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

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BREAKING:

Three Russian Officers Wounded in Militants' Fire Near Aleppo

https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610201046560054-russia-officers-aleppo-wounded/

Three Russian officers working for the Syrian reconciliation center have been wounded in militants' fire during humanitarian operation in El Masharka in Aleppo, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The Russian officers have been injured as a result of intentional attack of militants on humanitarian corridors that should be used by civilians and militants willing to leave Aleppo.

"Their lives are not in danger," the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation said.

The officers have been transported to Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria's Latakia.

Militants have executed 14 local officials in Aleppo for calls to leave areas controlled by terrorists, the center said.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

 

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Putin discusses situation around Aleppo, Iraqi Mosul with national Security Council

http://tass.com/politics/907900?_ga=1.36149408.1857272677.1476511993

The president has also informed the Security Council’s permanent members about the recent Berlin talks, Peskov stressed

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin discussed with permanent members of the Russian Security Council the situations around Aleppo and Mosul, as well as the settlement process in Ukraine, the president’s press secretary, Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.

"The president informed the Security Council’s permanent members about the discussion at the recent meeting in Berlin in the Normandy Format, as well as about the further conversation with the German chancellor and with the French president on the Syrian matters," he said.

"They discussed in detail the situation around Aleppo in the context of the humanitarian pause," he said. The participants "stressed the importance of using it to begin the process of differentiating the moderate opposition from terrorists."

"Besides, the meeting participants exchanged opinions on the operation to liberate Mosul," the press secretary continued. "They expressed concern with the potential flows of militants to Syria and with the abrupt increase of the refugee flows."

The participants also discussed current issues on the Russian domestic social and economic agenda.

The meeting featured Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, head of the Kremlin Administration Anton Vaino, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, FSB (intelligence service) Director Alexander Bortnikov, SVR (foreign intelligence service) Director Sergei Naryshkin, presidential envoy on environment, ecology and transport Sergei Ivanov.

Russia alarmed by Jabhat al-Nusra’s refusal to leave Aleppo — Lavrov

http://tass.com/politics/907897?_ga=1.36149408.1857272677.1476511993

Moscow does not see US-led coalition’s efforts to fight Jabhat al-Nusra, the Russian top diplomat says

Russia is alarmed by a refusal of Jabhat al-Nusra militants (terrorist organization banned in Russia - eds. TASS) to leave Aleppo, in spite of goodwill gestures of Moscow and Damascus, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

"In fact, we are deeply alarmed that despite goodwill gestures of Moscow and Damascus which are aimed at normalizing the situation around Aleppo, we see that Jabhat al-Nusra militants (terrorist organization banned in Russia - eds. TASS) are refusing to leave the city," Lavrov said. "By the way, they are not alone as the Ahrar al-Sham group, which our partners view as moderate, is solidary with al-Nusra."

"We handed over their lists to the US and regional countries when we met in Lausanne," he said. "According to our information, all these groups are, one way or another, subordinated to Jabhat al-Nusra, which runs the show in eastern Aleppo."

"They are targeting precisely the routes meant for deliveries of such humanitarian aid," the Russian foreign minister noted. "Simultaneously, using threats, blackmail and brutal force, they impede the exit of peaceful civilians from the city’s eastern part and even impede the exit of those militants who are ready to respond to a UN appeal and to heed the opportunities offered to them by Russia and Syria’s government so that they can leave the city and henceforth, will not be associated with terrorists."

Washington’s statements that Jabhat al-Nusra is not the international coalition’s target have not become a revelation for Moscow, Lavrov stressed.

"As for Americans’ statements on how Jabhat al-Nusra is seen by the US-led coalition, the statements that al-Nusra is not its target have not become a revelation for us," he said.

"During my regular contacts with US Secretary of State, John Kerry, I have repeatedly drawn his attention to the fact that the coalition is fighting the IS in a rather reserved manner," Russia’s top diplomat said. "But, as for al-Nusra, we see neither any results nor even attempts to suppress this terrorist organization."

According to Lavrov, this gives rise to suspicions that "there is a deliberate policy to preserve Jabhat al-Nusra as the most combat capable force, which someone wants to use to overthrow the Damascus regime by force. "This is regrettable, because this is a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions that were passed earlier, above all, on the basis of the Russian-US initiatives," he added.

Reports on Turkish air strikes on Syria’s north

According to the top diplomat, Russia is concerned about reports claiming the Turkish Air Force deliver airstrikes on northern Syrian regions, Kurdish settlements.

"Syria is a sovereign country, a member of the UN, it obtains complete sovereignty of its territory and of its air space," he said. "As for reports about airstrikes, which the Turkish Air Force deliver on northern Syria, we are very concerned about what is happening there. As far as I understand, we are speaking about regions, where the Kurds live."

In this connection Russia’s top diplomat pointed out that "Turkey is a member of the US-led coalition claiming to fight only IS (Islamic State, terror group outlawed in Russia) and Jabhat al-Nusra (terror group outlawed in Russia)." However, "the coalition hasn’t been fighting Jabhat al-Nusra at all," he added.

"But IS and Jabhat al-Nusra were the only two targets declared by the coalition," Lavrov stated. "So I understand that the US, as the coalition leader, will do everything possible to stick to the declared goal."

Pause in Aleppo depends on ceasefire

Lavrov said Moscow has confirmed to Washington it is ready to extend the ceasefire in Aleppo for as long as the militants observe it.

"We have confirmed this position also in our contacts with the US," he said in a comment about possible extension of the humanitarian pause in East Aleppo. "I have nothing else to add here."

"Russia's President Vladimir Putin during the trilateral meeting on Syria in Berlin (on October 19, together with France’s president and Germany’s chancellor - TASS) in a response to this question (about humanitarian pauses - TASS) said clearly we are ready to extend the humanitarian pause, the ceasefire regime for as long as Jabhat al-Nusra and its allying militants do not make provocations, do not violate the ceasefire regime in attempts to prevent civilians from fleeing seized East Aleppo," Lavrov said. "We have confirmed this position also in our contacts with the US."

Some countries block intra-Syrian dialog

Lavrov went on to say that a number of countries deliberately block the beginning of an intra-Syrian dialog involving all parties and without any preconditions, as is required by UN Security Council resolutions.

"In Syria, our partners are departing from this approach, thus deliberately blocking, slowing down or torpedoing UN Security Council resolutions on the immediate start without any preconditions of an intra-Syrian dialog involving the government and all opposition groups without an exception," Lavrov said.

"Nevertheless UN Security Council resolutions are to be complied with, and we will be insisting on that," Lavrov said.

In April 2016 Syria’s oppositional High Negotiations Committee, enjoying the backing of some western countries and regional states said it was suspending participation in Geneva discussions on the excuse of an aggravation in the area of Aleppo.

Kremlin says Russia is likely to break humanitarian pause if Syrian crisis deteriorates

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/kremlin-says-russia-likely-break-humanitarian-pause-syrian-crisis-deteriorates/

Russia could break the humanitarian pause in Aleppo if the situation deteriorates there, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday.

"The situation is rapidly changing," Peskov said. "It may change for the worse so the decisions (about extending or breaking the pause) are taken proceeding from the current situation."

The Kremlin spokesman pointed out that the extension of the humanitarian pause would depend on various parameters.

"It will depend on how the process of militants’ exit from Aleppo - unfortunately, so sluggish yet - will be proceeding; on how security will be ensured for humanitarian aid convoys and on which policy the militants will prefer, namely whether they will go on with their aggressive advances or not, and whether this humanitarian pause would be used for regrouping, reequipping and additional arming of terrorist groups," he said.

Peskov did not elaborate on whether Moscow had made an oral promise to the UN to extend the pause till Monday. Also, he gave no details on how often Russia would update the decision about the pause extension.

Borodavkin: US-led coalition systematically destroys Syrian infrastructure and carries out airstrikes against civilians

http://sana.sy/en/?p=91187

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Alexey Borodavkin affirmed that the US-led coalition systematically destroys infrastructure in Syria and carries out airstrikes against civilians and the Syrian Arab Army.

