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

[angelburst29]

The Syrian ground forces, supported by the air force, continued massive operations in Eastern Homs and established full security at T4 airbase after a major advance in the region.

Syrian Army Establishes Full Security at T4 Airbase
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951107000502

The Syrian army units retook control of Katiba al-Fawa'era in the Southern parts of T4 airbase after several hours of operations and advanced towards the two villages of Abu Tawala and Marhatan after regaining full control over Be'r al-Fawa'era.

They also recaptured several regions on T4-Palmyra road in the Eastern parts of the Fourth Station and established security at the Fourth Gas Station.

The Syrian army troops' operations left tens of terrorists dead and wounded and destroyed their military vehicles.

With the army's recent advances and their control over Be'r al-Fawa'era region (South), al-Tias heights and village (East) and the heights overlooking the oil and gas fields (North), full security was established at T4 airbase.

Those groups that do not comply with the ceasefire regime in Syria will be subject to elimination, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman said.

Forces Not Adhering to Ceasefire in Syria to Be Eliminated - Moscow
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701271050065998-syria-armed-groups-russia/

The sides that have not joined the ceasefire in Syria will be treated as combatants, subject to elimination, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Friday.

"Thus, those who do not comply, those who did not join this [ceasefire] regime and continue military activity, of course, are regarded as fighting entities and are subject to elimination, because these people have not entered this process," Zakharova said.

The Syrian army troops seized a large number of missiles and ammunition as well as Europe-made medicine in a vehicle heading towards the ISIL bases near Wadi al-Azib in Northern Hama.

Syrian Army Units Find EU-Made Drugs in Terrorists' Vehicle
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951107000430

The vehicle was carrying missiles, RPGs and ammunitions, moving towards Wadi al-Azib in Northern Hama when it was stopped and seized.

Also, the Syrian army forces could find a large amount of EU-made medicine inside the vehicle.

Meantime, the Syrian army's missile and artillery units targeted the al-Nusra Front (recently renamed to Fatah al-Sham Front)'s gathering centers and moves in the two villages of Taloul al-Hamar and al-Dallak in Western Salamiya in Hama which killed and wounded several terrorists and destroyed their military equipment.

Field sources said ISIL fired a number of mortar shells at besieged government-held districts in the city of Deir Ezzur, injuring several university students.

Syria: Several Students Wounded in ISIL's Mortar Attack in Deir Ezzur
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951108000303

The sources said that ISIL's mortar units targeted the University of al-Furat in the government-controlled districts of the Eastern city of Deir Ezzur, injuring several students.

On Thursday, the Russian and Syrian fighter jets continued joint operations against the ISIL terrorists and killed and wounded dozens of militants by targeting their gathering centers in Deir Ezzur.

Syrian Army troops targeted a convoy of ISIL terrorists' oil tankers in Eastern Sweida, destroying several tankers and killing several militants accompanying the convoy, military sources disclosed Friday.

Several Oil Tankers of ISIL Destroyed in Syrian Army Attack in Sweida Province
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951108000414

The army men targeted a convoy of ISIL's fuel tankers near the al-Roshdiyeh village, destroying several tankers destroying several tankers and killing at least 10 militants.

Earlier this month, the army's missile and artillery units targeted and destroyed ISIL's strategic military base and operations room in Sweida province.

Several field commanders of the ISIL were stationed in the terrorist group's operation room in the Northern part of Sweida province.

Meantime, a sum of six military vehicles and arms depot of the ISIL terrorist group were also destroyed in the attacks.

The United Kingdom continues to adhere to its previous stance on Syria, insisting that peace in the country cannot be established while President Bashar Assad remains in power, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office told Sputnik on Friday.

UK Continues to Insist No Peace in Syria Possible While Assad in Power
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701271050073203-uk-assad-syria/

On Thursday, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson suggested, speaking to the Lords International Relations Committee, that Britain might "have to think afresh" about its stance on Assad and be "open-minded" about the terms and timescale for his resignation. The statement triggered media reports on the United Kingdom's shift in Syria policy.

"It is the UK’s long-standing position that there can be no sustainable peace in Syria while Assad remains in power. He is responsible for the majority of the deaths of his own citizens," the Foreign Office spokesperson told Sputnik, asked on the policy change.

The United Kingdom has been one of the fiercest critics of the Russian policy in Syria in Europe. However, change in the administration in the United States, Britain’s closest ally on the international stage, may entail the United Kingdom's shift on a number of aspects in its foreign policy.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is visiting Washington on Friday to meet with US President Donald Trump, thus becoming the first foreign leader to be welcomed in the White House.

The two leaders are expected to address the Syria issue, trade and economic relations.

Ka-52 advanced combat helicopters and Su-25 attack aircraft will join the Russian Air Group involved in the liberation of the Syrian city of Palmyra from Daesh, according to the Russian newspaper Izvestia.

Russian Attack Planes, Helicopters Return to Daesh-Held Palmyra to Retake City
https://sputniknews.com/world/201701271050070474-russia-syria-attack-aircraft-helicopter/

The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Ka-52 Alligator advanced combat helicopters and Su-25 Rook attack aircraft have joined in efforts to liberate the Syrian city of Palmyra from Daesh terrorists.

The goal is to significantly strengthen the fire impact on terrorist positions, the newspaper said, referring to an interaction between a Ka-52 and a Su-25 as a combination of intelligence capabilities and high strike power.

"It is designed to compensate for the lack of Syrian artillery strike capabilities, as well as to provide effective support to government forces advancing on Palmyra," Izvestia said.

Vladimir Popov, deputy chief of the Russian magazine Aviapanorama, told Sputnik that interaction between the Ka-52 and the Su-25 is one of the tactics that can be used to improve the efficiency of helicopter and aircraft strike systems.

According to him, the super precise fire impact on Daesh positions in Palmyra will play an important role in saving the rest of the historic monuments in this ancient city.

"It is impossible to use carpet bombing in such historically important locations, which must be preserved rather than destroyed at any cost. At the same time, it is necessary to liberate the city as quickly as possible, so it is very important to work with surgical precision when conducting pin-point strikes," Popov said, stressing the importance of permanently adjusting the fire.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May is set to play up the strategic collaboration between Britain and the United States in intelligence, counterterrorism and defense, despite his criticisms of the CIA and his assertion, ahead of his election, that NATO was "obsolete."

May Set to Urge Trump to Fall in Line Over Terrorism, Intel and NATO
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201701271050067766-may-trump-nato-terrorism/

Theresa May's primary aim at her first meeting with Trump, January 27, will include coming away with Trump's backing of the "special relationship" between the two nations as she steers the UK out of the EU following the Brexit referendum.

Nothing is higher on her list of priorities than defense and security cooperation, which is a subject Trump has been outspoken about, having suggested NATO is "obsolete" and that many members are not paying their way. He has also been critical of the CIA over leaked intelligence reports of Trump's business affairs and alleged behavior in Russia.

Britain is a member of the Five Eyes alliance along with the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Together, the alliance share intelligence via their global network of outposts, playing a critical part of each other's security and defense. United States and UK intelligence agencies have a particularly close relationship, which May will be keen to reinforce, despite Trump's criticisms of the CIA.

The US are not standalone in the intelligence agencies in the US, including the CIA, know that they need to work really effectively and collaboratively with the UK intelligence. They have done for many, many years and will continue to do so, hopefully, in the future," A senior UK security expert, Will Geddes, founder of ICP Group told Sputnik.

"The CIA is not best pleased with Trump in most senses anyway. It's not going to appreciate this kind of blunt 'koshing' approach by Trump in terms of trying to create rifts between our intelligence gathering and theirs. We all need to work together.

"[Extremism and the terror threat] is not isolated purely to Europe. They're never going to be exempt from potential extremism because the US has been very much at the forefront of foreign policy that has — some might say — has been the catalyst to the extremist beliefs and radicalization that's now taking effect, by their activities in the Middle East," he said.

NATO Doubts - Britain is a leading player within NATO and the UK and US have a history of close defense cooperation, notably on such projects as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, on which the UK is the sole Level 1 partner and will deploy the aircraft on its new aircraft carriers. However, Trump has made clear he wants to rein-in the project, which has been beset by cost overruns, making it the single biggest defense alliance in history.

Trump has also made clear he believed that Europe is not pulling its weight within NATO and questioned why the US pays so much into an organization he described in March as "obsolete." He told reporters during his presidential election campaign that he rejected the idea that the US should be "the world's policeman."

