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

Reports claimed that two Israeli F-16 jets were challenged by Russian Sukhoi Su-34 jets over Lebanese airspace.
Израильский портал Hadashot news сообщает о перехвате и вытеснении из воздушного квадрата двух бортов F-16 ВВС Израиля российскими Су-34 (судя по фото, речь идёт о Су-30см, – прим. РВ).
Отметим также, что Су-34 применяется в качестве многофункционального бомбардировщика, а не для перехватов.

Translation
Israeli portal Hadashot news reports about the interception and displacement of the air square of the two of the F-16 Israeli air force by Russian su-34 ( judging by the photo, we are talking about su-30sm– notice RV.)
Note also that the su-34 is used as a multifunctional bomber, not for interceptions.
su-341.jpg

su-34_siriya_0.jpg

Истребители ВКС РФ впервые перехватили самолёты F-16 над Ливаном, — СМИ Израиля (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)
 
Mon May 28, 2018 - Russian FM: ISIL-Linked Terror Groups Seen in Syrian Al-Tanf Controlled by US

Monday 28 May 2018 - Russian jets 'intercept' Israeli planes over Lebanon: Reports
Russian jets 'intercept' Israeli planes over Lebanon: Reports

Israel's jets, long used to being unchallenged in Lebanese airspace, face off with Russia's despite a deconfliction mechanism in place.

Russian fighter jets intercepted Israeli warplanes over Lebanese airspace early on Monday morning, according to local outlets.

Reports claimed that two Israeli F-16 jets were challenged by Russian Sukhoi Su-34 jets over Lebanese airspace.

Israeli and Russian officials did not confirm the incident took place.

Videos circulated online showed Russian planes flying over Lebanon. The clips, however, did not show any Israeli jets.

The Russian jets may have been participating in a routine training exercise before intercepting the Israeli warplanes, according to Israeli newspaper Hadashot.

This latest episode marks the first time in months that Russian planes had entered Lebanese airspace from Syria, according to Al-Masdar news.

Israeli jets often fly over Lebanon conducting reconnaissance missions. Lebanon, which considers Israel an enemy state, often complains about its southern neighbour violating its airspace.

Israel in recent weeks has conducted air strikes on military bases in Syria thought to contain Iranian troops or fighters belonging to the Lebanese group Hezbollah. Iran and Hezbollah are fighting in Syria on the side of President Bashar al-Assad. Occasionally missiles used in such strikes are fired by Israeli jets from Lebanese airspace.

Last week, Israeli air force commander Amikam Norkin showed visiting air force officers a photograph of the F-35 stealth fighter flying over the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

Foreign policy circles are viewing the image as a tacit warning against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this month said Moscow would not limit Israel's operations in the region.

Both Russia and Israel set up a mechanism in September 2015 to avoid any misunderstanding in light of Moscow's heavy military presence inside Syria.

However, officials from both Moscow and Tel Aviv do not inform each other on their operational plans.

“Cooperating is not the right term. We do not coordinate [with Russia]. It’s about deconfliction and security measures, so they don’t harm us and we don’t harm them,” a senior officer told the Times of Israel.


South Front Published on May 28, 2018


 
Lebanon starts offshore oil and gas exploration, defying Israel

Looks like Russia identified the weakest point of Israeli aggression in the Middle-East. Izzies love to use Lebanese airspace for their Syrian airtrstrikes, so if representatives of the Russian Economic Alliance approach Jumblatt & Co. and tell them to explore oil & gas - "Go strong and prosper!" - , then Lebanon might become an official Russian ally, supplied with non-offensive air-defence systems and declared a No Fly Zone for Israel.. I can already see the reddening melon of Demonhead Bibi..
 
29/05/2018 - Exclusive: Syrian Army’s elite forces to head offensive along occupied Golan Heights border
Exclusive: Syrian Army's elite forces to head offensive along occupied Golan Heights border

A military source in Damascus informed Al-Masdar News tonight that one of the Syrian Arab Army’s most elite brigades is heading to the border to border of the occupied Golan Heights to lead the Al-Quneitra offensive.

According to the source, the 42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces) of the 4th Division have been given orders to redeploy to the Al-Quneitra Governorate, despite initially being tasked with retaking the Nassib Crossing in southern Dara’a.

The 42nd Brigade will be joined by the Palestinian paramilitary, Liwaa Al-Quds (var. Jerusalem Brigade), as they embark on their latest offensive objective in southern Syria.

The source added that the 39th and 40th brigades will remain in the town of Izra’a, where they are expected to launch the offensive to retake the Nassib Crossing in southern Dara’a.

Meanwhile, the elite Tiger Forces division is expected to head to the Dara’a Governorate in the coming weeks, as they are currently on leave after their Homs deployment.


30/05/2018 - Syrian Army strikes jihadist reinforcements near occupied Golan Heights
Syrian Army strikes jihadist reinforcements near occupied Golan Heights

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) carried out a powerful attack against a group of jihadist reinforcements that were attempting to reach the area around the occupied Golan Heights’ border.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Army struck the jihadist convoy as they were traveling along the road to the town of Al-Hamidiyah in rural Al-Quneitra.

Both the jihadist rebels and Syrian Army have been recently mobilizing their troops in Al-Quneitra, following the government’s announcement that they would be launching a large-scale offensive in southern Syria.

In the coming weeks, the Syrian Army is expected to kickoff this southern Syria offensive, which is geared to retake the territories controlled by the rebel forces in Dara’a and Al-Quneitra.


30/05/2018 - Breaking: Dozens of jihadists reportedly killed in central Quneitra
Breaking: Dozens of jihadists reportedly killed in central Quneitra

Dozens of jihadist rebels were reportedly killed in central Al-Quneitra, today, after a car bomb targeted one of their checkpoints.

According to the reports from Al-Quneitra, dozens of the jihadist rebels from Jabhat Ansar Al-Islam were killed when a car bomb was detonated at the Al-Furqan Checkpoint near the town of Bariqah.

No group has claimed responsibility for this attack.

Jabhat Ansar Al-Islam is considered one of the main forces that will attempt to defend the southern part of Al-Quneitra once the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) begins their offensive in the province.