“While hysteria is being whipped up around Aleppo, the US-led coalition has been systematically destroying infrastructure in government-controlled areas, delivering crushing strikes to civilians and the Syrian Army, and now seems to intend to squeeze ISIS terrorists from the Iraqi city of Mosul into Syria,” Borodavkin said during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Friday.

Sputnik news agency quoted Borodavkin as saying that “certain countries continue placing stakes on terrorists and extremists, rendering them political and propaganda assistance, supplying them with arms and ammunition.”

He pointed out that the parties that called for holding a special session of the UN Human Rights Council about Syria are trying to protect terrorists and keep them away from the airstrikes in Aleppo.

Borodavkin noted that the draft resolution, submitted by UK to the Council on Aleppo aims, in its essence, at justifying terrorists’ crimes.

He said that the situation in Aleppo city witnesses changes but those who submitted the draft resolution preferred not to see that, emphasizing that their calls on Syria and its allies to stop the hostilities in the city are meaningless since a humanitarian pause came into force yesterday unilaterally.

NATO to use AWACS aircraft for Syrian airspace surveillance soon

http://tass.com/world/907937?_ga=1.235069185.1857272677.1476511993

A political decision on sending AWACS (airborne warning and control system) planes was made at the NATO summit in Warsaw in July

NATO will start flights of AWACS (airborne warning and control system) aircraft in the coming weeks for the Syrian airspace surveillance, the alliance’s headquarters told TASS on Friday.

The NATO headquarters thus replied to the TASS’ question about the external radar control of the Syrian airspace in the wake of Belgium’s refusal to admit that its combat planes had delivered air strikes near Aleppo.

"We expect the first AWACS surveillance flights in support of the Counter-ISIL [the Islamic State terrorist organization outlawed in Russia] Global coalition to start in the coming weeks. The AWACS will only fly in international airspace or over Turkey, not over Syria. The AWACS will conduct airspace surveillance only, they will not be involved in combat missions," the alliance’s press office reported.

A political decision on sending AWACS planes was made at the NATO summit in Warsaw in July.

The NATO headquarters refused on Thursday to comment on the information of Russia’s Defense Ministry about the air strikes of Belgian combat planes in Syria, which killed six civilians.

Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov handed over proofs to Belgian Ambassador to Moscow Alex van Meeuwen on Friday about the complicity of the Belgian Air Force in the air strike delivered against an Aleppo suburb on October 18, the ministry said.

The Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Sides in Syria earlier reported about an air strike against Hassadjek on October 18. There were neither Russian nor Syrian combat planes in that area. At the same time, the flight of fighter jets of the Belgian Air Force was registered.

The international coalition fighting the Islamic State terrorist organization uses six Belgian F-16 fighter jets. However, Belgium is denying its complicity in the incident.

Long Convoy of Terrorists' Vehicles in Idlib Destroyed in Syrian Air Raids

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950730000549

A long convoy of the terrorist group's vehicles, carrying arms and ammunition, was bombed by the Syrian warplanes near Kafr Nubul and Khan Sheikhoun.

Most of the vehicles were damaged and a number of the convoy's guards were killed or wounded in the air raids.

Meantime on Thursday, the Syrian army units launched heavy strikes on Fatah al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra) Front positions in al-Tamane'ah village in the Southern parts of Idlib, destroying their command center and killing over 10 militants, including their commander.

"The attacks smashed a command center of al-Nusra Front, destroyed 3 military vehicles and killed over 10 terrorists, including their commander named Abu al-Ala," a military source said.

In another development in the Southwestern parts of Idlib, the Syrian fighter jets pounded the hideouts and vehicles of Jeish al-Fatah terrorists in the two villages of Hallouz and Um al-Qar in Jisr al-Shuqour district, inflicting heavy toll and damage on the militants.

Terrorist Centers Hit Hard in Syrian Army Attacks across Hama

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950730000452

The Syrian soldiers struck the defense lines of the terrorists of al-Ezzah, Jeish al-Nasr and Fatah al-Sham Front (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) in Souran, Tal al-Naseriyeh, al-Latamina, Taybat al-Imam, Morek, Lahaya, al-Zalaqiyat, Ma'arkabey and Kafr Zita, killing or wounding a large number of militants and destroying their mortar launchers and machinegun-equipped vehicles.

In relevant developments in the province on Thursday, the Syrian army and its allies started a new stage of operations to win back more districts in the Northern parts of Hama and free the two strategic regions of Souran and Taybat al-Imam.

"The Syrian forces continued operations against the terrorist groups in Northern Hama and advanced in the two regions of Souran and Taybat al-Imam," the source said.

According to the source, the army launched missile, artillery and air strikes against the terrorists' positions in Souran and Taybat al-Imam, followed by heavy clashes between the two sides.

"The Syrian troops advanced in Souran and killed a large number of terrorists, among them a commander of Jeish al-Tahrir-Free Syrian Army (FSA) terrorists named Ahmad Abdolqader al-Sheikh," the source added.

In another development, the Syrian army units also repelled the terrorists' attacks against the newly-liberated town of Ma'ardes and al-Matahen region near the town.

The Syrian army's major advance in the Northern parts of Hama that has so far ended up in winning back tens of kilometers of occupied territories has forced a large number of terrorists to flee the region, a military source said.

"The terrorists who had occupied some of the important towns in Hama province in two weeks, are now collapsing and have lost their morale amid the army's intensified operations in the region," the source stated.

 

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Borodavkin: US-led coalition systematically destroys Syrian infrastructure and carries out airstrikes against civilians
http://sana.sy/en/?p=91187

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva Alexey Borodavkin affirmed that the US-led coalition systematically destroys infrastructure in Syria and carries out airstrikes against civilians and the Syrian Arab Army.

The initiators of the UN Human Rights Council’s special session on Syria are attempting to shield terrorists from airstrikes in Aleppo, Russia's envoy to the UN office in Geneva (UNOG) Alexei Borodavkin said Friday.

Moscow: Initiators of UN Rights Council Session Try to Save Terrorists in Aleppo
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610211046576289-un-aleppo-un-council/

The international assessments of the situation in Syria are far from reality, Borodavkin said.

"The Human Rights Council has been considering the Syrian dossier for five years, and the assessments of the situation are moving closer from reality due to efforts of a certain group of countries. Today’s session is an example of this. Instead of supporting the Syrian government and the people in the fight against international terrorism, its initiators are trying to take terrorists away from the strike, save them from destruction, allow them to regroup and continue their atrocities," Borodavkin said at the session.

The draft human rights council resolution on Aleppo presented by the United Kingdom essentially aims to justify the actions of jihadists, he said.

We have to state that both the session and the draft are a part of information war which essentially aims to justify jihadists and their actions," Borodavkin said.

"In recent days the situation in Aleppo has dramatically changed, but the authors of the project prefer not to notice it," Borodavkin said.

According to him, "their demands to Syria and its allies to cease hostilities in Aleppo have no sense – since yesterday the regime of unilateral humanitarian ceasefire is operating". A "humanitarian pause" was introduced in Aleppo at 08:00 local time (05:00 GMT) on Thursday to ensure the safe evacuation of unarmed militants, and civilians from eastern Aleppo via eight designated corridors. Later, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Moscow had decided to extend the humanitarian pause in Aleppo for another 24 hours.

According to the UK prime minister, the EU will consider all options of actions in Syria, if the government forces, supported by Russia, continue what she called "the atrocities" in Aleppo.

EU to Consider All Options to React If 'Atrocities' in Syria Continue - UK PM
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610211046591605-syria-eu-uk-may/

The European Union will consider all possible options of actions on the Syrian track, if the government forces, supported by Russia, continue "the atrocities" in Aleppo, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday.

"I argued along with [German] Chancellor Merkel, [French] President Hollande and others for… the united message calling on the Syrian regime and Russia to stop their attack on Aleppo… The EU will consider all options [on Syria] if the atrocities continue. And that is what we have agreed," May said at a press conference on the sidelines of the European Council summit in Brussels.

Syrian opposition groups hinder the evacuation of wounded from eastern Aleppo, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti.

