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

[Voyageur]

“The US says it ‘should not last for too long.’ And I’m asking the US, how long have you been in Afghanistan, when will it end? You came in Iraq before we came to power. Has the time duration ended in Iraq? You are still there,” Erdogan added.

Thought he sound Qaddafi'ish, and it says it all.

A lot could be added as you have posted; thanks for keeping peeps up date.

Mattis Watches Indonesian Troops Drink Snake Blood, Walk Through Fire (VIDEOS) 24.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201801241061039510-mattis-watches-indonesian-troops-drink-snake-blood/

Very strange; spooky.

The display by soldiers follows the recent announcement that Mattis is interested in re-establishing ties with Indonesian counterterrorism troops after human rights abuses prompted the US to impose restrictions on their relationship.

No doubt, after getting the boot so to speak. May be the the 'display' had some hidden mean for Uncle Sam, for Mattis to witness.

 

[Hesper]

Leaks suggest the Western interventionist powers have come up with a detailed plan for their version of Syria's future. Here's what it looks like:

In the plan, the five countries called for a UN-supervised election for the -Syrians inside and outside the country and for radical changes in the Syrian constitution including stripping the Syrian presidency from most, if not all, of its powers.

The five countries also suggested stripping the Syrian government from many of its powers and creating two parliaments that will have limited powers. This will leave most of the state’s establishments under the control of the local authorities in a decentralized political system.

Syrian pro-government activists described the proposed constitution as an attempt to legalize the stateless situation in some parts of Syria in order to end the Syrian state once and for all.

Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN had the following to say about it:

"This document is totally unacceptable and is not even worthy of the ink it is written with," he said.

"We believe that this failed attempt is aimed at undermining the Geneva talks and the congress in Sochi, the political process and efforts to establish peace in Syria," Jaafari added.

According to Jaafari, the meeting in Washington and the unofficial document prepared at it are "tantamount to a black comedy, in which we live in new chapter of conspiracy against Syria."

 

[angelburst29]

The US Department of Defense is reviewing the situation around online releases of location data of US military bases, Maj. Audricia Harris, the DOD spokeswoman, told Sputnik on Monday.

DoD 'Reviewing Situation' After Fitness Trackers Reveal Military Bases Locations
https://sputniknews.com/military/201801291061146454-pentagon-fitness-trackers-bases-revelation/

Earlier in the day, The Washington Post newspaper reported that an online map, showing location of people using fitness devices, also displayed sensitive military information on the US military bases and personnel locations by showing active use of such devices on these sites, particularly in conflict areas, such as Iraq and Syria.

"Recent data releases emphasize the need for situational awareness when members of the military share personal information. DoD takes matters like these very seriously and is reviewing the situation to determine if any additional training or guidance is required, and if any additional policy must be developed to ensure the continued safety of DoD personnel at home and abroad," Harris said.

The DoD personnel undergo annual training recommending limiting online public profiles, including personal social media pages, Harris added.

"Furthermore, operational security requirements provide further guidance for military personnel supporting operations around the world," the spokeswoman noted

Global Heatmap, created by Strava platform for athletic activity via satellite navigation, was revealed in November. The map shows activities of users of fitness devices and Strava’s mobile application over the past two years, however it is not interactive.

While the map depicts high levels of athletic activity in Europe and the United States, where people use such devices and apps a lot, as blazes of light, it is almost absolutely dark in countries, where military conflicts are ongoing, such as Iraq and Syria.

Locations and outlines of known US military bases and other potentially sensitive sites become visible on the map in such areas because US soldiers and other personnel use fitness trackers unlike other residents of these regions, the newspaper noted.

The outlet suggested in its article that the Pentagon had encouraged the use of fitness trackers among its personnel as part of a pilot program to tackle obesity.

The data revealed by the map came into the spotlight after Austrian student Nathan Ruser, studying international security and the Middle East, wondered if it was showing US soldiers. Ruser zoomed in on Syria and found out that fitness trackers were actively used there.

After Ruser shared his discovery on Twitter, analysts and experts joined him in examining the map, determining locations of a number of US military objects, particularly a Patriot missile system site in Yemen.

An interactive map found online can show the locations and activities of people who use fitness devices such as Fitbit, raising security concerns about soldiers and other people who are at U.S. military bases in sensitive areas.

Fitness Devices Can Give Away Locations of Troops 29 Jan 2018
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/01/29/fitness-devices-can-give-away-locations-troops.html

The Global Heat Map, published by the GPS tracking company Strava, uses satellite information to map the locations and movements of subscribers to the company's fitness service over a two-year period, by illuminating areas of activity, The Washington Post reported Sunday.

Strava says it has 27 million users around the world, including people who own widely available fitness devices, as well as people who directly subscribe to its mobile app. The map is not live, but shows a pattern of accumulated activity between 2015 and September 2017.

The map shows a great deal of activity in the U.S. and Europe. But in war zones and deserts in countries such as Iraq and Syria, the heat map becomes almost entirely dark -- except for scattered evidence of activity.

A closer look at those areas brings into focus the locations and outlines of well-known U.S. military bases, as well as other lesser-known and potentially sensitive sites -- possibly because American troops and other personnel are using fitness trackers as they move around.

The Global Heat Map was posted online in November 2017, but the information it contains was only publicized recently.

The data could provide information to someone who wants to attack or ambush troops, the Post reported.

Military officials are looking into the situation to determine how to respond

"DoD takes matters like these very seriously and is reviewing the situation to determine if any additional training or guidance is required, and if any additional policy must be developed to ensure the continued safety of DoD personnel at home and abroad," Maj. Audricia Harris, a Defense Department spokeswoman, told The Associated Press.

 

[angelburst29]

DoD 'Reviewing Situation' After Fitness Trackers Reveal Military Bases Locations
https://sputniknews.com/military/201801291061146454-pentagon-fitness-trackers-bases-revelation/

Fitness Devices Can Give Away Locations of Troops 29 Jan 2018
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/01/29/fitness-devices-can-give-away-locations-troops.html

Fitness Tracking App Accidentally Reveals Secret US Military Bases, CIA "Black" Sites Mon, 01/29/2018 (Photos)
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-29/fitness-tracking-app-accidentally-reveals-secret-us-military-bases-cia-black-sites

 

[angelburst29]

The escalation between Turkey and Syrian Kurds broke through another threshold last week after Ankara had launched its Olive Branch operation in the Kurdish-majority Syrian town of Afrin.

Syria's Kurds Won't Take Part in Sochi Peace Talks Amid Turkish Op - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801281061131874-kurds-syria-sochi-talks/

Commenting on the upcoming Syrian peace talks that are due to take place on January 30, a representative of the Kurdish delegation said that it won't take part in the talks due to the Turkish offensive in Afrin.

"We said before that if the situation remained the same in Afrin we could not attend Sochi," a representative of the Kurdish delegation Fawza Youssef said Sunday.

The spokesman further noted that the current operation of Afrin "contradicts the principle of political dialogue."

The comment of the official comes just a day after Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova revealed that the Kurdish delegation would take part in the talks.

At the same time, earlier this week, Ankara blocked the participation of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), following the escalation of tensions between the Kurdish militia in northern Syria and the Turkish government.

The Syrian Dialogue Congress, which set to take place in Sochi on January 30, is expected to gather more than 1,500 representatives of Syrian society, including opposition and pro-government forces, representatives of Syria's numerous ethnic and religious groups and the delegations from states participating in the peace process, with the United Nations and several regional and international organizations present as observers.

The participation of the Syrian government representatives in the National Dialogue Congress in Sochi demonstrates the willingness of Damascus to engage in dialogue with the opposition, Syrian lawmaker and Congress participant Muhannad Al-Hajali said on Monday.

Presence of Damascus at Sochi Congress Means Willingness for Dialogue – Lawmaker
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801301061173671-russia-sochi-syria-damascus-congress/

"This once again proves that the Syrian government has not been fighting against its political opponents, the Syrian government has been fighting against terrorism, and what you have seen there confirms that the government is ready to engage in a political dialogue with those forces that are constructively seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis," Al-Hajali told reporters.

The refusal of the Syrian Negotiation Committee's (SNC) to attend the event demonstrates its unwillingness to achieve political reconciliation in the country, the lawmaker noted.

"It is a testament to the fact that these people do not seek a political solution, but want terrorism to spread across Syria. And the second aspect — it proves that they are connected with those foreign forces — the United States and Saudi Arabia — who are seeking Syria's partition," Al-Hajali said.

Moderate Syrian opposition has left Geneva for Sochi in a special plane, and will take part in the Syrian National Dialogue Congress despite psychological pressure and threats, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Alexey Borodavkin said Monday.

Russia's UNOG Envoy: Moderate Syrian Opposition Leaves Geneva for Sochi
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801291061170821-syria-moderate-opposition-sochi-congress/

"This morning, a special plane took off from the Geneva airport and headed to Sochi, carrying representatives of the Syrian opposition. They will take part in the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi on January 29-30," Borodavkin told reporters.

According to the Russian official, there are 71 opposition figures on the plane, representing Movement for a Pluralistic Society, Syria's Tomorrow Movement and others.

"Despite the huge psychological pressure which was exerted on the Syrians by those who seek the continuation of the fratricidal conflict in Syria, to prevent the participation of the opposition figures in the Sochi congress, they found the bravery to arrive in Sochi and take part in determining the future of their country. There were explicit threats of physical violence against them," Borodavkin added.

The permanent representative also called the Syrian opposition's decision a worthy act "which tells that the congress will bring together the real Syrian patriots who are ready to establish a mutual understanding."

Russia is grateful to the Swiss authorities and the Geneva airport administration for the assistance in organizing the departure, dealing with other logistics issues and ensuring security," Borodavkin noted.

A "campaign of intimidation" was launched ahead of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi against those groups and delegates, who announced about their participation, Qadri Jamil, leader of the Popular Front for Change and Liberation, said Tuesday.

Delegates Agreeing to Attend Syrian Congress Received Threats - Participant
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801301061199824-delegates-sochi-congress-syria-threats/

They exerted pressure on us. When you asked me who, I would ask you who is not interested in the Syrian crisis settlement in a border sense? There was a campaign of intimidation and threats ahead of the Congress against those who wanted to come here," Jamil told reporters.

He underlined that despite the fact that the Syrian Negotiation Committee (SNC) decided not to attend the congress, the Moscow opposition platform chose to partake in the intra-Syrian dialogue.

The participant also highlighted that despite the outcome, the forum was already a great achievement of the Syrians as they were provided an opportunity to discuss differences between them through a constructive peaceful dialogue.

"This dialogue, which is underway, is of permanent importance. Different forces have areas if influence in Syria and they have to come to a mutually acceptable agreement. It is a platform where they can discuss their differences," Jamil said.

A new round of peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition to solve the country's crisis officially kicked off in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday.

Congress of National Dialogue on Syria Crisis Kicks off in Russia's Sochi
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961110001179

The Congress of National Dialogue on Syria crisis kicked off in Sochi on Tuesday, SANA reported, adding that almost 1500 persons representing spectrums of the Syrian society and people from foreign oppositions have participated in the event.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on the sideline of the congress opening that the Syrian people are the only ones who have the right to self-determination.

He added that Syria, backed by Russian Air Force, managed to destroy the terrorists, emphasizing that now there are all appropriate conditions for ending the crisis

The Russian Diplomat stressed that the Sochi Congress is a unique event since it represents different segments of Syrian society.

Only Syria's people may determine the country's future, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message to the Syrian national dialogue congress, which officially opened in the southern Russian resort of Sochi.

