differences between these partners over Syria.
Turkish President Erdogan expressed his support and satisfaction with the US strikes in Syria. Russia responded by asking it to hand over the city of Afrin to the Syrian government. Iran's special envoy for Syrian affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, has openly said that Idlib is the next target. It is therefore possible for Turkey to withdraw from the dozens of observation posts it has around Idlib, as the Russians did in Afrin before the Turkish attack. Russia also expects Erdoğan to cancel the previously agreed sale of S-400 missiles from one day to the next.
Thus, the compass needle points to Idlib, Rastan and Jisr al-Shoughour and the Syrian armed forces gather in the rural area of Latakia, being ready to divide Idlib after releasing the many villages surrounding it.
This brings us to the next representation of a "chemical attack" on the operational theater of the Syrian army and its allies.
Will the US defend Al Qaeda? Why not? There has never really been any question of the use of chemical weapons, since it is the US itself that has the largest arsenal of chemical weapons in the world. The real challenge is the defeat of the US before the domination of the Levant by Russia.
Elijah J. Magnier - In Middle East Politics
17 Apr 2018 - Russia refuses to transport NATO's military hardware (Video)
Russian jumbo jets will no longer transport NATO tanks and military hardware
(1:12 min.)
Russian transport company Volga-Dnepr decided not to work with NATO cargoes.
The management of the company specialising in the transportation of large-tonnage and supersize cargoes informed the North Atlantic Alliance command that An-124 Ruslan super-heavy jumbo aircraft would no longer be used for the transportation of NATO cargoes.
It was reported that the company made such a decision in response to the missile attack on Syria conducted by the United States, France and the UK on April 14.
NATO member countries would frequently use the services of the Russian Volga-Dnepr company and Antonov Airlines of Ukraine to deliver heavy military hardware to the sites of military operations or joint exercises of the alliance.
During the early 2000s, An-124 Ruslan aircraft had flown to Afghanistan more than 200 times. Now the Ukrainians may count for the number of commercial shipments to increase.
Interestingly, the American C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft, which is similar to the An-124 Ruslan, remains in service with the US Air Force, but does not carry out cargo transportation activities for the benefit of other NATO member countries.
THE US SECRET PLAN FOR SYRIA THAT FOILED BY RUSSIA
a.k.a
"US secret plan for Damascus failed: Russia's role before and after the attack revealed"
By Elijah J. Magnier - Translation: Daniel G.
Donald Trump had to come down from the pedestal he was riding on a few days ago by gathering a massive military force and firepower reminiscent of "Desert Storm Operation" (but without land forces). "Plan A" provided for a devastating attack on Syria to destroy its army, the presidential palace, its command and control centers, its elite troops, its military stores and strategic ammunition, its radars, its systems of defense and the institutions of its political leaders.
Before the triple attack on Syria by the US, the UK and France, Russia and President Vladimir Putin himself maintained intensive contacts around 4 am in order to reduce the scope of the attack in favor of a "plan B" without consequences.
In contact with several heads of state, Russia rejected any strikes likely to paralyze the Syrian army, and informed the leaders in Damascus that the West would now think carefully before radically changing the balance of power to the Levant.
But what is the real reason behind the US, UK and France attack? Is this the so-called "chemical attack" in Douma? The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is already in Damascus and its members went to Duma on Saturday to inspect the place where the chemical attack in question took place. Why then did not they wait to know the results before hitting?
Sources in Damascus say that the Syrian army and its allies, with Russia's support, were carrying out a major attack in rural Idlib and had reached Abu Dhabi airport. Duhur when suddenly the military operation has stopped. The whole strike force then headed for Ghouta. But what has happened?
Russia had informed Syrian leaders of a large gathering of troops at the US-occupied military base at Al-Tanf on the Syrian-Iraqi border, where tens of thousands of US attorneys are undergoing training. continual military. The Russians had detected unusual military movements and understood that the US was preparing to send its agents to eastern Ghouta, in order to establish a link with the 30,000 or so jihadists in Ghouta. An attack was planned along with a diversion from Daraa in southern Syria to attack southern Damascus to deceive the Syrian army and its allies by reducing the number of their fighters around the country. the capital.