Dismantling of NATO is not going to benefit them in any shape or form in the longer term. There are some states which are propped up by the US and don't contribute, financially, as much as they should, but NATO was put together for a very good reason as a combined effort to keep everybody safe. I think Trump's going to create all sorts of problems which he's going to regret later down the line," Geddes told Sputnik.

On defense and intelligence, Theresa May will want to gain reassurance from Trump that Britain and the US remain solid partners, despite the US president's previous comments, not least because the "special relationship" will be a huge bargaining chip in her negotiations with the EU over Brexit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Vladimir Putin's first phone conversation with US President Donald Trump could take place on Saturday.

Kremlin Spokesman Says Putin and Trump Could Hold Phone Talks on Saturday
https://sputniknews.com/world/201701271050055095-russia-us-trump-putin/

Russian President Vladimir Putin's first phone conversation with US President Donald Trump could take place on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"Yes," Peskov said Friday, when asked to confirm a CNN report citing an administration official that Putin and Trump were scheduled to hold telephone talks on Saturday.

Lebanese security forces arrested five people over working for the Israeli spy agency Mossad

Five Israeli Mossad Spies Arrested in Lebanon
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951107000866

Lebanon’s General Security Directorate’s media office said the arrestees had confessed to passing information to Mossad via the Israel embassies in Turkey, Jordan, Britain and Nepal, Al Bawaba reported.

“The General Security Directorate arrested two Lebanese, one of them born in 1977 and the other in 1982, as well as a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon born in 1992, and two Nepalese women born in 1991 and 1993 on the offense of spying in favor of embassies of the Israeli enemy abroad,” read the statement.

The statement stressed that the individuals were arrested following the intensive monitoring of Israeli intelligence operations in the country as part of Lebanon’s activities aimed at dismantling similar networks.

It added that the two spies from Nepal were also engaged in recruiting other Nepalese workers in Lebanon.

“After their interrogation, the arrestees were referred to the competent court on the offense of collaboration with the Israeli enemy, and work is underway to arrest the rest of the people involved,” noted that statement.

 

[bjorb]

Best thing I have read in a while, If Trump really wants to cripple the Establishment and the previous Obama/Clinton administration, he could ask in accordance with the core principles of the UN and respecting the sovereignty of Syria to ask for permission to intervene. If he arranges this with Assad exposing the true reality about the war in Syria could come along with it. It's not only what we will fight for on this world, but also what we won't tolerate. The whole World should stand up and eradicate this evil together. And how about making the US part of the 4+1 (+Turkey) coalition?!

Trump could bring it like,

The war on terrorism only brought us more terrorism. This was all by design and it's going to stop now. The real war on terrorism starts now !!

Syrian Perspective: Gabbard delivered messages from Trump to Assad - Syria has nothing to fear from U.S.
https://www.sott.net/article/340886-Syrian-Perspective-Gabbard-delivered-messages-from-Trump-to-Assad-Syria-has-nothing-to-fear-from-US

When Tulsi Gabbard finally admitted that she met Dr. Bashar Al-Assad in Damascus, we were free to discuss what we knew about her trip. At first, we respected her deliberate efforts to obscure the fact that she met with the Prez. But, she also met with President-elect Trump who told her that he wanted her to deliver a message. The first message was that Dr. Assad had nothing to fear from the United States. The U.S. will not truck with any party out to change governments. This is why Boris Johnson, the U.K.'s foreign minister, has just declared that the U.K. had no objections to Dr. Assad running again for the office of the president. Leave aside the fact that we don't care about the opinions of some limey aristocrat or elitist, we do care about the U.K.'s constant violations of international law by its facilitating terrorism. In any case, Donald Trump has delivered his message successfully to Dr. Assad.

The second message has to do with Trump's willingness to help the Syrian government to control the out-flux of refugees by establishing a "safe zone" for Syrians in areas controlled by either the Syrian Army or the Russian Air Force. I have been informed that Dr. Assad has accepted this kind of benign interference as long as it was coordinated with the Syrian government.

The third message she carried to Dr. Assad was that the U.S. is intent upon wiping out every vestige of ISIS and Alqaeda, and, that it would do so in coordination with Russia and the Syrian government.
...]

 

[Approaching Infinity]

Best thing I have read in a while, If Trump really wants to cripple the Establishment and the previous Obama/Clinton administration, he could ask in accordance with the core principles of the UN and respecting the sovereignty of Syria to ask for permission to intervene. If he arranges this with Assad exposing the true reality about the war in Syria could come along with it. It's not only what we will fight for on this world, but also what we won't tolerate. The whole World should stand up and eradicate this evil together. And how about making the US part of the 4+1 (+Turkey) coalition?!

Trump could bring it like,

The war on terrorism only brought us more terrorism. This was all by design and it's going to stop now. The real war on terrorism starts now !!

Yeah, and notice what it says about the "safe zones": they would be controlled by Russians and Syrians. If that actually happens, it would be pretty funny: people are freaking out right now, thinking Trump is just going to do what Clinton said she would do the whole time. Well, if he did, that would spoil every other foreign policy objective his administration has been talking about regarding the players involved (primarily Russia).

In other words: create a no-fly zone. NOT a "U.S.-only-bomb-drop-zone".

But we'll just have to wait and see if it plays out or not.

 

[angelburst29]

Best thing I have read in a while, If Trump really wants to cripple the Establishment and the previous Obama/Clinton administration, he could ask in accordance with the core principles of the UN and respecting the sovereignty of Syria to ask for permission to intervene. If he arranges this with Assad exposing the true reality about the war in Syria could come along with it. It's not only what we will fight for on this world, but also what we won't tolerate. The whole World should stand up and eradicate this evil together. And how about making the US part of the 4+1 (+Turkey) coalition?!

Trump could bring it like,

The war on terrorism only brought us more terrorism. This was all by design and it's going to stop now. The real war on terrorism starts now !!

Syrian Perspective: Gabbard delivered messages from Trump to Assad - Syria has nothing to fear from U.S.
https://www.sott.net/article/340886-Syrian-Perspective-Gabbard-delivered-messages-from-Trump-to-Assad-Syria-has-nothing-to-fear-from-US

[...]

The second message has to do with Trump's willingness to help the Syrian government to control the out-flux of refugees by establishing a "safe zone" for Syrians in areas controlled by either the Syrian Army or the Russian Air Force. I have been informed that Dr. Assad has accepted this kind of benign interference as long as it was coordinated with the Syrian government.

The third message she carried to Dr. Assad was that the U.S. is intent upon wiping out every vestige of ISIS and Alqaeda, and, that it would do so in coordination with Russia and the Syrian government.
...]

Thanks for the clarification, Bjorn, on the terms of establishing a possible "safe zone". I was thinking in line with Erdogan's vision of a "safe zone" that would basically improve conditions for the terrorists as a safe haven. If Trump is willing to work with Assad and Putin and on their terms, it sheds a whole different light on the situation.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Angelburst29]Thanks for the clarification, Bjorn, on the terms of establishing a possible "safe zone". I was thinking in line with Erdogan's vision of a "safe zone" that would basically improve conditions for the terrorists as a safe haven. If Trump is willing to work with Assad and Putin and on their terms, it sheds a whole different light on the situation. [/quote]

That's what I was afraid of, but it seems that the Trump administration will work in line with Syria and Russia. Which is great news.


Turkey is kind of the odd one out, but Erdogan cannot be honest with his intentions since they are fighting along side with the FSA (Free Syrian Army) which in truth are just another bunch of radicals but who have taken side with Turkey against ISIS + Al Nusra etc.

I don't know what kind of deal they struck with the FSA. But I bet it has something to do that they can keep any territory conquered under the propection of Turkish forces. If Turkey now gives conquered territory back to Damascus. The FSA will go apesh*t. I bet that Turkey will stab the FSA in the back when ISIS + Al Nusra etc are wiped out. Or will dismantel them somehow, either by diplomacy or force. But for now, they are really usefull.

But that's all just my impression right now.

Turkey will not hand over al-Bab to Syrian government forces: deputy PM
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-idUSKBN1580OE

 

[Voyageur]

Best thing I have read in a while, If Trump really wants to cripple the Establishment and the previous Obama/Clinton administration, he could ask in accordance with the core principles of the UN and respecting the sovereignty of Syria to ask for permission to intervene. If he arranges this with Assad exposing the true reality about the war in Syria could come along with it. It's not only what we will fight for on this world, but also what we won't tolerate. The whole World should stand up and eradicate this evil together. And how about making the US part of the 4+1 (+Turkey) coalition?!

