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

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One of the two Russian medics wounded by militants' shelling of a hospital in Aleppo has died, the Russian Defense Ministry's spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Monday. Doctors are fighting for the life of the second wounded medic, a pediatrician.

Russian Female Medic Wounded by Militants' Shelling of Aleppo Hospital Dies
https://sputniknews.com/world/201612051048187734-russian-medic-aleppo-dies/

"A [female] Russian military medic has died as a result of the injuries she sustained in 'opposition' militants' artillery shelling of the Defense Ministry's hospital in Aleppo," Konashenkov said.

The doctors did their best to save her life but could not prevent her death. "But the severe wounds were fatal. At the moment the doctors are fighting for the life of their badly wounded colleague, a pediatrician" he said. The militants of the so-called Syrian opposition attacked a Russian military mobile hospital in Syria's Aleppo, killing a military medic of staff and injuring two others earlier on Monday. "Today… during an appointment of local residents, the medical camp of the defense ministry's mobile hospital was shelled by militants.

One military medic was killed as a result of a mine hitting the hospital's emergency room. Two other medical employees were seriously injured. Local civilians who arrived to visit the doctors were also wounded," Konashenkov said earlier. According to Konashenkov, militants of the Syrian "opposition" are behind the attack. Moreover, Moscow understands from where militants of the Syrian "opposition" received coordinates of the Russian hospital in Aleppo, he added.

Russian military medics have begun to consult the residents of Syrian Aleppo's eastern districts liberated from militants. They opened a clinic, a medical ward for children, a surgery department, an intensive care department, a laboratory and an x-ray room.

Russia urges international community and international organizations to condemn murder of Russian doctors in hospital shelling in Syria's Aleppo, the Russian defense Ministery said on Monday.

Russia Urges Int'l Community to Condemn Murder of Russian Doctors in Aleppo
https://sputniknews.com/world/201612051048187965-russia-urges-world-to-condemn-doctors-murder-aleppo/

We calls on the entire international community, as well as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and other international organizations to strongly condemn the murder of Russian doctors who carried out their duty by delivering medical assistance to the civilians in Aleppo. All perpetrators and all those who ordered the shelling of the Russian Defense Ministry's hospital in Aleppo must be held accountable for their actions," Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Monday.

An RT journalist was injured during the shelling of a hospital in Aleppo, RT head Margarita Simonyan tweeted on Monday.

RT Journalist Injured in Shelling of Aleppo Hospital - RT Head Simonyan
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612051048182955-aleppo-shelling-rt-journalist/

A journalist from RT Arabic, Somar Abudiyab, was injured in the shelling of a Russian military mobile hospital in Syria's Aleppo. "Abudiyab as member of the Russian pool was filming the consequences of the hospital shelling when fire resumed. He was slightly injured in the leg, no other journalists were injured," the statement on the RT website said.

A Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet aircraft crashed shortly after take off due to technical reasons, according to local media reports.

Jordan Air Force F-16 Aircraft Crashes, Pilot Dies
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612051048182770-jordan-air-force-crash/

A Royal Jordanian Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday during an exercise flight, leaving the pilot dead, local media reported.

According to state-run Petra News agency, the aircraft crashed shortly after take off due to technical reasons. The killed pilot was identified as Maj. Ayed Ahmad al-De'ajah, the media outlet said, citing its source.

 

[Beau]

Various outlets are now reporting that Aleppo, or at least large portions of it, has been liberated:

Vanessa Beeley on FB:

ALEPPO FULL LIBERATION. 100 % Breaking News NOW! On all Syria TV channels. Syrian Army update: Old City fully liberated, they expect remaining pockets to be fully liberated by tomorrow.

Terrorists Surrender Near Aleppo Citadel, Victory Fast Approaches

Mass surrender of « jihadists » just north of the Aleppo Citadel. The Al-Qaeda groups’ humiliating withdrawal comes after the Syrian Arab Army and its allies freed 8 districts today, including Al-Shaar. 73% of East Aleppo is now in SAA hands and the advancement continues. Liberation of Al-Shaar is of particular significance as it was the mercenaries’ second-most important position in all of East Aleppo and it splits what remains of the Al-Qaeda groups into yet another pocket, weakening them even further. Crushing defeat is stating it mildly. With today’s progress, the SAA and its allies are now right around the corner from the aforementioned ultra-vital Aleppo Citadel. Once this and its surrounding areas are retaken, the battle is over. Hysteria in Washington, « Tel Aviv », Ankara, Paris, London, Riyadh and Doha is at peak levels. They poured everything into the fight for Aleppo and lost. Long live Syria! Total victory fast approaches!

Jihadists rebels surrender almost all of east Aleppo

The Jihadist rebels of Fatah Halab have surrendered almost all of the districts of Old Aleppo after the Syrian Army's swift advances west of the Aleppo International Airport risked splitting them apart from their comrades further south.

This comes after a massive rebel counteroffensive at Karm Al-Maysar and Karm Al-Qaterjy failed to yield any gains. Making matters worse for the insurgents, the Syrian Armed Forces would proceed to capture Sha'ar district and the nearby Turbet Lala district.

Reports suggest that a Turkish-Russian agreement has been reached over the surrender of the remaining east Aleppo districts under jihadist control after extended negotiations between leaders of opposition groups and Russian officers in Turkey.

It remains unknown whether the more extremist groups like Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham and Zinki are part of this agreement.

https://twitter.com/maytham956/status/806258319937650689

Famous green buses are evacuating dozens of armed men and their families who surrendered to #SAA from Maysaloun & Qastal AlHarami #Aleppo

 

[angelburst29]

Washington has urged for negotiations with Moscow over a deal that would envisage providing a safe passage to the US intelligence officers and terrorists in Eastern Aleppo to Turkey via the Castillo corridor in lieu of handing over the remaining districts to the Syrian army, media reports said Tuesday.

Report: US Trying to Rescue Intelligence Officers from Eastern Aleppo City
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950916001587

The Arabic-language al-Hadas news website quoted unnamed informed sources as saying on Tuesday that the negotiations are meant to help the US intelligence officers, including Balal Abdel Karim and another one who administered the battles of Aleppo, leave the Aleppo city.

Earlier on Tuesday, media sources disclosed that a large number of militants have been negotiating secretly with government officials in Aleppo to surrender themselves and leave the city.

The Arabic language al-Watan newspaper reported that continued defeats of Jeish al-Fatah and devastating advances of the Syrian army troops in the Eastern districts of Aleppo city have widen rifts amongst militant groups.

The paper added that a large number of militants have had secret negotiations with government officials to pave the ground for their amnesty and their evacuation to the Western districts of Aleppo that are under army's control.

Meanwhile, Israel Shamir, an expert in Middle Eastern affairs, told Radio Sputnik that reports from newspapers loyal to militants occupying Eastern Aleppo indicate they are preparing to surrender to government forces

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that jihadist who refuse to leave Aleppo under the US-Russia deal will be considered as terrorist and completely eliminated.

Lavrov says the jihadist who do not leave Aleppo will be exterminated
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/lavrov-says-the-jihadist-who-dont-leave-aleppo-will-be-exterminated/

Lavrov however emphasized that the Russia-US agreement has not been formalized yet.

"Firstly, the fact that the militants have refused says nothing as there's nothing they can refuse yet. The Russia-US agreement has not been formalized yet," Lavrov said.

He continued that the US have failed to conduct "serious talks" on Aleppo.

Media sources disclosed that a large number of militants have been negotiating secretly with government officials in Aleppo to surrender themselves and leave the city.

Syria: Terrorists Start Negotiations with Gov't Officials to Leave Aleppo City
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950916000778

The Arabic language al-Watan newspaper reported that continued defeats of Jeish al-Fatah and devastating advances of the Syrian army troops in the Eastern districts of Aleppo city have widen rifts amongst militant groups.

The paper added that a large number of militants have had secret negotiations with government officials to pave the ground for their amnesty and their evacuation to the Western districts of Aleppo that are under army's control.

Meanwhile, Israel Shamir, an expert in Middle Eastern affairs, told Radio Sputnik that reports from newspapers loyal to militants occupying Eastern Aleppo indicate they are preparing to surrender to government forces

"Right now in Aleppo there is a kind of situation in which is very hard to try and predict anything. But there is a feeling that those fighting in East Aleppo have begun to understand that they won't succeed. Over the last two days reports have begun to appear in media outlets which support the rebels, saying 'this is not the end, we are losing Aleppo but it's not that bad, we will fight in other places.' They are kind of consoling messages. This is, in principle, a sign that they are ready to surrender Aleppo," Shamir said

The analyst warned that although the liberation of Aleppo would represent a major breakthrough, militants who have left Aleppo might reappear in other areas of conflict.

On Monday, Syrian military helicopters dropped thousands of leaflets over the terrorist-held districts of Aleppo city, urging militants to give up fight and surrender themselves to the authorities.

Helicopters of the Syrian Army dropped thousands of leaflets over the Eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo city, calling on militants to lay down their arms, ask for amnesty and allow the civilians to leave the war-hit neighborhoods.

The Russian Peace Coordination Center in Syria announced on Tuesday that militants in four regions in Lattakia and Damascus province have laid down their arms and joined the national reconciliation plan with government.

Syria: Militants in Four More Regions End Fight with Gov't Forces
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950916000726

"Representatives of militants in three regions in Lattakia and a region in Damascus inked peace agreement with government," the Russian center said, adding, "The total number of the cities, towns and villages that have thus far joined nationwide peace plan stands at 1026."