The US plan, according to sources, was to support their proxies and the jihadists of Ghouta to reach Damascus and take full control. Except that the displacement of the military operation from rural Idlib to Ghouta thwarted the American plan to force Russia into a forced confinement in Latakia and Tartus, and finally to bring about a change of regime. This "plan of genius" would have ruined Russia's efforts after almost three years of sustained participation in the war in Syria, while allowing the US to gain the upper hand, just as Moscow and the Syrian army were on the point of ending the war in Syria, where only a few pockets of resistance remain.
Russia's response to the Ghouta has shattered the US plan by forcing tens of thousands of Ghouta militants and their families to flee north of Syria. The capital is now much safer and there is only one area south of Damascus occupied by al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) armed group, Yarmouk camp and al-Hajar al-Aswad.
Today, Russia has emptied the US, UK, and France of its content and purpose by imposing a worthless "restraint", which has little chance of changing anything on the market. field in Syria.
When Russia promised to shoot down any missile launched against Syria, Trump answered this: "Get ready Russia, because they are coming, beautiful, new and intelligent". After the strike, Russia replied: "We used old Soviet air defense systems against these smart, new and very expensive missiles launched by the Americans". But that's not all. The US and UK strikes have achieved targets that Israel is practically bombarding on a regular basis. Having succeeded in intercepting two-thirds of the missiles, as Russia has asserted, Syria perceives the attack as a sort of "training with real ammunition, in preparation for a possible Israeli attack on Syrian territory". Israel is very disappointed and does not seem to appreciate the final result at all.
Showing restraint and self-control, Defense Secretary James Mattis, who said, "The Pentagon still has no independent evidence to confirm that there was a chemical attack in Syria last week" , reported that any major attack in Syria could provoke a direct engagement of Russia and a deadly riposte against US objectives. Mattis has accepted an "honorable strike" to save the face of his inexperienced boss. The strike of the trio in Syria seems to have boosted the blazon of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. People went out to celebrate in the streets of Damascus, making fun of the West's attack on their country!
The trio avoided at all times to directly provoke Russia, bypassing the bases and the operational theaters of the Russians instead of overflowing them. Russia imposed its presence and provoked the US Navy and the French Navy by simulating air attacks, to show that it was ready to retort. The Russian navy was positioned opposite the Lebanese coast to cover this part and avoid blind spots.
Moscow managed to avoid a direct confrontation with Washington outside its territory. Syria is surrounded by US military bases (Israel, Jordan, al-Tanf, Hasakah, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey). Russia remembers how Leonid Brezhnev fell into the trap set by the CIA in 1979, supporting the mujahideen six months before the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Zbigniew Brzezinski said that the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets was deliberately provoked by the US: "It was a great idea. It dragged the Soviets into the Afghan war and we gave them a Vietnam war. Almost 40 years later, Putin avoided falling into the same trap.
What's the next step?
Now that the security of Damascus is assured, all eyes are on the city of Idlib in northern Syria, which is under the control of al-Qaeda. Why Idlib?
The situation in Yarmouk camp, south of Damascus, seems directly related to that prevailing in Foua and Kafraya. During the talks in Zabadani, al-Qaeda and the allies in Damascus agreed that al-Yarmouk on the one hand, and the two besieged cities in northern Syria on the other, should not be attacked. However, Damascus is pushing to clean up the capital completely, trying to persuade its allies to reverse their previous commitments.
With regard to Daraa and Quneitra in the south, it seems that no one in Syria is ready to provoke the US and Israel at this moment of tension. It may be that we only take care of it at the very end. In the Badia (Syrian steppes), Daesh is completely surrounded and has no choice but to wait for its extermination in the coming months.
Idlib remains a problem despite the economic and financial agreement between Turks, Russians and Iranians. There is no doubt that there are marked economic differences between these partners over Syria.
Turkish President Erdogan expressed his support and satisfaction with the US strikes in Syria. Russia responded by asking it to hand over the city of Afrin to the Syrian government. Iran's special envoy for Syrian affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, has openly said that Idlib is the next target. It is therefore possible for Turkey to withdraw from the dozens of observation posts it has around Idlib, as the Russians did in Afrin before the Turkish attack. Russia also expects Erdoğan to cancel the previously agreed sale of S-400 missiles from one day to the next.