Evacuations of Wounded From Aleppo Hindered by Syrian Opposition Groups - Source
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610211046598275-evacuations-aleppo-syria/

"The Russian side is extremely dissatisfied with the implementation by the opposition groups, the United Nations and humanitarian agencies of the operation to safely evacuate the sick and the wounded from eastern Aleppo which began on October 20," the source said.

Presently, UN humanitarian agencies could not organize an assembly of people who need to be evacuated, or resolve other organizational issues. Opposition groups hinder [the evacuation] trying to use the situation to receive additional assistance. In particular, they demand deliveries of medicine and food in exchange for permission for people to leave eastern Aleppo."

According to the source, the representatives of Russia in Geneva and the reconciliation center in Hmeimim are working with the UN humanitarian agencies to resolve the issues.

The US Central Command (CETCOM) that is responsible for identifying the US-led coalition targets in Syria could attempt to evade responsibility for the Belgian jets' strike on the Syrian village of Hassajek, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

CENTCOM May Attempt to Evade Responsibility for Belgian Strike on Syrian Village
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201610211046583818-centcom-belguium-aleppo-strike/

The Belgian Defense Ministry's attempt to divert attention to the October 18 airstrikes on Hassajek village near Aleppo "using deliberately poor excuses causes deep perplexity," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Friday.

"This suggests either a lack of understanding by [Belgian Defense Minister Steven] Vandeput of the document provided by Russia, or the US Central Command's desire… to avoid responsibility for the deaths of six Syrian civilians in the bombing," he said.

Belgium could prove its commitment toward clarifying the events surrounding this week's deadly airstrikes in northern Syria by conducting an exhaustive investigation, Konashenkov said.

Russia has provided Belgium with comprehensive data on the ground proving that Belgian Air Force jets struck a Syrian village near Aleppo this week, Konashenkov said.

"The Russian Defense Ministry presented comprehensive data of objective control over Syrian airspace to Belgium, proving that Belgian Air Force jets struck the Kurdish village of Hassajek on October 18," Konashenkov said.

He added that the ministry had forwarded a minute-by-minute account of the strike that led to six deaths to their Belgian counterparts.

The Belgian authorities have denied that the country's warplanes bombed Hassajek despite the fact that the Russian Defense Ministry provided the Belgian envoy with detailed information on the deadly strike.

The detention of chief producer of Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency in Latvia is a flagrant violation of journalist's rights, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

Detention of Russian Producer in Latvia Gravely Violates Journalist's Rights
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201610211046595606-detention-fm-journalist-latvia/

Earlier in the day, Latvia's State Border Guards detained Ella Taranova, who arrived in Riga to participate in the "Baltic Forum," and started preparations for her expulsion from the country. According to Aleksander Vasilyev, the executive director of the forum, Taranova had been blacklisted by the Latvian Foreign Ministry.

"Once again we have to point out at a grave breach of the Russian journalist’s rights," the ministry said in a statement. According to the ministry, the presence of black lists of journalists for their professional position is inappropriate in a democratic state and contradicts all the international commitments ensuring freedom of expression.

The crash of a MI-8 helicopter in Siberia has left at least 21 people killed, according to a source in the local emergency services.

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

The source, speaking to RIA Novosti, added that one person is being evacuated from the crash site.

Rescue teams have found both black boxes of the helicopter, according to the emergency services source.

"Both black boxes have been found — a flight data recorder and a voice recorder. After investigative procedures, they will be sent for decryption," the source said. The transport helicopter was carrying 22 passengers and three crewmembers when it crashed roughly 82 kilometers northwest of Old Urengoy in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous early Saturday morning region due to poor weather conditions. A search and rescue group rushed to the scene. Earlier reports suggested that between three and five people may have survived the crash, but it now appears that only one has survived.

 

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Russia’s Ambassador To The United Nations Attacks Ban Ki-moon Who Made No Mention Of The Presence Of Terrorist Groups Jebhat al-Nusra And Islamic State
http://novorossia.today/russias-ambassador-united-nations-attacks-ban-ki-moon-made-no-mention-presence-terrorist-groups-jebhat-al-nusra-islamic-state/

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin has strongly criticized the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who had made no mention about the presence of terrorist organizations Jebhat al-Nusra and Islamic State (both banned in Russia) in Syria in his speech at the meeting devoted to the issue.

“What is happening in this room makes us really puzzled. How comes that when speaking about the situation in Syria, about the toughest humanitarian situation there, the UN Secretary General makes no mention about the terrorist organizations whatsoever – neither Jebhat al-Nusra nor the Islamic State? Is tackling terrorism not one of the main goals of the United Nations?” Churkin said.

Earlier speaking at the informal meeting of the UN General Assembly Ban Ki-moon welcomed the unilateral pause in Aleppo bombing announced by Russia, and said that the pause helped implement the medial evacuation plan. Secretary General also said as “the conflict continues to reach new and awful depths”, “the results have been horrific.” “Nearly 500 people have been killed and nearly 2,000 injured. More than a quarter of all deaths are children,” Ban Ki-moon said.

Russia’s envoy mentioned the Resolutions of the UN Security Council 2249 and 2254, which require countries “to liquidate the safe location that terrorists had created on major parts of the Syrian territory.” “In this respect I have a question whether Secretary General takes into account these Resolutions of the Security Council when he speaks about Syria?” Churkin said.

Terrorists of Fatah al-Sham Front (formerly known as the al-Nusra Front) and Ahrar al-Sham are sabotaging UN efforts, supported by Damascus and Moscow, to deliver humanitarian aid to the Eastern districts of Aleppo, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

Russia: Terrorist Groups Prevent Delivery of Humanitarian Aid to Syria's Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950730000770

“Both Fatah al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham, along with other organizations cooperating with them, are ultimately sabotaging UN efforts to restore the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Eastern Aleppo that is carried out with the support of Russia and the Syrian government,” Lavrov said, RT reported.

“(They) explicitly shell those routes through which such humanitarian aid can be delivered,” he underlined.

Lavrov said that according to Russian intelligence, all the groups which have been operating in Aleppo are “one way or another under the command” of Fatah al-Sham Front, “which controls Eastern Aleppo.”

He said these terrorists have been preventing the exit of civilians from Eastern Aleppo, as well as blocking the exit of militants who had expressed readiness to respond to the call by the United Nations to leave the area.

The Syrian Defense Ministry vowed to give crushing response to any Turkish violation of the Syrian airspace.

Damascus: Air-Defense Units to Target Turkish Warplanes Violating Syria's Airspace
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950730000720

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

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

Turkey's General Staff said Thursday that an estimated 160-200 Kurdish militants were killed in Turkish airstrikes in Northern Syria.

"Our Air Force as part of the Euphrates Shield operation carried out 26 strikes on 18 targets of the PKK militants, killing 160-200 militants," the General Staff said.

Nine buildings controlled by the Kurdish formations, five vehicles and arms depots have been destroyed in the strikes, it added.

Syrian military helicopters continued to drop thousands of leaflets over terrorist-held districts of Aleppo city, urging militants to give up fight and surrender to the officials in charge.

Syrian Army Choppers Continue to Drop Surrender-Now Leaflets over Aleppo city
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950730000409

The army helicopters dropped thousands of leaflets over militant-held neighborhoods of Aleppo city showing the locations of six humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians, and two more for the exit of militants.

Syria's military helicopters dropped leaflets over terrorist-held districts in the Eastern part of Aleppo city, urging the militants to lay down their arms and surrender themselves to the authorities, media sources said.

According to the sources, concurrent with the start of the ceasefire in Aleppo, the Syrian army helicopters dropped the leaflets which also included instructions and maps for the civilians to easily find the six safe corridors for leaving the Eastern parts of Aleppo city.

The instructions also showed the two safe passages allocated to the militants to evacuate the city.

The leaflets called on the militants "to take the chance to end their difficult situation and leave the Eastern Aleppo districts".

Syrian authorities pardoned a number of ex-militants, who had earlier turned themselves in and handed over their weapons in the city of Mo'adhamiyeh in Western Ghouta, sources in the town said.