"Peace negotiations with field commanders of opposition groups in the provinces of Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, Hama and Quneitra are still underway," the center added.

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is rolling in jihadist-held east Aleppo, capturing several districts that were once considered untouchable for their forces and allies.

Syrian Army capture 65 percent of jihadist-held east Aleppo: map
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-capture-65-percent-jihadist-held-east-aleppo-map/

Over the course of two weeks, the Syrian Arab Army, primarily the Tiger Forces and Republican Guard, have managed to capture 65 percent of the jihadist-held east Aleppo pocket, leaving Fatah Halab and Jaysh Al-Fateh with their backs against the wall at the southern corridor near the Aleppo International Airport.

On Tuesday, the Tiger Forces and their allies continued their wide-scale assault in east Aleppo, seizing 5 districts after a fierce battle with the jihadist rebels of Fatah Halab.

Among the many sites captured by the Syrian Armed Forces on Tuesday was the strategic Al-Sha'ar District, which had been one of the longest-held districts under the opposition's control.

In addition to capturing Al-Sha'ar, the Tiger Forces and Desert Hawks Brigade advanced at both the Sheikh Lufti and Marjah districts, despite heavy resistance from Fatah Halab militants on Tuesday night.

Initially, reports from both Marjah and Sheikh Lufti indicated that both districts were under Syrian Army control; however, an officer in east Aleppo confirmed that this news was in fact false - they are still contested.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry underlined that Damascus will not join any truce before terrorists leave Aleppo city.

Damascus Not to Agree Ceasefire Before Terrorists' Pullout from Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950916000996

The ministry underscored that complete evacuation of terrorist groups from the Eastern districts of Aleppo should be guaranteed to persuade Damascus to accept the ceasefire.

Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on an immediate seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo, while the Russian Foreign Minister described the draft resolution as counterproductive to a practical outcome.

Venezuela also voted against the resolution while Angola abstained.

The remaining 11 members of the UNSC, voted in favor of the document. The draft resolution, submitted by Egypt, Spain and New Zealand, proposed an initial ceasefire period of seven days, to allow for the delivery of humanitarian cargo and to pave the way for the resumption of settlement talks.

Moscow and Damascus have long maintained that humanitarian pauses have been used by fighters to resupply ammunition and to strengthen their positions which only worsen the suffering of civilians.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry further, in a statement, condemned terrorists' attack on Russian field hospital, adding, "Such criminal acts prove the terrorist nature of the militants that are called by the west as moderate groups. The West is in charge of such crime and their supports for these groups and their mum on terrorists' brutal crimes testify that the West's worries over humanitarian situations in Syria are shire lies."

The Russian Defense Ministry criticized the International Committee of the Red Cross for failing to recognize and condemn a deadly attack on a Russian mobile hospital in Aleppo as the “cold-blooded murder” of medical staff.

Russian Military Slams Red Cross Statement on Shelling of Hospital in Aleppo
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950916001249

On Monday, a mortar shell fired by militants directly hit the reception ward of a Russian mobile military hospital set up in Aleppo, killing two Russian medical staff and wounding another, RT reported.

Several Syrians were also injured in the attacks after about 11 shells landed on the territory of the Russian hospital, the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria said earlier. An RT Arabic reporter was also injured in the leg by the subsequent shelling of the site.

Following the tragedy, RT requested comments on the shelling from several international organizations, including the Red Cross, which works as the Red Crescent in some part of Syria.

In response to a request from RT, ICRC failed to condemn the attack on the medical facility. It instead said that the bombing of the hospital indicated that “all sides to the conflict in Syria are failing in their duties to respect and protect healthcare workers, patients, and hospitals, and to distinguish between them and military objectives."

Upon hearing the ICRC reaction Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov expressed outrage. The Russian Defense Ministry, the general said, hoped for the NGO to condemn the attack but instead, the ICRC just produced a cynical comment.

We received “cynical comments, not worthy of the high status of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” that showed “indifference to the murder of Russian doctors in Aleppo,” Konashenkov said.

“This is not just a violation of international law by the ‘sides of the conflict,’ as the ICRC statement reads, it is a pre-planned, cold-blooded murder of doctors by militants,” the general said, according to TASS.

“The ICRC, whose president visited the Russian Defense Ministry nearly a week ago, knows perfectly well how Russia helps civilians in Aleppo,” he added.

Konashenkov said that the deaths of any medical personnel who provide care for children and the wounded have more than one dimension. According to the general, targeting a hospital is not only a “violation of international law” but a “grave criminal offense.”

By pure coincidence, an even greater tragedy was averted as buses delivering dozens of Syrian children and their mothers had arrived late to the hospital, according to the spokesman.

Besides the Defense Ministry, the Russian Foreign Ministry has also criticized its Western partners after none appeared to condemn the shelling.

The Syrian government forces detected the terrorists' warehouse with toxic chemicals in the north-eastern part of Syrian Aleppo, media reported Tuesday.

Syrian Troops Reportedly Detect Warehouse With Toxic Chemicals in Aleppo
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612071048248494-syrian-troops-toxic-chemicals-aleppo/

During clearing and demining activities in the Masaken Hanano district, a Syrian army unit uncovered a large warehouse inside a school building, which was used by terrorists for making shells, according to the Syrian news agency SANA.

The warehouse reportedly contained explosive materials and equipment for manufacturing rocket shells and weaponized gas cylinders. Earlier in the day, local media reported that the Syrian army supported by allied militia units completed liberation of the Qadi Askar district located near the historic center of the Aleppo city.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Washington has urged for negotiations with Moscow over a deal that would envisage providing a safe passage to the US intelligence officers and terrorists in Eastern Aleppo to Turkey via the Castillo corridor in lieu of handing over the remaining districts to the Syrian army, media reports said Tuesday.

Report: US Trying to Rescue Intelligence Officers from Eastern Aleppo City
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950916001587

Washington says will negotiate with Moscow on Syria only 'if talks are constructive'

http://tass.com/world/917254

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Washington revoked its proposals

The United States is ready to discuss Syrian settlement with Russia only if this dialogue is constructive, a US Department of State spokesman said, commenting on Washington's recent revoking of Aleppo reconciliation proposals.

"Talks haven’t been canceled," Mark Toner said, refusing to give any details. "We’re just not at a point yet where we can say that getting together to have these talks would be constructive."

"We’re still working to finalize the details of those discussions. So there’s nothing to announce yet, but we’re still working at this," he added.

At a meeting with Lavrov in Rome earlier this month, Kerry suggested holding Russian-US consultations to discuss coordination of dates and routes for the militants’ pullout from eastern Aleppo. The initiative came against the background of the Syrian army’s successes in the struggle against extremists in the city.

Russian and US experts were expected to discuss the initiative in Geneva on December 6 or 7.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Washington revoked its proposals.

"Yesterday we received from them [the United States - TASS] a notification that they will be unable to attend the meeting because they have changed their mind. They are revoking their previous document, now they have a new one," Lavrov said. "According to our first impressions, this document takes everything back to square one and looks like an attempt to gain time to let militants take a break and replenish their reserves."

 

[angelburst29]

A few reports are surfacing, which gives credence to the Russian claim, that Monday’s attack on the Russian Mobile hospital Staff in Aleppo was a "precision air strike" and deliberate.

Notice this odd statement made by the Red Cross:

"The International Committee of the Red Cross is taking Monday’s attack on the Russian hospital in Aleppo extremely seriously and is going to discuss such incidents directly on the ground with those who are responsible for them, Head of ICRC Regional Delegation in Moscow Magne Barth told Sputnik on Tuesday. https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612061048236056-red-cross-aleppoa-hospital/

This statement gives information on the duration of the air strike on the Russian Mobile Hospital:

A one-and-a-half-hours-long shelling of a field hospital in the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo which claimed the lives of two Russian medics indicates that radical groups have no reservations against attacking medical facilities in order to perpetuate the war in the devastated country, RIA Novosti analyst Alexander Khrolenko asserted. The incident took place in a government-held district of Aleppo at 11 a.m. local time on Monday, Russian defense officials said. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov pinned the blame for the attack on the Syrian rebels, as well as on those supporting them from France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612071048262449-aleppo-russian-hospital-attack/

A day after the air strike, the Red Cross makes this statement:

The ICRC claims that conducting humanitarian operations in Aleppo in current conditions is virtually impossible. "Unending hostilities, as well as the absence of real security guarantees on both sides make humanitarian operations in Aleppo virtually impossible. The current situation shows that such guarantees — both for the medical personnel and humanitarian employees are just absent," the ICRC said while commenting on the situation in the Syrian city. https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612061048230904-syria-red-cross-aleppo/

MSF or Doctors Without Borders, absent from any media reports in the Middle East for months, pops up in the headlines, denouncing the deaths of the Russian Medical Staff:

The Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders, or MSF) organization deeply regrets the deaths of Russian medical staff in an attack on a Russian mobile hospital in Aleppo, and reiterates that it is a violation of the rules of war, MSF Director of Operations for Brussels operational center Brice de le Vingne told Sputnik on Tuesday. https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612061048225581-msf-aleppo-hospital-attack/

MSF has been denied access to Syrian Government controlled areas. For the most part, MSF's activities have centered around areas "controlled" by moderates, in some of same locations that the (false) White Helmets are present.