Thus, the compass needle points to Idlib, Rastan and Jisr al-Shoughour and the Syrian armed forces gather in the rural area of Latakia, being ready to divide Idlib after releasing the many villages surrounding it.
This brings us to the next representation of a "chemical attack" on the operational theater of the Syrian army and its allies.
Will the US defend Al Qaeda? Why not? There has never really been any question of the use of chemical weapons, since it is the US itself that has the largest arsenal of chemical weapons in the world. The real challenge is the defeat of the US before the domination of the Levant by Russia.
Elijah J. Magnier - In Middle East Politics
17 Apr 2018 - Russia refuses to transport NATO's military hardware (Video)
Russian jumbo jets will no longer transport NATO tanks and military hardware
Russian transport company Volga-Dnepr decided not to work with NATO cargoes.
The management of the company specialising in the transportation of large-tonnage and supersize cargoes informed the North Atlantic Alliance command that An-124 Ruslan super-heavy jumbo aircraft would no longer be used for the transportation of NATO cargoes.
It was reported that the company made such a decision in response to the missile attack on Syria conducted by the United States, France and the UK on April 14.
NATO member countries would frequently use the services of the Russian Volga-Dnepr company and Antonov Airlines of Ukraine to deliver heavy military hardware to the sites of military operations or joint exercises of the alliance.
During the early 2000s, An-124 Ruslan aircraft had flown to Afghanistan more than 200 times. Now the Ukrainians may count for the number of commercial shipments to increase.
Interestingly, the American C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft, which is similar to the An-124 Ruslan, remains in service with the US Air Force, but does not carry out cargo transportation activities for the benefit of other NATO member countries.
angelburst29
The Living Force
19.04.2018 - Ex-DoS Official Warns of Another Possible False Flag Provocation Blaming Syria
Ex-DoS Official Warns of Another Possible False Flag Provocation Blaming Syria
Terrorists are likely to stage another fake chemical weapons attack in Syria because they need air support given that recent US-led strikes were ineffective and did nothing to hurt President Bashar Assad’s forces, former State Department official Jim Jatras told Sputnik.
On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir said Riyadh was ready to deploy its troops to Syria upon US request. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in pulling US troops out of Syria. In fact, Trump made the suggestion shortly before the alleged chemical attack on April 7 in Douma which the United States, France, and the United Kingdom responded to with airstrikes a week later
"On the overall course of the war, the strikes will do nothing to change the Syrian government’s path to victory," Jatras said on Wednesday. "That’s why another false flag provocation — and another bigger strike — is almost certain. We’re not out of the woods yet."
The relevant jihadist groups and their foreign sponsors just need to get organized to stage a new fake attack similar to the one in Douma probably in the coming weeks if not days, Jatras added.
"With regard to the strikes themselves, it’s very hard to know in terms of the wildly divergent claims from Washington and Moscow about the number of US missiles that were shot down," he said.
US strikes effectively turned the United States into air support for terrorists on the ground including the Islamic State (banned in Russia). The strikes were also suspicious in light of a coming probe by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Why was the strike launched a day before OPCW experts arrived in Syria? For that very reason. The Russian accusation against the United Kingdom and its cat’s paw the so-called ‘White Helmets’ was spot on," Jatras said.
With respect to Russia blaming the UK for staging the chemical attack in Duma Jatras said that, to his knowledge, "no country has so directly accused another of such calculated, malicious deception with the purpose of triggering what could turn into a major war."
If the UK was involved in deliberate deception in falsely accusing Syria and Russia of using chemical weapons when they had not, such actions were extremely dangerous and expressions of outright hostility, Jatras warned.
"If the phony claims of Russian election hacking are termed an ‘act of war’ by Western accusers, what are we to call Douma — but an act of war by the United Kingdom against the Russian Federation?" he asked.
Jatras advised Moscow to retaliate in economic terms against UK airlines flying to Russia.
"In my opinion, Moscow should take the initiative, for example indefinitely banning British flag carrier overflights of Russian territory," he said.
The Syrian government has strongly denied being behind the alleged chemical attack in Douma and stated that the missile strike was a "brutal" aggression. Russia’s defense ministry said that it had proof the UK staged the Douma attack to justify intervention.