Some pro-opposition activists have already begun blaming Syrian Army spies for the attack this evening.


30/05/2018 - Israeli warplanes continue to stalk Syrian border after last week’s attack
Israeli warplanes continue to stalk Syrian border after last week's attack

Israeli warplanes have continued their flights along the Syrian-Lebanese border amid fears from Damascus of another potential attack inside Syria.

According to a local report, the Israeli Air Force was seen flying over the southern Lebanese city of Marjeyoun before making their way to the Beqa’a Valley, where they purposely stalked the Syrian border region.

Israeli warplanes were also seen as far north as the Ba’albak region, which is not far from last week’s target at the Al-Daba’a Military Base in the Homs countryside.

While it is common for Israel to violate Lebanese airspace, they have recently intensified their flights over the country’s borders with Syria.

Typically, when Israel launches airstrikes inside Syria, they take the similar path they have flown these last few days along the border region.


30/05/2018 - Lavrov: Pullback of non-Syrian forces from border with Israel must be fast
Lavrov: Pullback of non-Syrian forces from border with Israel must be fast

All non-Syrian forces must be pulled back from the border with Israel in the south of Syria as soon as possible, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said while answering media questions at the international Primakov Readings Forum in Moscow on Tuesday.

“We have well-known agreements concerning the southwestern de-escalation zone,” he said. “Those agreements were concluded by Russia, the United States and Jordan. Israel was perfectly aware of them while they were still being drafted. They stipulate that the zone of de-escalation is expected to consolidate stability and that all non-Syrian forces must be pulled out of that area. I believe this must happen as soon as possible. This is precisely what we are busy with now in cooperation with our Jordanian and US counterparts.”

Russia, Jordan and the United States in July 2017 coordinated the establishment of a de-escalation zone, which included three southernmost provinces: Daraa, Quneitra and Suwayda. The situation there turned for the worse in recent months. As the Russian Foreign Ministry has said, in the area of Daraa the Syrian opposition and terrorist organizations outlawed in Russia – Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic State – enjoying support from the United States have been trying to create an autonomy, which may result in the country’s split.


30/05/2018 - Russian military police return to base in Chechnya after Syria mission
Russian military police return to base in Chechnya after Syria mission

An entire battalion of Russian military police returned from Syria to their base in Chechnya, the newspaper of the Russian Armed Forces Krasnaya Zvezda reported.

“From Syria, the military police unit returned to their place of permanent deployment in the Chechen Republic,” the report said.

The Russian military police did not suffer any personnel losses, the report continued.

According to the report, the battalion of Lieutenant-Colonel Ahmed Abdulmutalibov, who arrived at home, was involved in securing the safety of civilians during humanitarian actions and escorting convoys, creating a safety zone for mobile hospitals that were providing medical care to the local population, and serving in the de-escalation zone in Idlib.


30/05/2018 - Saudi Arabia is forming new force in Syria – report
Saudi Arabia is forming new force in Syria - report

Officials from the Saudi regime met with members of the predominately Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in northeastern Syria recently, Turkish state-owned Anadolu Agency reported on Tuesday.

According to the Anadolu report, three Saudi military consultants met with the YPG in the northeast Aleppo city of Kobani (var. ‘Ayn Al-‘Arab) last Friday.

The YPG and Saudi officials discussed forming a new force in Syria that would be funded by the Gulf kingdom.

The Anadolu report added that the Saudi officials setup communication checkpoints between Hasakah city and Al-Qamishli in order to recruit new fighters. These fighters are promised $200 if they join this new Arab force that is sponsored by Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has not issued any response to this latest allegation.


30/05/2018 - Large protests against forced conscription by US-backed forces continue in Raqqa
Large protests against forced conscription by US-backed forces continue in Raqqa

A large number of civilians continued their protests against forced conscription into the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the provincial capital of Raqqa.

Most of the protesters are Arab residents from Raqqa city who don’t want to serve in the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Below is a video of the protests that are taking place in Raqqa:

These protests were conducted on the same day that the predominately Arab Thuwar Raqqa Army and Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) clashed inside of Raqqa city over these forced conscription.


30/05/2018 - WATCH: ISIS ‘school’ for young terrorists uncovered in Syria’s Yarmouk Camp
WATCH: ISIS 'school' for young terrorists uncovered in Syria's Yarmouk Camp

The footage sheds light on the activities of Daesh terrorists at the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, which was liberated by the Syrian army last week.

Daesh* schools have been uncovered in the liberated Yarmouk refugee camp and the nearby Al-Hajar al-Aswad town.

A regular school was turned into a training center for young jihadists and fighters, where children were taught to handle weapons and inculcated with extremist ideas and a radical understanding of Islam.

Sputnik has captured the interior of the Al-Hajar al-Aswad school on camera. The writings on the wall have been painted black and replaced by terrorist slogans and postulates that were inculcated on children at the early theoretical training stage. After finishing their “education,” boys were taken to special boot camps for military training.

The footage shows that the school library has been burnt, while there’s only literature approved by Daesh terrorists remaining in the building.

Such “schools” have previously been uncovered in all formerly jihadist-controlled areas.

Earlier this May, the Syrian government forces completely liberated the southern outskirts of Damascus, including the Yarmouk camp, from terrorists. The Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, which had been established in 1957 near Damascus, used to be the terrorists’ stronghold since the early years of the Syrian civil war, which broke out in 2011. According to the spokesman of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the camp, which was once one of the most largest and most striving Palestine communities in the Middle East “is almost completely destroyed.”
 
May 31, 2018 - Highlights of RT’s interview with Bashar Assad — RT World News
Highlights of RT’s interview with Bashar Assad — RT World News

Washington and its “puppets” tried, and failed, to destroy Syria – and the US military will eventually be forced out of the country: These are a few of the highlights from RT’s exclusive interview with President Bashar Assad.

Speaking with RT’s Murad Gazdiev in Damascus, Assad commented on a range of topics, from the threat of direct conflict between the US and Russia, to why he doesn’t fear Israeli assassination threats.