More Militants in Southwestern Damascus Pardoned by Syrian Gov't
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950730000331

The source said that the militants that chose to surrender to the Syrian Army troops were granted amnesty by the government, thus allowing them to remain in the Mo'adhamiyeh al-Sham.

Based on the terms of their amnesty, the former rebel fighters will have to refrain from obtaining weapons again and they must disassociate themselves from their former factions.

As a result of this amnesty offer, several rebels and their families will be allowed to stay in Mo'adhamiyeh Al-Sham as the government rebuilds the region.

The militants who refused to lay down their arms left Mo'adhamiyeh along with their families on Wednesday after several months of efforts by the Syrian government and people, and security was reestablished in the strategic town again.

Media sources reported that 40 buses evacuated 700 terrorists along with their families (nearly 1,800 people) from the town.

Local sources also confirmed the news, adding that the militants left the town for Idlib in the presence of the Syrian Red Crescent Society while the UN representatives didn't appear in the event.

They also said that 10,000 people were present on the scene of the event at Mo'adhamiyeh bridge when the Syrian government buses were evacuating the terrorists and their families.

 

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THE ROADMAP TO VICTORY, SYRIA’S RECONCILIATION, RELOCATION AND DIALOG WORKING IN MANY CITIES. TERRORISTS ARE GIVING UP. (Maps - Photos)
http://syrianperspective.com/2016/10/the-roadmap-to-victory-syrias-reconciliation-relocation-and-dialog-working-in-many-cities-terrorists-are-giving-up.html

West Ghouta

As reported here at Syrper last weekend, negotiations were underway in Mu’adhdhamiyya to liberate this important city, west of Daarayyaa. Today, 620 terrorists and about the same number of family members left this city toward Idlib. Tomorrow, another batch will leave. By Friday, this important city will be terrorist free.

Further south, another reconciliation is under way at Al-Tayyiba and Zaakiya, a bit south of the recently liberated Al-Dayrkhabiyya. Zaakiya is a large city, about the same size as Khaan Al-Shaykh. Once negotiations are finished and the cities liberated, the terrorists inside Khaan Al-Shaykh will be completely isolated and surrounded and will have no choice but to surrender to the Syrian Arab Army. That will be the last pocket of terrorists in West Ghouta. The impact of this huge diplomatic success will be felt in all southern Syrian provinces and inside East Ghouta.

Aleppo

After a successful military campaign over the last 4 weeks in eastern Aleppo city, the Syrian and Russian negotiators offered another window of opportunity for civilians to leave the combat zone, as well as tendering an offer to the terrorists for safe passage to Idlib or reconciliation with the Syrian authorities.

As expected, the most radical terrorist groups announced they won’t accept the safe passage offer by following orders from their masters to stay as long as possible and fighting to their death while holding down the SAA and allied forces in the area.

Silently, the Syrian and Russian negotiators were continuing with their laudable efforts to free up as many civilians from eastern Aleppo as possible. Today, some 150 terrorists were given a free green bus ride to Idlib with many taking the offer of reconciliation. As a result, Bustaan Al-Qassr district and its vicinities will be liberated shortly.

It is expected that many other districts will follow in the next day or so, but it is also expected that the most radical groups inside Aleppo may start a war of pure vindictiveness against the ones willing to leave or surrender.

No matter what, it is a huge diplomatic victory for Syria and Russia.

Northern Hama

The assault on Tayyibat Al-Imaam has started early today. A terrorist tank was destroyed by the Tiger Force’s rangers and the city is now under intense air attack and artillery fire. Special attention is given to the roads to the rear where reinforcements are under constant shelling. Expect news this week of its liberation.

It is hard to imagine a more resilient, more heroic nation than Syria!

Syria’s Heroic Fight Against Western Imperialism
http://journal-neo.org/2016/10/01/syria-s-heroic-fight-against-western-imperialism/

With only 17 million inhabitants (according to the 2014 estimate), Syria is now facing the mightiest coalition on Earth – a coalition that consists of virtually all traditional Western colonialist and neo-colonialist nations.

It is also facing some of the cruelest and deadliest inventions of the West – the extremist and murderous post- and pseudo-Islamic groupings, similar to those that were already unleashed against the Soviet Union during the war in Afghanistan.

Because of the tremendous determination of its people, Syria is still standing! But it is standing against all odds. Its Golan Heights are illegally occupied by Israel, its borders constantly violated by the Turkish military, and by the West’s ‘special forces’ and air force.

Syria’s “political opposition” was created, then groomed and financed by the United States and Europe, in the style of “Color Revolutions”, as has happened in all other socialist countries that the West has been trying to destabilize and return under its deadly rule. Millions of Syrian people have been, during the last six deadly years, terrorized, slaughtered and intimidated by jihadi cadres, implanted by the West and its regional allies: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Israel and others.

It is a terrible and uneven fight! Some of the greatest historical cities on Earth, like Aleppo and Palmira, now lie in ruins and ashes. What the European Christian crusaders failed to fully destroy, is now collapsing under the imperialist onslaught. Like everywhere else on Earth, everything that dares to struggle against Western colonialism is being consistently devastated and burned. Almost everyone who resists is mercilessly slaughtered. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian people have already lost their lives. And with each new day, the awful count is rising.

But Syria is standing! (Article continues.)

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Mil Mi-8 helicopter crash lands in Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area

http://en.mchs.ru/summary/latest_information/item/32940332/

The Mil Mi-8 helicopter that was following the route from Suzun oil fields to the settlement of Urengoi has crash landed today at 06:57 PM (Moscow time) 80 km to northwest of the settlement of Urengoi, Purovsky District, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. According to preliminary information, there have been 22 people on board.

Rescuers of the Novyi Urengoi Fire and Rescue Garrison and the task group of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area Directorate of the Emergencies Ministry were dispatched to the crash site.

Emergency Operations Centers of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area Directorate of the Emergencies Ministry and the UralRegionalCenter of the Emergencies Ministry were organized.

Six Mil Mi-8 helicopters with rescuers, medication and necessary equipment on board are on standby.

More information is coming in.

The Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area Directorate of the Emergencies Ministry Hotline: 8 (34922) 2-39-99.

Bodies of All 19 Killed in Mi-8 Helicopter Crash Found in Siberia

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610221046608263-helicopter-killed-bodies-siberia-found/

The bodies of the 19 people killed as a result of a crash landing of a Mi-8 helicopter in Siberia have been found.

The bodies of the 19 people killed as a result of a crash landing of a Mi-8 helicopter in Russia's Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region in northwestern Siberia have been found, the regional department of the Emergencies Ministry said in a statement Saturday.

"During search and rescue operations, the bodies of 19 persons killed in the accident were discovered," the statement published on the department's website said.

Another three people injured in the crash landing are said to be in a serious condition. They have been delivered to hospital.

The two black boxes of the helicopter have been found and are in good condition.

There were 22 people on board the Mi-8 helicopter.

A footage of the seriously damaged MI-8 helicopter

http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201610220900-dmhi.htm


Russian Federal Agencies to Check Carrier After Deadly Mi-8 Crash in Siberia

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201610221046608951-rosaviatsia-rostransnadzor-mi-8-crash/

A Russian Mi-8 helicopter crashed in northwestern Siberia on Friday killing 19 people.

Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov entrusted the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) and the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Transport (Rostransnadzor) with carrying out checks on the activities of the company, that operated the flight, the Transport Ministry said in a statement Saturday.

"Following the Mi-8 crash … Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov tasked Rosaviation and Rostransnadzor to supervise the activity of the company, which operated the flight," the statement said.[/i

The statement also added, that the Rosaviatsia and Rostransnadzor were to send their representatives to participate in managing the consequences of the crash at the scene.

On Friday, a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter crash landed in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region in northwestern Siberia. As a result of the crash 19 people were killed and another three injured.

Russian Investigative Committee opens criminal case over helicopter crash landing in Yamal

http://tass.com/society/908098?_ga=1.73632722.1783418038.1477117316

"Investigators consider three main causes of the crash — violation of flight security measures, equipment malfunction, unfavorable weather conditions," IC said

The Russian Investigative Committee (IC) has opened a criminal case over Mi-8 helicopter’s crash landing in Yamal, the IC press service told TASS on Saturday.