The Syrian government continues to deny repeated requests by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to access government-controlled areas. MSF’s activities have consequently been limited to regions controlled by opposition forces, or restricted to cross‐frontline and cross‐border support to medical networks. http://activityreport2015.msf.org/country/syria/

MSF just closed a clinic for war-wounded (Moderates) Syrians on the Syrian - Jordan Border: I would imagine - safe corridors set up by the Syrian Government and offering Amnesty to hundreds of terrorist ..... have slowed down business?

Jordan’s sealed borders forces the closure of MSF clinic for war-wounded Syrians in Zaatari refugee camp
http://reliefweb.int/report/jordan/jordan-s-sealed-borders-forces-closure-msf-clinic-war-wounded-syrians-zaatari-refugee

Two days after the air strikes on the Russian Mobile Hospital staff, killing two and wounding many others, this report surfaces:

Intelligence services of Saudi Arabia and al-Qaeda terrorist group are planning to kidnap foreign nationals who work for humanitarian aid agencies in Yemen, Yemeni media reported Wednesday.

Saudi Intelligence, Al-Qaeda Plot to Kidnap Foreign Aid Workers in Yemen
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612071048272361-saudi-intelligence-kidnapping-aid-workers/

07.12.2016 - The Yemeni Interior Ministry has reportedly urged both local residents and foreigners working with humanitarian aid organizations to be especially vigilant and to cooperate with security agencies.

"Liaison officers working with the Saudi intelligence met leaders from al-Qaeda in the border Al-Waidah crossing point on Saturday, 29 October, to coordinate the kidnapping operations," an unnamed Yemeni official said, as quoted by the local SABA news agency.

Information on IOM and OCHA, two organizations ear marked for approximately $One Million in funding, along with the Red Cross to establish Humanitarian aid in Yemen. Unfortunately, a large portion of donations go towards "operating costs" of these organizations and very little is filtered down to those who need the help - the most.

]International Organization for Migration (IOM) - Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people. We are the International Organization for Migration's Office to the United Nations in New York. http://www.iom.int/about-iom

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a United Nations based organization. OCHA’s role is to bring together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. The core function of the organization is to mobilize and coordinate effective humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. But all of this cannot be achieved without the support from its donors.

To finance OCHA’s activities, only 5 per cent of the organization’s annual budget is funded from the United Nations Regular Budget. Therefore OCHA is, year after year, above all dependent on the voluntary contribution of its Member States’ and the European Commission.

To enable the allocation of funds where and when they are needed, contributions need to be flexible. Therefore an important part of OCHA’s resource mobilization strategy is to secure a healthy balance between earmarked and unearmarked funding from donors. Some donor policies allow, or favour, the allocation of unearmarked funding to humanitarian organizations in return for corporate-performance commitments, and an expectation that funds will be internally allocated where they are most needed, including during a sudden on-set emergency. http://www.unocha.org/about-us/ocha-funded

IOM Receives $400,000 for Humanitarian Work in Yemen from South Korea
https://sputniknews.com/world/201612021048098405-iom-south-korea-yemen/

02.12.2016 - South Korea has donated $400,000 in aid to International Organization for Migration (IOM) operations in war-torn Yemen, IOM said Friday.

The funds will be used to operate three mobile clinics servicing some 27,000 internally displaced Yemenis, almost half of these children, according to the statement.

Each clinic is staffed with one doctor, an assistant, a nurse and a midwife. (Note - same medical set up as the Russian Mobile Hospital that was attacked in Syria.)

“Thanks to the Korean contribution, IOM will be able to increase its response to the most vulnerable Yemenis in the country. Such support is welcome at a time when winter is affecting most families in Yemen and when the health infrastructure is facing immense pressures with a lack of medical supplies and resources,” IOM Yemen Chief of Mission Laurent de Boeck was quoted as saying in the statement.

The amount is almost half of total South Korean donations pledged to Yemen. Earlier in the day, the country's Foreign Ministry said the government is offering $1 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen via various international organizations. These include the IOM, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that Russian Colonel Ruslan Galitsky, who was helping a Syrian Army unit train servicemen, was killed in Syria's Aleppo. The Russian military adviser died of wounds sustained in an attack by the so-called moderate Syrian opposition on a residential district in Aleppo.

Russian Heroes Killed During Military Operation Against Daesh in Syria
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201612071048280868-russian-heroes-killed-syria/

Over the course of the counterterrorism operation in Syria, many Russian servicemen, including women, have sacrificed their own lives to destroy Daesh. Sputnik pays tribute to the Russian heroes and lists their names below.

On December 5, two Russian nurses, First Sergeant Nadezhda Durachenko and Junior Sergeant Galina Mihaylova, were killed when a shelling hit a Russian mobile military hospital they worked in. Another medical worker, professor and specialist in child treatment, Vadim Arsentyev, received severe injuries. The Russian Defense Ministry views the shelling as a murder, committed by the so-called moderate opposition.

On August 1, a Russian MI-8 helicopter that was on a humanitarian mission was shot down in the Syrian province of Idlib. There were three crew members and two officers of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Warring Parties on board. According to official information, all of them died, heroically trying to fly the aircraft away from populated areas and minimize casualties on the ground.

On July 22, it became known that Russian soldier Nikita Shevchenko died in the Syrian province of Aleppo. The serviceman was tasked with accompanying a humanitarian convoy carrying food and water to local residents. His car exploded when it came across an improvised explosive device hidden by terrorists near the village. The Russian medics on the ground were fought to keep him alive, but couldn't save him. On July 8, Russian pilots and military instructors Ryafagat Khabibulin and Evgeny Dolgin were killed in Syria during a fly-off in the Palmyra area. On this day, a large group of Daesh militants attacked the positions of Syrian troops to the east of Palmyra and were on their way to seize strategic positions when Khabibulin and Dolgin were asked to attack the terrorists. As result of their heroic move, the terrorist offensive was stopped, but both heroes died.

On June 19, Russia's Defense Ministry reported the death of Sergeant Andrey Timoshenkov who was escorting a humanitarian convoy of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Warring Parties. The young man was killed while he tried to stop a car with a suicide bomber who was planning to carry out an attack on the residents of Homs province while they were receiving humanitarian aid. Timoshenkov died from severe injuries as result of the car exploding.

In May, a soldier from Russia's region of Kabardino-Balkaria — Asker Bizhoev — was killed during a combat mission in Syria. After his death, he was awarded the Order of Courage. On May 11, reports said that Russian soldier Anton Erygin was seriously injured in the province of Homs while he was on his mission to escort and support a humanitarian convoy of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Warring Parties. He was immediately taken to hospital, but after two days he died due to serious injuries.

In early May, Russian contractor Junior Sergeant Mikhail Shirokopoyas was wounded in Aleppo province. He was supposed to stay in Syria for three months. The young man was taken to the Military Hospital in Moscow on a special Russian Defense Ministry plane. He died in the hospital on June 7.

On April 12, an Mi-28N helicopter of the Russian armed forces crashed in Syria in the province of Homs. According to media reports, the two pilots who were killed in the crash were graduates of Syzran Higher Military Aviation School, Andrei Okladnikov and Viktor Pankov. On March 24, Senior Lieutenant Alexander Prokhorenko was killed as he was carrying out a reconnaissance mission to provide intelligence for the Russian Air Force to attack Daesh targets near Palmyra. The officer ordered his comrades to carry out an air strike on his position after he was discovered and surrounded by Daesh terrorists, a story which led to the international press naming him the "Russian Rambo" for his act of heroism. Alexander, who was 25 years old, was married. Before he left for Syria he found out that his wife was expecting their first child.

On February 1, Russian military adviser Ivan Cheremisin was killed during an attack carried out by Daesh on one of the military garrisons in Syria.

On November 25, 2015, Russian officer and gun-layer Fedor Zhuravlev died while performing his military service in Syria. His task was to coordinate air strikes by the Russian Air Force. The man was buried in a village in the Bryansk region.

On November 24, 2015, a Russian Su-24 bomber was shot down over Syria by the Turkish Air Force. Pilot Oleg Peshkov and navigator Konstantin Murakhtin managed to eject before the plane hit the ground in an area where fighting raged between the Syrian army and terrorists. Peshkov was killed by militants in mid-air after he ejected over jihadist positions. Murakhtin was able to hold out for 12 hours on enemy territory and was eventually rescued by Russian marines and Syrian commandos.

During the rescue operation Russian marine Alexander Pozynich was killed when one of Russia's helicopters involved in the operation was hit by small arms fire and made an emergency landing on militant-controlled territory.

 

[angelburst29]

Syrian Army troops and popular forces continued to advance against Jeish al-Fatah terrorists and won more districts Southeast of Aleppo city, while tens of militants turned themselves in to the army men in newly-captured regions.

Aleppo: Gov't Forces Continue Capturing More Neighborhoods, More Militants Surrender to Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950917000440

The Syrian pro-government forces, who had freed parts of the districts of Karam al-Jabal, al-Qayoul and al-Farafereh, completed their control over these districts.

The army soldiers and the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters pushed terrorists back from the district of Qastal al-Hararmi after liberating the district of Iron Gate (Bab al-Hadid).

Based on reports, tens of militants have fled towards the very few districts that are still under the control of other terrorist groups, while a large number of others have turned themselves in to the army soldiers in Qastal al-Harami district.

The army men and Hezbollah fighters fortified their positions in the newly-captured districts in the last few hours, and army officers say that liberation of the remaining districts in the South, including al-Bayadheh Safsafeh and al-Qasliyeh, stands atop their agenda.

Israeli warplanes pounded al-Mezzeh military airport in Western Damascus, Syrian sources said on Wednesday, adding that early reports say that the airstrikes have caused fire and damage.