On Victory: ‘It’s self-evident’ that Syria is ‘moving closer to the end of the conflict’
Assad noted that the “majority” of Syria is now under government control, but said that continued provocations and escalations by the United States and its allies have needlessly prolonged the seven-year conflict. With each Syrian military victory or successful reconciliation effort, the US and its partners have attempted to counteract these gains by “supporting more terrorism, bringing more terrorists to Syria, or by hindering the political process,” Assad said.

However, he stated that it was “self-evident” that “we are moving closer to the end of the conflict,” adding that “without external interference it won’t take more than a year to settle the situation in Syria.”

The Syrian leader said that whenever possible, his government has chosen negotiations and reconciliation over use of force.

“War is the worst choice but sometimes you only have this choice,” Assad told RT. “Factions like Al-Qaeda, like ISIS, like Al-Nusra, and the like-minded groups, they’re not ready for any dialogue… So, the only option to deal with those factions is force.”

He defended the government’s use of ceasefires and allowing extremists to withdraw to Idlib province, describing the agreements as strategically advantageous for the Syrian army. “If you have two or three frontiers, that’s better than having 10, maybe more than 100 at the time.”

“The United States is losing its cards. The main card was Al-Nusra, that was called ‘moderate,’ but when scandals started leaking that they’re not moderate, that they’re Al-Qaeda, which is supposed to be fought by the United States, they started looking for another card. This card is the SDF [Syrian Democratic Forces] now,” he said, referring to the US-backed militia group. According to Assad, once Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) and Al-Nusra are exterminated, the Syrian military will turn its attention on the SDF.

“We’re going to use two methods to deal with the SDF: The first one, we started opening doors for negotiations – because the majority of them are Syrians. And supposedly they like their country, they don’t like being puppets to any foreigners – that’s what we suppose.” Assad said that these commonly-shared values could allow reconciliation with the government. “We all don’t trust the Americans, [so] the one option is to live with each other as Syrians.” However, if negotiations fail, the Syrian army will be forced to liberate areas occupied by the SDF, with the Americans, or without the Americans.”

On this point Assad was adamant: “This is our land, it’s our right, it’s our duty. To liberate [these areas], and the Americans should leave. Somehow, they’re going to leave. They came to Iraq with no legal basis. And look what happened to them. They have to learn their lesson.”

On Russia: Moscow’s leadership prevented ‘direct conflict’ with US military
Syria’s president heaped praise on Moscow, claiming that Russian “wisdom” had prevented a direct conflict between Russian and American forces in Syria. “We were close to having direct conflict between the Russian forces and the American forces, and fortunately, it has been avoided, not by the wisdom of the American leadership, but by the wisdom of the Russian leadership.”

While Assad reiterated that the United States military was not welcome in Syria, he said that avoiding escalation was the key to restoring Syria’s territorial integrity. “We need the Russian support, but we need, at the same time to avoid the American foolishness in order to be able to stabilize our country.”

He emphasized that Russia has shown restraint – not weakness – in Syria, noting how Russian warnings had likely dissuaded Trump from launching a full-scale attack against Damascus.

“The Russians announced publicly that they are going to destroy the bases that are going to be used to launch missiles, and our information – we don’t have evidence, we only have information, and that information is credible information – that they were thinking about a comprehensive attack all over Syria, and that’s why the threat pushed the West to make it on a much smaller scale,” the Syrian president said.

On Israel: No longer phased by ‘threat of Israeli aggression,’ Tel Aviv in ‘panic’
Assad shrugged off Israeli threats against his own life, telling Gazdiev that “my generation – and most of the generations in Syria now – has lived under the threat of Israeli aggression. This is something in our unconscious feeling. So to say that you are afraid while living with the same threat for decades – this is nonsense.” He said that the fact that Tel Aviv has resorted to threats suggests that the Israelis are panicking.

“The Israelis have been assassinating, killing, occupying for decades now, for around seven decades, in this region, but usually they do all this without threatening. Now, why do they threaten in this way? This is panic, this is a kind of hysterical feeling because they are losing the ‘dear ones,’ the dear ones Al-Nusra and ISIS, that’s why Israel is panicking recently, and we understand their feeling.”

He said reports that Syria was helpless to stop Israeli airstrikes were inaccurate. “Our air defense is much stronger than before, thanks to the Russian support and the recent attacks by the Israelis and by the Americans and British and French proved that we are in a better situation” than at the start of the conflict seven years ago, he said. However, Assad noted that when foreign-backed fighters first poured into Syria, the first thing they did was target air defense systems – suggesting a “direct link” between the terrorists groups and Israel.

On chemical attacks: ‘Is it in our interest? Why? And why now?’
Syria’s president described the string of alleged chemical attacks as provocations that have ultimately failed to persuade the international community to give the US and its allies a military mandate in Syria.

Washington and its allies blamed the last such attack, in April, on Damascus, but Assad insisted that the Western narrative makes no sense.

“The timing of this alleged strike was after the victory of the Syrian troops in Ghouta. Let alone the fact that we don’t have chemical weapons anyway,” he told RT. Pointing to multiple reports of civilians and medical workers in the area having no knowledge of a chemical attack – with some even appearing in the Western press – Assad concluded that the alleged incident was a last-ditch Western attempt to sway international opinion – one that failed.

“They told a story, they told a lie, and the public opinion around the world and in the West didn’t buy their story, but they couldn’t withdraw. So, they had to do something, even on a smaller scale,” Assad said, referring to the joint airstrikes against purported Syrian chemical weapons facilities, carried out on April 14 by the US, UK, and France.

However, Assad acknowledged that nothing was stopping Washington from attempting similar provocations in the future. The US has “trampled on international law,” and “there’s no guarantee that it won’t happen [again].”

Assad asked: “What was the legal basis of [the April missile] attack? [Or] the so-called anti-terrorist alliance, which supports the terrorists, actually? What is the legal basis of their attack on Yemen, Afghanistan? There’s no legal basis.”

On Trump: ‘What you say is what you are’
Asked if he had a nickname for US President Donald Trump, who had previously called Assad an “animal,” Syria’s leader admitted that he wasn’t in the business of name-calling.