"The Urals transport investigation department of the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case over Mi-8 helicopter crash in accordance with Part 3 Article 263 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Violation of security measures at movement and use of aircraft that led to death of two or more people by negligence")," IC said.

"Investigators consider three main causes of the crash — violation of flight security measures, equipment malfunction, unfavorable weather conditions," the press service said adding that "there is no main line of inquiry now."

Nineteen passengers and three crewmembers were onboard the Mi-8 helicopter of the Skol air company en route from Suzumskoye oil deposit in the Krasnoyarsk Krai to the settlement of Urengoy in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. "According to preliminary reports, 19 people died at the spot from multiple injuries, and three people were taken to Novy Urengoy city hospital," IC said adding that the helicopter was damaged.

Yamal mourns over victims in helicopter crash

http://tass.com/society/908109?_ga=1.142117106.1783418038.1477117316

The crash landing of the Mi-8 in 80 kilometers to the north-west of the Urengoy settlement was reported at 6:57pm Moscow time on October 21. On board the helicopter were 22 people - 19 of them died

Authorities of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District announced Saturday a mourning day over victims in the helicopter crash.

Nineteen passengers and three crewmembers were onboard the Mil Mi-8 helicopter of the Skol air company en route from Suzumskoye oil deposit in the Krasnoyarsk Krai to the settlement of Urengoy in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District. The crash landing of the helicopter in 80 kilometers to the north-west of the Urengoy settlement was reported at 6:57pm Moscow time on October 21. On board the helicopter were 22 people - 19 of them died, including three crew members.

A total of 140 people and 20 units of equipment were involved in the search and rescue operation.

Investigation into the accident is under way.

My deepest condolences to the families.

 

[goyacobol]

Syria’s Heroic Fight Against Western Imperialism
http://journal-neo.org/2016/10/01/syria-s-heroic-fight-against-western-imperialism/

With only 17 million inhabitants (according to the 2014 estimate), Syria is now facing the mightiest coalition on Earth – a coalition that consists of virtually all traditional Western colonialist and neo-colonialist nations.

It is also facing some of the cruelest and deadliest inventions of the West – the extremist and murderous post- and pseudo-Islamic groupings, similar to those that were already unleashed against the Soviet Union during the war in Afghanistan.

Because of the tremendous determination of its people, Syria is still standing! But it is standing against all odds. Its Golan Heights are illegally occupied by Israel, its borders constantly violated by the Turkish military, and by the West’s ‘special forces’ and air force.

Syria’s “political opposition” was created, then groomed and financed by the United States and Europe, in the style of “Color Revolutions”, as has happened in all other socialist countries that the West has been trying to destabilize and return under its deadly rule. Millions of Syrian people have been, during the last six deadly years, terrorized, slaughtered and intimidated by jihadi cadres, implanted by the West and its regional allies: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Israel and others.

It is a terrible and uneven fight! Some of the greatest historical cities on Earth, like Aleppo and Palmira, now lie in ruins and ashes. What the European Christian crusaders failed to fully destroy, is now collapsing under the imperialist onslaught. Like everywhere else on Earth, everything that dares to struggle against Western colonialism is being consistently devastated and burned. Almost everyone who resists is mercilessly slaughtered. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian people have already lost their lives. And with each new day, the awful count is rising.

But Syria is standing! (Article continues.)

sToRmR1dR,

I don't think there is a better summary anywhere yet that describes the "terror of the situation" or the courage and bravery of both the Syrian people and Putin's leadership with the majority support of Russian people.

It's almost like Syria is the center of the conflict to destroy the Semitic gene pool of earth rather than Israel. :(

 

[angelburst29]

A US Congressional aide for Republican Doug Lamborn asked former White House Middle East coordinator, Phillip Gordon, why the government has not assassinated Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.

US Congressional Aide Asks about Assassinating Bashar Assad
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801000842

"What about assassinating Assad" the aide asked, according to a report from Foreign Policy, AMN reported.

Gordon responded that assassinating the Syrian President was in fact illegal and ineffective, the report added.

"That's against the law and it wouldn't make a difference anyway, because the Russians still have an interest in Syria and the Iranians still have an interest in Syria," Gordon concluded.

The off-the-record briefing reportedly had as many as 75 congressional staffers on Thursday.

A large number of fresh Syrian soldiers have joined the country's Army troops and popular forces in Aleppo city to strengthen their defense capabilities against an impending massive attack by the Jeish al-Fatah terrorist coalition, military sources disclosed Saturday.

Hundreds of Fresh Syrian Soldiers Arrive in Aleppo to Reinvigorate Army's Defense Capabilities
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801000667

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

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

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

The militants stationed in Eastern Aleppo have remained adamant to the repeated calls by the Syrian army-led forces to leave the city as they have pinned hope on Turkey to break the siege imposed by the Syrian army and its allies, residents who have escaped the city said Saturday.

Sources: Terrorists Insist on Staying in Eastern Aleppo in Hope of Ankara's Aid to Break Siege
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801000726

"The terrorists in Eastern Aleppo are opposing plans to evacuate the region to prolong the battle as long as possible in a bid to use impending attacks by the Turkey-affiliated militants to break the siege," the local sources who have escaped the city in the last two days said on Saturday.

"Fatah al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra) Front, Nur al-Din Zanki and Estaqam Kama Amart groups have insisted on staying in Eastern Aleppo waiting for Ankara's order to its affiliate militants to intensify attacks so that these entrapped groups manage to break the siege of Aleppo," the sources added.

According to the sources, hundreds of Fatah al-Sham Front militants have recently crossed Turkey's border into the Northern Syrian province of Idlib to move to Aleppo to reinforce their besieged comrades in the city, they added.

The report came a few days after a Saudi newspaper claimed that Turkey has agreed with Russia that Fatah al-Sham Front should be driven out of the Eastern part of Aleppo city.

The Russian defense ministry announced last Tuesday that the country's warplanes and Syrian fighter jets have ceased their airstrikes on the terrorists' military positions in Aleppo city to give the US yet another chance to convince the terrorist leaders in Aleppo to leave the city.

However, the terrorist groups which are present in Aleppo, including Ahrar al-Sham, have declared that in no way they are ready to leave the city and surrender themselves.

The Saudi newspaper reported on October 19 that Ankara is now in consensus with Russia on the need for the exit of Fatah al-Sham terrorists from Eastern Aleppo city to pave the way for the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the civilian population from now on.

Some informed sources disclosed that this issue (exit of Fatah al-Sham terrorists) from Aleppo has been raised during the recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Turkey and during the coordination meetings held between the two countries' military, intelligence and foreign ministry officials. Meantime, a prominent Syrian military analyst said the terrorists in Aleppo take orders from outside and don’t dare to leave the city in anticipation of punishment by Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

"Violation of the ceasefire by the terrorists and their opposition to the evacuation of Aleppo is of no surprise as they are not the ones in charge of the decision-making for remaining or leaving the city, rather they take orders from the regional and international sides for whom they are working," Turki Hassan told FNA on Saturday.

A large number of people in militant-held districts in Aleppo city in Northern Syrian called on the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to force Jeish al-Fatah's leaders to stop blocking civilians' exit from the Eastern districts of the city, local sources said Saturday.

Civilians in Aleppo City Show Fury over Int'l Bodies' Indifference to Terrorists' Brutalities
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801000756

"Civilians in the Eastern districts of Aleppo city have been calling their relative and friends in government-held neighborhoods of the city to urge UN officials, mainly de Mistura, to help them leave Aleppo via six government-established corridors," the sources said.

"They have reported in their phone calls with friends and relatives that the terrorist groups open fire at anyone who trying to escape Aleppo," the local sources said.

Another local source said that the government's ceasefire and peace plan proved that the army tries hard to end bloodshed in Aleppo, while the terrorists groups continue to kill innocent people across Aleppo's districts.