Only Syrian People May Define Country's Future - Putin at Sochi Congress
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801301061185722-syria-define-future-putin/

"Jointly with the partners in the Astana process — Iran and Turkey, influential Arab states, Syria's neighbors, we tried to make this event as representative as possible, based on the fact that only the people of Syria have the right to determine the future of their country," the message says.

The message was read out by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Congress is set to bring together opposition and pro-governmental forces, as well as representatives of all Syrian ethnic and religious groups in order to push forward the process of political settlement, with a specific focus on the constitution and elections. The event also provides an opportunity for all parties to express their views on how they see the future of their country.

A number of states invited to participate in the event, including the United States and France, refused to attend, stressing that the collective focus must remain on the UN-led political process in Geneva. The Russian side has repeatedly noted that the Congress is tasked with supporting the Geneva process, rather than replacing it. Russian special presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev stressed that the Sochi Congress would give an impetus to the Geneva talks.

More than 1500 Syrians gathered in Southern Russian city of Sochi for a three-day Congress to look for ways of rebuilding their country after years of civil war. Even though some western-backed opposition figures boycotted the event, the rest of the delegates stayed for negotiations, eventually reaching some important goals.

Syrian Congress In Sochi Brings War-Torn Country Closer To Constitutional Reform
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801311061208393-syria-russia-sochi-congress-constitution/

If you visit Sochi this week, from the moment you disembark from the plane you’d see banners of the All-Syrian National Dialogue Congress. The signs and banners are everywhere – at the airport, along main roads and in the former Olympic Media Center, which is hosting this high-level meeting.

The logo of the event contains the dove of peace spreading its wings in front of the Syrian Arab Republic flags. These symbols, reportedly became the apple of dischord for a group of Syrian opposition figures, who refused to sit down for talks under the country’s official flag.

These 83 delegates kept 1511 other the participants waiting for several hours on Tuesday before finally boarding a plane and flying to Turkey. Those who stayed — Syrian tribal and religious leaders, politicians, prominent opposition figures – were discussing the post-war future of their country.

The dialogue wasn’t easy from the very beginning, when people in the audience started shouting conflicting slogans, while Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov was addressing the Congress– a clear sign of deep fault lines in the Syrian society, torn by years of civil war.

After hours and hours of discussions, it became apparent that the congress reached one of its main goals: Syrian political groups that are in opposition to one another – finally started to communicate.

“It became clear that Syrians talk to each other” – says Quadri Jamil, the leader of “Moscow” platform of Syrian opposition – “It was difficult, we had a heated debate, but it’s quite natural when people debate. There were some differences in opinions. The crucial issue was to kick off this dialogue and to find a starting point for discussing constitutional reforms.”

It wasn’t easy for Russia, Iran and Turkey to convince Syria’s warring sides to continue talks, especially after the US officials tried to talk some Syrian opposition groups out of participating in the Sochi congress. The United Nations supported the meeting, helping Russia, Iran and Turkey to set up the event.

UN special envoy for Syria crisis Stefan de Mistura thanked the delegates, saying that they “did work hard” in Sochi:

"I take note that those of you who are here agree, that a Constitution committee is to be formed, comprising the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic delegation along with a wide-represented opposition delegation for drafting a constitutional reform, and that your agreement is intended as a contribution – and I thank you again – to the political settlement under UN auspices in accordance with the Security Council resolution 2254."

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Sochi plan will be passed on to the United Nations for further implementation. Lavrov is hoping that the document will help stimulate Geneva peace process: “Stefan de Mistura has all the powers granted by the UN resolution 2254 and the Congress supported him in his actions, asking him to start active work on the Constitution.”

The UN resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in 2015. It sets path for peace process in Syria. Even though members of the UN Security Council had different opinions on the role of President Assad in post-war Syria, they agreed that terrorism in Syria must end.

Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, peace talks are being held in various locations around the world, among them Astana, Vienna, Geneva and Lausanne.

The Sochi All-Syrian Peace Congress was organized by Russia, Iran and Turkey with the support of the UN.

Syrians, who participate in the National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, have received from Russia statuettes symbolizing friendship between the two nations, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Monday.

Members of Syria Sochi Talks Get Statuettes Symbolizing Friendship With Russia (Photo)
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201801291061159904-sochi-congress-statuettes-friendship-russia/

The statuettes in a shape of handshake are made of bronze and Ural malachite. The basement of the statuettes has the national emblem of Syria and a caption "Syrian Arab Republic" in Arabic on it.

The handshake in a rhomb frame represents the friendship between the two countries.

All Syrians arriving in Sochi for the congress find this gift in their hotel rooms.

 

[angelburst29]

The Russian Ministry of Defense revealed the preliminary information on the incident, saying that the aircraft might be shot down with the help of a man-portable air defense system. The pilot survived the crash, but was killed during a fight with terrorists. [/quote]

Russian Su-25 Downed in Syrian Province of Idlib, Pilot Dead - Russian MoD 03.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802031061332435-syria-su-25-idlib-syria/

"The plane was flying over the Idlib de-escalation zone," the military stated.

The Defense Ministry revealed that according to preliminary information as to the possible cause of the downing, the plane may have been shot down by a man-portable air-defense system (MANPAD).

The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the pilot managed to eject from the aircraft and survive, but was killed during a subsequent battle with terrorists.

The pilot reported on a bailout in an area controlled by rebels Jabhat Fatah al-Sham [previously known as al-Nusra Front]. When conducting a fight with terrorists, the pilot died," the Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, Russia and Turkey, peace guarantor in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone, are taking all possible efforts to return the body of the killed pilot.

During the two-years long military operation in Syria, Russia lost four aircraft and four helicopters. According to Russian Defense Minister Yury Borisov, the country's air forces used modernized Su-25SM ground attack aircraft are being used in Syria.

The Su-25 attack aircraft is designed to destroy small-size mobile and fixed ground objects, as well as low-speed air targets.

The conflict took place on the territory controlled by the Jabhat Fatah al-Sham terror group amid the ongoing military operation against them conducted by the Syrian forces.

Among various terror groups operating in the area, there is also Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an umbrella terrorist group spearheaded this year by the former Al-Nusra Front. While some countries such as the United States have flagged HTS as a terrorist group, Russian officials continue to refer to the Salafist jihadist terrorist organization by its old Al-Nusra moniker. Al-Nusra was the official Syrian branch of al-Qaeda until 2016, when it ostensibly split from the world's most well-known terrorist network.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the country's air forces conducted a high-precision group strike of the area controlled by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham militants in Idlib, from where a projectile was fired downing Russian Su-25 aircraft.

Russian Su-25 Downed in Syrian Province of Idlib, Pilot Killed - Russian MoD
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802031061332435-syria-su-25-idlib-syria/

"A group strike using precision weapons has been conducted in the area controlled by the Jabhat al-Nusra [Jabhat Fatah al-Sham] terrorist group in Idlib province, from where the missile was launched against the [downed] Russian Su-25 airplane. According to radio intercepts, as a result of the strike, more than 30 militants of Jabhat al-Nusra were destroyed," the report by the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The strike followed the downing of the Russian Su-25 aircraft in the area.

"The plane was flying over the Idlib de-escalation zone," the military stated.

​The Defense Ministry revealed that according to preliminary information as to the possible cause of the downing, the plane may have been shot down by a man-portable air-defense system (MANPAD).

​The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the pilot managed to eject from the aircraft and survive, but was killed during a subsequent battle with terrorists.

"The pilot reported on a bailout in an area controlled by rebels Jabhat Fatah al-Sham [previously known as al-Nusra Front]. When conducting a fight with terrorists, the pilot died," the Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, Russia and Turkey, peace guarantor in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone, are taking all possible efforts to return the body of the killed pilot.

 

[angelburst29]

In the Syrian chemical attacks "blame-game and finger pointing", I'm beyond disappointment - in US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attitude and blatant verbal attacks on President Assad and Russia. When Tillerson was first appointed to the post of SoS and photos surfaced with him having previous contacts with Lavrov and Putin as CEO of Exxon/Mobile, I had hoped Tillerson would bridge the gap and bring our two Countries closer together? Instead, he's making the gap - wider? Guess, I can write him off as just another "swamp" critter?

Tillerson insists Russia to blame for Syria chemical attacks Saturday 27 January 2018
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1234056/middle-east

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Saturday said he stands by his claim that Russia bears responsibility for recent chemical attacks in Syria, despite strong denials from Moscow. “These are just unacceptable deployments of chemicals in ways that violate all conventions which Russia itself has signed up for. It violates agreements that Russia undertook to be responsible for identifying and eliminating the chemical weapons inside of Syria,” Tillerson said during a visit to Warsaw.

“The chemical weapons are clearly there, they’re being used against civilian populations — and the most vulnerable are children — inside of Syria,” Tillerson told reporters, in a joint press conference with Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz.

“So we are holding Russia responsible for addressing this. They are (Syrian President Bashar) Assad’s ally. They are members of those conventions and they made commitments. They need to deliver on those commitments.”

Tillerson first made the accusations on Tuesday, as diplomats from 29 countries met in Paris to push for sanctions and criminal charges against the perpetrators of the chemical attacks in Syria.

Russia and China have blocked Western-backed efforts at the UN to impose sanctions on Damascus over their use.

On Wednesday, Russia lashed out at Tillerson for having “hastily accused the Syrian — as they call it — ‘regime’ for the attack in Eastern Ghouta,” adding “now they are trying to drag Russia into this as well.”

Damascus has been repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons, with the UN among those blaming regime forces for an April 2017 sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun that left scores dead.

There have been at least 130 separate chemical weapons attacks in Syria since 2012, according to French estimates, with Daesh also accused of using mustard gas in Syria and Iraq.

On Monday, Moscow will hold negotiations in the Russian city of Sochi aimed at ending Syria’s civil war.

PARIS: Two dozen countries agreed Tuesday to push for sanctions against perpetrators of chemical attacks in Syria, with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson saying Russia “ultimately bears responsibility” for such strikes.

World powers step up pressure on Syria, Russia over chemical attacks Tuesday 23 January 2018 (Video)
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1231876/middle-east
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALj-5JLODvs (0:33 min.)

Twenty-four nations approved a new “partnership against impunity” for the use of chemical weapons, just a day after reports that they were used in an attack that sickened 21 people in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta.

“Whoever conducted the attacks, Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the victims in East Ghouta and countless other Syrians targeted with chemical weapons since Russia became involved in Syria,” Tillerson said after the meeting, and ahead of further talks with several ministers on ending the conflict. “There is simply no denying that Russia, by shielding its Syrian ally, has breached its commitments to the US as a framework guarantor” overseeing the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, as agreed in September 2013, he added.

Despite its pledge to destroy such weapons, the Syrian regime has been repeatedly accused of staging chemical attacks, with the United Nations among those blaming it for an April 2017 sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun which left scores dead.

There have been at least 130 separate chemical weapons attacks in Syria since 2012, according to French estimates, with the Daesh group also accused of using mustard gas in Syria and Iraq.

Russia twice used its UN veto in November to veto an extension of an international expert inquiry into chemical attacks in Syria, to the consternation of Western powers.

Moscow, backed by Iran and Turkey, has organized talks in the Russian city of Sochi next week aimed at finding a resolution to the brutal and multi-faceted civil war.

Those efforts are running parallel to talks overseen by the UN, with the latest round due in Vienna on Thursday and Friday. The talks have so far failed to make progress in ending a war that has left more than 340,000 people dead.

Tillerson said that “Russia’s failure to resolve the chemical weapons issue in Syria calls into question its relevance to the resolution of the overall crisis.”
“At a bare minimum, Russia must stop vetoeing, or at the very least abstain, from future Security Council votes on this issue,” he said.