“This is not my language, so, I cannot use similar language. This is his language. It represents him,” he said. “I think there is a very well known principle, that what you say is what you are. So, he wanted to represent what he is, and that’s normal,” Assad added.

“The only thing that moves you is what people that you trust, people who are level-headed, people who are thoughtful, people who are moral, ethical, that’s what should move anything inside you, whether positive or negative. Somebody like Trump will move nothing for me,” he said.

On the myth of Syria’s ‘civil’ war: It was foreign-backed regime change
Assad disputed claims that the seven-year conflict has been a “civil war,” pointing out that there is no sectarian or ethnic conflicts in the areas currently controlled by the government. “Now in Damascus, in Aleppo, in Homs, in every area under Syrian government control, you will see [the whole] spectrum of Syrian society. With no exceptions.”

He noted that the term ‘civil war’ had been used widely since the beginning of the conflict in Syria – but it does not correctly characterize the conflict.

“A Syrian civil war means there are lines based either on ethnicities or sects or religion. Or maybe political opinion. In reality, in the areas in direct control by the government, which is now the majority of Syria, you have all this diversity,” Assad said. “So the word civil war is not correct. What we have actually, from the very beginning – mercenaries, Syrians and foreigners being paid by the West in order to topple the government. This is the mere reality. Everything else is just a mask to cover the real intentions.”

'Russia-US direct conflict in Syria was close, but avoided' – Assad to RT (EXCLUSIVE)
(28:22 min.)



31/05/2018 - Russian, Israeli defense ministers hold important meeting on southern Syria
Russian, Israeli defense ministers hold important meeting on southern Syria

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the situation around the Syrian-Jordanian border.

Shoigu noted that the ministers had a number of questions to discuss, including “the issues regarding the border, the south de-escalation zone on which we have an agreement with Jordan and the USA.”

At the moment, the control of the border area close to Jordan and Israel is shared between Syrian government forces and different militant groups.


31/05/2018 - Putin, Netanyahu discuss Syrian settlement
Putin, Netanyahu discuss Syrian settlement

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the potential of a permanent Syrian settlement during a phone conversation on Thursday, the Kremlin press service reported.

“A telephone conversation took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. In continuation of the talks held on May 9 in Moscow, some aspects of the Syrian settlement and topical issues of the bilateral agenda were discussed,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman reportedly traveled to Moscow, today, to meet with his Russian counterpart to discuss the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) upcoming offensive in southern Syria.

The two defense ministers reportedly agreed that Iran needs to move its forces out of southern Syria and must take part in the upcoming offensive.


31/05/2018 - Erdogan to meet with Russian President’s Special Representative for Syria
Erdogan to meet with Russian President's Special Representative for Syria

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will meet in Ankara on Thursday with the Russian President’s special representative for the Syrian settlement Alexander Lavrentiev, RIA Novosti reported.

The meeting is scheduled for 14.00 Moscow time. It is noted that it will take place in a closed mode for the press.

As the Russian Foreign Ministry reported earlier, last week Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin visited Damascus and Ankara as part of the Russian interdepartmental delegation.

In Damascus, they met with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. In Ankara, they held detailed consultations with the adviser and press secretary of the Turkish President Ibrahim Kalyn and the Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal.

As the press service of the Kremlin reported on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Syria by telephone with Erdogan, the leaders stressed the importance of a political settlement.


31/05/2018 - Syrian Army’s elite forces arrive in Al-Quneitra, offensive may begin in 48 hours
Syrian Army's elite forces arrive in Al-Quneitra, offensive may begin in 48 hours

The 42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces) of the 4th Division has officially arrived in the Al-Quneitra Governorate to lead the upcoming offensive against the jihadist and Islamist rebels inside the province.

According to a source from the Ghiath Forces, they arrived alongside their allies from Liwaa Al-Quds (Palestinian paramilitary) in the northern part of the Al-Quneitra Governorate on Thursday.

The Ghiath Forces were also joined by their commander Colonel Ghiath Dallah, who will also be leading this operation in the Al-Quneitra Governorate.

Both the Ghiath Forces and Liwaa Al-Quds will attack one axis together, while an entire Republican Guard Brigade will operate along a different axis inside the province.

The source from the Ghiath Forces told Al-Masdar that the operation may begin in the next 48 hours.


31/05/2018 - US-backed forces respond to Assad’s threats
US-backed forces respond to Assad's threats

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) responded to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad’s threats regarding a potential military operation to expel them from eastern and northern Syria.

Military intervention is “not a solution that can lead to results,” SDF spokesperson Kino Gabriel told Reuters News Agency on Thursday.

“Any military solution, as far as the SDF is concerned, will lead to more losses and destruction and difficulties for the Syrian people,” Kino added. During an interview with Russia Today on Wednesday, Assad stated that he would not hesitate to retake the land controlled by the US-backed forces. “The only problem left in Syria is the SDF,” Assad said.


31/05/2018 - Syrian opposition leader demands Iran leave Syria
Syrian opposition leader demands Iran leave Syria

Speaking in Brussels, Nasr Hariri, the head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission in the Geneva peace talks format, urged the West to find ways to limit Iranian influence in Syria.

“The role of Iran is getting bigger and bigger, at the expense of our people,” Hariri said. “So we are supporting any international mechanism that could limit the influence of Iran in the region in general, and in our country in particular,” he added.

Hariri lead a delegation of Syrian armed opposition representatives for talks with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders on Thursday to discuss the situation in war-torn country.

The negotiator claims that there are up to 100,000 Iranian or Iran-affiliated fighters in Syria. “While Iran and Iranian militias are present in our country, there will not be a political, negotiated solution. There will not be a solution while these foreign partners are there. We are looking for ways to force Iran out of Syria,” the envoy stressed.

Hariri also dismissed the idea that Damascus has all but won its war against a collection of domestic and foreign-backed rebels and Islamist militias. “The rumor that the regime has won the war are not true. Based on the current situation, the regime cannot claim any stable victory,” he insisted.

Earlier in the day, Syrian President Bashar Assad told Russian media that Washington had “lost its cards” in Syria and called on the Americans to leave. “They came to Iraq with no legal basis, and look what happened to them. They have to learn their lesson. Iraq is no exception. Syria is no exception. People will not accept foreigners in this region anymore,” Assad said.