Trump could bring it like,

The war on terrorism only brought us more terrorism. This was all by design and it's going to stop now. The real war on terrorism starts now !!

Yeah, and notice what it says about the "safe zones": they would be controlled by Russians and Syrians. If that actually happens, it would be pretty funny: people are freaking out right now, thinking Trump is just going to do what Clinton said she would do the whole time. Well, if he did, that would spoil every other foreign policy objective his administration has been talking about regarding the players involved (primarily Russia).

In other words: create a no-fly zone. NOT a "U.S.-only-bomb-drop-zone".

But we'll just have to wait and see if it plays out or not.

It is all very interesting and thanks for the updates. I don't know, yet the U.S. intelligence community and the military likely have been undergoing a big divide and have had to remain largely silent. These people are not stupid, they know what's been going on along with who the string pullers are. If things open up within, perhaps there will be many bad players removed by their ears and shown the door while some wrongs are made right. Perhaps one day soon even people like John McCain will be called in for a reckoning and held up for all to see. That's my wishful thinking for the day, otherwise it is as you said, will have wait and see.

As for Tulsi Gabbard, she has stayed right with this and never shrunk from calling out the situation in Syria for what it was; and tactfully so - a brave soul!

 

[angelburst29]

[...]
Turkey is kind of the odd one out, but Erdogan cannot be honest with his intentions since they are fighting along side with the FSA (Free Syrian Army) which in truth are just another bunch of radicals but who have taken side with Turkey against ISIS + Al Nusra etc.

I don't know what kind of deal they struck with the FSA. But I bet it has something to do that they can keep any territory conquered under the propection of Turkish forces. If Turkey now gives conquered territory back to Damascus. The FSA will go apesh*t. I bet that Turkey will stab the FSA in the back when ISIS + Al Nusra etc are wiped out. Or will dismantel them somehow, either by diplomacy or force. But for now, they are really usefull.

But that's all just my impression right now.

Turkey will not hand over al-Bab to Syrian government forces: deputy PM
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-idUSKBN1580OE

Guess it won't take long to see what Erdogan has in mind for al-Bab? I also wonder - if Erdogan's claim - that the aim "to clear the region of terrorists and make it a safety zone for refugees" has anything to do with Trump's offer to help the Syrian Government? A report has surfaced that Russia is bringing back a number of soldiers and military hardware to Humeimim base, for additional support for Palmyra's recapture but might involve more than that, if they are trying to set up a safety zone?

According to military sources, Daesh terrorists are preparing to leave the Syrian town of al-Bab amid Turkish offensive.

Get Out! Daesh to Leave Syria's al-Bab Amid Turkish Offensive
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701281050100042-daesh-al-bab-turkey/

Daesh jihadists have started to leave their positions in the northern Syrian town of al-Bab, media reported Saturday, citing military sources.

The source added that on the basis of the intelligence they received, Daesh transferred its control centers to Tadif, located to the south from al-Bab, according to the newspaper.

On August 24, the Turkish army launched Operation Euphrates Shield against militants of the Daesh group, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries. Turkish forces, with assistance from Syrian opposition fighters, occupied the city of Jarablus in northern Syria and are currently conducting its offensive on al-Bab. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the aim of the operation is to clear the region of terrorists and make it a safety zone for refugees.

The operation has been widely criticized both by the Syrian Kurds and Damascus, who have accused Ankara of violating Syria's territorial integrity.

Syrian Army troops continued their advances against ISIL terrorists in the Eastern parts of Aleppo province and approached the positions of the Turkish forces and Ankara-backed militant groups that are fighting the ISIL in the town of al-Bab.

Aleppo: Syrian Gov't Forces Inch Closer to Turkish Troops near Al-Bab
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951109000711

The army soldiers continued to beat ISIL back from more key positions near al-Bab after they took control over the towns of Salmiyeh and al-Maydouneh and their surrounding farms.

The army men engaged in fierce clashes with ISIL and won back al-Ma'amoun university, the town of Ein al-Jahash and the key hill of al-Moshayrefeh to the West of town of al-Sheikh Den.

The army's advance towards Ein al-Jahash is considered as the first direct advance of government forces towards al-Bab town.

The army troops are now only four towns - namely Aran, Beireh al-Bab, Abu Taltal and TAdif - away from al-Bab and have deployed forces 7km away from the town of Tadif that is the last defense line of terrorist in al-Bab battlefield.

Reports said earlier today that the army men launched a fresh phase of operation near the towns of al-Bab and Deir Hafer and managed to advance against the ISIL terrorists after arrival of more reinforcements and dispatch of military hardware to the Eastern parts of Aleppo province.

The army's Special Forces that has liberated over 20 regions in Eastern Aleppo, managed to take control of the towns of Salmiyeh and al-Maydouneh, inflicting major losses on the militants.

Media sources disclosed that the Russian Armed Forces will likely send back a number of soldiers and military hardware to Humeimim base in Lattakia province to reinvigorate their forces' combat capabilities again.

Russia to Redeploy Forces, Military Equipment to Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951109000841

The Russian language Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily said Russia seems to redeploy its forces and equipment to the Humeimim base after the Astana peace talks.

The daily opined that liberation of Aleppo had not been a turning point in war on ISIL terrorists in Syria and Moscow made a hurried decsion when started to withdraw a part of its forcers and equipment from Syria.

Russian media disclosed on Friday that Ka-52 advanced combat helicopters and Su-25 attack aircraft would join the Russian Air Group involved in the liberation of the Syrian city of Palmyra from the ISIL terrorists.

The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Ka-52 Alligator advanced combat helicopters and Su-25 Rook attack aircraft joined in efforts to liberate the Syrian city of Palmyra from ISIL terrorists.

The goal was to significantly strengthen the fire impact on terrorist positions, the newspaper said, referring to an interaction between a Ka-52 and a Su-35 as a combination of intelligence capabilities and high strike power.

"It is designed to compensate for the lack of Syrian artillery strike capabilities, as well as to provide effective support to government forces advancing on Palmyra," Izvestia said.

Vladimir Popov, the deputy chief of the Russian magazine Aviapanorama, told Sputnik that interaction between the Ka-52 and the Su-25 is one of the tactics that could be used to improve the efficiency of helicopter and aircraft strike systems.

"Using its state-of-the-art sighting and navigation equipment, the Ka-52s will transmit more accurate information about the (enemy) targets due to be bombed by the Su-25s," Popov said.

According to him, the super precise fire impact on ISIL's positions in Palmyra would play an important role in saving the rest of the historic monuments in this ancient city.

Russian and Syrian fighter jets carried out a joint combat flight over ISIL's concentration centers near the town of al-Bab in Syria's Aleppo province, inflicting major losses on the terrorists, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Russian, Turkish Warplanes Pound ISIL's Positions in Al-Bab
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951108000378

"On January 26, 2017, the Russian Aerospace Force and the Turkish Air Force conducted one more air operation to incapacitate the ISIL's grouping in the town of al-Bab," a spokesperson for the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"The operation was authorized by the Syrian government," he said. "Russia used Sukhoi-24M frontline bombers and Sukhoi-35S fighter jets, while Turkey used F-16 and F-16 multirole fighters."

The airstrikes destroyed three command points and communications centers, as well as several fortified strongpoints of the militants.

Also in relevant developments, a Turkish soldier was killed and five others were wounded in clashes with the ISIL terrorist group in Northern Syria's al-Bab, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said Thursday.

The TSK said that the clashes broke out in Kabr al-Mukri region and the wounded soldiers were brought to Kilis State Hospital across the border for medical treatment, Daily Sabah reported.

Ka-52 advanced combat helicopters and Su-25 attack aircraft will join the Russian Air Group involved in the liberation of the Syrian city of Palmyra from the ISIL terrorists, Russian media disclosed Friday.

Russian Attack Planes, Helicopters Return to ISIL-Held Palmyra to Retake City
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951108000716

The Russian newspaper Izvestia reported that Ka-52 Alligator advanced combat helicopters and Su-25 Rook attack aircraft have joined in efforts to liberate the Syrian city of Palmyra from ISIL terrorists.