At Tuesday’s meeting, 24 out of 29 countries attending committed to sharing information and compiling a list of individuals implicated in the use of chemical weapons in Syria and beyond. These could then be hit with sanctions such as asset freezes and entry bans as well as criminal proceedings at the national level.

Ahead of the meeting France announced asset freezes against 25 Syrian companies and executives, as well as French, Lebanese and Chinese businesses accused of aiding regime use of chemical weapons. “The criminals who take the responsibility for using and developing these barbaric weapons must know that they will not go unpunished,” said French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who chaired Tuesday’s meeting.

Tillerson, Le Drian and several other ministers including Britain’s Boris Johnson were due to meet for further talks laying the groundwork for a new contact group on Syria that French President Emmanuel Macron has been urging for months.

Macron wants the new contact group to bring together the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the US — along with regional countries to find a solution.

Mattis Threatens Military Action Over Syria Gas Attack Claims, Then Admits "No Evidence"

Mattis Threatens Military Action Over Syria Gas Attack Claims, Then Admits "No Evidence" Fri, 02/02/2018
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-02-02/mattis-threatens-military-action-over-syria-gas-attack-claims-then-admits-no

This week the American public was once again bombarded by fresh headlines alleging the Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad gassed its own people. And in predictable fashion the usual threat of US military force soon followed.

Except of course rather than "alleging" a chemical incident, all the usual suspects from CNN pundits to State Department bureaucrats to Pentagon officials in typical fashion are opting for the simpler "Assad did it" narrative. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert stated Thursday, "Russia is making the wrong choice by not exercising its unique influence. To allow the Syria regime to use chemical weapons against its own people is unconscionable. We will pursue accountability."

The White Helmets published this photo on Thursday, claiming that its "volunteer was suffocated by the chlorine gas attack". It appears that this is the "NGO" Defense Secretary Jim Mattis referenced on Friday to say "open sources" say Assad is using chemical weapons.

Nauert's statement was a repeat of talking points from last week's chemical attack claims, wherein both she and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ultimately blamed Russia. But like with other recent chemical attack allegations, the claims couldn't be more vague or poorly sourced, yet was still enough for U.S. officials to issue more direct threats of US military action against Assad.

While addressing the prior East Ghouta incident during a talk on January 23rd, Tillerson let slip that he didn't actually know much about the supposed earlier January attack at all while still putting blame squarely on Syria and Russia, saying at the time, "Whoever conducted the attacks Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the victims in eastern Ghouta and countless other Syrians targeted with chemical weapons since Russia became involved in Syria."

This week the "evidence" doesn't appear to be any clearer or narrowed.

On Friday Defense Secretary Jim Mattis addressed the latest claims, confidently asserting the Syrian government had as a matter of routine used chlorine as a weapon against the remaining pockets of opposition areas of the country - specifically in the Damascus suburb of East Ghouta, but it appears at this point that even Reuters has suddenly found its journalistic skepticism... Yes, actual knowledge on whether or not there was even a chemical attack to begin with is indeed thin enough for Reuters to headline its own report with "Mattis says has no evidence of sarin gas used in Syria, but concerned".

Mattis, in line with the rest of the administration - especially the State Department - did his best to paint a scenario of the case being all but certain that the Syrian Army has been using chlorine gas to attack civilians, while also suggesting Sarin may have been deployed as well, which could serve as a "red line" triggering US military attack on the Syrian government.

But Mattis was also forced to admit the following, according to Reuters:

Mattis, speaking with reporters, said the Syrian government had repeatedly used chlorine as a weapon. He stressed that the United States did not have evidence of sarin gas use.

“We are even more concerned about the possibility of sarin use, (but) I don’t have the evidence,” Mattis said. “What I am saying is that other groups on the ground - NGOs, fighters on the ground - have said that sarin has been used, so we are looking for evidence.”

And according to CNN, Mattis is now merely going on "open source" information, which essentially means anything from media reports to YouTube to Twitter to mere "opposition sources say...". CNN reports the following:

"You have all seen how we reacted to that [referencing the April 2017 US airstrike], so they'd be ill advised to go back to violating the chemical convention"... Mattis acknowledged that the US has not seen direct evidence of the use of Sarin gas but pointed to open source reports. "I don't have the evidence... We are looking for evidence. I don't have evidence credible or uncredible."

Like with previous allegations, US government officials are issuing threats of military action based on NGO's and fighters on the ground.

In this case it once again appears to be the word of the White Helmets, which it seems just about every other week issue new and unverified claims of chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian government. As is now generally well-known the White Helmets are funded by US and UK governments to the tune of many tens of millions of dollars, and have further been frequently filmed and documented cooperating closely with al-Qaeda factions on the ground in Syria.

Indeed the group only operates in areas controlled by al-Qaeda (HTS) and other anti-government insurgents, especially in the locations of recent alleged attacks - Idlib and East Ghouta.

Now that unverified claims of chemical attack incidents in Syria (and their subsequent uncritical amplification by media and politicians) have become routine, the following somewhat obvious observations need to be recalled:
•The Assad government has long been winning the war, what incentive does it have to do the one thing (use CW) that would hasten its demise?
•The US is a party to the conflict, so its claims must be evaluated accordingly.
•The "NGOs and fighters on the ground" (in Mattis' own words) are an even more direct party to the conflict.
•The only way anti-Assad fighters can survive at this point is by triggering massive US military intervention (by claiming "Assad is gassing his own people!").
•The greater the momentum of Syria/Russia/Iran forces in defeating jihadists on Syrian territory, the more frequent the claims of chemical attacks become - issued from those very jihadists suffering near certain defeat.
•In the midst of a grinding 7-year long "fog of war" conflict involving constant claims and counterclaims, mere "open source" information means nothing in terms of proof or hard evidence.
•Al-Qaeda administers the locations from which chemical attack allegations are being made.
•US officials stand ready to make use of "chemical attack" claims with or without "evidence credible or uncredible" (in Mattis' words) anytime further pressure needs to be applied toward Russia or Syria.
•Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence (Iraq WMD anyone?).

For its part, Russia alongside the Syrian government and other regional allies have long accused the US of blindly trusting opposition sources inside Syria concerning claims of chemical weapons attacks, including the April 2017 incident in al-Qaeda controlled (HTS) Idlib, which resulted in the US attacking an airbase in central Syria.

Last October, the US State Department admitted that anti-Assad militant groups operating in Syria, especially in Idlib, possess and have used chemical weapons throughout the war - something which the US government previously said was impossible, as it consistently held the position that only the Assad government could be to blame.


Arab Analyst: US Likely to Use Chemical Weapons in False Flag against Syria Sat Feb 03, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961114000878

Syrian gov’t fires back US over chemical weapons claim 03/02/2018
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-govt-fires-back-us-chemical-weapons-claim/

Russia’s UN Mission Slams US for Killing UN Draft Resolution on Syrian Chemical Attacks Thu Feb 01, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961112000891

Syria Refutes US Allegations on Chemical Weapons Use Against Rebel-Held E Ghouta 03.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802031061332373-syria-ghouta-chemical-weapons-us/

Pentagon Chief: US Has No Evidence Damascus Used Sarin Gas in Chemical Attacks 02.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802021061307933-us-no-evidence-damascus-chemical-weapons/

US admits there is no evidence to chemical weapons allegations 02/02/2018
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-admits-no-evidence-chemical-weapons-allegations/

Russia Hits back at US Accusations over Syria Chemical Probes February 1, 2018
http://english.almanar.com.lb/437380

Tests link Assad regime stockpile to largest sarin attack Wednesday 31 January 2018
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1236201/middle-east

Turkey's General Staff Refutes Rumors of Using Napalm in Syria's Afrin 30.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801301061193366-turkey-general-staff-napalm-afrin/

Tillerson: US Holds Russia Responsible for Chemical Weapons in Syria 27.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801271061115183-us-russia-syria-chemical-weapons-assad/

US State Dept Claims Russia-Proposed Chemical Weapons Mechanism Lacks Standards 26.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/us/201801261061081664-washington-russia-chemical-mechanism-lacks-standards/

Moscow Slams Washington for Unfounded Accusations Over Syrian Chemical Attacks 25.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801251061044001-moscow-slams-washington-syria/

Russia says it’s not behind Syria chemical attacks 24 January 2018
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1232001/middle-east

Damascus Slams US, French Diplomats' Claims on Chemical Weapons Use as 'Lies' 24.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/world/201801241061019573-syria-chemical-weapons-lies-us-france/

China Welcomes Russian Resolution on Chemical Weapons Investigations in Syria 24.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801241061011499-china-welcomes-russia-syria-chemical-resolution/

 

[angelburst29]

The Syrian Special Forces are conducting a military operation in the area, where the day before a Russian Su-25 was shot down by the Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group, killing its pilot.

Syrian Forces Conduct Op in Idlib, Where Russian Su-25 Was Shot Down - Lawmaker
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802041061342105-syria-special-forces-idlib-su-25-downing/

"The [Russian] air forces destroyed the [terrorist] unit, which fired the MANPADs, ... at the present moment the Syrian Special Forces are working in the area. And if the elements of this MANPAD are found, then by their manufacture numbers and by origin, in the nearest future we will know where these MANPADs came from," Russian government party member Viktor Vodolatsky stated, citing his sources.

According to the lawmaker, the Russian air defense are maintaining close air-support for the offensive.

The operation takes place after the Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group, which includes Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (previously known as al-Nusra Front) terror organization, on February 3 shot down a Russian Su-25 aircraft using a handheld anti-aircraft missile while it was flying over the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria. The pilot of the jet fighter managed to eject himself from the plane, but was killed by the militants in a subsequent fight.

The Russian side promptly responded to the attack, conducting a high-precision missile strike in an area controlled by the terrorists, killing some 30 of them.

Tahrir al-Sham has claimed responsility for the downing, releasing a post on social media quoting their commander in charge, saying that one of their militants had hit a Russian SU-25 during an "air raid" over the city of Saraqeb in the northwestern province of Idlib.

The Russian Su-25 ground attack plane could have been shot down over a de-escalation zone in Syria by a man-portable air-defense (MANPAD) system, military expert Konstantin Sivkov told RIA Novosti.

Downed Su-25's Radar 'Unable' to Register MANPAD Attack – Military Expert (Video)
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201802041061347740-warplane-downing-pilot/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_okg2-b8KVw (0:49 min.)

The Russian Defense Ministry earlier said the jet was downed over the Idlib de-escalation zone. The pilot managed to eject and parachute down safely, but was then killed by militants on the ground. All efforts are being undertaken to retrieve the pilot's body.

Shortly after the incident, Russia retaliated with a salvo of high-precision weapons wiping out over 30 al-Nusra terrorists active in the area.

“The plane’s radar is unable to register an attack by handheld anti-aircraft missiles like Stinger or Igla because their missiles are armed with passive self-homing warheads. The Igla has a maximum range of 3 kilometers (1.8 miles), which means that the Su-25’s pilot was flying low, apparently thinking that since he was over a de-escalation zone, he would not be attacked,” Sivkov said.

He hopes that the incident will make the Air Force command ramp up flight security over the de-escalation zones in Syria. Sivkov believes that the terrorists could have obtained MANPADs either on the black market or at seized arms depots in Syria or Iraq.

He added that the militants’ decision to kill the pilot instead of taking him prisoner after he bailed out will not go unanswered and that a series of retaliatory strikes by Russian and Syrian forces will follow.

These people ignore the generally recognized rules of engagement and, therefore, they must not be taken prisoner either. Now we know that there are terrorists out there in Idlib who violate the ceasefire and deserve massive missile strikes by Russian and Syrian forces. They will have to pay with hundreds of their criminal lives for the death of our pilot,” Konstantin Sivkov emphasized.