Local sources reported on Saturday that the terrorist groups are still targeting people who are trying to leave the Eastern parts of Aleppo city via six government-established corridors.

"Tens of terrorist snipers have been deployed in buildings near the corridors and target civilians and even their comrades who try to leave Aleppo," the sources said.

"Jeish al-Fatah's mortar units, for their parts, are shelling the corridors. They even are targeting ambulances and rescue vehicles," they added.

Another local source said that civilians in the Eastern districts of Aleppo are furious after terrorists brutally executed 14 local officials who had called on the militants to leave the city.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that the Terrorists of Fatah al-Sham Front (formerly known as the al-Nusra Front) and Ahrar al-Sham are sabotaging UN efforts, supported by Damascus and Moscow, to deliver humanitarian aid to the Eastern districts of Aleppo.

“Both Fatah al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham, along with other organizations cooperating with them, are ultimately sabotaging UN efforts to restore the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Eastern Aleppo that is carried out with the support of Russia and the Syrian government,” Lavrov said.

“(They) explicitly shell those routes through which such humanitarian aid can be delivered,” he underlined.

Lavrov said that according to Russian intelligence, all the groups which have been operating in Aleppo are “one way or another under the command” of Fatah al-Sham Front, “which controls Eastern Aleppo.”

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

‌‌US-Backed Terrorist Group Calls on Allied Militants to Unite against Syrian Army's Crushing March
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801000972

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

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

The US is using the terrorist groups as an instrument to implement its plots in the region and would, thus, never accept the ceasefire in Aleppo, senior Syrian legislator said.

Syrian MP: US Opposing Evacuation of Terrorists from Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801001149

"The US rejection of the ceasefire in Aleppo means that Washington opposes a political settlement of the crisis in Syria, while Moscow has left all doors open to political solutions," Eshwaq Abbas said on Saturday.

He said that Aleppo will be emptied of terrorists if the ceasefire plan is put into effect by the terrorists and "Washington will lose its instruments in Aleppo after truce".

Abbas also said that the ceasefire sends this message to the international community that Syria is committed to the political settlement of the crisis and purging its territories of terrorists. "Once the truce ends and the terrorists continue to oppose evacuating Aleppo, the Syrian government's use of force and military operations against anyone who is armed in the city will be fully justified and legal."

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

Russian and Syrian forces will launch massive offensives on the positions of the remaining pockets of the terrorist groups in the Eastern districts of Aleppo city once the humanitarian ceasefire ends, media sources disclosed on Saturday.

Syrian, Russian Troops to Launch Anti-Terrorism Operation in Aleppo as Soon as Humanitarian Pause Ends
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801001145

Russia's Izvestia quoted the first deputy chairman of the Russian Parliament's Security and Defense Committee, Frans Clint Savich, as saying, "Fresh rounds of anti-terrorism operations will start as soon as the humanitarian ceasefire ends in Aleppo."

Savich further added that no one can accuse Russia of ignoring civilians in its anti-terrorism operations now.

In the meantime, Syrian Member of the Parliament Jamal Rabe'eh told the Russian paper that joint anti-militancy of Russia and Syria will start after the end of the humanitarian pause, adding that Russia has done its best to end bloodshed in Aleppo by diplomatic means, but the US and its allies have not.

The ISIL executed eight of its own senior militants, including two Saudi nationals, in the Southern part of the city of Hasaka in Northern Syria as they were trying to flee to the neighboring provinces.

6 Top ISIL Security Chiefs, 2 Saudi Commanders Executed in Southern Hasaka
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801001239

"Six top ISIL security chiefs were executed in the town of Merkedeh while they were trying to escape to Deir Ezzur province," an informed source said.

The source also noted that the ISIL also executed two of its own Saudi militants in Merkedeh city.

There have been frequent reports that ISIL has executed fighters and civilians for attempting to flee its territory in Syria and Iraq, or for alleged spying.

In late September, the ISIL publicly executed a dozen of its member militants for attempting to desert their posts in the Syrian province of Raqqa.

"The ISIL military leadership has publicly beheaded 12 of its own militants for evacuating their posts at the battlefront in Eastern Syria without permission,” a Raqqa-based media activist said.

"The militants were executed on Tuesday evening in front of hundreds of people in Central Raqqa,” the source said.

In March, the ISIL publicly executed eight Dutch nationals, who had joined the group in 2015, for expressing opposition.

ISIL’s “sharia court” ordered the execution of the foreign militants in public.

The militants were arrested at a checkpoint while trying to escape Raqqa.

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

Syrian Army Warns Turkey of Impending Battle
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801001339

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

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

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

The residents who have escaped Aleppo said on Saturday that the militants stationed in the Eastern parts of the city have remained adamant to the repeated calls by the Syrian army-led forces to leave the city as they have pinned hope on Turkey to break the siege imposed by the Syrian army and its allies.

The Turkish military sent more tanks to Northern Syria to support the Ankara-backed militants in the fight against the Kurdish forces as tension are high between two country.

Euphrates Shield: Turkey Sends More Tanks to Syria as Tensions Rise Between Damascus, Ankara
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950801001358

The Turkish military sent 20 more tanks to assist its 'Euphrates Shield' military operation in Northern Syria as Ankara and its allies are trying to capture Tal Rafa'at.

Turkey declared on August 24 that its Army has launched 'Euphrates Shield' military operation in Syria, as Ankara claims that it has begun to cleanse the ISIL terrorists from its border with the Arab country.

But, despite Ankara's allegation, Turkish military forces support militant groups in Northern Syria, and fight against Kurdish forces in the region.

Turkish officials have freuqently stressed that operation 'Euphrates Shield' will continue to create a safe zone in Northern Syria.

Damascus had condemned Ankara's military operation and entry of Turkish special forces and tanks into Syria, while Moscow expressed deep concern about what is happening in the Syrian-Turkish border area.

 

[goyacobol]

angelburst29 and sToRmR1dR,

I hope you don't mind. I am tweeting some of your sources on Twitter. At least maybe a wider audience can be reached.

 

[angelburst29]

NATO established the first chief of intelligence
http://katehon.com/news/nato-established-first-chief-intelligence

The new post was established in connection with the desire of NATO for sharing the intelligence data with the EU countries in order to the coordination of the fight against ISIS, as the US saying. The real purpose of obtaining the European intelligence data may be different. Especially taking into the consideration the fact that the CIA has been long spying on the European leaders and politicians. Local security forces have repeatedly proved this information.

Moreover, as sources reported, Washington insisted on taking this strategically important post by US citizen.

However, a former vice president of Germany's BND intelligence service, Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven has become the head of the NATO intelligence.

Syria has censured Turkey’s fresh attacks against the Arab country as “occupation,” pledging to use “all possible means” to deal with it.

Syria army vows ‘all possible means’ against Turkish forces
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/22/490235/Syria-Turkey-incursion-Tal-Rifat-Erdogan-Bab-Manbij-Raqqah

In a Saturday statement, the General Command of the Syrian army said that the presence of Turkish troops on Syria’s soil was unacceptable and a “dangerous escalation and flagrant breach of Syria's sovereignty.”

The statement came after activists and local officials said Turkish tanks and Turkey-backed militants were marching toward the northern Syrian town of Tal Rif'at, which is largely controlled by Kurdish forces.

Fighting has also been reported between Turkey-backed militants and Kurdish fighters near the town.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s military confirmed on Saturday that its rockets had targeted Kurdish fighters in northern Syria for the second time in less than 72 hours. The strikes hit 70 positions of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria on Friday.

Ankara views YPG and its allied Democratic Union Party (PYD) as terrorist forces linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey’s Kurdish-dominated regions for decades.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday that the country would be expanding its operations in north Syria, including entering the cities of al-Bab, Manbij and Raqqah.

Erdogan claimed that Turkey “had no choice” but to enter al-Bab, despite criticism from the international community, “because we need to prepare an area purged from terrorism. The same goes for Manbij.”