Source: Syria gave Russia two unexploded in the course of a US strike cruise missiles
Источник: Сирия передала России две неразорвавшиеся в ходе удара США крылатые ракеты
DAMASCUS, April 19. /TASS./ Two non-detonated during the us attack on April 14 cruise missiles found by the Syrian military in good condition, April 18 sent by plane to Russia. This was reported by TASS on Thursday, a source in the Syrian military Department.
"Two cruise missiles, unexploded during a us missile strike on Syria on the night of April 14, were discovered by the Syrian military. Both missiles in quite good condition the day before yesterday [April 17] were transferred to the Russian military," - said the Agency interlocutor.
As specified by the source, according to him, "these missiles yesterday [April 18] were sent by plane to Russia."
TASS does not have official confirmation of this information from the Russian side.
Источник: Сирия передала России две неразорвавшиеся в ходе удара США крылатые ракеты
DAMASCUS, April 19. /TASS./ Two non-detonated during the us attack on April 14 cruise missiles found by the Syrian military in good condition, April 18 sent by plane to Russia. This was reported by TASS on Thursday, a source in the Syrian military Department.
"Two cruise missiles, unexploded during a us missile strike on Syria on the night of April 14, were discovered by the Syrian military. Both missiles in quite good condition the day before yesterday [April 17] were transferred to the Russian military," - said the Agency interlocutor.
As specified by the source, according to him, "these missiles yesterday [April 18] were sent by plane to Russia."
TASS does not have official confirmation of this information from the Russian side.
angelburst29
The Living Force
20.04.2018 - EXCLUSIVE: Russian FM Lavrov Talks Syria, Skripal Case, DPRK-US Peace
EXCLUSIVE: Russian FM Lavrov Talks Syria, Skripal Case, DPRK-US Peace
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gave his thoughts on the recent alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria, the US strikes against this Arab country, the Skripal case, the upcoming Trump-Kim Jong-un talks and Russia-US ties in an interview Director General of Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Dmitry Kiselev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump will never allow tensions between their nations to turn into an armed conflict, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Speaking about the risk of a military confrontation, I feel absolutely confident to assume that the militaries will not allow this, and of course neither will President Putin or President Trump. They are leaders, after all, elected by their people and responsible for their peace," he said.
Russian Foreign Minister also noted during the interview that Russia had cautioned the US-led coalition that crossing certain "red lines" on the ground in Syria would prompt retaliation.
Russia’s General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov said ahead of US, UK and French missile strikes on Syria last week that Russian military would target the missiles and their launch sites if its personnel came under attack.
"This was said very clearly and unambiguously," Lavrov said. "Afterwards there were contacts at the level of military leaderships and generals, between our representatives and the US coalition command. They were notified of our ‘red lines,’ including geographical ‘red lines’ on the ground. And, as a result, these ‘red lines’ were not crossed."
Sergey Lavrov also said that Russian military will soon provide evidence that Syrian anti-missile systems intercepted missiles launched by the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
Our General Staff has a very clear picture, we have been monitoring [the attacks] live, and statistics, which our military provided. We are ready to take responsibility for that. If someone argues that all 105 missiles reached their targets, then show your statistics. Our evidence, our claims, calculations are at least not groundless and will be soon provided by our military," Lavrov said.
Sergey Lavrov also noted that Russia is no longer bound by a moral duty not to supply Damascus with S-300 air defense missile systems after the last week’s strikes.
"We no longer have any moral obligations [in this regard]," Lavrov said. "We promised not to do it around a decade ago at the request of our partners, and we took into consideration their argument that this would destabilize the situation, despite this [S-300] being a purely defensive system. We heeded their call. But now we have no such moral obligation."
On April 14, the United States, France and the United Kingdom carried out a missile attack on a number of targets in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack in Douma that reportedly took place on April 7. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 103 cruise missiles were launched by the United States and its allies, 71 of which were intercepted by Syria’s air defenses.
During the interview, Lavrov noted that Russia will respond "with dignity" to the anti-Moscow actions taken by Washington."
I am convinced that we need to respond with dignity. We cannot but respond to the seizure of our property, expulsion of diplomats – otherwise we will show the lack of self-respect. But we are not going to resort to some sort of insults, squabbles or rudeness – it is not the style of our president at all," Lavrov said.
Speaking about the recent incident in Syrian city of Douma, Lavrov said that Russia has strong evidence proving the UK involvement in staging a chemical attack in the city.