Hariri’s remarks come amid intense Israeli diplomatic and military efforts against what Tel Aviv claims is a growing Iranian military presence in Syria, including a campaign of air strikes against suspected Iranian bases. Tehran, for its part, has denied the claims, and said that its military presence in the country is limited to military advisors to help Damascus in its war against the terrorists. Israel’s latest attack took place on May 10. On Thursday, President Assad noted that while dozens of Syrian troops died in that attack, there was “not a single Iranian casualty.”

Damascus has repeatedly stated that the presence of Russian, Iranian and other allied forces in the country is legitimate, since they are in the country on the invitation of the Syrian government. The same cannot be said for the US-coalition’s presence, nor that of Israel.

The Western-supported Geneva peace talks format is one of several introduced in the course of the Syrian civil conflict. Another is the Russian, Turkish and Iranian-sponsored Astana format, which led to the establishment of de-escalation zones in 2017.


31/05/2018 - Turkish-backed rebels score direct hit on Syrian Army troops in northern Latakia (video)
Turkish-backed rebels score direct hit on Syrian Army troops in northern Latakia (video)

The Turkish-backed rebels of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) scored a direct hit on a group of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldiers that were traveling in the northern countryside of the Latakia Governorate today.

Based on the footage released by pro-opposition activists, the Free Syrian Army’s 2nd Coastal Division scored a direct hit on the group of Syrian Army soldiers while using an anti-tank guided missile near the village of Al-Ziyarah in the Turkmen Mountains.

As a result of this attack, at least four Syrian Army soldiers were reported dead.

The Free Syrian Army and their jihadist allies have become recently more aggressive in northern Latakia, following the entrance of the Turkish Army in the Kurdish Mountains.

30846962_2386708938222113_3550886520028135424_n.jpg

Turkish-backed rebels score direct hit on Syrian Army troops in northern Latakia...

31/05/2018 - Russian forces uncover underground jihadist HQ filled with UN supplies in northern Homs (videos)
Russian forces uncover underground jihadist HQ filled with UN supplies in northern Homs (videos)

The Russian military police uncovered a large underground jihadist base while combing through several towns in the northern countryside of Homs.

According to a report from northern Homs, the Russian military discovered this base inside the town of Tallaf, which was one of the towns shared by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Inside the underground base was an operations room for military strategy, a medical warehouse filled with UN-supplied medicine, and a field hospital.

Below are two videos of this uncovered base:
 
U.S. 'Surprisingly' Finds That Al-Qaeda In Syria Renamed To Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Updates Terrorist Groups List
01.06.2018
Snip:
The US State Department has formally designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and and its aliases as part of the al-Qaeda branch in Syria – Jabhat al-Nusra (al-Nusra Front).

The State Department announced its decision on May 31, 2018, over a year after Jabhat al-Nusra once again its name branding itself as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was formed in Syria on January 28, 2017 by Jabhat Fateh al-Sham and its allies. In turn, Jabhat Fatah al-Sham was a brand used by Jabhat al-Nusra from July 2016 to January 2017. Jabhat al-Nusra particiapted in the final phases of the battle for the city of Aleppo in 2016 using this very brand. The mainstream media willingly ussed the Jabhat al-Nsura rebranding to claim that the Syrian Army and its allies were battling the so-called “moderate opposition” in the city.

Now, when Jabhat al-Nusra has lost most of its influence across the country, Washington has decided to accept the reality and to designate new brands of Jabhat al-Nusra as a terrorist group.

Screenshot_1-1-768x491.jpg

More about Jabhat al-Nusra, its role in the Syrian conflict and re-branding efforts.

Russian Warplanes Reportedly Hit Targets In Idlib After Militants Attacked Government Troops In Northern Latakia
01.06.2018

الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء
Published on May 31, 2018
The competent authorities receive arms and ammunition from the armed men in Talbessa, rural Homs

الفيديو الكامل لمقابلة الرئيس الأسد مع قناة روسيا اليوم
[SIZE=4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKZi4QN7c-k[/SIZE]
الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء
Published on May 31, 2018

Did Russia agree with Israel to keep Iran away from Syria border?
May 28, 2018

From Syria's frontline with Israel: Will Islamists be defeated?
/ 5:53 May 31 2018 Israel -:pinocchio:
 
Saturday 2 June 2018 - Iran says it supports Russian efforts to bring south Syria under army control
Iran says it supports Russian efforts to bring south Syria under army control

Iran supports a Russian-led effort to impose Syrian government control over the south of Syria, a senior Iranian security official was cited as saying on Saturday, amid reports that Damascus is preparing a major military offensive in the area.

Russia said last week that only Syrian army troops should be on the country's southern border with Jordan and Israel.

Syrian government forces, in their strongest position since the early months of the seven-year conflict, have driven rebels out of all territory near the capital Damascus this year.

For weeks there have been reports that the government's next target would be the zone in the south, one of only two large areas left in the hands of fighters seeking to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

Washington says any offensive in the area would violate a ceasefire it has jointly sponsored with Moscow for that part of Syria, and has warned it would take "firm measures" in response.

Rebels control stretches of southwest Syria, bordering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, while Syrian army troops and allied Iran-backed militias hold nearby territory.

"We strongly support Russian efforts to drive terrorists out of the Syria-Jordan border and to bring the area under Syrian army control," the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, told the Shargh Daily.

He also repeated Tehran's denial that it has military advisers in that part of Syria. Israel says Iranians are operating in the area near its border and has called for Moscow to keep Iranian forces and their allies away from the frontier.

"We have said before that Iranian military advisers are not present in southern Syria and have not participated in recent operations," Shamkhani said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Thursday discussed the so-called de-escalation zone in southern Syria, where the United States and Russia sponsor a truce, with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Moscow.


2018-06-03 - Syrian tribes hold meeting against US presence in Syria, new military force formed to kick out foreign troops
Syrian tribes hold meeting against US presence in Syria, new military force formed to kick out foreign troops

A conference between the 70 tribes of Aleppo, Al-Raqqa, and Al-Hasakah was held in government-held city of Deir Hafer in eastern Aleppo on Saturday.