He added that if the so-called US-led coalition was ready to act jointly, Turkey would do “whatever is necessary’ against the Daesh terrorist group in Raqqah but would not work with the Syrian Kurdish fighters. Turkey has been hitting Kurdish positions in northern Syria in the recent past without acquiring permission from the government in Damascus. Turkey has also been pounding Kurds in Iraq, which is also unhappy with the Turkish military operations on its soil.

Hundreds of left-wing activists and indigenous citizens have poured onto the streets of the Philippine capital, Manila, to call for the withdrawal of US troops from the Southeast Asian country.

100s of Filipino protesters urge US troops withdrawal
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/22/490190/Philippines-Manila-Rodrigo-Duterte

During Friday’s rally, protesters burned a US flag and urged the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to terminate military agreements with Washington.

Holding a banner reading "End the reign of Imperialism! Fight for the right to self-determination," the demonstrators expressed their support for Duterte's independent foreign policy.

"We are calling on the president to remain steadfast in his pronouncements separating from the United States and pursuing an independent foreign policy, and an independent track towards development," New Patriotic Alliance Secretary General Renato Reyes said.

In a meeting with business leaders in Beijing earlier this week, Duterte announced that he would "separate" from the US and realign with China and Russia.

The remarks came after US criticism of Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown, which has left some 3,000 suspected drug dealers and pushers dead in just three months.

A similar anti-US rally outside the US embassy in Manila on Wednesday turned violent after a police van plowed through a crowd of demonstrators.

US soldiers were stationed on the southern island of Mindanao in 2002 to purportedly train and advise local government forces in their fight Abu Sayyaf militants. The majority of the US personnel withdrew in 2015, but US officials say that some of their troops remain in the Philippines in an advisory role.

Russia has expressed surprise over the controversial deployment of US troops in neighboring Norway amid growing tensions between the US-led NATO alliance and Moscow over the Ukraine conflict and the Syrian war.

Russia baffled by talk of US troop deployment to neighboring Norway
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/22/490155/Russia-Norway-US-troop-rotation-Vaernes-NATO-Maxime-Gourov

"Taking into account multiple statements made by Norwegian officials about the absence of threat from Russia to Norway, we would like to understand why Norway is so much willing to increase its military potential, in particular through the stationing of American forces in Vaernes," said the spokesperson for the Russian embassy in Norway's capital of Oslo, Maxime Gourov.

"The policy of non-stationing (of foreign troops), which even withstood the test of the Cold War, has always been an advantage for Norway as a partner over other NATO countries," Gourov added.

Vaernes lies nearly 1,000 kilometers from the Russian-Norwegian border. The development came after the Norwegian Defense Ministry announced on October 10 that it was holding preliminary discussions about the possibility of such a deployment as well as "additional training and storage."

It may be something that is carried out on a rotational basis... [but] there is no question of permanent deployment," said the ministry’s spokesperson Ann Kristin Salbuvik.

This is while Norwegian media also reported earlier this month that the US military plans to station 300 US Marines at Vaernes and that the deployment will take place next January. According to reports, the US possesses massive amounts of military hardware pre-positioned in Norway, notably in tunnels dug into mountains.

Many countries are distancing from the American Empire because it is “falling apart”, partially due to its “continued allegiance” to Israel, according to Linh Dinh, an American political analyst and writer based in Philadelphia.

US Empire falling apart, partially due to allegiance to Israel: Writer
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/22/490239/American-Empire-falling-apart

“The United States is a failing empire that causes war and chaos. Many countries are starting to see this, so they are rethinking their association with the United States,” Dinh said in an interview with Press TV on Saturday.

“Although the Philippines is involved in a territorial dispute with China, it knows that it must get along with China down the line, simply because China will always be there, in East Asia, as the United States fades from the scene,” he stated.

“European countries, too, will disengage from the US to accompany Russia. It’s simply common sense. If you associate with the United States, which is a dying and dangerous empire, you’re likely to go down with it,” he added.

During a visit to China on Thursday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte announced a "separation from the US,” saying the separation applied to military and economic cooperation between Washington and Manila.

Despite the public snub, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter insisted on Friday that his country intends to keep its alliance commitments to the Philippines.

Addressing a public rally on Friday, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said the world hates the United States, citing countries such as the Philippines which are aligning themselves with US adversaries.

“The world hates our president,” Trump told his supporters. “The world hates us. You saw what happened with the Philippines after years and years and years; they’re now looking to Russia and China, because they don’t feel good about the weak America.”

Dinh told Press TV that “Trump’s assessment is not entirely useful, however, because he’s leaving out Israel. One of the main reasons the United States itself is falling apart is because of its continued allegiance to Israel.”

“The US and Israel are widely hated because they have destroyed many countries. The world would be a much better place if the United States divorced itself from Israel, but this is not going to happen. Trump and Clinton are both fanatical supporters of Israel,” he stated.

A US company that manages crucial parts of the internet’s infrastructure says it has come under a cyber attack, making major websites inaccessible to people across wide swaths of the United States.

Major websites disrupted across US following massive cyber attack
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/22/490164/US-hack-Cyber-attack-Dyn

Dyn, a company that acts as a switchboard for internet traffic, said Friday it began experiencing a so-called distributed denial-of-service attack, or DDoS, just after 7 am.

A DDoS, occurs when hackers flood the servers with so much junk traffic that they freeze up. Such attacks are common, but there is evidence that they are becoming more sophisticated, more powerful and increasingly aimed at internet infrastructure providers.

Internet users reported about sporadic problems reaching several websites, including The New York Times, Netflix, Airbnb, Reddit, Etsy, SoundCloud, Spotify and Twitter.

Reports that many sites were inaccessible started on the US East Coast, but spread westward in three waves towards the evening.

The cyber attack appears to have relied on hundreds of thousands of internet-connected devices like home routers, cameras and baby monitors that have been infected, without their owners’ knowledge, Dyn said.

Hackers used software that allows them to command the internet-connected devices to flood a target with overwhelming traffic.

"The complexity of the attacks is what’s making it very challenging for us," said Dyn’s chief strategy officer, Kyle York.

“The number and types of attacks, the duration of attacks and the complexity of these attacks are all on the rise,” he said.

The US Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said they were investigating the incident and all potential causes, including criminal activity and a nation-state attack.

It is too early to determine who was behind Friday’s attacks, authorities said.

“We don’t know who is doing this, but it feels like a large nation-state. China and Russia would be my first guesses,” said Bruce Schneier, a security expert and blogger.

Earlier this month, James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Homeland Security accused Russia of hacking the Democratic National Committee, in an effort to affect the presidential election.

 

[bjorb]

Syria’s Heroic Fight Against Western Imperialism
http://journal-neo.org/2016/10/01/syria-s-heroic-fight-against-western-imperialism/

With only 17 million inhabitants (according to the 2014 estimate), Syria is now facing the mightiest coalition on Earth – a coalition that consists of virtually all traditional Western colonialist and neo-colonialist nations.

It is also facing some of the cruelest and deadliest inventions of the West – the extremist and murderous post- and pseudo-Islamic groupings, similar to those that were already unleashed against the Soviet Union during the war in Afghanistan.

Because of the tremendous determination of its people, Syria is still standing! But it is standing against all odds. Its Golan Heights are illegally occupied by Israel, its borders constantly violated by the Turkish military, and by the West’s ‘special forces’ and air force.

Syria’s “political opposition” was created, then groomed and financed by the United States and Europe, in the style of “Color Revolutions”, as has happened in all other socialist countries that the West has been trying to destabilize and return under its deadly rule. Millions of Syrian people have been, during the last six deadly years, terrorized, slaughtered and intimidated by jihadi cadres, implanted by the West and its regional allies: Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Israel and others.

It is a terrible and uneven fight! Some of the greatest historical cities on Earth, like Aleppo and Palmira, now lie in ruins and ashes. What the European Christian crusaders failed to fully destroy, is now collapsing under the imperialist onslaught. Like everywhere else on Earth, everything that dares to struggle against Western colonialism is being consistently devastated and burned. Almost everyone who resists is mercilessly slaughtered. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian people have already lost their lives. And with each new day, the awful count is rising.