The incident took place on territory controlled by the Jabhat Fatah al-Sham terror group amid an ongoing military operation conducted by Syrian forces.

During its two-year military operation in Syria, Russia has lost four airplanes and as many helicopters.

The rebel group Jaysh Al-Nasr has claimed responsibility for shooting down the Russian Su-25 jet over the eastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate today.

Rebel group claims they shot down Russian aircraft, executed pilot (video)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebel-group-claims-shot-russian-aircraft-executed-pilot-video/

According to the report released by pro-opposition activists, Jaysh Al-Nasr and their rebel allies tracked down the Russian pilot after he ejected and executed him near the town of Saraqib.

Below is the video from the Idlib countryside that shows the Russian aircraft going down after being hit with a missile:

Jaysh Al-Nasr was previously armed with anti-tank missiles by the U.S. military; they are allied with jihadist groups like Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham.

The Islamist rebels released video this afternoon that confirmed the death of the Russian pilot that was shot down over the Idlib countryside.

Breaking: First footage of dead Russian pilot released by rebels
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-first-footage-dead-russian-pilot-released-rebels/

In the video, several Islamists head towards the pilot’s body in the Idlib countryside and as they encounter the fallen airman, they yell insults at him. The group claiming to have shot down the Russian Su-25 jet was the Islamist group, Jaysh Al-Nasr, which is a group that was formerly armed by the U.S. military.

Below is the video that was released by the Islamist rebels that shows the dead Russian pilot – viewer discretion is advised:

Global condemnation has erupted after videos posted online revealed the mutilation of a body belonging to a female member of the Kurdish Women’s Protection Units at the hands of Turkish-backed militants in Syria.

Outrage at Mutilation of Kurdish Female Fighter’s Body by Turkish-Backed Forces
https://sputniknews.com/military/201802041061336605-kurdish-female-fighter-mutilated-body/

Turkish-backed Syrian militants are accused of recording the horrific abuse of the corpse of a female member of the Kurdish Women's Protection Units, according to reports, although some have claimed that she blew herself up to avoid capture.

Turkey and militant groups in Syria hired by Ankara to invade the northern-Syrian Kurdish town of Afrin staged an invasion beginning January 20, drawing global approbation.

A staunch ally of the US-backed coalition fighting Daesh in Syria, Kurdish forces are considered terrorists by the increasingly autocratic and nationalist regime of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who authorized the Syrian invasion.

An official with the Kurdish fighters in Afrin identified the woman killed and mutilated as Barin Kobani, a highly-trained soldier who fought with the US in driving Daesh from the northern Syrian village of Qurna, according to The Guardian.

US-backed Kurdish fighters in Syria have blamed "terrorist allies of the enemy Turkish state" for the mutilation of Kobani.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group claimed that it gained access to the graphic video file from a member of the Turkish-backed Syrian militants fighting the Kurds in Afrin.

In the video, militants stand around a young woman's badly mutilated corpse in Qurna, a Syrian village near the Turkish border.

Alongside the Kurdish community, many around the world have reacted with outrage, particularly after a portrait of a smiling Kobani was posted online next to an image of her destroyed body.

"Barin [Kobani] did not surrender. She fought to the death," declared Women's Protection Units spokesperson Amad Kandal, who promised revenge for Kobani's death and abuse.

"This kind of behavior will only serve to reinforce our determination to resist until victory," the Kurdish spokesperson added, cited by The Guardian.

Syrian Kurds vow revenge over mutilated body of female fighter
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-kurds-outraged-over-mutilated-body-female-fighter-798649470

Against the background of Turkey's ongoing military operation against Kurdish militias in northern Syria, things on the diplomatic front are heating up as well, with the US State Department accusing Russia of trying to "drive a wedge" between Ankara and Washington. Turkish international relations experts told Sputnik why the US claims were absurd.

Turkish-US Relations Won't Recover Until US Drops 'Greater Kurdistan Project' (Map) 25.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201801251061062646-turkish-us-relations-prospects-analysis/

State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert has accused Russia of spreading "propaganda" with statements that the Turkish operation in northern Syria is a response to the US provision of arms to Syrian Kurdish militias.

"I think they would like to drive a wedge between two NATO allies, between the United States and Turkey, and I think that is something that's not going to happen," Nauert said at a press briefing in Washington on Tuesday. "They're not going to succeed on that," she added.

Speaking to Sputnik Turkey, political scientists Hasan Unal and Hasan Oktay explained why it was the US's misguided policies, not Russia's efforts, which have driven Turkish-US relations to their present low point.

Unal, the head of the department of international relations at Atilim University in Ankara, began by explaining why Nauert's statements were ridiculous.

"No one apart from the US itself is exacerbating tensions in Turkish-US relations," the academic noted. "Washington simply needs to learn to look itself in the mirror. Relations between Turkey and the US are being spoiled not by Russia, but by America's own absurd policy, and first and foremost, by its project for the creation of a 'Greater Kurdistan'."

According to Unal, so long as that project continues to hold a key place in the US's Middle East strategy, prospects for reestablishing close relations between Turkey and America will remain poor.

"The US has to stop searching for excuses, inventing this nonexistent 'Russian trace', and finally understand that the problem is in themselves. Because
the US is persistently trying to create a Kurdish state, violating the territorial integrity of four countries in the region – Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
They thought that they would be able to move forward with the implementation of this plan, while simultaneously maintaining [good] relations with Turkey. But it was always obvious that Turkey would, sooner or later, oppose such a scenario, and resort to force, which is what we are observing today," the political scientist said.

Pattern of Betrayal - As for the visible US backtracking on its earlier announcements about the arming and training of a Syrian Kurdish border force on the Turkish border, Unal argued that this was part of a larger pattern of US behavior.

Just as the US had betrayed [Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud] Barzani, they have now done the same with the [Syrian] Democratic Union Party (PDS).
Because when it comes to real politics, the situation changes dramatically.

The strategy is as follows: before Turkey entered Afrin, Washington psychological 'prepared' Ankara, urging it not to begin a military operation, and saying that it would 'damage Turkish-American relations'. However, as soon as Turkey demonstrated its determination to enter Afrin anyway, the US retreated. The first sign of this retreat was [Secretary of State Rex] Tillerson's remarks about the need to provide Turkey with an explanation of the US plans to create a border security force in Syria. Then came the statements from the Pentagon that their initiative had been incorrectly interpreted."

Ultimately, by building up the crisis, and then retreating at the key moment, "the US not only turned Turkey against itself, but has found itself on very shaky ground in the Middle East as a whole," Unal stressed.

In the observer's view, Washington's next step will be to try to prevent Turkey from carrying out an operation in Manbij, to the east of Afrin. "Since the US plans to stay in Syria via the PDS, they will do everything in their power to keep Turkey away from Kurdish-controlled territories east of the Euphrates. But this is a scenario that's very difficult to implement, because getting rid of PDS presence is seen as a matter of national security for Turkey."

The international relations expert said that he feels that the Syrian Kurdish militia issue is just one of several major foreign policy disagreements between Ankara and Washington. Therefore, he said, tensions between Ankara and Washington's aren't likely to abate, and probably will only continue to increase into the future.

Trump's Trump Card Backfires - For his part, Hasan Oktay, the head of the Center for Strategic Studies of the Caucasus, told Sputnik Turkey that
the present downturn in relations has taken place even though Ankara and Washington started off on the same page as far as Syria policy was concerned.

After Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu resigned, and Donald Trump replaced Barack Obama in the White House, Turkey revised its strategy on Syria," the analyst recalled. "The US, in response, laid out its PDS trump card on the table against Turkey. Meanwhile, Ankara realized that Washington was bluffing, and began an operation against the Kurdish militias. In essence, by using the threat of the PDS, Washington was trying to keep Ankara in its orbit. But this did not help," Oktay added.

As for State Department spokeswoman Nauert's Russia remarks, they're connected to "the concerns the US has in connection with the close cooperation between Ankara and Moscow in many areas," according to the expert.

Tensions between Turkey and the US over the former's Syrian operation continue to escalate. On Wednesday, in a telephone conversation with President Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan requested that Washington stop the provision of arms to the PYD/YPG militias, to which Trump reportedly responded that the US was no longer providing these arms. On Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu again urged the US to halt its support for Kurdish militias, and said that Ankara has experienced a "loss of confidence" with Washington.

A correspondent from Turkey's Anadolu news agency Sarp Ozer, who was covering his country's military operation in the northern Syrian district of Afrin, was injured on Friday, the agency reported.

Turkish FM Slams Western Community Over Ignorance of Afrin's Civilian Casualties
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802031061316889-turkey-syria-afrin-military-shelling/

A mortar shell exploded near Ozer, hitting him in a leg and arm. The correspondent was delivered to a state hospital in the southern province of Hatay and is reportedly in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the Turkish forces have captured Darmik mountain in northern Syria during its military operation against Kurdish forces in Syria's Afrin district, local media reported on Friday. According to the Anadolu news agency, the Turkish troops raised their national flag on top of the mountain, which had been used by the Kurdish forces to shell the Turkish border city of Kilis.

On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized the Western countries over lack of their response to the alleged killing of Turkish civilians by shelling of the Kurdish forces from the Syrian border district of Afrin.

"Why are certain [Western] countries trying to ignore the terrorists' actions? Why do not you protect the rights of those Turkish civilians killed in shelling? Do [the Turkish civilians] have to be terrorists for you to protect their rights?" Cavusoglu told reporters.

Emmanuel Macron’s office announced its decision after the French president discussed Turkey’s operation against Kurdish People’s Protection Units in Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a phone conversation.

France Plans to Work With Turkey on Syria 'Road Map
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802041061346428-france-turkey-syria-road-map/

The two presidents agreed to work on a diplomatic road map for Syria in the coming weeks. To that end, discussions between France and Turkey, which both hope for a political solution overseen by the UN, will increase in the coming days,” the Élysée Palace said in a statement.

Days after Turkey’s campaign kicked-off in the Syrian city of Afrin, President Macron expressed his concerns over offensive and the deteriorating situation in Syria.

"If it turns out that this operation takes a turn other than to fight a potential terrorist threat to the Turkish border and becomes an invasion operation, [then] this becomes a real problem for us," he told Le Figaro.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim was quick to respond to Macron’s remarks, saying that the French president had a “flawed understanding” of Ankara’s anti-terrorist campaign in Afrin.

The whole world knows and should know that Turkey does not operate with the mentality of an invader.”

While the prime minister’s reaction may have seemed harsh, Erdogan, according to the Turkish Anadolu news agency, sought to reassure Macron that Ankara has no eye on Syrian territory.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis claimed this week’s Syrian national dialogue congress in Russia’s Sochi had failed to produce any significant results.

Pentagon Chief Claims Syrian Peace Congress in Sochi Failed
https://sputniknews.com/us/201802031061319793-pentagon-mattis-sochi-syria-congress/

"You see, coming out of Sochi, which did not work out, I think is the most polite way to describe the outcome. They're on their way to Geneva – Staffan de Mistura – and the United Nations," he told reporters on Friday.

Mattis did not say why he deemed the Sochi peace effort a failure, but stressed the UN-backed process in Geneva, brokered by UN special envoy de Mistura, was "on track again for all the people who've questioned we'd ever get there."

Earlier, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura stated that the final communique of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi for the Syrian crisis settlement was worked out within the UN-backed Geneva process.

UN Envoy for Syria also said that the constitutional committee agreed on at the Syrian National Dialogue Congress will comprise both the representatives of the Syrian government and opposition activists and thanked the forum in the city of Sochi for its contribution to the Geneva peace talks.