The name of the meeting was called “Syrian tribes against foreign intervention and the American presence on Syrian soil.”

The tribal leaders announced the formation of a popular resistance unit that will fight alongside the Syrian Arab Army in a bid to liberate all Syrian lands and all foreign forces in Syria.

According to a military source, the new force will make a direct move against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and U.S. armed forces in eastern Syria.


2018-06-02 - All pro-government militias to be discontinued after southern Syria offensive: source
All pro-government militias to be discontinued after southern Syria offensive: source

All pro-government militias and paramilitaries in Syria will be discontinued after the upcoming offensives in the Dara’a and Al-Quneitra Governorate, a military source told Al-Masdar News this evening.

According to the source, all militias and paramilitaries will be discontinued and their fighters will be reenlisted in the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), unless they have already fulfilled their military duty.

Of these paramilitaries and militias that will be discontinued, these were the groups named by the source:
  • National Defense Forces (NDF)
  • Syrian Marines
  • Military Shield Forces
With the discontinuation of these groups, only the Syrian military and federal police will be armed inside the country.


2018-06-01 - Satellite images show US expanded Tanf base as battle for Syria’s south looms
Satellite images show US expanded Tanf base as battle for Syria's south looms

The US military has reportedly expanded its base in Tanf area as the Syrian government forces amass more troops for final battle in Daraa province.

Recently-published satellite images show several buildings and barricades have been added to the base during the past three months, as well as heavy military equipment including at least 30 technical vehicles.

According to latest reports, the US military shall hand over the Tanf base to the Syrian forces under the Daraa offensive expected to be launched an moment, in exchange, Russian guarantees that no attacks will be waged by the Syrian Army against the US-backed forces in eastern Syria.

Meanwhile, more reinforcements pour into the southern battleground of Daraa for the upcoming major offensive.


2018-06-01 - Israel conducts mock raids along Syrian-Lebanese border
Israel conducts mock raids along Syrian-Lebanese border

The Israeli Air Force conducted mock raids along the Syrian-Lebanese border last night, a military source told Al-Masdar from Damascus.

According to the source, the Israeli jet flew over the southern Lebanese town of Marjeyoun before making its way to the Beqa’a Valley near the Syrian border.

These mock raids by the Israeli Air Force mark the third time in the last 72 hours that they have conducted these flights over the Syrian-Lebanese border.

The Israeli Air Force typically takes this flight path to bomb western Syria, so the Syrian Air Defense is often on high alert once these warplanes are spotted.


2018-06-02 - US airstrikes massacre more civilians in eastern Syria
US airstrikes massacre more civilians in eastern Syria

At least 20 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in airstrikes conducted by US coalition during the past 24 hours against targets presumably belong to Islamic State in eastern Syria.

The town of Hadaj located in the southern countryside of Hasakah has come under attack by US warplanes that hit houses and farms, killing at least 12 civilians including 2 women and 7 children.

Death toll will more likely rise as many victims are still buried under rubbles.

Hours later, a US airstrike on Baghuz fouqani town in east Deir Ezzor countryside killed 8 civilians, including 3 children.

Thousands of civilians, stuck in ISIS-held areas, are vulnerable to massacres by aerial bombardment as long as the US coalition continues to indiscriminately pound ISIS-controlled areas without previously providing a safe exit for civilians.


Sat Jun 02, 2018 - Popular Uprising against Turkish Army, Allies Reported in Northern Syria
Farsnews

Over 500 civilians in Jarabulus embarked on demonstrating against the Turkish troops and their militant allies after Friday Prayers and called for expulsion of gunmen of the Ankara-led Euphrates Shield from their region.

A number of protestors hoisted the Syrian government's flag in the town and called for reestablishment of Syria's legal institution.

In some areas the protestors embarked on closing off roads and main streets in the region.

The demonstration came after seven civilians were killed and wounded in a fresh infighting between Ahrar al-Sham terrorists and Liwa al-Shomal affiliated to the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Popular uprising against Ankara forces were previously reported in the towns of al-Bab and al-Ra'ei in Northeastern Aleppo.

In a similar development last month, a sum of 100 people in the village of Kouran near Jandaris, which is the second large town in Afrin region, gathered in front of a base of the Turkish troops, opposing occupation of their region by Ankara forces.

The protestors called for expulsion of Ahrar al-Sham terrorists, affiliated to the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army, from their region.

The Ankara-backed militants have been looting or stealing the villagers' assets.

Also, people in the town al-Bab in Northern Aleppo staged vast demonstrations against the Turkish army and its allies at the time.
 
In first, Israel participates in major NATO exercise near Russia
Jun 03, 2018 10:17 PM
https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-mallory-you-don-t-show-up-to-somebody-s-home-and-throw-them-out-1.6137993
18,000 soldiers from 19 countries are participating in Saber Strike 18 drill in NATO's eastern flank as Russia's military maneuvers are increasingly worrying nearby NATO members
A major U.S.-led military exercise with 18,000 soldiers from 19 primarily NATO countries has kicked off in the alliance's eastern flank involving Poland and the three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. The U.S. Army Europe said Sunday the Saber Strike 18 drill is spread around the region until June 15 as "a demonstration of the commitment and solidarity of the Alliance" at the time when Russia's military maneuvers are increasingly worrying nearby NATO members.

It stressed, however, that Saber Strike "is not a provocation of Russia."
NATO has deployed some 6,000 troops in the Baltics and Poland.

Lithuania's defense ministry also announced the start of the country's largest-ever national drill, "Thunder Storm," with some 9,000 troops.
Non-NATO member Israel will be taking part in Saber Strike for the first time. Several dozen Israeli paratroopers are being sent to Eastern Europe to take part in the exercise. Until now it has been one huge exercise but this year it was decided to split it into two different scenarios; one scenario is a large exercise of 18,000 fighters from many countries, while the second, in which Israel will take part, will have a more limited number of troops. During the exercise the fighters will be trained in combat in several countries, contend with airstrikes by foreign forces, and cross bridges and rivers.

The other armed forces participating in the exercise are from United States, Britain, France, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Macedonia, Poland, Spain, Romania, Norway, the Czech Republic, Romania and NATO.