On Wednesday, Hasan Diab, the Syrian boy who was documented in a video by non-governmental organization White Helmets about the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, told the Russian Rossiya 24 TV channel about the details of the footage. The boy said that he was in a basement in Douma with his mother when someone shouted to go to the hospital. When they came, somebody grabbed him, poured water on him and put him on a bed with other people in order to shoot a video. Diab's father told the news channel that his son received sweets and rice for his participation in the filming process. The man added that there was no chemical attack in the city.
Asked whether Russia has evidence that London was linked to the incident in Douma, Lavrov said that there were a number of facts proving that.
"In fact, there is enough evidence. First of all, this footage… was a main pretext for the feverish attack carried out by the United States, the United Kingdom and France, which stroke alleged plants producing chemical weapons and depots [with such weapons]," Lavrov said.
The minister pointed out that the footage was provided by the White Helmets, which is operating only at the territories controlled by militants including the Jabhat Fatah al Sham terror group, outlawed in Russia.
"They were linked to plotting the same provocation in Khan Sheikhoun a year ago and it is not a secret that they are financed by the United Kingdom and also the United States as well as a number of other Western states," Lavrov added.
Moscow is working to ensure that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) fact-finding mission, established to probe the alleged chemical attack in Syria’s city of Douma, takes place, Russian Foreign Minister also said.
"We are working to ensure that this mission takes place," Lavrov said.
"I really hope that professionalism will prevail. We were ready to have a professional conversation with the OPCW and all our Western colleagues from the very beginning. I mentioned that at the early stage of the current confrontation on chemical grounds, both the French and the US side wondered whether they could send their experts together with ours to see, along with the OPCW experts, what happened there. Well, when we said that we were ready, and the Syrian government would be ready to support [the initiative], instead of implementing this agreement, strikes were conducted," he added.
"So we will see. We expect honesty, of course, from experts — both in the case of Syria and in the case of Salisbury, where the investigation also continues," Lavrov said.
Russian foreign Minister also spoke on the case on the alleged poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. He said that the A234 nerve agent, referred by the Western countries as "Novichok," was in the US arsenal, it is easy to manufacture this toxic substance.
The minister recalled that one of the nerve agent's developers, Vil Mirzayanov, had immigrated to the United States where he had published the substance’s formula.
"This substance was patented, was in the US arsenal and was used by various institutions of biological and chemical troops of the United States. And it is easy to produce it," Lavrov said.
In early March, the United Kingdom accused Russia of being involved in the attack on former Russian double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the A234 nerve agent in the UK city of Salisbury. Over 25 countries, including Belgium, expelled Russian diplomats in solidarity with the United Kingdom. Russia has denied having any role in the poisoning, pointing to the lack of evidence provided by London to substantiate its accusations.
Russia would have not swapped Sergei Skripal in a spy exchange in 2010 if the authorities wanted to get a revenge on him for his misdeeds, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik.
If someone in Russia… wanted to have a revenge on him and to get rid of him, then why would we have exchanged him for our spies [in 2010]," Lavrov said.
"He was sentenced to prison and had been serving his sentence for four years already, if I'm not mistaken. And then the exchange took place for what we call 'Chapman group'… after that he was released and moved to his new homeland, where he was enjoying his life," Lavrov noted.
Lavrov has also touched the topic of the recent release of tensions on Korean Peninsula. Foreign Minister stressed that Russia does not plan offering to host the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"No, I think we should not be too active in this regard or come forward with any initiatives," Lavrov replied when he was asked whether Russia was ready to act as a host country for the rare talks.
Trump and Kim are scheduled to meet by June, but there is still no word on where the summit will take place. Five locations are being considered, the US president said, none of which is in the United States.
Some European states, as well as Mongolia and the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Koreas were mentioned by various sources as possible locations for the meeting between Lavrov said, commenting on reports that Russia may serve as talks venue.
No, I didn't hear of that. Maybe this is just someone fantasizing and making assumptions. Some European countries, Mongolia, as well as the village on the border of the demilitarized zone were mentioned [among possible places for Trump-Kim meeting]," Lavrov said.
On March 5-6, South Korea’s high-ranking delegation visited North Korea. Upon the delegation's return, the South Korean presidential office announced that Seoul and Pyongyang had reached a historic agreement on holding the third ever summit of the countries’ leaders.