The goal is to significantly strengthen the fire impact on terrorist positions, the newspaper said, referring to an interaction between a Ka-52 and a Su-35 as a combination of intelligence capabilities and high strike power.

"It is designed to compensate for the lack of Syrian artillery strike capabilities, as well as to provide effective support to government forces advancing on Palmyra," Izvestia said.

Syria said President Bashar al-Assad is in “excellent health,” refuting all rumors that the Syrian leader is suffering from some health problems.

Syria Presidential Office Refutes Rumors on Assad Health
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951109000560

The presidential office said in a statement that such rumors were “absolutely incorrect” and that the Syrian president was carrying out his job normally, SANA reported.

“Such lies are no more than dreams and are attempts to raise the terrorists flagging morale, and they only elicit ridicule and mockery,” it added.

It further said that such baseless rumors would not affect the Syrian people since they have become “immune against such lies,” adding that the source of these claims are media of known affiliation and funding.

On January 21, Saudi-owned daily Asharq al-Awsat claimed in a report that the Syrian leader’s mental health was deteriorating after almost six years of “psychological pressures” over the deadly conflict in the country.

Some other media outlets further claimed that Assad had suffered a stroke and had been taken to a Damascus hospital for treatment.

The statement went on to say that the spread of such unfounded claims have coincided with the change in the political and battlefield situation in favor of the Syrian nation against terrorists, adding that such rumors were “hopes in the imagination of those who made them up.”

Syrian government forces managed to retake a vital source of freshwater in the Wadi Barada valley that supplied water to Damascus, according media reports.

Syrian Army Retakes Vital Source of Freshwater Near Damascus
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701281050102849-syria-damascus-water-source-army/

Syrian government forces reclaimed control over a vital source of freshwater in the Wadi Barada valley near Damascus, recapturing it from militants, media reported Saturday.

According to Al Mayadeen TV broadcaster, the army managed to retake the vital spring that supplied water to Damascus.

Last week, over 2,000 civilians and 600 militants, as agreed with the Syrian government, left the Wadi Barada valley and moved to Idlib.

In late December 2016, terrorists blew up a water pipeline in the Wadi Barada area, which was used to supply the Syrian capital with drinking water. Nusra Front militants also seized the Ain al-Fija water pumping station. On January 11, the Damascus province governor said agreements had been reached with militants for engineers to access the Ain al-Fija facilities and on the repair of the water pipeline in Barada Valley. A few hours later, militants denied that any deals had been reached with the Syrian leadership.

The Russian center for Syrian reconciliation has carried out six humanitarian operations in the past 24 hours, delivering aid to over 4,000 civilians.

Thousands of Syrians Receive Humanitarian Support From Russia
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701281050096919-syrians-receive-russia-humanitarian-aid/

Aleppo city residents received 3.8 tonnes (metric tons) of bread and 1,500 hot meals in the past 24 hours, the center said in a Saturday statement, adding that overall, over 4,300 civilians received aid in Syria.

Civilians in Syria continue receiving assistance from Russian medical specialists. In the past 24 hours, over 130 civilians in the province of Aleppo received medical help.

Russia also continues its demining efforts in Syria. Russia specialists have cleared of mines 58 residential buildings in the city of Aleppo and 15 kilometers (9 miles) or roads in the past 24 hours.

 

[angelburst29]

I'm sure this is going to go over "big" - Trump ordering the Pentagon? Instead of the other-way-around.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order calling for the Pentagon to submit a plan for the defeat of Daesh to him in the next 30 days.

Trump Orders Pentagon to Send Plan to Defeat Daesh Within 30 Days
https://sputniknews.com/us/201701291050116609-trump-orders-isis-plan/

The order, signed the afternoon of January 28, calls for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to present the new president with a plan to defeat the terrorist organization in 30 days.

Trump campaigned on promises to defeat Daesh "in a month" and repeatedly suggested that the reason the fight had dragged out so long was that US military capabilities were being somehow hamstrung. In his first visit as president to CIA headquarters, he reiterated that "Radical Islamic terrorism… has to be eradicated. Just off the face of the Earth."

He has called Daesh "pure evil" on more than one occasion.

Trump has signed a raft of other executive orders in the past few days, including a controversial ban on refugees entering the US and a temporary ban on allowing individuals from seven mostly Middle Eastern nations, even some legal residents, to enter the US.

In their first conversation since Donald Trump's inauguration as US president, he and President of Russia Vladimir Putin discussed improving cooperation between their countries in the fight against terrorism and the importance of rebuilding bilateral trade and economic ties.

Trump, Putin Agree on Need for Cooperation in Fighting Terrorism
https://sputniknews.com/us/201701281050115355-trump-putin-talk-improving-ties/

Moscow sees Washington as its most important partner in fighting international terrorism, Putin told Trump, according to the Kremlin's official statements on the conversation. Both leaders reportedly supported the idea of improving "real coordination" between their nations in the fight against Daesh and other terrorist groups active in Syria.

Trump and Putin also expressed their willingness to work together to "develop and stabilize" US-Russia interaction and assured each other that their nations' citizens view the other's positively.

In addition, the two world leaders discussed Iran's nuclear program, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the situation on the Korean peninsula, and the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the Kremlin reports, as well as nonproliferation issues.

Trump and Putin are expected to speak again to discuss possible dates and places for a face-to-face meeting.

Residents of the Wadi Barada River valley, a region, which supplies water to Syria’s Damascus province are finally returning to normal civilian life.

Over 2,600 militants lay down arms in Syria’s Damascus province
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/2600-militants-lay-arms-syrias-damascus-province/

More than 2,600 gunmen that were active there have laid down their arms. Those who refused to return to a ‘normal’ life have been evacuated by the authorities to the Idlib province with their families, Colonel Alexander Blinkov, Spokesman for the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria, told reporters.

"The local population in the Wada Barada valley is returning to a peaceful civilian life," he said.

The militants who are filing to adjust their legal status have joined self-defense units.

"The population continues to receive humanitarian aid and basic necessities, such as food packages and medicines," Blinkov stated.

He noted that some extremist-bent opposition members, who refused to lay down their arms, are hiding in the mountainous areas and continue to shell the adjacent areas and populated localities from time to time hindering civilians’ return to a normal life.

"The Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Parties has stepped up efforts, primarily ideological, to persuade the militants remaining in this area that settling the reconciliation issue is only possible by returning to the peace talks," he said.

A U.S. citizen was reportedly killed this past week in northern Syria after fierce battle with the Islamic State (ISIS) inside the western countryside of Al-Raqqa.

US citizen killed fighting ISIS in Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-citizen-killed-fighting-isis-syria/

28-01-2017 - Albert Avery Harrington was an American volunteer fighting with the predominately Kurdish "People's Protection Units" (YPG) in the Al-Raqqa Governorate before his untimely death this past week.

Harrington was reportedly killed by the Islamic State during the battle for the village of Suwaydiya Al-Saghirah in Al-Raqqa.

As a result of Harrington's death, the YPG has now lost as many as 5 forisfn combatants since they launched their Al-Raqqa operations this year. killed by isis as he was fighting with kurds in west RAqqa countryside

This article was prepared as a supporting document in the context of Canadian Journalist Eva Bartlett’s presentation on the War in Syria, Montreal, January 28, 2017

Syria: Undeclared US-NATO War of Aggression, Using Al Qaeda Terrorism as An Instrument of Death and Destruction
http://www.globalresearch.ca/syria-undeclared-us-nato-war-of-aggression-using-al-qaeda-terrorism-as-an-instrument-of-death-and-destruction/5571339

The following eight concepts are intended to clarify the nature of the war on Syria.

It was never “a civil war”. It was an undeclared war of aggression using Al Qaeda affiliated terrorists as the foot-soldiers of US-NATO and their Middle East allies.

From day one, terrorists were involved in the killing of civilians.

It started in Daraa as an insurgency integrated by Salafist mercenaries.

Most of what is presented below is backed up by mainstream and official sources of information.

(Comprehensive and detailed article follows.)

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= article Angelburst29]Trump Orders Pentagon to Send Plan to Defeat Daesh Within 30 Days
https://sputniknews.com/us/201701291050116609-trump-orders-isis-plan/

The order, signed the afternoon of January 28, calls for the Joint Chiefs of Staff to present the new president with a plan to defeat the terrorist organization in 30 days.

Trump campaigned on promises to defeat Daesh "in a month" and repeatedly suggested that the reason the fight had dragged out so long was that US military capabilities were being somehow hamstrung. In his first visit as president to CIA headquarters, he reiterated that "Radical Islamic terrorism… has to be eradicated. Just off the face of the Earth."