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) arrested the commander of one of their brigades in the Dara’a Governorate, Saturday, after he reportedly participated in the Sochi peace talks this week.

FSA arrests Daraa commander for participating in Sochi peace talks
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/fsa-arrests-daraa-commander-participating-sochi-peace-talks/

According to pro-opposition activists in Dara’a, the Free Syrian Army arrested the commander of the Khaled Al-Shara’a group inside the town of Da’el on Saturday.

Following his arrest, the Free Syrian Army announced that they will arrest any other rebel participants of the Sochi peace conference, adding that these people are traitors to the revolution.

The Sochi peace conference took place this past Monday and lasted until Wednesday; it was attended by 1,600 people, including 1,300 Syrians.

 

[angelburst29]

The Syrian Special Forces are conducting a military operation in the area, where the day before a Russian Su-25 was shot down by the Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group, killing its pilot.

Syrian Forces Conduct Op in Idlib, Where Russian Su-25 Was Shot Down - Lawmaker
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802041061342105-syria-special-forces-idlib-su-25-downing/

"The [Russian] air forces destroyed the [terrorist] unit, which fired the MANPADs, ... at the present moment the Syrian Special Forces are working in the area. And if the elements of this MANPAD are found, then by their manufacture numbers and by origin, in the nearest future we will know where these MANPADs came from," Russian government party member Viktor Vodolatsky stated, citing his sources.

According to the lawmaker, the Russian air defense are maintaining close air-support for the offensive.

I would say - there is a high probability - that the Russians will discover that the MANPAD was manufactured in the USA?

US Sends MANPADS to Syrian Kurds as Part of Secret Deal - Reports 16.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/military/201801161060779896-usa-manpads-syria-kurds-deal/

And the Syrian Kurds are known "as equal opportunity lenders" for the right price, so they have no problem in passing around their bounty, to other like minded individuals (Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group).

While the Russians are busy verifying the manufacturer of the MANPAD that shot down a Su-25’s plane and killing it's pilot - Ankara is investigating which country has supplied the Kurdish forces with weapons, from which a Turkish tank was destroyed on Saturday, killing five of it's soldiers. Sounds like there is going to be a really BIG "POW-WOW" with lots of smoke and sparks ... in the very near future?

Ankara Probing Country of Origin of Weapon That Destroyed Turkish Tank in Afrin 05.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802051061351644-turkey-syria-afrin-tank-investigation/

On Saturday, the Turkish General Staff said that at least five Turkish servicemen were killed and one tank destroyed by Kurdish militants in Syria's northern district of Afrin.

"We are investigating the circumstances around death of five of our soldiers, we are probing the weapons of what country hit the tank… Regardless of what country gave the terrorists those weapons — it works together with them," Erdogan told a press conference.

On February 3, a Russian Su-25 warplane was downed by the Tahrir Al-Sham terrorist group in Syria's Idlib. The pilot managed to eject from the plane, but was killed during the ensuing fight with terrorists. An alleged video of the fight which appeared recently on the web purportedly shows another version of events.

Alleged Video of Fight Between Russian Su-25 Pilot, Terrorists Surfaces on Web
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802041061349449-video-su-25-pilot-terrorists-fight-idlib-syria/

According to a video footage, released by the Directorate 4 Telegram-channel, the pilot of the downed Russian Su-25 blew himself up in order to avoid captivity by militants.

Before taking this step, the pilot was shooting at the terrorists who surrounded him.

 

[angelburst29]

Maj. Filippov will be posthumously conferred the Hero of Russia award, the Russian Defense Ministry Stated.

Pilot of Russian Su-25 Blew Himself Up After Being Encircled by Terrorists - MoD
https://sputniknews.com/world/201802051061363319-pilot-russia-su-25-blew-himself-up/

The pilot of the Su-25 bomber that had been shot down in Syria blew himself up after he was surrounded by terrorists, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

“Upon landing after having ejected in the vicinity of the village […] under the control of terrorists, Major Roman Filippov fought an unequal battle during the final minutes of his life using his standard issue weapons. After being surrounded by the terrorists, seriously wounded, the Russian officer blew himself up with a grenade when the distance to the militants diminished to just a few tens of meters."

According to the Russian military, Maj. Filippov was trying to control the downed aircraft until the end and managed to report he had been attacked by a missile. "On February 3, while flying over the de-escalation zone in Idlib to monitor the ceasefire, the Russian Su-25 attack aircraft under the command of Major Roman Filipov was shot down by terrorists from MANPADS," the ministry repeated.

The Defense Ministry announced that Maj. Filippov would be posthumously awarded the Hero of Russia.

“Major Roman Filippov outstandingly conducted dozens of combat missions over Syria to destroy militants belonging to international terrorist groups and to escort humanitarian convoys of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides to settlements liberated from terrorists,” the ministry said.

Russia is taking decisive action to stop terrorist activity in Syria in response to the downing of a Russian Su-25 jet in Idlib, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated.

Kremlin Deeply Worried That Terrorists Have MANPADS After Su-25 Downing in Syria
https://sputniknews.com/world/201802051061363088-russia-su-25-syria-manpad/

"When President Vladimir Putin spoke about the completion of the active stage of the operation to support the armed forces of Syria in their counter-terrorism work, he said that the ready and remaining potential of the Russian armed forces in the areas of their temporary deployment is sufficient to conduct devastating retaliation. We are talking about exactly such surgical strikes, " Peskov told journalists.

Commenting on the actions of the Russian armed forces in Syria over the weekend, the spokesman recalled the report of the Russian Ministry of Defense, saying that more than 30 militants were destroyed as a result of a group strike by high-precision weapons in the province of Idlib, controlled by the Jabhat Fatah al-Sham terror group (banned in Russia), from where a missile was launched on the downed Su-25.

Speaking about the strikes, Peskov noted that these actions were provoked by their attack on the Russian Su-25.

They [the strikes] were provoked by a tragic accident, when our plane was shot down by terrorists, the pilot died as a hero, we all offer our condolences to the pilot's relatives and friends and are proud of our heroes. Naturally, this tragic incident was followed up by decisive action to suppress terrorist activity," the presidential press secretary stated.

The Russian Embassy in the United States expressed its gratitude to US citizens who extended their condolences over the death of a Russian pilot in Syria's Idlib province.

Russian Embassy Thanks US Nationals for Condolences Over Death of Russian Pilot
https://sputniknews.com/us/201802051061356270-russian-pilot-usa-condolences/

"We want to thank all American citizens sending us their condolences on the death of a Russian fighter pilot who was killed in action against terrorists in Syria. This tragedy has once again proven that there are people in the U.S., who realize the necessity of fighting common evil together," the embassy's statement, published on Facebook, read.

Russia has repeatedly provided humanitarian assistance to Syrians in need amid the ongoing conflict in the country.

Centers of Russian Humanitarian Aid Distribution Shelled in Damascus, Two Dead
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802051061366857-russian-humanitarian-aid-shelling/

Centers of the distribution of humanitarian aid from Russia have come under shelling in the center of Damascus, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

According to a police officer at the site, two people have been killed and several others injured as a result of the attack.

One mortar exploded near the building of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Another shell landed near a temple of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. According to church representatives, there are wounded.

Blasts have been heard in the Christian quarter of Damascus, the correspondent reported. A Russian inter-religious delegation, which brought the humanitarian aid, is currently at the site.

Earlier in the day, the state-run SANA news agency reported that militants shelled populated areas in the Old City of Damascus, killing a woman and injuring three other civilians. According to the Sputnik correspondent, the attack came at a time when classes in local schools were finishing. Three people received shrapnel wounds and were evacuated on a civilian vehicle.

Terrorists controlling the eastern suburb of Damascus have shelled the historic center of the Syrian capital and the surrounding Christian neighborhoods almost daily in recent months.

No further details have been immediately available.

 

[angelburst29]

Rebels seize two trucks filled with weapons attempting to enter Afrin (video) 05/02/2018
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/rebels-seize-two-trucks-filled-weapons-attempting-enter-afrin-video/

Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki seized two trucks filled with weapons that were attempting to enter the Afrin region from the rebel-held parts of the Aleppo Governorate this past weekend.

According to Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki’s official media wing, their forces seized a large cache of rifles, RPGs, and ATGMs that were destined for the Afrin region.

Furthermore, Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki said they arrested one of the drivers, who later confessed to working with the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in the Afrin region.

The rebel group would uncover another truck that was preparing to smuggle weapons; this led to Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki killing the drive of this vehicle.

Below is the video that was released by Harakat Nouriddeen Al-Zinki this past weekend:

Seven Turkish soldiers have been killed in an offensive against Kurdish militia in Syria, including five who died in a single attack on a tank, Turkey’s army has said.

Afrin Offensive: Seven Turkish Soldiers Die in Syria
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2018/02/05/1645786/afrin-offensive-seven-turkish-soldiers-die-in-syria

The losses marked the highest toll in one day for the Turkish military in Operation Olive Branch, launched on 20 January against the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia, seen by Ankara as a terrorist group.

The assault on the tank on Saturday, details of which were not disclosed, was also the single deadliest attack on the Turkish military of the offensive so far.

The clashes brought the number of Turkish troops killed so far in the operation to 14, AFP reported.

Nearly 950 Kurdish gunmen have thus far been killed in Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Afrin region in Northwestern Aleppo, the Turkish Army General Staff announced in a statement on Monday.

Nearly 950 Kurdish Fighters Killed in Turkish Forces Operation in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961116000733

"The total number of Kurdish forces' casualties in Operation Olive Branch in Afrin region now stands at 947," the statement said.

The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported on Saturday that four Ankara-backed militants including commander of al-Qaeda-linked Shohada Badr Battalion Abu al-Abbas, were killed and their military vehicle was destroyed in clashes with the Kurdish fighters in Kafri Kar area in Rajou region.

In the meantime, three vehicles of the militants affiliated to the Turkish army were destroyed in the Kurdish fighters' attack near the village of Khalil in Shiheh region, Hawar news reported.

It added that the Kurdish fighters carried out an ambush operation against the Turkish soldiers and allied militants in the village of Za'ara North of Afrin, killing at least 20 of them.

Israel's spy agency Mossad has put the name of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on its blacklist, an Arabic-language newspaper reported.

Report: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad Blacklisted in Mossad's Terror List Mon Feb 05, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961116000562

"In fact, the Mossad authorities tried to justify their decision by highlighting the recent threats made by President Assad against Israel’s sensitive and vital facilities in the event of a new Israeli attack on his country," the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida wrote on Sunday.

The Kuwaiti newspaper goes on to explain that, in general, the names on the list are those of individuals considered by Tel Aviv to have participated in so-called “terrorist” attacks, or those of leaders of resistance movements, which Israel considers to be terrorist groups. But if you put the name of a head of state on a blacklist, it has no antecedent in the entire common history of humanity.

According to the report, the Israeli regime considers "Bashar al-Assad as the leader of a terrorist group that threatens that regime's interests, especially after Assad was able to recover a large part of the Syrian territory with the help of Iran and Russia.

According to the Al-Jarida newspaper, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary general of the Hezbollah movement, his deputy, Naim Qassem, and Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, are among the names on the Mossad terror list.

 

[angelburst29]

The Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday it had requested Turkey’s assistance in obtaining debris of the Russian Su-25 jet downed by terrorists in the Syrian province of Idlib on February 3.