But Syria is standing! (Article continues.)

sToRmR1dR,

I don't think there is a better summary anywhere yet that describes the "terror of the situation" or the courage and bravery of both the Syrian people and Putin's leadership with the majority support of Russian people.

That article really is holding a mirror against the Western populace, read this:


Nothing rational and objective can be expected from the people of Europe or North America, anymore. Except for a few of those insignificant protests and rebellious acts, the Western population is in a total slumber, indifferent towards the horrors that are being administered by its regime all over the globe. There is hardly any pressure to stop acts of terror against Syria. The only thing that seems to matter to Europeans is how to stop the flow of refugees from the devastated countries.

What a shame! What a thorough shame, people of Europe and North America! Your regime is murdering millions, in one country after another, and you are not even capable of recognizing what goes on… instead you are blaming the victims and those rushing to their rescue!


You could write that on the comets that are heading their way. Like messages soldiers sometimes write on bombs.

 

[angelburst29]

Syrian War Report – October 21, 2016: Major Militant Stronghold near Damascus Surrenders to Govt Forces (Video)
https://southfront.org/syrian-war-report-october-21-2016-major-militant-stronghold-near-damascus-surrenders-to-govt-forces/

Russia has decided to extend the humanitarian pause around Aleppo for another 24 hours, the Russian defense minister said. The move was supported by the Syrian government.

Meanwhile, US-backed oppositioneers shelled humanitarian corridors opened in eastern Aleppo for civilians that want to leave the city. In total, militants killed 14 local officials and wounded three Russian officers on the first day of the pause. There is no confirmed information about the casualties among locals.

After the end of the humanitarian pause in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Moscow and Damascus will continue its military operations in Aleppo.

The Syrian Defense Ministry announced Thursday that it will down any Turkish warplane that enters Syrian airspace without approval from Damascus. The announcement followed intense Turksih air strike on Kurdish YPG units in northern Aleppo that allegedly killed some 200 YPG fighters. Firefights are ongoing between Turkish-backed militants and the Kurdish YPG in the area of Tell Rifaat. Both sides are seeking to set a foothold for advance on the strategic ISIS-controlled town of Al-Bab.

Jaish Al-Islam allegedly reached an agreement with the government and will surrender the strategic town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta. These reports appeared amid a series of setbacks suffered by the militants in the region. The Syrian army is now deployed in a striking distance from the town. The situation with the alleged deal will become clear in coming days.

AlMasdarNews reports: The Russian Air Force resumed their aerial campaign over east Aleppo last night, targeting Fatah Halab’s positions in several districts.

Russian Jets Launch First Airstrikes since Ceasefire in East Aleppo – Report
https://southfront.org/russian-jets-launch-first-airstrikes-since-ceasefire-in-east-aleppo-report/

The Russian air battalion began their bombardment by striking the jihadist rebels at the Bustan Al-Basha District, destroying a number of enemy vehicles near the eastern neighborhoods.

Following their airstrikes over Bustan Al-Basha, the Russian AIr Force turned their attention to the Hanano Youth Housing Complex, launching several attacks around this imperative area in east Aleppo.

In addition to their airstrikes at the aforementioned sites, the Russian Air Force also struck Fatah Halab’s positions inside the districts of Bab Al-Nayrab, Suleiman Al-Halabi, Sheikh Sa’eed, and Al-Sakhour.

These airstrikes over east Aleppo last night mark the first time since the 24 hour ceasefire on Thursday that the Russian Air Force has targeted the militants.

The General Command of the Army and Armed Forces dismissed the Turkish military forces’ recent attacks in Aleppo as a “serious escalation” and a gross violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

Army Command: Any Turkish military presence inside Syria will be dealt with as an “occupation force”
http://sana.sy/en/?p=91290

In a statement on Saturday, the General Command said the victories which the Syrian Arab Army and its allies are achieving in the war against terrorism, especially in Aleppo, have broken Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s illusions and smashed his plots in Syria and the region and prompted him to escalate his aggression on Syria.

The statement referred to the targeting of villages and towns in northern Aleppo by Turkey’s air force and its army units’ transgression into Syrian territory, along with providing direct military support, using artillery and tanks, to the terrorist organizations to continue committing crimes against civilians in northern Aleppo.

The statement said Erdogan’s regime is playing a “dirty” role having provided shelter, training, weapons and funds to the armed terrorist groups and opened Turkey’s border to facilitate the flow of thousands of mercenary terrorists into Syria since the beginning of the war.

The Army’s General Command affirmed in its statement that any presence of the Turkish army units across the border into Syria, under whatever excuses, is rejected and condemned and will be considered an “occupation force” and confronted with all the means available.

General Command of the army and armed forces said on Thursday that warplanes of Erdogan regime perpetrated on Wednesday a massacre that killed more than 150 innocent civilians through targeting the villages and towns of Hasajk, al-Wariyah, Hassiya, Ghoul Srouj, Sad al-Shahba, Ehris and Um Housh in Aleppo northern countryside.

Army General Command: Erdogan regime perpetrates a massacre that killed more than 150 innocent civilians in Aleppo northern countryside
http://sana.sy/en/?p=91133

The army’s command affirmed that this flagrant aggression which targeted innocent citizens is considered as a dangerous development that could escalate the situation.

It warned that any attempt to repeat the violation of the Syrian airspace by the Turkish warplanes will be responded and downed with all available means.

 

[angelburst29]

Clashes between government forces and militants have erupted in the divided city of Aleppo after a unilateral ceasefire announced by Russia comes to an end.

Clashes break out in Syria’s Aleppo as ceasefire expires
http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/10/22/490259/syria-ceasefire-aleppo-france

The ceasefire expired on Saturday evening, after a one-day extension on Friday. The truce was aimed at permitting civilians and foreign-sponsored militants to leave the eastern areas of the city.

During the ceasefire, eight humanitarian corridors were set up for people to leave to the city, but according to reports they were seldom used.

Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Sergei Rudskoi said that militants were stopping people from using the corridors as they were using civilians as human shields.

“The terrorists are using the ceasefire in their interests…We are seeing them massing around Aleppo and preparing for another breakthrough into the city's western neighborhoods," he said.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, fierce clashes broke out along the line dividing the city with exchanges of heavy artillery fire.

Chemical weapons in Syria

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called on the United Nations Security Council to censure the use of chemical weapons in Syria, and called for those responsible to be sanctioned.

"I want ... a clear condemnation of these crimes in a resolution from the UN Security Council ... that places the perpetrators under sanctions," he said.

Ayrault’s comments come one day after a UN report claimed that chemical weapons had been used by Syria in a village in 2015 and that Daesh had used mustard gas in several of its attacks.

"The Syrian army and Daesh have used chemical weapons against civilians on at least three occasions...These acts are inhuman and unacceptable," he said.

The Damascus government has on multiple occasions rejected such allegations, but accepted to hand over its stockpiles of chemical weapons to the OPCW-UN joint mission in 2013 when it signed the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention under a deal brokered by Russia and the US.

 

[Cosmos]

Yeah, they are translating it as Putin saying "no way, they can get lost". Is that closer to what he said or was it more vulgar?

Yes, closer. It wasn't vulgar. More "short, but accurate" as Putin said. Here is translation of "fig/figa" in Russian, btw.

Also, I am still hoping RT would make subtitles to the entire press conference, as this time Putin spoke in a particularly poignant and no BS way. As if time of polite diplomacy is over.

Inessa S (discussed here), translated a bigger portion of that interview which should be much closer to what he actually said there. Indeed very upfront, funny and no BS about the west:

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[Altair]

Yeah, they are translating it as Putin saying "no way, they can get lost". Is that closer to what he said or was it more vulgar?

Yes, closer. It wasn't vulgar. More "short, but accurate" as Putin said. Here is translation of "fig/figa" in Russian, btw.

Also, I am still hoping RT would make subtitles to the entire press conference, as this time Putin spoke in a particularly poignant and no BS way. As if time of polite diplomacy is over.

Inessa S (discussed here), translated a bigger portion of that interview which should be much closer to what he actually said there. Indeed very upfront, funny and no BS about the west:

Yes, the translation is pretty good.