EXCLUSIVE: Russian FM Lavrov Talks Syria, Skripal Case, DPRK-US Peace
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gave his thoughts on the recent alleged chemical weapons attack in Syria, the US strikes against this Arab country, the Skripal case, the upcoming Trump-Kim Jong-un talks and Russia-US ties in an interview Director General of Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency Dmitry Kiselev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump will never allow tensions between their nations to turn into an armed conflict, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Speaking about the risk of a military confrontation, I feel absolutely confident to assume that the militaries will not allow this, and of course neither will President Putin or President Trump. They are leaders, after all, elected by their people and responsible for their peace," he said.
Russian Foreign Minister also noted during the interview that Russia had cautioned the US-led coalition that crossing certain "red lines" on the ground in Syria would prompt retaliation.
Russia’s General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov said ahead of US, UK and French missile strikes on Syria last week that Russian military would target the missiles and their launch sites if its personnel came under attack.
"This was said very clearly and unambiguously," Lavrov said. "Afterwards there were contacts at the level of military leaderships and generals, between our representatives and the US coalition command. They were notified of our ‘red lines,’ including geographical ‘red lines’ on the ground. And, as a result, these ‘red lines’ were not crossed."
Sergey Lavrov also said that Russian military will soon provide evidence that Syrian anti-missile systems intercepted missiles launched by the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
Our General Staff has a very clear picture, we have been monitoring [the attacks] live, and statistics, which our military provided. We are ready to take responsibility for that. If someone argues that all 105 missiles reached their targets, then show your statistics. Our evidence, our claims, calculations are at least not groundless and will be soon provided by our military," Lavrov said.
Sergey Lavrov also noted that Russia is no longer bound by a moral duty not to supply Damascus with S-300 air defense missile systems after the last week’s strikes.
"We no longer have any moral obligations [in this regard]," Lavrov said. "We promised not to do it around a decade ago at the request of our partners, and we took into consideration their argument that this would destabilize the situation, despite this [S-300] being a purely defensive system. We heeded their call. But now we have no such moral obligation."
On April 14, the United States, France and the United Kingdom carried out a missile attack on a number of targets in Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack in Douma that reportedly took place on April 7. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 103 cruise missiles were launched by the United States and its allies, 71 of which were intercepted by Syria’s air defenses.
During the interview, Lavrov noted that Russia will respond "with dignity" to the anti-Moscow actions taken by Washington."
I am convinced that we need to respond with dignity. We cannot but respond to the seizure of our property, expulsion of diplomats – otherwise we will show the lack of self-respect. But we are not going to resort to some sort of insults, squabbles or rudeness – it is not the style of our president at all," Lavrov said.
Speaking about the recent incident in Syrian city of Douma, Lavrov said that Russia has strong evidence proving the UK involvement in staging a chemical attack in the city.
On Wednesday, Hasan Diab, the Syrian boy who was documented in a video by non-governmental organization White Helmets about the alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma, told the Russian Rossiya 24 TV channel about the details of the footage. The boy said that he was in a basement in Douma with his mother when someone shouted to go to the hospital. When they came, somebody grabbed him, poured water on him and put him on a bed with other people in order to shoot a video. Diab's father told the news channel that his son received sweets and rice for his participation in the filming process. The man added that there was no chemical attack in the city.
Asked whether Russia has evidence that London was linked to the incident in Douma, Lavrov said that there were a number of facts proving that.
"In fact, there is enough evidence. First of all, this footage… was a main pretext for the feverish attack carried out by the United States, the United Kingdom and France, which stroke alleged plants producing chemical weapons and depots [with such weapons]," Lavrov said.
The minister pointed out that the footage was provided by the White Helmets, which is operating only at the territories controlled by militants including the Jabhat Fatah al Sham terror group, outlawed in Russia.
"They were linked to plotting the same provocation in Khan Sheikhoun a year ago and it is not a secret that they are financed by the United Kingdom and also the United States as well as a number of other Western states," Lavrov added.
Moscow is working to ensure that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) fact-finding mission, established to probe the alleged chemical attack in Syria’s city of Douma, takes place, Russian Foreign Minister also said.
"We are working to ensure that this mission takes place," Lavrov said.