Russian MoD Requests Turkey’s Assistance in Obtaining Debris of Downed Su-25
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802061061397995-russia-ministry-debris-su25/

"The Russian Defense Ministry sent a request to the Turkish side to assist in obtaining all the debris of the Russian Su-25 attack aircraft downed by terrorists by MANPADS [man-portable air defense systems] in the airspace over the Syrian province of Idlib on February 3," the ministry’s statement read.

The ministry noted that its experts were "particularly interested in remains of the Russian attack aircraft's engines with traces of the missile impact in order to precisely identify the MANPADS type used by terrorists, production site and channels of supply to Syria."

The Russian military intelligence service has managed to deliver the pilot's body from Idlib with the help of their Turkish colleagues. He was posthumously awarded the title of the Hero of Russia.

Body of Pilot From Downed Russian Su-25 Brought to Russia - MoD
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201802061061402971-su-25-pilot-body/

"Russian military intelligence, in cooperation with Turkish colleagues, have returned the body of attack pilot major Roman Filipov to Russia, who died as a hero on February 3 in Syria. The funeral ceremony for Major Roman Filipov with the observance of military honors at the request of the family and parents of the Russian pilot will be held on February 8 in Voronezh," the Ministry of Defense stated.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported of mortar shelling on the country's trade representative building in the Syrian capital. No casualties were sustained, but the building itself is severely damaged.

Russian Trade Representative Building Bombed in Damascus - Moscow 06.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802061061412699-russia-trade-representative-building-shelling/

The ministry urged international and regional partners to make objective value judgments about the shelling.

There are no casualties. The building has suffered significant damage. We strongly condemn yet another terrorist attack against the diplomatic mission of Russia in Damascus, which has become a link in the chain of crimes committed by them [terrorists] against the civilian population of the Syrian capital in recent days," the ministry said in a statement.

Shortly before that, a source told Sputnik that the diplomatic area of Damascus sustained mortar shelling on Tuesday, adding that the building of the Russian trade mission was bombed.

Addressing the incident, the Russian Foreign Ministry the attack took place on February 6 at approximately 4 p.m. local time [1 p.m. GMT], when a 120-mm mine landed in the building (which is now suspended, but continues to have a diplomatic immunity).

Addressing the incident, the Russian Foreign Ministry the attack took place on February 6 at approximately 4 p.m. local time [1 p.m. GMT], when a 120-mm mine landed in the building (which is now suspended, but continues to have a diplomatic immunity).

"We call on international and regional partners to take an unbiased look at what is happening, and to give a proper and principled assessment of the actions of those who commit terrorist attacks directed against diplomatic missions, religious buildings and humanitarian missions," the statement said.

According to Syria's state SANA news agency, the shelling from rebel areas on parts of the old city of Damascus killed at least three people and left eight people injured.

Yesterday, an attack was foiled on the Russian Foreign Ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Terrorist Attack on Russian Embassy in Afghanistan Foiled - Source 05.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201802051061360217-attack-russia-embassy-afghanistan/

An informed source told Sputnik Afghanistan that a terrorist attack on the Russian Embassy in Kabul has been prevented.

According to the source, a car with explosives has been found near the building of the Russian diplomatic mission. It contained some 1,000 kg of explosives in trotyl equivalent, the source said, citing preliminary data.

At the same time, media reports have been suggesting that an attack using the vehicle, a Mazda, had occurred not far from the embassy.

The Russian Foreign Ministry and the Embassy in Kabul haven't yet confirmed the information.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a rare visit to Golan Heights on Tuesday, inspecting the nearby border into Syria.

Netanyahu Visits Golan Heights, Warns Israel's Enemies Not to 'Test Us'
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802061061409037-netanyahu-israel-golan-heights-visit/

The official visited a hilltop observation point, some three kilometers (two miles) from a 1974 ceasefire line. Speaking to his security cabinet, he warned against any attempt by Iran to deepen its military presence in Syria or construct missile factories in neighboring Lebanon.

"We seek peace but are prepared for any scenario and I wouldn't suggest to anyone that they test us," Netanyahu stated.

The Golan Heights dispute remains an apple of discord for Israel and Syria, provoking tit-for-tat strikes in border areas. Israel's occupation of the western two-thirds of the Golan Heights (known in Syria as Quneitra governorate) prevents the states from signing a peace treaty. Tel-Aviv annexed the disputed area during the Six-Day War in 1967, what has been repeatedly condemned by the UN in 1981 and 2008.

Amid the raging in Syria war, the eastern Golan Heights, which remained in Syrian hands, became the target of the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Nusra Front, as well as Daesh militants and other Syrian opposition forces.

Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of stationing their military bases in Syria. Tehran, in their turn, has repeatedly denied any allegations of having a base in Syria, as well as conducting military operations there, underlining its cooperation with the country's leadership in the fight against various terrorist groups, including Daesh, and acts as one of the guarantors of the ceasefire in the Arab Republic jointly with Russia and Turkey.

In January, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Ankara would not limit its precautionary measures against Kurdish fighters to Syria's Afrin but could move to Manbij, where the US has some 2,000 of its military personnel deployed.

Erdogan: US Presence in Syria's Manbij Aimed Against Turkey, Russia, Iran
https://sputniknews.com/world/201802061061396052-turkey-syria-manbij-us-troops/

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the United States should leave Syria's Manbij in Aleppo province as Ankara plans to return it "to its true owners." He also added that Washginton had "calculations against Turkey, Iran and maybe Russia" in Syria, claiming that the US military presence there was directed against the aforementioned countries after Daesh’s (ISIS) defeat.

"If the United States says they are sending 5,000 trucks and 2,000 cargo planes with weapons for the fight against Daesh (Islamic State), we don't believe this. It means you have calculations against Turkey and Iran, and maybe Russia," Erdogan told members of his ruling AK Party in parliament.

On February 5, the Pentagon announced that it had seen no indication of Turkey planning to extend its operation to Manbij, which contradicts Turkish officials' previous statements. Both Cavusoglu and Erdogan emphasized that Turkish forces would completely clear the region of terrorists, beginning with Manbij and throughout Turkey-Syria border.

Earlier in the day, footage showing a Turkish military convoy arriving in southern Aleppo, closer to the Tahrir al-Sham terrorist organization's stronghold, appeared on the web. Among the 50 vehicles were armored personnel carriers (APCs), fuel tankers, mini-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAPs) and military trucks.

 

[angelburst29]

Downed Russian military pilot Roman Filipov's story of personal valor in the fight against terrorists has generated a great deal of compassion from around the world, including from Steve Sola, a retired US Air Force crewman who wrote a letter to Russian media asking what he could do to help.

Former US Air Force Medic Tears Up Recalling Story of Russian Su-25 Hero (VIDEO)
https://sputniknews.com/world/201802081061480260-us-air-force-serviceman-appeal-to-su25-hero/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldn3a7ohjog (1:00 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0YdbLAbYcM (3:27 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfadMjor4j0 (15:02 min.)

Sola, a former aircrew medical technician, wrote a letter addressed to RT, saying that "as a former Enlisted Air Crew Member," he had "read Major Filipov's story with great interest and sorrow."

"If it is possible, is there an honest fund collecting contributions (of Money) for his Widow and Child?" he asked. The retired servicemen later explained to the network what had driven him to write his appeal.

"He knew what his chances were, and he knew what he had to do. And he knew he was never going to be captured. That's a decision he had to make," Sola said, visibly tearing up. "A very hard decision to make, but I salute him. He did what he had to do," he added.

"He knew what could happen to him. He [knew] what could happen to other troops, and what has happened to his comrades," the former serviceman stressed. "These are very important people to you, and you'd do most anything for them, even risk your life. He had to die like this, and I wonder if I would be brave enough to do what he did."

"He was a good man. I wish I knew him," Sola concluded.

RT has asked the Russian military about whether the kind of fund asked about by Sola was being set up, and is awaiting clarification.

Major Roman Filipov was buried in Voronezh Thursday in a memorial service attended by hundreds of people, including his family, colleagues, and former classmates, who gathered to pay their final respects to the military pilot, husband and father.

Filipov, shot down by terrorists armed with portable anti-air missiles on February 3 in Syria's Idlib province, blew himself up on the ground with a grenade as militants closed in, yelling "This is for our guys!" The pilot was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Russia, the country's highest award, granted for heroic feats of valor.

 

[angelburst29]

Five days after the downing of the Su-25 aircraft by jihadist rebels in Idlib, the Russian Aerospace Forces have switched to using their advanced Su-30 and Su-35 jets in Syria, a military source told Al-Masdar this afternoon.

Russian Air Force switches to their advanced jets after jihadist MANPAD attack
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-air-force-switches-advanced-jets-jihadist-manpad-attack/

According to the military source, due to the small number of Su-30 and Su-35 jets in Syria at the moment, the Russian Aerospace Forces have temporarily halted air operations above some parts of the Idlib Governorate.

The purpose of switching to the Su-30 and Su-35 jets is due to their ability to launch airstrikes from high altitudes, putting them out of range from the jihadist anti-aircraft missiles (MANPAD) in the Idlib and Hama governorates.

Most of the Su-30 and Su-35 jets were withdrawn from Syria after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the Hmaymim Military Airport in December; however, they are preparing to bring them back after the downing of the Su-25.

Below is a video from the pro-opposition STEP News Agency that shows the Su-30 in action in Idlib: (At site.)

The Syrian military released several photos on Wednesday showcasing the debris from the downed Israeli missiles that were targeting the Jamraya area of rural Damascus.

Syrian military showcases downed Israeli missiles in rural Damascus (photos)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-military-showcases-downed-israeli-missiles-rural-damascus-photos/

According to a Syrian military source, the debris from the Israeli missiles is believed to be from a standoff air-launched cruise missile.

Using Lebanese airspace, an Israeli jet is believed to have fired these cruise missiles towards the Jamraya research center, which is located near the Iranian base in rural Damascus. No casualties were reported by the Syrian military.

This attack by the Israeli military comes just three months after they targeted the same area in the Rif Dimashq Governorate.

The jihadist rebels launched a major counter-offensive in the Idlib Governorate, today, targeting the territory they recently lost to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) at the Abu Dhuhour front.

Syrian Army foils jihadist Abu Dhuhour offensive in rural Idlib
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-foils-jihadist-abu-dhuhour-offensive-rural-idlib/

Led by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Turkestan Islamic Party, the jihadist rebels began today’s attack by sending a suicide bomber towards the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) positions inside the small town of Tal Kalba.

However, the jihadist offensive at the Abu Dhuhour front would be short-lived, as the Syrian Arab Army was able to beat back the Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham offensive by the late afternoon hours on Wednesday.

Much of the Syrian Army’s defensive success, today, was due in large part to the Russian Navy’s powerful cruise missile strikes that battered the enemy forces near Abu Dhuhour city.

Russian Air Force unleashes powerful assault over Idlib
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-air-force-unleashes-powerful-assault-idlib/

US-led coalition warplanes have conducted ‘defensive’ airstrikes against Syrian pro-government forces in the east Syrian province of Deir Ezzor according to official American military sources.

US warplanes conduct ‘defensive’ bombing of Syrian Army in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-us-warplanes-conduct-defensive-bombing-syrian-army-deir-ezzor/

According to an official statement released by the Pentagon, US-led coalition airpower has conducted several ‘defensive’ strikes against Syrian pro-government forces in the province of Deir Ezzor after they launched ‘unprovoked’ attacks against allied Arab and Kurdish paramilitaries and foreign ‘advisors’ towards a ‘well-established headquarters.’

Other (early) sources say – in more detail – that the Syrian pro-government forces made a sudden move on the eastern shore of the Euphrates River, shelling US-backed forces positions at the towns of Khasham (which is meant to be under Syrian Army control) and Jadedat Akedat as well as the surroundings of the Koniko gas field.