He has called Daesh "pure evil" on more than one occasion.

Trump has signed a raft of other executive orders in the past few days, including a controversial ban on refugees entering the US and a temporary ban on allowing individuals from seven mostly Middle Eastern nations, even some legal residents, to enter the US. [/quote]

Cutting of their US lifeline would do. 30 days will certainly require a massive account of ground troops. And why is Iran on that list, I am not a fan of that list in the first place but Iran has around 40.000/60.000 ground troops in Syria against ISIS. Kind of counterproductive to condemn them more or less as a terrorist state. Iran is one of the fiercest allies in the real war against Terrorism. But whatever, I suppose it's all done so to keep AIPAC happy with their crusade against Iran. Upsetting the Zionazi's is bad advice.

 

[angelburst29]

Two Syrian Army soldiers executed by ISIS in Palmyra
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/two-syrian-army-soldiers-executed-by-isis-in-palmyra/

ISIS has executed two Syrian Army soldiers in Palmyra, activists on the ground have claimed.

This came as reports emerged that nine Syrian Army soldiers were captured by ISIS in eastern Homs countryside, close to Palmyra, only last week.

“The group on Saturday executed two of the imprisoned soldiers,” local media activist Armo al-Hussein told ARA News.

The executions took place in the ancient Roman Ampitheatre, with the soldiers killed by firing squad.

“ISIS will most likely execute the rest of the captives as well, but aims to do so separately to continue its pressure on the Syrian Army, especially with the continued clashes in villages and town between Homs and Palmyra,” al-Hussein said.

Sergey Lavrov said that Russia intends to clarify in a conversation with the United States the issue of creating security zones in Syria.

Russia to Clarify With US Creation of Security Zones in Syria - Lavrov
https://sputniknews.com/world/201701301050148278-russia-us-syria/

"As for the idea of the creation on Syrian territory of security zones, we will be clarifying this issue in the course of our dialogue with US counterparts," Lavrov told reporters.

The creation of security zones in Syria where refugees could feel safe requires a practical agreement with the Syrian authorities, Russian Foreign Minister said.

"All this will require practical coordination of details and the very principle of the establishment of such areas, with the government of the Syrian Arab Republic," Lavrov told reporters.

Fighting between Syrian government forces and Daesh jihadists is now mostly concentrated in the north of Syria: the terrorists have besieged the city of Deir ez-Zor and have tried to block the major supply route to Aleppo. Russian military analysts explain that they are simply trying to delay their total defeat, which is just a matter of time.

Daesh Militants Scramble for Position in Syria as Tide of War Turns Against Them
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701301050151536-north-syria-battles/

On January 26, Daesh (ISIS, Islamic State) launched a large-scale attack on the government supply line to the city of Aleppo – the Khanaser-Aleppo highway, aiming to cut off supplies to the government-held city.

The Syrian army and the National Defense Forces (NDF), backed up by Russian warplanes, repelled the attack, but the incident clearly showed that this vital supply line was still vulnerable to attacks by the terrorists.

On Friday, Syrian cargo aircraft successfully dropped off ammunition to the servicemen at the military airfield at the city of Deir ez-Zor, currently besieged by Daesh. The Deir ez-Zor military airbase is the government-held position in the city where several residential areas are still under government control.

However much of the oil-rich province, which bears the same name, is still under control of the jihadists.

Commenting on the latest military developments in the country, Russian military analysts note that the militants are well aware of the lack of the military in the government forces and are trying to find weak points in the defense of the Syrian army while trying to avoid their utmost defeat, which is only a matter of time.

The jihadists are using maneuverable raiding teams, capable of hitting communications and rear units.

Ivan Konovalov, head of the sector of military policy and economy of the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies spoke to Russia's Izvestiya newspaper on the jihadists' tactics, saying that they are desperate to find a way to avoid military defeat.

The analyst also said that regardless of the impending outcome, the terrorists are still trying to seize the initiative by attacking in a number of directions.

They need to increase the territory under their control as much as they can, hence we see attacks on Palmyra, Deir ez-Zor, fierce battles near Al Bab and Aleppo. They are applying the tactics of war of maneuver, hitting the communication lines, using the element of surprise," he said.

Konovalov is however convinced that it will only postpone their imminent defeat.

Meanwhile the Turkish General Staff reported on Monday that it continued its airstrikes in the north of the country, killing 20 Daesh jihadist group members over the past 24 hours.

"Turkish Air Forces destroyed 20 buildings used by Daesh terrorists as hideouts, as well as one arsenal and two defensive positions in the Syrian towns of Al Bab, Tadif and Bzagah… In over 24 hours, 20 Daesh terrorists have been eliminated," the General Staff was quoted as saying by the news outlet Haberturk.

Turkish forces, along with Syrian opposition forces, occupied the city of Jarabulus in northern Syria and are currently carrying out an offensive against the strategic city of Al Bab.

Meanwhile, last week Russia's six long-range bombers flew all the way from Russia to the Syrian governorate of Deir ez-Zor to attack Daesh targets, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

The Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers flew through Iranian and Iraqi airspace last Monday and conducted airstrikes on the terrorist group’s command centers and weapons stockpiles, the ministry said in a statement.

He also noted that the liberation of the Aleppo province from terrorists remains the major strategic goal which will enable the Syrian government forces to set up control over the north of the country and the Syrian-Turkish border.

"Much of the supply of the terrorists is still going on through this border, as well as illegal trafficking of oil and other supplies," he told Sputnik.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that six Russian Tu-22M3 bombers carried out on Monday airstrikes against new ISIL targets in Syria's Deir Ezzur province destroying two command posts, arms depots, a large number of military equipment and terrorists.

Russian Bombers Destroy ISIL Command Posts, Arms Depots in Deir Ezzur
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951111001608

"On January 30, 2017, six strategic Tu-22M3 bombers took off in Russia, flew over Iraq and Iran, and carried out a group air attack on new Daesh targets in the Deir Ezzur province," it reads, Sputnik reported.

"The destruction of all designated targets has been confirmed by the means of objective monitoring," the ministry said.

"Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters, which had taken off from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria, provided air cover for the bombers," it added. The Russian aircraft safely returned to their home bases after the mission.

Sources close to the terrorist groups disclosed on Monday that ISIL has sent tens of its Young Lions of Caliphate's forces from Raqqa to Eastern Aleppo to take part in suicide attacks on government forces' positions.

ISIL Dispatches Young Fighters to Aleppo to Slow Down Syrian Army's Advances
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951111001104

The sources said that ISIL has called 100 fighters from the Young Lions of Caliphate in Raqqa to rush to the town of al-Bab in Eastern Aleppo to carry out suicide attacks on advancing army soldiers.

Military sources said earlier today that the Syrian Army troops, backed up by the country's Air Force, have driven ISIL out of almost 90 square kilometers of lands in the Eastern territories of Aleppo province.

The sources said that the army launched operation with the back up of the warplanes to take back the surrounding areas of Kuweires airbase and then liberate the towns of Deir Hafer and al-Bab.

They added that the government forces have thus far freed approximately 90 sq/km of territories in their anti-ISIL operation in Eastern Aleppo.

The sources added that al-Bab is of strategic importance and can be considered as the key to the Eastern part of the province, adding that al-Bab and Deir Hafer are the gates to Raqqa province and their liberation will pave the way for the army to take back Raqqa, the ISIL's self-proclaimed capital in Syria.

The Syrian Army, backed by allied forces, managed, this morning, to expand its control on territories located to the southeast of the T Pumping Station following fierce battles with the Islamic State.

Syrian Army makes fresh gains near T4 Airbase (Map - video)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-makes-fresh-gains-near-t4-airbase-map-video/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VzPiffZAsc (0:56 min.)

Dozens of ISIS fighters have been reported killed and injured as a result of the Army offensive which was supported by heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling

More advance was also achieved to the northeast of the Station as government troops inch closer to Jahhar crossroad.

Fighters of the newly-formed Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at, mainly from Al-Nusra Front (recently renamed to Fatah al-Sham Front), are getting ready to engage in a fresh round of clashes with Ahrar al-Sham in Northern Idlib, local sources disclosed.