Israel Launches Airstrikes on Military Airport in Damascus
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950917000479

Al-Nashrah news website quoted unnamed Syrian sources as saying that the attacks targeted the airport's runway and operations command center.

They added that the strikes caused fire and some damage, although there has yet been no report on casualties.

Other sources also said that the Israeli fighter jets had targeted the operations center of the army's 4th division at the airport.

Damascus has not yet confirmed the report.

Last Wednesday, the Syrian defense ministry confirmed that the Israeli fighter jets had launched a strike at army positions in the Western parts of Damascus, saying that they fired two missiles at al-Saboura region from areas near the Lebanese territories.

Syria's state TV reported last week that the Israeli warplanes attacked Western Damascus after violating Lebanon's airspace.

A military source at the defense ministry said that the Israeli fighter jets flew over and violated the Lebanese airspace early Wednesday morning and fired two missiles at al-Saboura region in the Western parts of Damascus.

He added that the attack didn’t leave any tolls and was aimed at strengthening the terrorist groups' morale and undermine the psychological impacts of the Syrian army victories.

Also last month, the general command of the Syrian army and armed forces announced that an Israeli warplane launched an attack on one of the military sites in Quneitra, destroying a cannon and damaging another.

“This attack comes after the success of our armed forces, in cooperation with popular defense groups in thwarting a wide attack carried out by Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Nusra Front) terrorist organization on Hadar and its surroundings in Quneitra, killing tens of terrorists and inflicting heavy losses on them in arms and equipment,” the statement said.

The Jeish al-Fatah coalition of terrorist groups has called for a five-day-long ceasefire in Eastern Aleppo to allegedly evacuate civilians and the injured, reports said, adding that the real intention of the proposal is to provide a chance for foreign commanders to escape the region before they get killed or be humiliated at the time of forced pullout.

Terrorists Try to Flee Aleppo under UN-Established Ceasefire
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950917000690

The Arabic language al-Jazeereh news network reported that terrorist groups in Aleppo have called for a five-day-long truce. Commanders of the terrorist groups have claimed that the ceasefire call is aimed at the evacuation of civilians and the injured persons from the city.

The call comes as the terrorists have rejected several similar ceasefire calls by the Syrian army for evacuating civilians from the war zone, and shot at those civilians who tried to escape the militant-held districts in Eastern Aleppo via humanitarian corridors.

Local sources and former militants now say that the proposal is surely meant to help foreign commanders of the terrorist groups to escape in disguise as the war conditions in Eastern Aleppo now show that the few hundreds still at war with the Syrian army will soon be killed or be forced to surrender.

The request by Jeish Al-Fatah comes as the Syrian army and the Lebanese Hezbollah fighters have gained control over 85 percent of Eastern districts of Aleppo.

The offer comes as the Syrian army has reiterated that it would agree to an overall evacuation to purge the entire Eastern Aleppo of terrorists. To do so, the militants are needed to lay down arms and apply for evacuation or amnesty. Only Syrian fighters are granted amnesty once they apply.

On Tuesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry underlined that Damascus would not join any truce before terrorists leave Aleppo city.

The ministry underscored that complete evacuation of terrorist groups from the Eastern districts of Aleppo should be guaranteed to persuade Damascus to accept the ceasefire.

Russia and China on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on an immediate seven-day ceasefire in the Syrian city of Aleppo, while the Russian Foreign Minister described the draft resolution as counterproductive to a practical outcome.

 

[angelburst29]

85% of Aleppo has now been liberated since last night. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has stated his desire to visit Aleppo.

THE U.S IN PANIC MODE: Assad to pay a visit to Aleppo
http://katehon.com/agenda/west-panic-assad-pay-visit-aleppo

Wed. December 7th, 2016 - Over the last day, a few more neighborhoods in Aleppo were liberated, while the total number of areas that have fallen under the control of the government now amount to 85%. During the night, thousands of terrorists surrendered to the authorities and they with their families are being sent to Idlib. According to the Russian ceasefire center, about 3,000 terrorists across the whole country have surrendered their weapons.

The West in panic - After the planned shelling of the Russian hospital, which was expected to mix up Russia’s plans in Syria, the Obama Administration has revoked recent proposals to resolve the situation in Syria. These proposals were earlier described by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov as “in line with the approach long since advocated by Russian experts in negotiations with the Americans.” The Obama Administration has now also announced its refusal to meet for consultations with Russia.

However, all of this has turned out to have an entirely different impact. Instead of announcing the end of the mission or at least a truce, which the West and NATO called on Russia to do yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has said that any and all terrorists who remain in the city will be completely destroyed. This has caused great panic among the terrorists and their patrons, who have begun to make contradictory statements and knee-jerk movements.

Despite the fact that the terrorists who wished to do so have already left the city, the Obama Administration is trying to achieve the withdrawal of all terrorists, some of whom may be, of course, American instructors whose presence was denied previously.

Agonistic anger - The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced the death of another Russian military officer, Russian Army Colonel Ruslan Galitsky, who was in Aleppo with a group of military advisers. He died in a hospital as a result of injuries sustained during a shelling of the city’s residential neighborhoods by the "armed opposition” terrorists.

Syrian calm - Syrian forces are continuing their offensive on all fronts. The Castello road in the north of Aleppo is now fully unblocked. Attacks by terrorists in the northern districts have been repulsed.

Despite the West’s information support for terrorists on social networks and in the media, the demoralization of fighters is reaching a devastating level.

In turn, government forces believe in a quick victory. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has already announced his decision to visit the city in the near future.

Expectations - Most likely, in the near future, the terrorists and the West will take some painful actions. Washington and, possibly, some other Western and Arab countries, will try again to mix up the plans of Russia, Syria, and Iran. The terrorists, in turn, will try to attack coalition forces. Moreover, these attacks will be aimed not at troops, but at Syrian civilian neighborhoods and representatives of Russia’s humanitarian missions, non-combatants. The main purpose of such will be lifting the morale of terrorists and intimidating the world rather than achieving military objectives. As for combat operations, Damascus’ victory is undoubtable.

 

[angelburst29]

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sees a criticism against its reaction on the recent attack on the Russian hospital in Aleppo as unfounded and reiterates its commitment to the constructive relationship with Russia, ICRC’s Regional Delegation in Moscow said in a statement on Thursday.

ICRC Says Criticism Against Its Reaction on Attack on Russian Hospital Unfounded
https://sputniknews.com/world/201612081048309200-icrc-reaction-attack/

On Monday, a Russian mobile military hospital in Aleppo was shelled, allegedly by the Syrian opposition militants, killing two military medics and wounding another. On Wednesday, head of the Russian Red Cross and member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Raisa Lukutsova made a statement, published on the website of the Council, decrying the initial ICRC reaction on the attack as "vague" and even "cynic."

"Since unfounded criticism against the ICRC’s reaction to the tragic event continues, the Head of the ICRC’s Regional Delegation in Moscow, Mr Magne Barth, reiterates … that the attack on the Russian Military Hospital in Aleppo on 5 December 2016 is tragic and unacceptable: the loss of life in this attack is tragic, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as those who were injured," the statement reads. Barth emphasized that medical workers must imperatively be respected and protected, and it applies universally, no matter who runs the hospital and no matter where the hospital is.

"The ICRC works closely with Russian forces on the ground in Syria. The ICRC is committed to its constructive relationship with the Russian Federation and keen to continue working together for the provision of humanitarian assistance and promotion of humanitarian values," Barth added.

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the attack, drawing attention to the lack of condemnation from the Western countries.

Moscow believes that the attack on the Russian facility was a planned campaign, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

On December 6, within 24 hours after the attack, the ICRC condemned it and presented its condolences to the families of the victims. Within minutes of the attack, the Head of the ICRC Delegation in Damascus was on site and presented ICRC’s condolences on the spot to the commander of the Russian forces, according to the statement of the delegation in Moscow.

About 150 civilians, mostly people with disabilities or those in need of urgent medical care, were evacuated from a hospital in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement on Thursday.

ICRC, Red Crescent Evacuate About 150 Patients From Aleppo Hospital
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612081048313798-icrc-aleppo-evacuation/

The ICRC pointed out that among those evacuated there were six children who lost their parents. However, 11 people died before the SARC and the ICRC specialists reached Dar Al-Safaa center, accommodating patients with mental health needs and physical disabilities.

"Nearly 150 civilians, most of whom were disabled or in urgent need of care, were evacuated late night from a hospital in the Old City of Aleppo,
in a joint operation by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)," the statement read.

The first evacuation attempt was held on Tuesday but failed due to the intense fighting in the area. On Wednesday, the SARC and the ICRC were able to reach premises in the Al-Meshatyeh neighborhood after the government forces took control over the area.

Syrian army backed by local militia are forcing the militants out from the remaining districts from in southern Aleppo, a well-informed source told RIA Novosti Thursday.

Syrian Army Backed by Militia Liberating Remaining Districts in Southern Aleppo
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612081048322883-aleppo-syrian-army-liberation/

According to media reports, Syrian army now controls over 80 percent of the city.

"After a series of powerful artillery attacks on command posts and firing positions of the enemy, the army began storming Kalyasa and Sukkari [districts]. At the same time, it pushed most of the radicals out of the Sheikh Saeed, attacking from the southern flank," the source said.

President of the Council of Eastern Aleppo Brita Hagi Hasan has been visiting France for already 10 days. According to French lawmaker Gerard Bapt, Hasan is "traveling from country to country to continue his propaganda."