The same sources go on to state that in retaliation, US-led forces bombed and shelled Syrian troops at the the towns of Al-Salhiyah and Hatleh with aircraft and rocket artillery.

No losses on the part of the Syrian Army and other pro-government forces has yet been reported.

On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, the US-led coalition attacked Syrian troops in the province of Deir Ezzor with airstrikes in response to what it claims was a threatening assault by pro-government forces aimed at taking territory from Kurdish and Arab partner militias.

Confirmed: Dozens of Syrian troops killed by US ‘defensive’ airstrikes in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/confirmed-dozens-syrian-troops-killed-us-defensive-airstrikes-deir-ezzor/

Initially it was reported by Reuters – claiming to cite a US military official – that the retaliation strikes killed over one hundred ‘pro-regime’ troops of a total force of 500 ranks backed by artillery and tanks.

Al-Masdar News – having contacted sources in the Syrian Army – can now confirm that some 25 pro-government troops belonging to the National Defense Forces (Syrian national paramilitary) were killed as a result of the airstrikes conducted by US-led coalition warplanes.

The US-led coalition insists that the retaliatory airstrikes were purely ‘defensive’ in nature and that it was only living up to its obligation to protect partner militias and foreign advisors involved in the so-called ‘defeat-Daesh (ISIS)’ campaign.

The United States has plans to divide Syria, Russia will discuss the issue with its American counterparts, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a master class session for the finalists of the Leaders of Russia contest on Wednesday.

Russia’s top diplomat believes US has plans to divide Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russias-top-diplomat-believes-us-plans-divide-syria/

“Looks like in Syria, the Americans have embarked on the course aimed at dividing the country,” the minister said. “Plans for the actual partition of Syria do exist, and we are aware of that. We will ask our American counterparts how they see all that.”

According to Russia’s top diplomat, the US gave up the assurances that the only purpose of its presence in Syria without an invitation from the legitimate government is to defeat the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia).

“Now they say that this presence will continue until they are convinced that a stable political settlement process, which will lead to a change of regime (of President Bashar al-Assad), has begun in Syria,” he pointed out.

“The fact that the United States is cozying up to various groups of Syrian society, which are countering the government, including with weapons in their hands, leads to very dangerous results,” Lavrov stressed.

The US military presence in Syria presents a serious challenge to the peace process and thwarts the protection of the country’s territorial integrity, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said Thursday, a day after the US-led coalition struck pro-Damascus forces.

US safe zone in Syria helps Daesh terrorists hide from gov’t forces – Russia
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-safe-zone-syria-helps-daesh-terrorists-hide-govt-forces-russia/

“A 55-kilometer zone unilaterally created by Americans around their military base near al-Tanf is being used by the scattered units of Daesh terrorists,” Zakharova said during the weekly briefing, stressing that the extremists have the opportunity to hide from the government forces in the area as well as regroup and prepare for new raids in the Syrian deserts.

She went on to underscore that the US presence remains “a serious challenge to the promotion of peace in Syria and the protection of its unity and territorial integrity.”

“Some influential external players are apparently not using the opportunities they have to promote a political settlement in Syria and facilitate the elimination of terrorists on Syrian soil.”

US Attack Against Pro-Government Syrian Militias - The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that the Syrian militiamen were carrying out an anti-Daesh operation near the Al-Isba oil refinery in Deir ez-Zor province when they were attacked by the US-led coalition’s aircraft.

“While carrying out the task, militiamen were subjected to sudden mortar shelling and artillery rocket fire; after that the helicopters of the US-led international coalition struck them,” the statement reads, saying that a total of 25 militiamen were killed in an aerial attack.

The Defense Ministry highlighted that the attack showcased that the real goal behind Washington’s “illegal military presence in Syria” is control over the country’s assets rather than defeating the terrorist group Daesh.

The US-led coalition has described the attack as a retaliation for an “unprovoked attack” by pro-government armed militias on the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), its allies in the region. A US official has said as many 500 militiamen were hit during what he described a coordinated attack against US allies.

The officials in Damascus have yet to comment on the attack. At the same time, Syrian state TV has slammed the incident as “new aggression” by the US and “an attempt to support terrorism.”

The pro-government Syrian militiamen have come under attack by the US-led coalition while they were conducting an operation against Daesh terrorists north of the city of Deir ez-Zor. The information about the incident contradicts US claims that the Syrian militias attacked Washington’s allies.

Russia raises questions about US attack on Syrian government forces
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-raises-questions-us-attack-syrian-government-forces/

Moscow is analyzing the information about the attack, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, stressing that the version from the American side raises a number of questions.

“First of all, how can a 500-strong unit attack a headquarters with the support of tanks and artillery and injure only one of the attackers?” Zakharova stressed during the weekly briefing on Thursday. “How could the people inside the headquarters be able to survive in these conditions for at least half an hour that is needed for aviation to arrive at the scene? How could a decision to open a massive fire to defeat the Syrian militiamen be made in such a short period of time?”

The ministry is collecting the information to clarify the situation, Zakharova added.

US Version of the Events - According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the incident occurred eight kilometers to the east of the demarcation line between the areas controlled by Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), allies of the US.
The US-led coalition has described the attack as retaliation for an “unprovoked attack” by pro-government armed militias on the headquarters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

“In defense of Coalition and partner forces, the Coalition conducted strikes against attacking forces to repel the act of aggression against partners engaged in the Global Coalition’s defeat-Daesh mission,” the statement reads, adding that the US-led coalition will continue its operation in the Middle Euphrates River Valley to eliminate Daesh forces.

ABC news reported later citing an unnamed US official that as many 500 militiamen were reportedly hit during what he described a coordinated attack against US allies. He added that 100 Syrian militiamen were killed as a result of the incident.

Russian MoD: US Seeks Control Over Syria’s Economic Assets - The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that one of the units of pro-government Syrian militia was carrying out a reconnaissance operation near the former Al-Isba oil refinery in Deir ez-Zor province when they were attacked by the US-led coalition’s aircraft.

“While carrying out the task, militiamen were subjected to sudden mortar shelling and artillery rocket fire; after that the helicopters of the US-led international coalition struck them,” the statement reads, saying that a total of 25 militiamen were wounded in the attack.

The ministry pointed out that the incident occurred because the operation of Syrian militiamen “was not coordinated with the command of the Russian task force,” adding that there are no Russian servicemen in that area of Deir ez-Zor. The militiamen launched the operation to deal with the attacks on the posts of the Syrian government forces by one of the Daesh cells in the area, the statement added.

The Defense Ministry highlighted that the attack on the militia showcased that the real goal behind Washington’s “illegal military presence in Syria” is control over the country’s economic assets rather than defeating the terrorist group Daesh.

Damascus: US-Coalition Strike is a War Crime - The Syrian Foreign Ministry has blasted the US-led alliance for the attack, urging the United Nations to bring the military bloc to account, according to the SANA news agency.

“This is a new act of aggression that constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity, shows the direct US support for terrorists who and is aimed against sovereignty and integrity of Syria,” SANA cited the Foreign Ministry as saying.

Earlier, Syrian state TV has slammed the incident as “new aggression” by the US and “an attempt to support terrorism.”

US Military Presence in Syria Remains a Challenge to Peace Process - The US military presence in Syria presents a serious challenge to the peace process and thwarts the protection of the country’s territorial integrity, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said Thursday.

“A 55-kilometer zone unilaterally created by Americans around their military base near al-Tanf is being used by the scattered units of Daesh terrorists,” Zakharova said during the weekly briefing, stressing that the extremists have the opportunity to hide from the government forces in the area as well as regroup and prepare for new raids in the Syrian deserts.

“Some influential external players are apparently not using the opportunities they have to promote a political settlement in Syria and facilitate the elimination of terrorists on Syrian soil.”

The US-led coalition of over 60 states has been conducting a military operation in Syria without the consent of the country’s government or UN approval.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry issued an official statement on Thursday, condemning the latest bombing conducted by the U.S. Coalition on the pro-government forces in Deir Ezzor.

Syrian gov’t issues official statement condemning Coalition bombing
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-govt-issues-official-statement-condemning-coalition-bombing/

“This new aggression, which constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity is directly in support of terrorism; it also reveals the disgusting nature of America’s intentions against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and people of Syria,” the statement began.

“The Syrian Foreign Ministry urges the international community to hold the so-called ‘International Coalition’ responsible for this latest massacre.
We hope this will compel them to stop their crimes and attacks that have killed and wounded thousands of people, including women, children, and the elderly, along with also destroying the public and private infrastructure of Syria,” the statement concluded.

The U.S. is not actively seeking war with the Syrian government forces, Dana White of the U.S. Defense Department Spokesperson stated on Thursday.

US not looking for war with Syrian government: Pentagon
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-not-looking-war-syrian-government-pentagon/

Furthermore, the Defense Department Spokesperson claimed that the U.S. military contacted the Russians in advance before launching their assault that killed several pro-government tribesmen.

“We had a very productive conversation … we told them [Russians], they knew what was happening. They agreed not to attack Coalition forces. So, from that respect it was successful,” White said.

White then went on to tweet: “Any action that takes away from our ongoing operations to #defeatISIS is a distraction.”

The issue of restoring contacts and ties between Syria and Turkey is not on Ankara’s agenda and such proposals are unrealistic, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Wednesday.

Turkey has no plans to restore ties with Syrian government
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-no-plans-restore-ties-syrian-government/

“We have no relations with the [Syrian] regime and there is no talk about contacts with it. Kilicdaroglu’s proposal does not look realistic within the framework of the political transition in Syria. We do not have this issue on our agenda,” Kalin told reporters.

The Turkish official added that the Syrian government was responsible for the truce breach in the de-escalation zone in Syria’s Idlib province.

On Sunday, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the largest Turkish opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), called on the Turkish authorities to restore contacts with the Syrian government to ensure the stabilization of the situation in the region amid Ankara’s ongoing military operation in northern Syria.

Turkey’s offensive in Syrian enclave of Afrin is aimed against Kurdish militias from People’s Protection Units (YPG), which are regarded as terrorists by Ankara, and elicited strong condemnation from Damascus as it was considered as an assault on Syria’s sovereignty.

Turkey and Syria severed diplomatic ties in 2012, soon after the beginning of the civil war and escalation of violence in Syria.

The government troops are fighting against opposition and terrorist movements, whereas Turkish troops in cooperation with opposition groups loyal to Ankara have also participated in a number of military operations in Syria, mostly against Kurdish militants, such as the ongoing Olive Branch operation in Afrin and the Euphrates Shield operation from August 2016 to March 2017.

 

[angelburst29]

Israeli Defense Forces have released footage reportedly showing the downing of an Iranian drone by an Israeli attack helicopter and the subsequent airstrike against alleged Iranian UAV control vehicle on Syrian soil.

WATCH Iranian Drone Shot Down by IDF, Israeli Retaliation 10.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802101061540758-drone-control-vehicle-israeli-attack/

The IDF claimed that an Iranian UAV violating Israeli airspace and was promptly shot down, motivating Israel to respond with an airstrike against targets in Syria.

Syrian air defense forces managed to score hits against several attacking Israeli warplanes and the IDF subsequently confirmed the loss of one of its F-16 jets, according to media reports.

Israeli Attacks on Targets in Syria in February 2018

On February 10, the Israeli army announced one of its helicopters had downed an Iranian drone and struck Iranian targets in Syria, prompting return fire from the Syrian air defense systems. As a result of the incident, one Israeli F-16 fighter jet came down with its pilots ejecting.

On February 7, Israeli military aircraft reportedly launched several missiles at a target located in the Damascus province of Syria in what has become the latest IDF attack on Syrian soil.