Newly-Formed Coalition of Militants Preparing to Clash with Rival Terrorists in Idlib
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951111000672

The sources said that Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at that includes al-Nusra Front and several other terrorist groups is getting ready to clash with Ahrar al-Sham near Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

They added that the newly-formed coalition has dispatched a large number of its forces to al-Saheh region near Babl al-Hawa, while Ahrar al-Sham and two affiliated groups of Jeish al-Islam and Tajamo Fastaqem Kama Amrat have deployed a large number of fighters in Bab Saqa and Bab al-Hawa.

The sources went on to say that Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at is about to take control of Bab al-Hawa border crossing that is controlled by Ahrar al-Sham.

Reports said on Sunday that the al-Nusra Front and several militant groups declared that they have decided to form a new coalition named Tahrir Al-Sham Hay'at to narrow down widening rifts amongst their commanders and members. The Al-Nusra Front, Nouralddeen al-Zinki Movement, Jeish al-Sonah, Jabhat Ansaraldeen and Liwa al-Haq announced that they will act under a united coalition named the Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at.

The five merged terrorist groups will act under the command of Abu Jaber Hashem al-Sheik

Hashem al-Sheikh was one of the commanders of Ahrar al-Sham. The new coalition led by al-Sheikh is now against Ahrar al-Sham.

Al-Sheikh resigned from his post in Ahrar al-Sham after he was appointed as the commander of Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at.

A number of Ahrar al-Sham's commanders, including the groups' spokesman Abu Yusuf al-Mohajer, Hesam Salameh and Abu al-Fatah al-Farqali Mesri have also joined the new coalition.

Terrorist groups' websites have claimed that Abu Mohammad al-Joulani will be the top commander of Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at.

Ahrar al-Sham has rejected its affiliation to the new coalition, but websites close to the terrorist groups have disclosed that Ahrar al-Sham, Faylaq al-Sham, Jeish al-Izzah, Turkistani party and Liwa al-Tamkin will soon start a new front called Tahrir al-Syria Front.

Nusra terrorists have been attacking positions of other terrorist rivals across Northwestern Syria.

Syrian forces intercepted a smuggling car loaded with armament destined for the deignated terrorist group Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham (formerly Nusra Front) in Dara’a countryside.

Pictures: Syrian Army intercepts American missiles destined for Nusra in southern Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-syrian-army-intercepts-american-missiles-destined-nusra-southern-syria/

The shipment consisted of five US-manufactured TOW missiles, 30 grenade launcher rounds, dozens of RPG missiles, and a large amount of rifle ammunition. According to a Syrian Army source, the military received information about this shipment and its designated destination through an anonymous rebel source (likely a rival faction).

Noticeably, there has been a spike in weapon smuggling in Damascus’s vicinity as the SAA managed to halt a series of TOW missile shipments last of which was in Barzeh district of Damascus. It is not unlikely that a foreign sponsor is invested in initiating a major battle in the capital where rebels find themselves increasingly isolated and choked with every passing day.

 

[angelburst29]

Syria Presidential Office Refutes Rumors on Assad Health
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13951109000560

The presidential office said in a statement that such rumors were “absolutely incorrect” and that the Syrian president was carrying out his job normally, SANA reported.

“Such lies are no more than dreams and are attempts to raise the terrorists flagging morale, and they only elicit ridicule and mockery,” it added.

It further said that such baseless rumors would not affect the Syrian people since they have become “immune against such lies,” adding that the source of these claims are media of known affiliation and funding.

On January 21, Saudi-owned daily Asharq al-Awsat claimed in a report that the Syrian leader’s mental health was deteriorating after almost six years of “psychological pressures” over the deadly conflict in the country.

Some other media outlets further claimed that Assad had suffered a stroke and had been taken to a Damascus hospital for treatment.

The statement went on to say that the spread of such unfounded claims have coincided with the change in the political and battlefield situation in favor of the Syrian nation against terrorists, adding that such rumors were “hopes in the imagination of those who made them up.”

Speculation Grows That Bashar Assad Has "Suffered A Stroke" As Syria Slams Trump's "Safe Zone" Proposal
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-01-30/speculation-grows-bashar-assad-has-suffered-stroke-syria-slams-trumps-safe-zone-prop

Geopolitical pundits were caught by surprise last Thursday when Donald Trump told ABC he would “absolutely do safe zones in Syria for the people", a statement that was has been viewed as a precursor to further escalation of US intervention in the region. They were just as surprised overnight when instead of challening Trump's decision to potentially send more troops into Syria, Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow may support the US initiative to establish so-called ‘safe zones’ for refugees in Syria, but added that the plan would require close cooperation with the UN and approval from Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government.

“If this is about the people who were forced to leave their homes by the conflict, […] getting their basic needs covered, […] then I think that the idea to create areas within Syria for those internally displaced could be discussed with the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees and other organizations,” Lavrov said cited by RT.

Lavrov said the American proposal to create secure areas for refugees within Syria was put forward in the context of migrant flows to the neighboring countries, the Middle East, as well as Europe, and “at the end of the day, the US."

He noted that the US initiative is completely different from what Western countries proposed at various stages of the Syrian war. "There have been ideas of creating some areas where an alternative Syrian government could sit, and use those areas for regime change." Such a scheme was seen in Libya, where the establishment of an alternative government in Benghazi was used as a pretext for the Western-led invasion to topple the regime of Muammar Gaddafi, Lavrov explained, adding that the Libyan intervention went ahead despite no green light from the UN Security Council.

While promising, the proposal would require negotiations with Damascus to agree on the principles of creating such safe zones on Syrian territory, Lavrov added.

However, just hours after his interview, the narrative regained some sense of normalcy after the state-run Sana news agency published a statement from the government pouring cold water all over the proposed plan, and saying that any attempt to install safe zones without its consent would constitute an "unsafe action" that is a "violation of Syria's sovereignity." Syria's foreign ministry and the United Nations refugee agency had agreed on the issue during a meeting in Damascus, SANA said.

According to a document seen by Reuters, Trump is expected to order the Pentagon and State Department to craft a plan for setting up the safe zones, a move that could risk escalation of U.S. military involvement in Syria's conflict. Rebel backers including Qatar have welcomed Trump's support for safe zones, and Turkey says it is waiting to see the outcome of the U.S. president's pledge. As noted previosly, cCreation of safe zones could ratchet up U.S. military involvement in Syria, including increased U.S. air power to enforce "no fly" restrictions and ground forces to protect civilians in those areas.

But where things again take a twist for the bizarre, is a report over the weekend from Al Arabiya according to which news has been circulating on the internet since Friday stating that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is experiencing serious health problems. The website reports that according to some media outlets said that Assad had suffered a stroke; while others said that he was shot and has been taken to Damascus Hospital for treatment.

France’s Le Point, speculated that Assad might have been assassinated by his personal Iranian Bodyguard Mehdi al-Yaacoubi, going so far as to say that he shot him in the head.

Lebanese newspaper, al-Mustaqbal, quoted “reliable sources” as saying that Assad suffered from a cerebral infraction and was transferred to Damascus Hospital where he is being treated under high security.

As for the Saudi newspaper Okaz, Assad is suffering from a “brain tumor.” He tried to cover up his illness through short and frequent appearances. According to its sources, Assad is being treated by a Russian-Syrian medical team on a weekly basis, adding that he has undergone medical tests when he was in Moscow in October.

Furthermore, pro-Syrian regime Lebanese newspaper al-Diyar reported on Friday that Assad suffered from a stroke, but later denied the news. There were also rumors that Assad is at the American University Hospital (AUH) in Beirut. However, Al Arabiya contacted the hospital and no information on the issue was given. Al Arabiya has also tried to contact Damascus Hospital, but there has been no response.

On the other hand, in a statement carried by the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic page on Facebook, Syrian authorities said that such rumors were incorrect.

While the rumor remains unsubstantiated, the death of Assad is sure to complicate any political resolution in Syria, as it would immediate promp both sides in the proxy war to present their handpicked candidates ahead of an election for the country's next president as suddenly the political - and not military - process will become the pathway to decide who has veto rights over any potential Qatar nat gas pipeline crossing the nation and entering Europe. If so, expect Rex Tillerson to be very busy over the coming months as Syria once again becomes a primary object of US diplomacy in the middle east.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= article angelburst29]But where things again take a twist for the bizarre, is a report over the weekend from Al Arabiya according to which news has been circulating on the internet since Friday stating that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is experiencing serious health problems. The website reports that according to some media outlets said that Assad had suffered a stroke; while others said that he was shot and has been taken to Damascus Hospital for treatment. [/quote]

That almost gave me a stroke !!! Official Syrian government reports say that this is false, I consider theirs to be true. Besides it's not the first time President Assad has been declared death...