'Rebellious' Mayor of Aleppo: 'Propagandist' or Member of Syrian Opposition?
https://sputniknews.com/politics/201612081048321623-rebellious-mayor-aleppo/

First of all, Brita Hagi Hasan has portrayed himself as a rebel and is known for his anti-Assad stance on the situation in the besieged city of Aleppo.

"I’m not saying eastern Aleppo. I’m talking about the liberated Aleppo," he commented on the situation in the part of city, which is not under government control.

In the West, Hasan was accepted as a diplomat and a representative of the population of the eastern part of Aleppo. He was elected as the head of the council in December 2015.

He is currently living west of Aleppo, in Idlib. He was in Turkey when Aleppo came under siege in September 2016, and since then he has been unable to return to the city, as it was said at a press conference in Paris on December 6.

However, the official authorities in Aleppo are represented by the governor of Aleppo. Diyab Hussein now serves as the head of the city.

For 10 days, Hasan has been meeting with politicians and officials in the French capital, including Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, Paris Mayor Anna Hidalgo, Socialist lawmaker Elisabeth Guigou and member of the European Parliament Yannick Jadot.

He has also given interviews to news agencies and different media outlets, including AFP, Arte and France Info.

In his numerous conversations with the press, he has insisted that al-Nusra Front has no control over the situation in Aleppo, in an attempt to solidify his idea of the "liberated Aleppo." "There are some 200 or 300 militants in Aleppo," he said.

Socialist lawmaker Gerard Bapt met with Hasan in October in the National Assembly. "I think he’s traveling from country to country to continue his propaganda," Bapt said in an interview with Sputnik France.

"He complained about the humanitarian crisis in eastern Aleppo. I told him that the situation in western Aleppo was catastrophic too and the best option would be a ceasefire and partial implementation of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura’s proposal to withdraw militants from Aleppo. But he didn’t say anything in response," the lawmaker said.

He added that currently the situation demonstrates that certain terrorist groups, including al-Nusra Front, do not want to leave Aleppo and say they will fight till the end.

"Now, it is very difficult to negotiate peace," Bapt noted. Recently, Hasan called on the international community to help establish a humanitarian corridor in eastern Aleppo to let some 250,000 civilians leave the city. "The civilians are calling for the world to help. In the name of humanity let the civilians leave the city. Help the civilians! Protect the civilians!" Hasan said at a news conference held with Ayrault.

On December 7, he sent an open letter to Pope Francis, asking to deliver a "humanitarian ultimatum" to Russia after Moscow vetoed a resolution on Aleppo in the UN Security Council.

Member of the Russian parliament's upper house Alexei Pushkov told Sputnik that the moderate political opposition exists in Syria and abroad and it is part of the negotiating process of the Syrian settlement.

"Russia has contacts with representatives of the Syrian political opposition, as an important part of the Geneva peace process," he said. The local Council of Eastern Aleppo was established in March 2013 in a bid to provide "continuity of public institutions." It is connected with the Regional Council which is under command of the "government of free Syria."

Syrian farmers from Latakia sent a caravan of trucks filled with citrus fruit for the recently liberated residents of Aleppo.

Syrian Gov't Sends Truckloads of Citrus Fruit to Liberated Citizens of Aleppo
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201612081048319105-truckloads-citrus-fruit-aleppo/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7l8SfbuW5A (0:48 min.)

All these fruits are being sent to the civilians and defenders of Aleppo who stood up against the terrorists and made invaluable sacrifices. It is a gift from the Syrian government," the governor of Latakia, Ibrahim Salim, told Sputnik Arabic.

Latakia is famous for its gardens with citrus trees. The suitable location of the province right on the Mediterranean coast makes it not only an agricultural capital but also an important strategic region. The Russian airbase Hmeymim is also situated in Latakia.

 

[angelburst29]

Over 80 Syrian soldiers killed by US airstrikes in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/80-syrian-soldiers-killed-us-airstrikes-deir-ezzor/

The source added that the death toll will likely rise in the coming hours as more bodies are discovered in Jabal Thardeh.

Most of the soldiers were killed when the U.S. Air Force dropped phosphorous bombs on their positions, killing the men instantly.

(Note: The use of white phosphorus against human targets is a war crime. )

US Air Force attacks Syrian Army in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-air-force-attacks-syrian-army-deir-ezzor-reports/

If true, this will be the second time during this war that the U.S. Air Force has attacked the Syrian Arab Army in the Deir Ezzor.

A close reading of the report on the U.S. airstrike that killed scores of Syrian troops and helped Islamic State capture a key base leaves many doubts about the “mistake” explanation, writes Gareth Porter for Middle East Eye.

The ‘Mistaken’ US Airstrike on Syrian Troops
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/12/07/the-mistaken-us-airstrike-on-syrian-troops/

Dec. 7, 2016 - The summary report on an investigation into U.S. and allied air strikes on Syrian government troops has revealed irregularities in decision-making consistent with a deliberate targeting of Syrian forces.

The report, released by U.S. Central Command on Nov. 29, shows that senior U.S. Air Force officers at the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) at al-Udeid Airbase in Qatar, who were responsible for the decision to carry out the September airstrike at Deir Ezzor:

•–misled the Russians about where the U.S. intended to strike so Russia could not warn that it was targeting Syrian troops;
•–ignored information and intelligence analysis warning that the positions to be struck were Syrian government rather than Islamic State; and
•–shifted abruptly from a deliberate targeting process to an immediate strike in violation of normal Air Force procedures

Last week, Brig. Gen. Richard Coe, the lead U.S. official on the investigating team, told reporters that U.S. air strikes in Deir Ezzor on Sept. 17, which killed at least 62 – and possibly more than 100 – Syrian army troops, was the unintentional result of “human error.”

The report itself says that the investigators found “no evidence of misconduct” – but it is highly critical of the decision process and does not offer any explanations for that series of irregularities.

The strikes against two Syrian army positions were the pivotal event in the breakdown of the Syrian ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Russia in September. Both Moscow and Damascus denounced the strikes as a deliberate move by the Obama administration to support the Islamic State group and cited the attacks as the reason for declaring an end to the ceasefire on Sept. 19.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey L Harrigan, commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command and of the CAOC, who was the central figure in all the decisions, apparently had a motive for a strike against Syrian forces.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter had strongly opposed a provision in the U.S.-Russian ceasefire agreement that would have established a U.S.-Russian “joint integration center” to coordinate air strikes against both Islamic State (also known as Daesh) and the Al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front, which was to become active after seven days of effective ceasefire.

But President Barack Obama supported Secretary of State John Kerry’s position and overrode Pentagon objections.

In a press briefing on Sept. 13, Harrigan stated that his readiness to join such a joint operation with the Russians “is going to depend on what the plan ends up being.” He added: “t would be premature to say we’re going to jump right into it. And I’m not saying yes or no. I’m saying we’ve got work to do to understand what the plan is going to look like.”

Three days later, Harrigan’s command sent a drone to investigate a site three kilometers southwest of Deir Ezzor airfield. It showed images of a tunnel entrance, two tents and 14 adult males, according to the investigation report. That move led to a swiftly moving decision process that resulted in the air strike against two Syrian army bases the following day.

Not Telling the Russians - The investigation report summary reveals that the CAOC sent misleading information to the Russians before the strike about the location of the targets. The Russians were informed that the targets were nine kilometers south of Deir Ezzor airfield: they were actually only three and six kilometers from that airfield, respectively, according to the summary of its findings.

The investigation report summary reveals that the CAOC sent misleading information to the Russians before the strike about the location of the targets.

Brig. Gen. Richard Coe, who briefed reporters on the team’s report, acknowledged that the misleading information had prevented the Russians from intervening to stop the strike. “Had we told them accurately, they would have warned us,” he told reporters.

Coe said that the provision of that misleading information to the Russians before the strike was “unintentional.” However, neither he nor the redacted summary of the report offered any explanation as to how such misleading information could have been passed to the Russians unintentionally.

From its initial position above the site three kilometers from the airfield, the drone followed a vehicle to two other positions nearby, both of which also had tunnels, as well as “defensive fighting positions”, including tanks and armored personnel carriers. All those characteristics would have been consistent with a Syrian Army position, especially in Deir Ezzor.

At the time the Syrian Army was fighting from fixed defensive positions to prevent the Deir Ezzor airport – the lifeline for the entire government-held portion of the city – from being overrun.

Nevertheless, those positions were quickly identified as belonging to the Islamic State, based primarily on the clothing worn by the personnel at the sites. The report describes the personnel at the two sites as dressed in “a mix of traditional wear, civilian attire and military style clothing that lacked uniformity.”

But a former US intelligence analyst with long experience in image interpretation in combat situations told Middle East Eye that the claim that Islamic State militants could be distinguished from Syrian army troops on the basis of their clothing “sounds completely bogus.” He said he had seen images of Syrian Republican Guards in the field who were not wearing regular uniforms or were dressed in various colors.

The report also mentions a series of what it calls “breakdowns” regarding intelligence reporting and analysis on the identification of the positions with the Islamic State that allegedly was never seen by those making the decisions on targeting.

The regional station belonging to the Air Force’s Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) is the main source of Air Force analysis of intelligence from aerial surveillance. It responded to the initial identification of the positions as belonging to the Islamic State group by raising “concerns” that the ground force in question could not have belonged to the group. But those concerns never reached Harrigan or his staff, according to the report.