Russian Military Police Established New Observation Posts In Homs and Hams
03.06.2018

https://southfront.org/russian-military-police-established-new-observation-posts-in-homs-and-hama/
On June 3, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria announced in an official statement that the Russian Military Police had established observation posts in the newly liberated towns of Rastan, Kafer-Laha, Talbiseh, Zaafarana, Kharet-Tukman and Qasiri-Qarabesi in the northern Homs countryside and the southern Hama countryside.

The establishment of these Russian observation posts is a part of the reconciliation agreement, which was reached on May 2. Under the agreement, the Russian Military Police is supposed to stay in the northern Homs countryside and the southern Hama countryside for at least 6 months.

In a related development, the pro-government blog al-Masdar News reported that the Homs-Hama highway will be reopened for civilian traffic next week. The reopening of the this strategic highway was among the main points in the reconciliation agreement.

According to Syrian pro-government activists, the reconciliation agreement allowed thousands of militants to drop their weapons and return to their civilian life, so far. Moreover, the northern Homs countryside and the southern Hama countryside are also witnessing calm for the first time in seven years.

Anna News Published on Jun 3, 2018 / 7:03

More Than 70 Syrian Tribes Hold Conference Against US Intervention
03.06.2018
https://southfront.org/more-than-70-syrian-tribes-hold-conference-against-us-intervention/
Leaders of more than 70 Syrian Arab tribes held a conference in the town of Deir Hafer against “foreign and American” intervention in Syria on June 2, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

During the conference, the tribes’ leaders pointed out that the sons of Arab tribes should be on the side of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and should participate in any effort against the forces of Turkey, France or the US on the Syrian territory.

The tribes’ leaders also condemned US President Donald Trump plan to replace US troops in Syria with forces from Arab countries.
f02296f8f4aaa1d1f4e32e0e93c60a70.png

View Original By SANA
In the end of the conference, the Syrian tribes released a statement, in which they stressed their rejection for any foreign military presence in Syria not approved by the Damascus government or cooordinated with it.

According to local sources, the SDF’s security force (Asayish) detained dozens of tribal leaders and Arab public figures who were on their way to attend the conference in Deir Hafer, two days ago. Syrian pro-government activists viewed this incident as clear attempt to sabotage the conference.

Local observers believe that the Deir Hafer conference will increase the public pressure on the Kurdish-dominated SDF, which is already facing great tensions with the Arab population in its areas.

Russia Insight Published on Jun 3, 2018 / 3:51


 
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2018-06-03 - Syrian President expresses interest in visiting North Korea
Syrian President expresses interest in visiting North Korea

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad expressed interest in making an official visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Rodong Sinmun reported this weekend.

According to the North Korean publication, Assad expressed interest in visiting the DPRK after receiving the diplomatic credentials of the North Korean envoy to Syria on May 30th.

The last Syrian leader to visit North Korea was Hafezh Al-Assad; his son Bashar has yet to make the trip.

North Korea and Syria enjoy warm diplomatic ties, which initially began under the leadership of Hafezh Al-Assad and Kim Jung Il.


2018-06-03 - Syrian FM demands US forces withdrawal from southern Syria
Syrian FM demands US forces withdrawal from southern Syria

The Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Mu’allem stated on Saturday that the U.S. should immediately withdrawal from the Al-Tanf region of southeastern Homs.

Mu’allem specifically stated that Damascus will not accept anything but the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from all Syrian territories.

Furthermore, Mu’allem said that no agreement has been made between the Syrian government and U.S. forces, adding that all statements claiming so are false.

“You should not believe the statements made about the agreement on Syria’s south as long as the US forces have not withdrawn from al-Tanf,” he said.

The U.S. has controlled the Al-Tanf region since their operation in early 2016.


Sun Jun 03, 2018 - More Civilians Killed, Wounded in US Air Raids in Northeastern Syria
Farsnews

The US-led coalition air raid on residential areas in Hasaka province left a number of civilians dead or wounded on Sunday.

The warplanes pounded the village of Hadaj Qarbi in Southeastern Hasaka, killing two members of a family and wounding the other members.


2018-06-03 - Iranian advisers went to Syria at the request of Damascus – military spox.
Breaking: Iranian advisers went to Syria at the request of Damascus - military spox.

The Spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri, told reporters on Sunday that Iran’s military advisers went to Syria at the request of the government in Damascus.

“Iranian advisers only went to Syria at the request of the legitimate government,” the Spokesperson stated this afternoon.

“Iranian-Syrian relations are deep and strategic; they are not affected by lies,” he continued.

The Spokesperson would then touch on the topic of Israel, adding that Hezbollah is always at their border and there is nothing they can do to change that.


2018-06-03 - Massive explosion rocks east Aleppo airbase overnight, military denies Israeli airstrikes
Massive explosion rocks east Aleppo airbase overnight, military denies Israeli airstrikes

A massive explosion rocked the eastern countryside of the Aleppo Governorate last night, a military source told Al-Masdar News this morning.

According to the source, a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) ammo depot inside the Jirah Airbase caught on fire, resulting in a series of explosions that could be heard from the provincial capital. At least two soldiers were killed as a result of the explosions, the source added.

While some pro-opposition accounts claimed that the explosions were a result of Israeli airstrikes, the Syrian military denied any attack on the Jirah Airbase.

The fire inside the ammo depot was believed to have started as a result of the warm temperatures in eastern Aleppo recently.


2018-06-03 - Syrian military uncovers militant explosives workshop with Saudi-made chemicals
Syrian military uncovers militant explosives workshop with Saudi-made chemicals

During their demining operation in southern Damascus on Sunday, the Syrian military uncovered a large explosives workshop that was once used by the militant groups.

According to a report from the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the Syrian military was combing through a neighborhood in the town of Beit Sahm, when their troops uncovered the explosives workshop.

The explosives workshop had chemical materials that were made in Saudi Arabia, the SANA report added.

At the same time, a one kilometer long tunnel was uncovered inside southern Damascus, as the Syrian military was moving through more areas.