"I really hope that professionalism will prevail. We were ready to have a professional conversation with the OPCW and all our Western colleagues from the very beginning. I mentioned that at the early stage of the current confrontation on chemical grounds, both the French and the US side wondered whether they could send their experts together with ours to see, along with the OPCW experts, what happened there. Well, when we said that we were ready, and the Syrian government would be ready to support [the initiative], instead of implementing this agreement, strikes were conducted," he added.
"So we will see. We expect honesty, of course, from experts — both in the case of Syria and in the case of Salisbury, where the investigation also continues," Lavrov said.
Russian foreign Minister also spoke on the case on the alleged poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. He said that the A234 nerve agent, referred by the Western countries as "Novichok," was in the US arsenal, it is easy to manufacture this toxic substance.
The minister recalled that one of the nerve agent's developers, Vil Mirzayanov, had immigrated to the United States where he had published the substance’s formula.
"This substance was patented, was in the US arsenal and was used by various institutions of biological and chemical troops of the United States. And it is easy to produce it," Lavrov said.
In early March, the United Kingdom accused Russia of being involved in the attack on former Russian double agent Skripal and his daughter Yulia with the A234 nerve agent in the UK city of Salisbury. Over 25 countries, including Belgium, expelled Russian diplomats in solidarity with the United Kingdom. Russia has denied having any role in the poisoning, pointing to the lack of evidence provided by London to substantiate its accusations.
Russia would have not swapped Sergei Skripal in a spy exchange in 2010 if the authorities wanted to get a revenge on him for his misdeeds, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik.
If someone in Russia… wanted to have a revenge on him and to get rid of him, then why would we have exchanged him for our spies [in 2010]," Lavrov said.
"He was sentenced to prison and had been serving his sentence for four years already, if I'm not mistaken. And then the exchange took place for what we call 'Chapman group'… after that he was released and moved to his new homeland, where he was enjoying his life," Lavrov noted.
Lavrov has also touched the topic of the recent release of tensions on Korean Peninsula. Foreign Minister stressed that Russia does not plan offering to host the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"No, I think we should not be too active in this regard or come forward with any initiatives," Lavrov replied when he was asked whether Russia was ready to act as a host country for the rare talks.
Trump and Kim are scheduled to meet by June, but there is still no word on where the summit will take place. Five locations are being considered, the US president said, none of which is in the United States.
Some European states, as well as Mongolia and the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Koreas were mentioned by various sources as possible locations for the meeting between Lavrov said, commenting on reports that Russia may serve as talks venue.
No, I didn't hear of that. Maybe this is just someone fantasizing and making assumptions. Some European countries, Mongolia, as well as the village on the border of the demilitarized zone were mentioned [among possible places for Trump-Kim meeting]," Lavrov said.
On March 5-6, South Korea’s high-ranking delegation visited North Korea. Upon the delegation's return, the South Korean presidential office announced that Seoul and Pyongyang had reached a historic agreement on holding the third ever summit of the countries’ leaders.
"So awesome is the fact that it is difficult to comment on that," Zakharova told about the discovery by the Syrian troops
19.04.2018 - 16:13
«Настолько устрашающий факт, что его сложно комментировать», — Захарова рассказала о находке сирийских войск
Syrian government forces found in the Eastern Guta chlorine and smoke bombs produced in the West, said the official representative of the foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
"In the liberated territories of Eastern ghouta Syrian government troops discovered containers of chlorine - the most terrible kind of chemical weapons - from Germany, as well as smoke bombs production of the city — attention! - Salisbury, " she said at a briefing in Moscow.
"This fact is even difficult to comment in any way, it is so frightening and undermines the belief in the humanity of individual States. Of course, we are not talking about entire States, but about those politicians and leaders who give such orders and take such decisions," Zakharova said.
On April 10, Washington accused Damascus of himatake of civilians in the city of Duma in Eastern ghouta. No Russian military experts or local residents is not confirmed.
Assad returned the Legion of Honor to Macron
20.04.2018 - 9:42
Асад вернул Макрону орден Почетного легиона
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad returned the order of the Legion of Honor to France received in 2001.
Syrian authorities handed over the order to the Romanian Embassy in Damascus, which currently represents the interests of France in Syria.
The Syrian President's office explained that they took this step after the participation of France, along with the United States and Britain in the aggression against Syria on April 14."