Thirty minutes before the strike was scheduled, someone called into the CAOC to report a “possible flag” in one of two target areas. The call, which contradicted the accepted identification based on the absence of flags at the site, “went unacknowledged,” according to the report.

The report also reveals that a map prepared by an intelligence agency, whose identity is redacted, that was available at the CAOC contradicted the classified map showing areas occupied by the Syrian Army and Islamic State in the vicinity of the Deir Ezzor airfield.

The classified map supported the decision to proceed with the strike. But the officials involved in targeting decisions denied any knowledge of another map.

The report and Coe’s press briefing both explained the conclusion that the positions were under Islamic State control as a result of “confirmation bias,” which means that people seek and accept information that confirms their existing biases.

But citing that concept implies that those responsible for the strike began with an interest in finding evidence to justify an action they already wanted to take.

The report is critical of the discussion on the identification issue within CAOC for focusing only on “what could be seen on the ground rather than what we knew about the ground situation” (emphasis in original report).

That language clearly suggests that Harrigan and his staff were ignoring basic facts about the positions of the Syrian army and Islamic State in the area that was well known to U.S. intelligence.

Switch to ‘Dynamic Targeting’ - Journalist Elijah Magnier of the Kuwait daily newspaper Al Rai has followed the struggle between the Syrian army and Islamic State for control of Deir Ezzor closely for years.

He told Middle East Eye in an email that at the time of the air strike the defense of the airport depended entirely on four interconnected Syrian army positions on the Thardeh mountain chain.

Magnier said Islamic State forces had been carrying out “daily attacks” on Deir Ezzor airport prior to the U.S. air strikes but had failed, mainly because of the higher elevation of the four Syrian bases in relation to the positions occupied by Islamic State further south.

Fabrice Balanche, a leading French expert on Syria who is now a visiting fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in an interview with Middle East Eye that the Syrian army had maintained continuous control over the base at Thardeh mountain from March 2016 until the U.S. air strikes, which then resulted in Islamic State gaining control of it.

The report faults those who made the decisions on the targeting of the strike for failing to follow normal Air Force procedures. Originally, the CAOC had initiated a process called “Deliberate Targeting,” which is used for fixed targets and requires extensive and time-consuming work to ensure the accuracy of the intelligence on the targets, according to the report. But that had been changed abruptly to “Dynamic Targeting,” which involves “fleeting targets” – those that are either moving or about to move — for which intelligence requirements are less stringent.

The authors of the report found that change to be improper, given that the sites being targeted were clearly identified as defensive positions and could not justify such a switch to a hastily prepared strike. But again, it offers no explanation as to why.

The report revealed more than previous investigations into U.S. military operations that resulted in embarrassment. This can be explained by the role of its co-author, whose identity was redacted as “foreign government information.” He or she is most likely a general belonging to one of the other three members of the “Operation Inherent Resolve” coalition whose planes participated in the Deir Ezzor strike, which would narrow it down to the U.K., Denmark or Australia.

The two co-authors also went through lengthy negotiations to resolve the differences in the summary report. This is indicated by the repeated postponement of the report’s release, which was originally planned for two weeks earlier, according to sources at Central Command. As a result, the report was certainly less pointed in describing the decision-making than the unidentified co-author would have preferred.

The report observes that it was “unclear who has the responsibility/authority to decide between continuing deliberate target development versus conducting a dynamic strike.” However such decisions could only have been made with the approval of the commander of CAOC – Lt. Gen. Harrigan, who is also commander of US Air Forces Central Command.

The decision to avoid identifying Harrigan as responsible for that decision may be related to the fact he was also the recipient of the report.

(Note - A vital piece of information missing from "the consortiumnews article" - the U.S. Air Force dropped phosphorous bombs in the Deir Ezzor strike.)

 

[sToRmR1dR]

300 commandos to join Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/12/09/497060/Turkey-commandos-dispatch-northern-Syria-Operation-Euphrates-Shield-Daesh-Kurdish-fighters-YPG-PYD

Turkey is dispatching hundreds of more soldiers to neighboring Syria to reinforce its first major US-backed incursion of its conflict-ridden southern neighbor.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 300 special troops from the 11th Command Brigade departed Cardak airbase in the southwestern province of Denizli to the Syrian border on Thursday, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The source, however, did not provide any information whether they had crossed into Syria, and where in northern Syria they would be deployed.

On August 24, the Turkish air force and special ground forces kicked off Operation Euphrates Shield inside Syria in a declared bid to support the Free Syrian Army militants and rid the border area of Daesh terrorists and fighters from the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Democratic Union Party (PYD).

The offensive was launched in coordination with the US-led military coalition, which has purportedly been fighting Daesh extremists since 2014.

The incursion was the first major Turkish military intervention in Syria, which drew strong condemnation from the Syrian government for violating the Arab country's sovereignty.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on November 29 that the Turkish army marched into Syria to end the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, whom he accused of terrorism and causing the deaths of thousands.

The remarks caused consternation in the Kremlin, with Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov demanding Erdogan to clarify anti-Assad goals in Syria.

The Turkish leader backtracked on the comments two days later, asserting that the offensives there are aimed only at terrorists.

“The aim of the Euphrates Shield Operation is not any country or person, but only terrorist organizations,” Erdogan said in a speech at the presidential palace in Istanbul on December 1.

He added, “No one should doubt this issue that we have uttered over and over, and no one should comment on it in another fashion or try to derail it.”

 

[angelburst29]

Syrian Army helicopters dropped leaflets on parts of eastern Aleppo on Sunday warning anti-government fighters to surrender while they still had the chance. Hundreds of jihadists have already laid down their weapons and surrendered while a hardline corps of deadenders continue to fend off the rapidly advancing army.

Rolling Back the Empire: Washington’s Proxy-Army Faces Decisive Defeat in Aleppo
http://www.globalresearch.ca/rolling-back-the-empire-washingtons-proxy-army-faces-decisive-defeat-in-aleppo/5561184

The situation is looking increasingly hopeless for the ragtag group of insurgents that have lost more than half the territory they held in just the last week. Every attempt they’ve made to break through Syrian Army lines has been repelled leaving them to defend a few shrinking districts where they will either surrender or die.

On Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov delivered an ultimatum to the remaining militants that clarified the position of the Syrian government and its allies. he said:

Those groups which refuse to leave eastern Aleppo will be treated as terrorists. By refusing to walk out from eastern Aleppo they will in fact go ahead with armed struggle. We will treat them accordingly, as terrorists and extremists, and support the Syrian army in its operation against such armed gangs.

US Secretary of State John Kerry has made every effort to stop the fighting to protect US-backed jihadists that are trying to topple Syrian President Bashar al Assad. Unfortunately, a proposal that was accepted by both Kerry and Lavrov concerning the withdrawal of fighters in Aleppo, was rejected by higher-ups in the Obama Administration ending the prospects for a negotiated settlement. Lavrov expressed his frustration in comments to the media where he said:

They have withdrawn their document and have a new one. Our initial impression is that this new document backtracks, and is an attempt to buy time for the militants, allow them to catch their breath and resupply. The same thing happened with our agreement of September 9. It’s difficult to understand who makes decisions there, but apparently there are plenty of those who want to undermine the authority and practical steps by John Kerry.

According to Reuters, “the Syrian Foreign Ministry said it would now accept no truce in Aleppo, should any outside parties try to negotiate one.” Meanwhile, “Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a week-long ceasefire.” Simply put, this is the end of the line for the US-backed terrorists that have laid to waste much of the battered country and killed more than 400,000 people. And while Aleppo may not be the decisive turning point in the ongoing conflict, it does put all of the main population centers and industrial hubs back under regime control.

More important, the recapturing of Aleppo is a major setback for Washington and its jihadist-breeding allies. (US, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar) US plans for redrawing the map of the Middle East to meet its economic and geopolitical objectives has been defeated by a courageous and determined coalition (Syria, Iran, Russia and Hezbollah) that has methodically routed or exterminated the foreign-backed opposition and reestablished both state security and the sovereign authority of the elected government to control its own affairs.

On Tuesday morning, AMN News reported that the Syrian Army had captured 85 percent of East Aleppo. Dozens of insurgents have been killed in sporadic fighting while hundreds more have surrendered. It appears that the battle of Aleppo is about to end and the Syrian Army is on the “verge of total victory.”


Russia's Victory in Syria: The Real Meaning of the Aleppo Hospital Tragedy
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/12/russias-victory-in-syria-real-meaning.html

I am not surprised by the double standards of Western media and Western leaders who either don’t want to recognize the fact that our military medics were killed or are issuing statements to the effect of “serves you right.” I’m even more unsurprised by the absence or at least “cheesy” condolences that have been offered on the occasion of the murder of our military adviser. I’ll say something cynical: I would be very worried if suddenly Western media and Western politicians started doing otherwise.

The point is that chivalry is a luxury that only the winners can afford, and the strength of the globalists’ forces in Syria are now suffering a very serious defeat with very far-reaching consequences. Therefore, when the Pentagon is grinning and the International Red Cross is actually spitting on the memory of our medics, this means that everything is in order. This means that we are doing what’s necessary. This means that our troops have found themselves on the right side of history and are very close to victory.

Our opponents have a long tradition of spitting on the graves of the dead when they can’t beat the living. This is a sure sign that they are losing and that we are winning.

The situation for the globalists sponsoring and coordinating the terrorist “Syrian opposition” is so desperate that they are going to do anything to at least spoil the approaching victory of Russian troops in Syria. Catastrophe is nearing for the globalists and the moment is approaching when they will be deprived of the leverage they now have. This includes the leverage of control over certain American military resources.