And that reminds me, I will add his picture to my home crystal. Hopefully it helps !!!


As for the safe zones, there has been a lot said, but not much discussed between the different parties.

If Trump wants to defeat ISIS in 30 days, I am afraid this will take a lot of civilian causalities, I don't see how that can be done responsible. Unless you send in a lot of ground troops. But I don't know what kind of freedom Trump has to defeat ISIS or work together with different parties. Anyhow, the fastest way to accomplish this is if everyone works together under 1 command. OSIT.

 

[angelburst29]

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) listed Russian citizen Ruslan Mukhudinov wanted on suspicion of the murder of Boris Nemtsov.

Interpol Lists Russian Politician Nemtsov’s Suspected Killer
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160529/1040434007/interpol-nemtsov-mukhudinov.html

Mukhudinov, 29, is wanted on charges of murder and illegal firearms trafficking, Interpol’s website states.

Nemtsov, who occupied a number of senior positions in the Russian government in the 1990s, and was an active opposition politician in the 2000s, was gunned down in downtown Moscow on February 27, 2015.

Mukhudinov, the alleged mastermind, has been arrested in absentia and is believed to be in the United Arab Emirates. He is among six suspects of playing a role in Nemtsov's murder.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said that Russia had to pay 13,000 euros (roughly $13,843) to Shadid and Anzor Gubashev, two brothers detained on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Russian politician Boris Nemtsov, Gubashev's lawyer said Monday.

ECHR Orders Russia to Recoup Brothers Suspected of Nemtsov's Murder
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201701311050176547-echr-recoup-russia-nemtsov-murder/

According to the lawyers, the ECHR thought that untimely examination of the brothers' appeals was also a violation of their rights.

The court has granted our appeal and ruled to extract 6,500 euros for each Gubashev [brother]. We complained about the detention conditions, the delays of the delivery to the court, poor food, use of handcuffs," Musa Khadisov said.

According to Russian media, in December 2016, another person detained on suspicion of ties to the murder of the politician, Tamerlan Eskerkhanov, signed a 6,000-euro settlement with Russian authorities and agreed to withdraw his complaint on mistreatment in detention from the ECHR.

On February 27, 2015, Nemtsov, who occupied a number of senior positions in the Russian government in the 1990s, and was an active opposition figure in the 2000s, was shot dead in downtown Moscow.

Five persons were detained on suspicion of involvement in the murder, namely Gubashev brothers, Eskerkhanov, Hamzat Bakhayev and Zaur Dadayev. The alleged chief organizer of the murder, Ruslan Mukhudinov, was arrested in absentia.

 

[angelburst29]

The new Syrian constitution, drafted by the government and presented to opposition leaders, has been obtained by Sputnik. Below is the full text.

Full Text of the New Syrian Draft Constitution
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701311050216226-syrian-constitution-full-text/

33 page draft.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura told reporters on Tuesday that he asked the Security Council to hold the intra-Syrian peace talks in Geneva on February 20th instead of February 8th.

De Mistura Asks UN Security Council to Hold Geneva Talks on Syria February 20
https://sputniknews.com/us/201701311050216102-de-mistura-geneva-talks-february-20/

De Mistura suggested to send the invitations for the Geneva talks on or around the 8th of February. Explaining why he suggested to postpone the talks, the Special Envoy said he wanted to give a chance for the "Astana initiative to implement itself".

"I did ask the [UN] Security Council and based also on the discussions I had with the SG [Secretary-General] to postpone the talks until the 20th [of February]," de Mistura stated.

He also said that with the talks now planned for February 20, the Syrian government will have an opportunity to engage in serious discussions on the issue and opposition groups, in their turn, will be given a chance to come to the Geneva talks as one unified group.

The envoy pointed out that if the Syrian opposition delegation is not formed by February 8 for the talks in Geneva he would select the delegates as per UN Security Council resolution 2254.

"This time, if by the eighth of February the opposition will not be ready to come up with a unified group I will have to… apply what I have not yet applied which is a prerogative that [Security Council resolution] 2254 gave the special envoy to actually select the delegation in order to make sure that it can be as inclusive as possible," de Mistura stated.

The Geneva round of intra-Syrian talks under UN auspices was initially set for February 8. On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that the negotiations would be postponed until late February.

Russia appears to be in favor of resolving the Syrian conflict through decentralization, which will see Damascus transfer some of its powers to local authorities, Dr. Emre Ersen told Radio Sputnik, calling this plan "the only way" to prevent the war-torn country from falling apart.

Building 'New Republic': This is the 'Only Way to Keep Syria Together'
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701311050184896-russia-syria-peace-process/

"Currently Russia is trying to present itself as a mediator between different groups fighting in Syria. In order to do that it should appeal to non-Arab ethnic groups in [the country], such as the Kurds or the Turkmen," he explained.

Dr. Emre Ersen, associate professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations of Marmara University, was commenting on a draft Syrian constitution, prepared in part by Russian experts. The document was presented to representatives of the armed opposition during the peace talks which were held in Astana, Kazakhstan last week.

The draft suggests among other things removing the word "Arab" from the official name of Syria.

"I don't think that Assad is currently preoccupied with Arab nationalism anymore because he needs to survive. And in order to survive the best option I think is to achieve the decentralization in the country. " he added.

Dr. Emre Ersen further said that the Astana peace talks appeared to have been "successful" mainly because they brought representatives of Damascus and the opposition to the same table.

The political analyst praised Moscow, Ankara and Tehran for their efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, adding that the Syrian ceasefire, brokered by the three countries, has been the key achievement in this process. The truce announced in late December has largely held despite violations, which both sides blame on each other.

"Neither the US, nor the EU have so far been able to play a meaningful military role" in the embattled country, he said, adding that this might change under the Trump administration.

The Obama administration occasionally indicated that it was ready to cooperate with Russia on fighting terrorist groups tearing apart Syria and the Middle East, but failed to deliver on these pledges. For his part, US President Donald Trump appears to be ready to boost anti-Daesh efforts with Moscow.

"Trump seems to be much more willing to work together with Russia in order to fight [Daesh] in the region," the political analyst said. "I think this is an indication that Washington may play a greater role" in resolving the Syrian crisis.

The US Navy has launched an investigation after its Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, USS Antietam (CG 54), damaged its propellers and discharged oil into the water while trying to anchor in Tokyo Bay.

US Guided Missile Cruiser Spills Oil in Tokyo Harbor After Damaging Propellers
https://sputniknews.com/us/201702011050219615-us-guided-missile-cruiser-oil-spill-tokyo-bay/

The guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam damaged its propellers and leaked oil into the water while attempting to anchor in Tokyo Bay, the Navy said in a press release on Tuesday.

The warship safely returned to the Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan with the help of tugs, the release added.

There were no injuries to US or Japanese personnel, the release noted.

"The Navy is cooperating with the Government of Japan and Japanese Coast Guard in response to this issue and is taking appropriate measures to minimize impacts to the environment," the release said.

The cruiser Antietam is named in honor of the nearly 23,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who died on a single day at the Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862 during the US Civil War.

A UH60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed on Tuesday morning during a training exercise at US Army’s Fort Campbell in the state of Kentucky, the base said in a message on its Facebook page.

Blackhawk Helicopter Crashes Injuring 4 During Training at US Army Base
https://sputniknews.com/us/201701311050212310-blackhawk-chopper-crash-training/

Four soldiers aboard the aircraft suffered injuries and were taken to medical facilities for treatment, the statement added.

"At approximately 11:07 a.m. today a UH60 Blackhawk helicopter from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was involved in a training incident on US Army Fort Campbell," the message stated.

 

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Rumors surrounding President Bashar al-Assad's health have circulated for years, with the latest claiming that the Syrian leader has been unwell due to a stroke. These rumors were quashed on Tuesday as Assad met with industrial leaders from the suburbs of Damascus.

Who's Trying to 'Kill' Syrian President Bashar Assad?
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201702011050240189-bashar-assad-health-rumors/

A source told Sputnik Arabic that the meeting focused on the issue of reviving local production which would necessarily boost the economy. Those present told the president that they have largely lost their businesses due to the war, but have not given up and opened smaller workshops. They added that they intend to expand production to prewar levels and export their goods to other countries in the future.