The Department stressed that after the incident Assad "does not consider it an honor to be a knight of the order awarded by the regime of the country, which is a slave to the United States."
A few days ago it became known that in Paris launched a disciplinary procedure to deprive Bashar al-Assad of the title of commander of the order of the Legion of Honor.
In 2001, Jacques Chirac, who was President of France, decided to make Assad a knight of the Legion of Honor, explaining that he took such a step, given the desire of the President of Syria to carry out reforms in his country.
От себя хотелось бы спросить- а чего так поздно? Ведь уже несколько лет продолжается этот беспредел с участием той же Франции.
Translation
I'd like to ask - why so late? After several years of continuing this outrage with the participation of France.
19.04.2018 - 16:13
«Настолько устрашающий факт, что его сложно комментировать», — Захарова рассказала о находке сирийских войск
Syrian government forces found in the Eastern Guta chlorine and smoke bombs produced in the West, said the official representative of the foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.
"In the liberated territories of Eastern ghouta Syrian government troops discovered containers of chlorine - the most terrible kind of chemical weapons - from Germany, as well as smoke bombs production of the city — attention! - Salisbury, " she said at a briefing in Moscow.
"This fact is even difficult to comment in any way, it is so frightening and undermines the belief in the humanity of individual States. Of course, we are not talking about entire States, but about those politicians and leaders who give such orders and take such decisions," Zakharova said.
On April 10, Washington accused Damascus of himatake of civilians in the city of Duma in Eastern ghouta. No Russian military experts or local residents is not confirmed.
Assad returned the Legion of Honor to Macron
20.04.2018 - 9:42
Асад вернул Макрону орден Почетного легиона
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad returned the order of the Legion of Honor to France received in 2001.
Syrian authorities handed over the order to the Romanian Embassy in Damascus, which currently represents the interests of France in Syria.
The Syrian President's office explained that they took this step after the participation of France, along with the United States and Britain in the aggression against Syria on April 14."
The Department stressed that after the incident Assad "does not consider it an honor to be a knight of the order awarded by the regime of the country, which is a slave to the United States."
A few days ago it became known that in Paris launched a disciplinary procedure to deprive Bashar al-Assad of the title of commander of the order of the Legion of Honor.
In 2001, Jacques Chirac, who was President of France, decided to make Assad a knight of the Legion of Honor, explaining that he took such a step, given the desire of the President of Syria to carry out reforms in his country.
От себя хотелось бы спросить- а чего так поздно? Ведь уже несколько лет продолжается этот беспредел с участием той же Франции.
Translation
I'd like to ask - why so late? After several years of continuing this outrage with the participation of France.
Russian ambassador to the UK Alexander Yakovenko held a press conference yesterday. I have only watched the first 20 mins or so and he already mentioned the testimony of the child in Douma about the staging of the 'chemical' attack, and he says they have dozens such testimonies which they plan to take to the UN Security Council. He also mentioned the BBC interview with Admiral West, as well as the alleged Yulia Skripal statement which he says is written in a language uncharacteristic of her. Awesome! The information war is raging:
mrtn
Dagobah Resident
That sounds really good.
The cool thing in general is that, because the western media would love to tear appart russian lies like hyena, and they don't do it / they only avoid that, so it makes statements by russia so much more reliable, because they just can't afford to present something that is not backed up by reality.
The cool thing in general is that, because the western media would love to tear appart russian lies like hyena, and they don't do it / they only avoid that, so it makes statements by russia so much more reliable, because they just can't afford to present something that is not backed up by reality.
I think it's more that there are no "Russian lies" for them to tear apart. So they can't and are basically screwed. That's partly why you see this ramping up of attacks by the MSM on anyone reporting what's actually happening. Since it strengthens Russia's statements, they've resorted to ad-hominem attacks and smear campaigns. It quite pathetic actually. (Russian bots? Really? That was like so last year! And they didn't even get that right...) But it a strange way, also somewhat entertaining, like a train wreck in slow-motion. What I think is so crazy is that they went for almost everyone, at the same time. And now peeps are banding together and talking to each other about it even more. They really showed their hand with that move. Funny enough the extra exposure is having effect of exposing other people to alternative news sources, which may in turn further expose the MSM liars for what they are: fake news!