A prudent commander would now be trying to quietly negotiate with Moscow on the withdrawal of American military instructors from Aleppo who are working there to coordinate the work of militants. But instead, the globalists are organizing mortar shelling of a Russian hospital as a farewell, perfectly knowing that the response will be maximally bloody. The chances of American and Western instructors exiting Aleppo alive are now equal to zero.

It is evident that they don’t care about the fate of their instructors and could care less precisely because the Pentagon will soon come into Trump’s hands. They won’t be able to use such instructors anymore. So why protect them? According to the logic of the departing Clinton team, it is much more important and interesting to spoil the Russian celebration and make victory come at even a greater cost. There is nothing surprising here. The logic of the globalists, for whom both Syrians and Americans are cannon fodder for their personal wars, is reflected in this situation crystal clear. I don’t know about you, but this reminds me of April 1945 when we dealt with one maniac who behaved similarly. He finished very badly.

I am closely following the information wars against Russia, and I remember very well how they told us at every turn that Syria will be Russia’s new Afghanistan. I remember how specialists on the Middle East told us that Assad is doomed in any case. I remember how they told us that Aleppo is impregnable and that Turkey and the United States will fight to the end to protect their militants in Syria. They basically urged us to reconcile with these “facts” and not even try to interfere in the Clintonites’ plans to reshape the Middle East for themselves, lay down pipes carrying Qatari gas to Europe, and turn the region into a factory of terrorists to be used for attacks on Russia.

But what do we see now? We are now witnessing not only the final battle for Aleppo, but the real triumph of the Russian army and Russian military advisers. We have learned to fight with maximum concern for the lives of our soldiers. That’s why those cases in which we fail to save our medics or military advisers are so painful.

It can already be said that their death is not in vain. Besides the obvious geopolitical advantages now at play and besides the serious reduction in the number of terrorists who could in other circumstances turn up in Russia, the operation in Syria has shown us ourselves and the entire world that Russia can defend its geopolitical interests beyond its own borders even better than the USSR could.

25 years ago, the operation in Afghanistan contributed to society being indifferent towards or even welcoming the collapse of the Soviet Union. But now our operation in Syria is doing the opposite: strengthening our faith in our strength and our country. This is very good. Perhaps 25 years ago we really learned to draw the right conclusions from the mistakes of our past.

The Syrian army is waging an offensive in the Sheikh-Said, Suqqari, and Bustan al-Quasir districts in Aleppo.

ALEPPO OFFENSIVE: Only 5% of Aleppo left in terrorist hands (MAPS+VIDEO)
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/12/aleppo-offensive-only-5-of-aleppo-left.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8z5-76o6ZQ (1:51 min.)

On December 8th, the media wing of Hezbollah, which is taking part in the operation, reported: “The Syrian army and its allies are reducing the territory of Aleppo that is controlled by terrorists from 87 square kilometers to 10 square kilometers, which makes up 5% of the total city area. Before the start of the operation, 46% of the city was in the hands of terrorist groups.”

On Thursday morning, government troops continued their powerful offensive in Aleppo, attacking militants’ positions in the strategically important Sheikh-Said neighborhood in the south of the city, whose fall threatens the gangs with a complete breakdown in their defensive order and, consequently, defeat.

The Syrian Arab Republic’s armed forces are being aided by Russian military advisers and aircraft which are launching airstrikes and preventing counterattacks by groups outside of the ‘Aleppo cauldron.’

A military source has reported that Russian military aircraft have recently bombed several militant strongholds near Aleppo.

In Sheikh-Said, troops led by the elite Tiger Force and Desert Falcons brigades have struck at the fortifications of Jaish al-Fatah from several directions. The Syrian Arab Army has managed to break through the armed gangs’ defenses in the western part of Sheikh-Said, liquidating and wounding a number of terrorists. The SAA has since come to control more ground in this most important neighborhood, beating terrorists out of their positions.

Troops have also since successfully attacked militants in the as-Suqqari district. Together with the Desert Falcons brigade, they have launched a powerful attack on Bustan al-Quasir in the northern part of the district.

Some media have asserted that all of Sheikh-Said has been liberated by Syrian troops, but Arab war correspondents and military sources have said that this is not yet true. Hezbollah’s press service, for instance, has reported: “The Syrian army and its allies are making progress in southern Aleppo, and in the Sheikh-Said district troops have taken control over a number of buildings and residential complexes north of the electric company following fierce fighting with bandits and losses in the the ranks of the enemy.”

After the fall of Sheikh-Said, it is expected that the bands’ defenses in the Aleppo cauldron will completely collapse, shortly after which it will be completely swept by the Syrian Arab Republic’s armed forces.

The heads of terrorist groups have called for a ceasefire, but Damascus has so far ignored these proposals.

Drone footage has also been released showing the Syrian army's control over the center of Old Aleppo and its central citadel.

 

[angelburst29]

Quantum Philosophy and the Demise of Empires
http://katehon.com/article/quantum-philosophy-and-demise-empires

History speaks of the emergence of many great empires. Some of them lasted for centuries and some of them for less than that. The durations of these empires related to many factors, but one of the most important factors was the relation between the people and rulers of these empires. In the Arab region, especially since the beginning of the Islamic era, big Arab empires were formed in the region and extended for a long period (more than eight hundred years). We also remember the Ottoman Empire, which ruled the Arab world for more than four hundred years and caused backwardness and ignorance in the Arab arena. In the modern era, especially after the Second World War, the Imperial figure was to be considered by watching the Russian and American empires. The Russian Empire turned from 1917 to communism and was competing with the American Empire, which was characterized by deception and cunning, as they talk about freedom and values ​​of democracy, but are characterized by greed and working to control the resources of the world to maintain global leadership and remain at the highest levels of the Imperial ladder.

This historical, simplified introduction may be necessary to remember some of these empires and to analyze some of the causes of their failure and demise in the end, but we will speak today from a completely new perspective, a perspective of quantum philosophy. Maybe, in our study, we can find some new ideas that will be able to explain new factors of the demise of many of these empires and the survival of others, and also the most important reasons for this study is to predict the demise of the current empires and the rise of others.

We talked in a previous article about values ​​and interests, and we explained how the world today is divided mainly into two teams: one relies on values ​​in word and deed, led by the Russian Federation and other countries. Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah belong to this axis. The another axis claims to uphold the values ​​of freedom and democracy and behaves completely different through the oppression of peoples and standing with dictators to achieve some interests, forgetting all values and all forms of human rights and also international law, no matter how large the cost of human harm and destruction.

Let's go back now to quantum philosophy and what this new philosophy says, which was formed through the emergence of the quantum physics and through laws differing greatly from what we have known in classical physics - the physics of Isaac Newton. This quantum philosophy does not accept the pure materialistic concept of the universe, on which the materialistic, classical physics is based, even regarding our daily lives in terms of our bodies and our health. For example, the concept today is still materialistic in medicine and treatment for diseases from the point of view of symptoms, and does not deal with its root causes despite the progress of medicine and its access to very advanced stages. Pain relievers are used to remove pain and surgery is used to remove malignant disease, often forgetting the fundamental reasons that caused this pain or this malignant disease. It must be noted here that scientists have accepted that there is a physical phenomenon in medicine such as the Placebo phenomenon, which is based on the patient's thought and belief that the pill that he takes is useful and curative, even though the pill does not contain any active ingredients.

Perhaps many people do not know that our thoughts and our feelings are two basic and very active forces which determine the shape of our lives and our future. We are aware of things through our senses, and our daily experiences will be integrated to form our consciousness. About 60,000 ideas are ​​wandering in our minds daily, and some of them move and incite our feelings related to the memories that we have lived, and all these thoughts and these feelings are electromagnetic waves that we send into the universe. The cosmos receives, processes, and stores all these messages and sends us its answers to these messages. The speed of response of the universe to our letters is related to the intensity of the electromagnetic wave which will be higher with the increase of the emotional charge, and the intensity will be more and more effective when a group of people send the same message. This will lead to the rapid response of the universe and to the realization of the demand. The belief in the achievement of the demand and the existence of will are important factors in achieving what we want and what we wish.

Now let's go back to the empires and look at historically what has happened in these empires before their disintegration and demise, to see what magic power owned by our thoughts, especially when feelings are linked to our thoughts, is at play. We will adopt examples of empires formed in modern times as a result of our detailed knowledge. When rampant corruption and injustice are spreading, and when dictatorship and harm deprive people of their most basic rights, then this state of injustice and harm makes people think constantly and collectively about this injustice and harm. Therefore, they involuntarily send persistent messages into the universe about what they are being exposed to. These messages will be accumulated and processes by the universe and people will feel suddenly that the phenomena of decay and disintegration has begun to emerge in this empire or that. It is the power of our creative ideas that have been associated with the feelings of people and sent collectively to the universe. The universe will find an opportunity for the demise of such an empire, no matter how strong the empire is, or what ability for destruction its weapons have.