"The will to live of the Syrian people has become one of the key factors behind Syria's resilience in the face of hardships. Syrian manufacturers who continue their work despite losses are a source of our national pride," Assad said.

Allegations that Bashar al-Assad had ostensibly suffered a stroke were first published by Lebanese newspaper al-Mustaqbal and picked up by other media outlets over the weekend. Several days prior to these claims, unconfirmed reports asserted that the Syrian president was fatally shot by his Iranian bodyguard.

Damascus has denied the latest allegations, saying that Assad was "in excellent health."

In recent months, government forces assisted by Russia and their local allies have achieved major successes on the battlefield, including the liberation of Aleppo. Damascus has also been engaged in the peace process, primarily sponsored by Russia, Turkey and Iran, offering hope that the years-long Syrian conflict which has claimed approximately 400,000 lives could be resolved.

These have been the latest in a long string of allegations with regard to Assad's supposed sudden demise.

US Congress’s request to US intelligence agencies to evaluate the "survivability" of Russian and Chinese leaders after a nuclear attack is a cynical tool to alarm the American public and ensure vastly increased funding for the military, former US armed services officers told Sputnik.

US Survey on Wiping Out Russian, Chinese Leaders Ploy for Pentagon Funding
https://sputniknews.com/world/201702011050222424-us-survey-eliminating-russia-leader-funding/

The comprehensive study recently mandated by Congress will be carried out by the US intelligence agencies as well as by STRATCOM, which is in charge of the American nuclear forces, according to a little-reported section of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"This new requirement seems to be primarily a tool to help justify future funding and nuclear spending in an area where the Pentagon and STRATCOM (US Strategic Command) has already been working to expand," former US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski said.

"The 2017 NDAA calls China and Russia the two ‘near-peer’ competitors of the United States, and that is a reach in practical terms. Nuke-wise, Russia fits this definition, but China does not. Military spending-wise neither approaches ‘near-peer’ status," Kwiatkowski maintained.

Indeed, the United States is dependent on China in trade, and in order to make space launches the United States is dependent upon Russian space launch facilities, Kwiatkowski pointed out.

I suspect China and Russia are listed and supported mainly as budget justifiers rather than actual threats, and near-peer competitors begs the question — competing for what?" she asked.

The eventual departure of Europe’s “old anti-Putin bureaucracy” would bring about a radically change in the European countries’ relations with Russia and would result in a gradual lifting of anti-Russian sanctions both in the US and Europe, former Czech Deputy Justice Minister Jiří Vyvadil told Sputnik.

Exit of 'Old Anti-Putin Bureaucracy' to Usher in New Era in Russia-EU Relations
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201702011050233997-europe-bureaucracy-exit/

“The first telephone talk between President Putin and Trump could be a turning point in US-Russian relations, and this is something the Czech government fails to realize,” Jiří Vyvadil said.

He added that Vladimir Putin is the only ally and partner Trump now has, the only leader who is serious about working with the new US president, and that Trump is perfectly aware of this.

“Russia made no fuss about Trump’s decision on migrants saying only that “it is none of our business,” while Western Europeans saw red and the leaders of the ‘old democracies’ fully shared the US opposition’s dislike of the new president. The recent visit to Washington by British Prime Minister Theresa May only proved that. Moscow, for its part, shows that it is ready for a dialogue. Putin has his own strategic interest in this, of course.”

Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom has proposed to supply a III+ generation reactor for the Dukovany nuclear power station currently under construction in the Czech Republic.

Russia also offers other advanced technologies and easy financing, but Prague is in no hurry to cooperate with Moscow.

“Hungary is the only European country willing to work with Russia. As for the Czech Republic, I believe that after the parliamentary elections in September Prime Minister [Bohuslav] Sobotka will step down and we will have a more pragmatic government,” Jiří Vyvadil said.

“Meanwhile, I don’t think Russia should waste its time discussing any major projects here. Sobotka’s days as a politician are numbered because he is not flexible enough and fails to feel the winds of change blowing from the other side of the Atlantic. The political movement ANO 2011, led by Finance Minister Andrej Babiš, has good chances of winning the September parliamentary elections, and Babiš is likely to become our next prime minister.”

“He is exactly the kind of a pragmatic capable of finding a common language with the Russian and US presidents. He will also be able to breathe new vigor into the business cooperation between the Czech Republic and Russia,” Jiří Vyvadil said in conclusion.

The UN should promote convening talks between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Calls on UN to Stop Delaying Syria Talks in Geneva
https://sputniknews.com/world/201702011050226280-russia-mfa-syria-un/

The United Nations should stop delaying convening talks between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Wednesday.

We continue to believe that our friends in the United Nations should hasten and stop delaying the resumption of negotiations," Lavrov said in Abu Dhabi.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura told reporters on Tuesday that he asked the Security Council to hold the intra-Syrian peace talks in Geneva on February 20 instead of February 8.

Lavrov meanwhile said that Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan where talks between the Syrian government and the armed opposition took place on January 23-24, would not replace the Geneva process.

"We are keeping the Astana venue to monitor the implementation of those agreements reached at the first meeting with the participation of the government and armed opposition groups," he said at the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum.

Lavrov noted that the nationwide ceasefire in effect in Syria since late December "is generally observed."

The United States has supplied the Syrian Arab Coalition with up-armored vehicles under an authorization from the administration of President Barack Obama, Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman John Dorrian said in a briefing on Wednesday.

US Armored Vehicles Delivery to Syrian Arab Coalition Approved by Obama
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201702011050250526-pentagon-arms-supplies-syria/

On Tuesday, the US Department of Defense confirmed to Sputnik that the United States has supplied the Syrian Arab Coalition with up-armored vehicles.

"This is something that has been in the works for months," Dorrian told reporters. "It is authorized using existing authorities from the previous administration."

Dorrian said the United States delivered "a small number" of vehicles to the Syrian Arab Coalition forces as they are getting ready to continue the assault on the city of Raqqa, which is occupied by Daesh.

The spokesperson added that he did not have firsthand knowledge of whether the Syrian Arab Coalition’s partner forces, including the Syrian Kurdish Popular Defense Units (YPG), are also using the vehicles in question.

The Syrian Kurdish Popular Defense Units (YPG) militia denies reports that the US-led coalition had supplied them with weapons to help in the anti-Daesh offensive, the group's spokesman, Redur Khalil, said in a statement obtained by Sputnik on Wednesday.

Kurdish YPG Militia Refutes Reports of Receiving Arms From US-Led Coalition
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201702011050234243-ypg-kurds-us-weapons/

On Tuesday, Reuters news agency reported that US weapons were transferred to Kurdish fighters within the YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a part of aid in an operation to liberate Syria's Raqqa from Daesh.

US Department of Defense spokesman Adrian Rankine-Galloway dismissed these reports in an comment for Sputnik stating that Pentagon only provides training and materiel support to the Syrian Arab Coalition, which is a component of the SDF.

"The media incorrectly reported that the international coalition against Daesh led by the United States has supplied units with arms, including tanks and up-armored vehicles. We in the Kurdish Popular Defense Units emphasize that these reports are incorrect as we have not received any weapons from the Alliance," Khalil said in the statement.

The Syrian Democratic Forces are a rebel group predominantly consisting of Kurdish fighters, as well as of Arabic and Turkmen forces, who are jointly fighting against the Daesh terrorist group. The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) are the main force of the SDF group. The SDF has long been supported by the US-led coalition.

President Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka traveled to Dover Air Force Base in the US state of Delaware for the arrival of the remains of a US commando killed in Yemen on Sunday, according to a White House pool report.

President Trump Traveled to Delaware for Return of US Commando's Remains
https://sputniknews.com/us/201702011050255975-trump-delaware-commando-remains/

The announcement came in the wake of a pool report saying Trump left the White House on Marine One with Ivanka, with no information released on their destination.

"At 2:58 p.m. [7:58 p.m. GMT] Ivanka boarded the executive helicopter first, followed by her father, who saluted the Marine as he started up the stairs," the report stated. "At 3 p.m., the engines fired up, and two minutes later Marine One lifted off from the South Lawn."

Later, the White House released a new report, clarifying the situation.

POTUS [president of the United States] is arriving shortly or has already arrived in Marine One at Dover Air Force Base for arrival of remains of a US commando killed early Sunday in Yemen during a raid on Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula," the report stated.