Tel Aviv and Damascus, which have never signed a peace treaty, have repeatedly exchanged tit-for-tat attacks, with the latest incident taking place in early January, when the Syrian government army thwarted three Israeli missile attacks on Damascus countryside. Syria reportedly warned the Israeli side about the risks posed by such attacks.

The Joint Operations Room run by the allied forces of Syria, Hezbollah, Iran and Russia, rejected claims that the drone downed by the Israeli forces earlier today was flying over the occupied territories, warning Tel Aviv of retaliatory response to any more aggression.

Joint Operations Room in Syria Rejects Israel's Claim about Iranian Drone Border Crossing Sat Feb 10, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961121001268

The Joint Operations Room announced in a statement on Saturday that the Israeli fighter jets targeted a drone base at T4 airbase in Eastern Homs in Central Syria, adding that the drones play an important role in collecting intelligence on terrorist groups, specially the ISIL, and cleansing Eastern Syria from militants.

"The enemy's claims that the drone has entered the airspace of occupied Palestine are sheer lies," it added.

"The Zionist regime and the occupier Americans play an important role in supporting the terrorist groups in Syria. The US occupiers still provide the ISIL needs and they transfer the ISIL terrorists from the Eastern banks of the Euphrates to their base in Tanf and their suspicious bases in Iraq," the statement said.

The Joint Operations Room stressed that "any new aggression by the Zionist regime will be responded crushingly and seriously", lauding the Syrian army's efforts to confront Israel's clear aggression.

Meantime, Lieutenant Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami also stated earlier today that Iran does not confirm any report by Tel Aviv, including its report on downing an Iranian drone, as Israel is the source of fake news.

"We don’t confirm any news by Israel. If the Syrians confirm, we will confirm too; because the Israelis are liars," General Salami said on Saturday when asked by reporters about Israeli officials' claim about downing an Iranian drone at the border between Syria and the territories occupied by Israel.

"We have no military presence in Syria and we are present in Syria for an advisory role and the presence of the Syrian army to defend their territories is adequate," he added.

Elsewhere, General Salami blasted the US deployment in Syria as "illegitimate", warning that the American forces should leave the region before sustaining a defeat.

A Syrian media outlet reported on Saturday that the country's Air Defense Units targeted an Israeli warplane after it raided the Syrian Army positions in the Central part of Syria.

The state-run SANA news agency quoted a field source as saying that Israeli warplanes embarked on targeting a military base of the Syrian Army in Central part of the country on Saturday morning, adding that the Syrian air defense units tracked the warplanes and targeted more then one of them.

In the meantime, an Israeli media source reported that one of the Israeli jets was downed in al-Jalil region in Northern occupied Palestine by the Syrian air defense units' fire in the occupied Golan region.

Also, the Arabic-website of Russia's Sputnik quoted Spokesman for the Israeli Army Avikhai Adra'ei as saying that the Syrian air defense units targeted an Israeli F16 fighter jet in Northern part of Palestine, adding that the downed warplane's pilots are alive and in good health condition.

The Israeli spokesman further claimed that an Iranian drone entered airspace of the occupied Palestine, but an Israeli combat helicopter targeted it. Iranian officials have rejected the claim.

In the meantime, other sources said that the two pilots of the down Israeli jet were injured and one of them is in critical condition.

Some sources reported that the badly inured pilot was wounded before ejecting form the warplane.

Damascus stressed on Thursday that the repeated Israeli attacks on Syria are a continuation of Israel’s aggressive approach represented by supporting terrorist groups to prolong the crisis in Syria and to raise the morale of the terrorists.

In a letter sent to the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council, Syria's Foreign Ministry stressed that the continuation of Israel’s attacks only serves to support terrorist groups and to prolong the crisis in Syria.

"The government of the Syrian Arab Republic reiterates its warning to Israel on the serious repercussions of its attacks on Syria, its continued support for armed terrorist organizations, and its continued occupation of the Arab territories, including the occupied Syrian Golan, and it holds Israel fully responsible for that,” it said.

It further went on to condemn the Tel Aviv regime's latest attack in which Israeli aircraft launched missiles from the Lebanese airspace on an area in Damascus countryside.

The letter noted that the attack coincides with "the launching of more than 1,000 rockets and mortar rounds during the past few days on neighborhoods, suburbs, diplomatic missions, service facilities, and churches in Damascus and other cities, where dozens of civilians were killed and hundreds others were wounded, most of them women and children."

The letter concluded by calling on the UN and the Security Council to condemn such actions and to take firm and immediate measures to halt those attacks.

Field sources in Damascus province said on Saturday that the Syrian Army's air defense units confronted the third wave of Israeli air raids in the Western part of Damascus province.

Third Round of Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Army Positions Reported
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961121001234

The sources said that air defense units repelled the third round of Israeli airstrikes on army positions in al-Dimas region, tracking and destroying the Israeli air-to-surface missile before hitting the target on the ground.

In the meantime, the AMN reported that the Israeli Air Force fired several missiles at a number of military points near the occupied Golan in Western Ghouta, adding that the Syrian forces tracked two of the fired missiles.

Meantime, the Israelis claim that they have halted the raids. "Our operation has been terminated," spokesman for the Israeli army announced a few minutes ago.

Also, Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv has called on Washington and Moscow to meddle and take control over the situation.

For the third time today, the Israeli Air Force has entered Syrian airspace to strike a military target in rural Damascus.

Israeli launches third attack over southwestern Damascus
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-israeli-launches-third-attack-southwestern-damascus/

According to a military source in Damascus, the Israeli Air Force fired several rockets towards the West Ghouta region, hitting many Syrian military sites near the occupied Golan Heights.

The source added that at least two Israeli rockets were intercepted by the Syrian Air Defense.

Several loud explosions can now be heard inside Damascus, as the Israeli attack against the Syrian military ensues.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has called to respect Syria's sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the countries in the Middle East following the aerial attacks of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against the targets in central Syria.

Moscow Concerned With Escalation of Tensions as Israel Attacks Syria
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802101061538778-moscow-syria-tensions-escalation/

"Moscow is deeply concerned with the latest developments and attacks on Syria. The danger of the escalation of tensions within and around the de-escalation zones, which have become an important factor in reducing violence in Syria is of particular concern," the Foreign Ministry said in a stetment posted on its website.

The statement adds that the Syrian government forces "are complying with the existing arrangements to provide the consistent functioning of the de-escalation zone in the south-west of the country."

"We urge all the involved parties to exercise restraint and avoid any steps that could lead to aggravation of the situation. We consider it necessary to unconditionally respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and other countries of the region."

The ministry also noted that the creation of threats in Syria, where the Russian military contingent is present, is unacceptable.

Israel: Iran & Syria Are 'Playing With Fire'

On Saturday, the IDF said eights Israeli fighter jets had hit 12 targets in Syria, including three air-defense squadrons and four Iranian military objects deployed in the country. On its way back home, jets came under the Syrian anti-aircraft fire and one of the Israeli F-16s crashed. Both pilots ejected and sustained injuries. It is still unknown whether the plane was actually hit by fire.

The air attack came after the IDF said their helicopter had downed an Iranian drone that crossed into the airspace of the disputed Golan Heights overnight on Saturday. The helicopter then crossed into the Syrian territory to destroy the command post that was used to control the drone, according to the IDF. The chopper was met with the Syrian artillery fire.

​Commenting on the Israeli attacks, IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus said that Syrians and Iranians were "playing with fire" as in his words Damascus allowed Tehran to carry out an attack through its territory. He also said that anyone attacking Israel will "pay the high price," but added that Tel Aviv was not looking for escalation in the region.

Syria: More Than One Israeli Jet Hit

Syrian news agency SANA, citing a military source, reported that the Israeli aircraft attacked the military targets of the Syrian army in the central part of the country.

The Syrian Defense Ministry has stated its air defenses responded to the aerial attacks successfully and struck more than one plane.

The Israeli enemy has once again attacked some of our military bases in the southern area and our air defenses responded and foiled the aggression," the statement on the ministry's website reads.

The Syrian state TV reported that a girl was injured when Israeli missiles struck near a school in a neighborhood in Damascus' countryside.

At the same time, the military denied that its drone violated the Iraeli airspace, saying it was on an ordinary mission.

Iran: Claims of Downed Drone 'Ridiculous'

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi lambasted the claims about the downed drone, denying the country's military presence in Syria.

"Reports of downing an Iranian drone flying over Israel and also Iran's involvement in attacking an Israeli jet are so ridiculous… Iran only provides military advice to Syria," TV quoted Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi as saying.

An Israeli Air Force jet came down in the country’s north, an army spokesperson told Sputnik on Saturday.

Israeli Jet Fighter Crashes in Country's North 10.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802101061531233-israeli-warplane-crashes/

"I can confirm that a plane crashed in northern Israel. We have no information about casualties," the spokesperson said. She did not comment on the cause of the crash.

An Israeli television channel reported that the crashed plane was an F-16 fighter jet. Earlier, the Israeli army announced that its helicopter downed an Iranian drone and struck at what the Israeli military claimed to be Iranian targets in Syria, prompting fire from the Syrian air defense systems.

Onlookers managed to record a video of what appears to be an Israeli combat pilot landing after ejecting from his doomed jet.

WATCH Downed Israeli Pilot Parachute to the Ground
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802101061538491-f16-pilot-emergency-landing/

Earlier on Saturday, Syrian air defense forces managed to score hits against several Israeli warplanes that attacked targets within Syria, according to local media reports.

The IDF claimed that the air raid was conducted in response to a Iranian UAV violating Israeli airspace, and admitted that one F-16I military aircraft had crashed in Israel’s north with both pilots safely ejecting.

The remnant of an Israeli rocket that was launched at dawn, was found in the Sarine village in the Bekaa, the National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon reported this afternoon.

Israeli rocket meant for Syria lands in eastern Lebanon 10/02/2018
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/israeli-rocket-meant-syria-lands-eastern-lebanon/

The Israeli rocket had landed in the town of Ali Nahri, which is located close to the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Prior to the rocket landing the Bekaa Valley, an Israeli attack was confronted by a large number of surface-to-air missiles on the border of the Eastern Mountain Range, near the Lebanese-Syrian border.

A Turkish military helicopter was shot down during Ankara's military offensive against Kurdish troops in northern Syria, Anadolu state news agency reported.

Turkish Military Helicopter Shot Down During Op in Syria's Afrin – Erdogan 10.02.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802101061539564-syria-turkish-helicopter-shot-down/

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the downing of the helicopter, according to Turkish media. "A little earlier, one of our helicopters was shot down," he told reporters, adding that those who are responsible for the incident would pay a "heavier price."

The president, however, did not specify who was responsible for the attack.

A Turkish military helicopter was shot down during Ankara's military offensive against Kurdish troops in northern Syria, Anadolu state news agency reported.

Afrin Op: Turkish Military Helicopter Shot Down Near Syrian Border, Two Dead
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201802101061539564-syria-turkish-helicopter-shot-down/

Two Turkish soldiers were killed in a crash of the military helicopter, the Turkish General Staff said on Saturday.

Kurdish paramilitary forces have shot down a Turkish military helicopter in the Afrin region of Syria according to both pro-Kurdish and official Turkish sources.

Kurdish forces shoot down Turkish military helicopter in Syria’s Afrin – Turkey confirms
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-kurdish-forces-shoot-turkish-military-helicopter-syrias-afrin-turkey-confirms/

Moments ago, Turkish military sources confirmed earlier reports put forth by pro-Kurdish sources that Kurdish paras had downed a Turkish military helicopter near the village of Qude in Afrin.