Perhaps the recent demise of the Soviet Union is a true example of this. Injustice dominated for many years, and people sent their letters carrying their ideas with their deep emotions into the universe. Fortunately, no one could monitor and punish the owners of these thoughts. The universe’s answer was so clear and obvious as the Soviet Union disappeared from the international scene in the blink of an eye. Perhaps the way of the demise of the Soviet Union is proof of the accuracy of the universe in processing messages which it has received, as the hatred of the majority of the Russian people was concentrated on the Soviet system and on the injustice as a result of preventing people from economically and intellectually initiative. But the Russian people with a long history of great values ​​and tolerant Christian values, ​​believe in this country as “Russia", as a great world power which deserves to be in the leading position. However, at the same time, they did not like the communist tyranny, the result of which was the demise of the communist regime and the survival of the pillars of the Russian Empire. Exactly as the Russian people were thinking and believing, the Soviet Union collapsed and the formation of the Russian Empire began again.

The current American Empire has painted a path for itself that is based on brutal economic control over the world through neo-liberalism and through the adoption of traditional and soft wars to guarantee its interests. It kills people in the West and the East while it claims to be defending freedom, justice, and the values ​​of democracy.

But at the same time, the American empire drags its allies among the Western countries into numerous wars in many countries, such as the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq. The US also involves its allies in creative chaos through soft wars and color revolutions. The result is the death of millions of people and the displacement of many more millions of people and escalating groans of torturers asking the universe for retribution and redemption from this monster that ruthless caused all these wars and suffering.

Perhaps the Syrian war is a clear example of soft proxy wars sparked by the United States and Western countries with the support of their allies in the region, and the result is clear: millions of people are sending their letters full of pain and suffering caused by the United States into the universe. I am convinced that the answer of the universe will end this empire which has extolled its values to the sky while killing millions of innocent people only to enjoy prosperity for itself. This is despite the fact that all the great monotheistic religions emphasize the value of man on this earth, and that the whole universe is founded to serve the human being, not to kill him or torture him. Thus, we are left awaiting the demise of the American Empire as an answer of this universe. This justification of quantum philosophy is proven by history, which has showed that all empires that murder innocents are doomed to disappear.

According to a Sputnik.Polls survey, the majority of Europeans believe that the US made a lot of mistakes as the only global leader after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In interview with Sputnik Germany, German politicians Wolfgang Gehrcke and Diether Dehm commented on the outcome of the survey.

US No Longer 'Able to Cope With Consequences' of Its Wars
https://sputniknews.com/us/201612091048380757-us-consequences-wars/

According to German MP from Die Linke Party, Wolfgang Gehrcke, the time of the US global domination is over.

"Many see it, except for the United States," the politician told Sputnik Germany. "The United States is realizing it now, and for them it is a very difficult process."

According to the politician, the situation globally was more stable when the two superpowers — Russia and the United States — had to engage into a dialogue to discuss disputed issues. However, things took a turn for the worse when the US imagined that it can make all politically relevant decisions alone.

The current Middle East crisis, in Gehrcke's opinion, is to a large extent a "result of the war in Iraq, responsibility for which lies with the United States." The United States is also responsible for the war against Yugoslavia that led to instability in Kosovo, the politician continued. "The US is no longer able to promote their solutions worldwide. Perhaps they can still wage wars alone, but they can't cope with the consequences of these wars," the politician stressed. A similar point of view was expressed by German MP from Die Linke party Diether Dehm. According to him, the hegemony of the US has had negative consequences on international stability in general.

"Humanity is now slowly awakening and realizes that US foreign operations so far only led to the destabilization worldwide," he told Sputnik.

According to a Sputnik.Polls survey, the majority of people in Germany (69%), France (55%) and Italy (51%) believe that the United States did a poor job as the only superpower. When asked if the United States had succeeded as a global leader after the collapse of the Soviet Union, only 24% of Germans, 35% of French people and 42% of Italians gave a positive response. Some 10% of French and 7% of German and 7% of Italian respondents were uncertain about their answer.

Syrian Army forces thwarted attacks by terrorists on two major airfields in Deir Ezzur and Sweida and imposed heavy losses on them.

Syrian Army Forces Nix Terrorists Offensives on Deir Ezzur Airport, Major Airbase in Swieda
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950918001057

The Syrian Air force targeted the ISIL terrorists near the Deir Ezzur Airport while they were preparing for an offensive on the Syrian Army in the premises of the airport.

Syrian warplanes also bombed the ISIL terrorists in Deir Ezzur districts of al-Hwaiqa, al-Hamidiyeh and al-Rashidiya as well as their positions in Panorama, West of Deir Ezzur, inflicting heavy losses and damage on the terrorists.

The Syrian Air Force also carried out several aerial attacks on ISIL positions in Hatla and al-Hosseiniyeh in Eastern Deir Ezzur as well as al-Jafreh and Jabal al-Tharda, South of Eastern Deir Ezzur Province, killing a number of militants and leaving their equipment destroyed.

Syrian Air Force targeted a long convoy of ISIL in the Eastern province of Deir Ezzur, inflicting major damage on the military column on al-Mayadeen-Thayem highway and killing a number of militants, including their commander.

Long Convoy of ISIL's Vehicles Hit Hard in Syrian Air Raid in Deir Ezzur
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950919000132

The fighter jets bombed ISIL's convoy of nine military vehicles that came from Iraq and was carrying a large number of ISIL's Inghimasi (Suicide) fighters along with their commander, 'Abou Aisha Marsillia' - a French national.

Several cars with militants inside them were destroyed while the rest managed to escape the bombing raid making their way to a canyon East of a local power station complex.

Yet, the warplanes targeted the ISIL militants at the station and destroyed all the remaining cars, killing their passengers in process.

According to a Syrian military intelligence source, Abou Aisha Marsillia was killed in the air raid as well.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

300 commandos to join Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/12/09/497060/Turkey-commandos-dispatch-northern-Syria-Operation-Euphrates-Shield-Daesh-Kurdish-fighters-YPG-PYD

Interesting developments :)

US sending 200 more special ops soldiers to Syria – Pentagon chief

https://www.rt.com/usa/369856-us-syria-200-troops/

The US is sending 200 additional military personnel to Syria to help drive Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) from Raqqa, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Saturday.
Speaking in Bahrain at the Manama Dialogue conference on Middle East security, Carter said the 200, including special forces trainers, advisers, and explosive ordnance disposal teams, would join 300 US special forces already in Syria.

“These uniquely skilled operators will join the 300 US special operations forces already in Syria, to continue organizing, training, equipping, and otherwise enabling capable, motivated, local forces to take the fight to ISIL,” Carter said, as quoted by AP.

“By combining our capabilities with those of our local partners, we've been squeezing ISIL by applying simultaneous pressure from all sides and across domains, through a series of deliberate actions to continue to build momentum,” he added.

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama granted a waiver for restrictions on the delivery of military aid to “foreign forces, irregular forces, groups, or individuals,” if those forces are supporting the US’ alleged counter-terrorism efforts in Syria.

The prospect of terrorists coming into possession of those weapons, including MANPADs (man-portable anti-air missiles), “poses a serious threat not only for the region, but the entire world,”

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned, adding that the US’ decision will “definitely” create a risk for the Russian Air Force.

According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the decision to ease restrictions on military aid for foreign forces and other fighters supporting the US in Syria is unlikely to affect the situation in eastern Aleppo.

Moscow is looking for a solution that involves as few casualties as possible, Lavrov stressed, speaking at an OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg.

“I think everyone understands that the militants in east Aleppo are agonizing. We don’t want to support those who would gladly finish off those militants at any cost without any talks. We are ready to solve these problems in a way that would spare us additional casualties and destruction,” he noted.

 

[angelburst29]

300 commandos to join Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/12/09/497060/Turkey-commandos-dispatch-northern-Syria-Operation-Euphrates-Shield-Daesh-Kurdish-fighters-YPG-PYD

Interesting developments :)

US sending 200 more special ops soldiers to Syria – Pentagon chief

https://www.rt.com/usa/369856-us-syria-200-troops/

The US is sending 200 additional military personnel to Syria to help drive Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) from Raqqa, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Saturday.

Interesting developments, indeed! Especially since Syrian Army soldiers discovered a large munitions depot, where jihadists were keeping mortar shells, "hell cannon" shells and missiles, inside the Old Aleppo district, in the recently liberated historical part of Aleppo city. I bet, some of those munitions were to be transferred over to Raqqa by the Jihadists? With less "toys" to play with - Carter probably had to send in more military personnel?

In pictures: Syrian Army discovers a large munitions depot in Old Aleppo
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-syrian-army-discovers-large-munitions-depot-old-aleppo/

 

[Laura]

300 commandos to join Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield in Syria

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/12/09/497060/Turkey-commandos-dispatch-northern-Syria-Operation-Euphrates-Shield-Daesh-Kurdish-fighters-YPG-PYD

Interesting developments :)

US sending 200 more special ops soldiers to Syria – Pentagon chief

https://www.rt.com/usa/369856-us-syria-200-troops/

<snip>

According to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the decision to ease restrictions on military aid for foreign forces and other fighters supporting the US in Syria is unlikely to affect the situation in eastern Aleppo.

Moscow is looking for a solution that involves as few casualties as possible, Lavrov stressed, speaking at an OSCE Ministerial Council in Hamburg.

“I think everyone understands that the militants in east Aleppo are agonizing. We don’t want to support those who would gladly finish off those militants at any cost without any talks. We are ready to solve these problems in a way that would spare us additional casualties and destruction,” he noted.

Odd. Is the US sending in specialists to eliminate evidence (including humans), or do they actually think this will help their proxy war and make it winnable? Looks like UGLY plans are afoot.

Sounds like Lavrov is saying: "We'll kill your new guys too if you don't get to the table and resolve this like adults."

I get a really creepy feeling from the slimy activities of Obama and gang in these final days of his administration.