The tunnel was reportedly used to transport supplies from one rebel-held area to another.


2018-06-03 - BREAKING: Russian warplanes respond to rebel violations in northern Latakia
BREAKING: Russian warplanes respond to rebel violations in northern Latakia

Positions for the jihadi groups stationed in northern Latakia countryside have come under air attack after militants repeatedly violated the de-escalation zone agreement.

For first time in months, Russian warplanes conducted several airstrikes targeting headquarters, gatherings and fortifications for Nusra as well other rebel groups in Kurd Mountain region.

The aerial bombardment comes after militants struck Syrian Army positions with artillery and ATGMs, killing and injuring scores of troops, and destroying vehicles.

Rebels’ reckless assaults stand as blatant violations for the de-escalation zones agreed on by the three guarantor states; Turkey, Iran and Russian in Astana peace talks.


2018-06-03 - Large number of rebels settle their cases with government and return to civilian life
Large number of rebels settle their cases with government and return to civilian life

A large number of rebels settled their legal status in southern Damascucs this weekend in order to return to civilian life, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

SANA reporter said that committees from the competent authorities on Sunday settled the legal status of several former rebels from the town of Yalda after they turned themselves into the authorities.

As part of the deal, the rebels were supposed to hand over their weapons and pledge not to carry out any act that could harm the security inside the country.

The officer supervising the settlement process told SANA that settling the legal status of the gunmen who wanted to stay in their homes in Yalda, Babila and Beit Sahm is ongoing.

He pointed out that those who had their legal status settled handed over automatic rifles, RPG launchers, sniper rifles and various munitions to the authorities.


Sun Jun 03, 2018 - Syrian General: US May Use Terrorists in Fresh Offensive to Take Palmyra
Farsnews

Syrian military strategist and Major General (ret.) Muhammad Abbas warned that the US is seeking to seize control of Syria's border with Iraq to cut off ties between the two countries.

For this purpose, Abbas told Sputnik, clashes are being provoked between al-Tanf, Homs province, where the US has a base, and the Eastern part of Sweida province in Syria's South.

"The US is working to continue the war in Syria. It's quite possible that Palmyra can again become the target for an attack. Because the seizure of Palmyra would shake the stability and security that the Syrian government has provided there over the last two years," Abbas said.

According to the retired officer, "the Americans continue to support various armed groups implementing their plans in the region. All of them are connected in one way or another to the American military company Blackwater (Academy), and represent the 'alternative Syrian Army'," Abbas added.

Abbas suggested that the recent spate of attacks in Southeast Deir Ezzur, near the Russian base at Humeimim, and at the T2 and T3 Pumping stations are all signs that US-backed jihadists "are ready to open a new front both in the South of Syria in the direction of Dara'a and in the North toward Idlib."

As for Palmyra, the town carries a special strategic and symbolic significance, the officer stressed. "If it is seized, this would have a major resonance. At the moment there is an opportunity for them to carry out this operation, because the US has forces at al-Tanf, in Rukban, and in areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces on the Western bank of the Euphrates River."

The officer warned that the US could assist its allies by creating electromagnetic jamming to conceal their movement, making it impossible for large troop concentrations to be picked up by Syrian forces and their allies. "In addition, they can use cloud cover and dust storms for this purpose. We need to keep all these factors in mind in order to track such movements in time," Abbas said.

Last week, a Syrian military source told masddar news that ISIL launched a major offensive East of the T-3 Pumping Station to the East of Palmyra. 26 Syrian troops were reportedly killed in the terrorist assault. The Syrian Army has deployed additional forces to Deir Ezzur province to head off any possible attack.

ISIL seized Palmyra in May 2015 and then again in December 2016 in its tug-of-war battle for the town against Syrian government troops supported by Russian airpower. During their occupation of the ancient town, the jihadists destroyed dozens of artefacts and entire sections of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Sun Jun 03, 2018 - Popular Uprising against Turkish Forces Reported again in Northern Syria
Farsnews

Tens of civilians in Afrin gathered in the Freedom Square and opposed occupation of their town by the Turkish troops and Ankara-backed militants.

The demonstrators further called for the release of Adam, a media activist, arrested by al-Hamzah Firqa militants affiliated to the Turkish troops.

In the meantime, the Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that the Turkish forces captured tens of Afrin residents and tortured them, adding that the Ankara forces called on family members of the captured-civilians in the village of Jaqmaqa in Rajou region to pay $7,000 for the release of their family members.

Also, the Arabic-language al-Watan daily reported that Ankara forces prevented tens of families from leaving Afrin for their homes in Eastern Ghouta, adding that the Eastern Ghouta families settled in Afrin had called for government amnesty and the Syrian Army had agreed to their return to Eastern Ghouta.

In a similar development last week, gunmen of al-Hamza group and Liwa al-Mo'atasem, both backed up by the Turkish troops, exchanged heavy fire near Kawa square in the town of Afrin over taking control of a residential unit.

The Turkish forces in their armored vehicles entered the region to end the infighting.

In the meantime, unknown assailants attacked the car of Abu Maryam al-Haskawi, a commanders of Liwa Moshta'al Tamou affiliated to the Free Syrian Army, as he was driving along a road connecting Afrin to Shera region, injuring him seriously.

Military analysts believe that occupation of Afrin by Turkish troops and their allied militants spread tensions and insecurity across the region.
 
2018-06-04 - Israeli minister calls Assad region’s ‘greatest murderer’
Israeli minister calls Assad region's 'greatest murderer'

Israeli cabinet member Yoav Gallant told reporters on Monday that he believes Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is a ‘monster’, but not Israel’s primary concern at the moment, Fox News reported.

Furthermore, Gallant would go onto call Assad the region’s “greatest murderer” since World War II, adding that he has killed a half million of his own people.

Gallant told the reporters that he hopes Assad “wont be with us” in the future.

Syria and Israel have never had diplomatic relations and any peace talks held between the two countries is usually mediated by a third party.


2018-06-05 - Putin answers questions on US, North Korea and Syria
Putin answers questions on US, North Korea and Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an interview to Armin Wolf, a news presenter at the Austrian public broadcaster ORF, in Moscow this Monday, on the eve of his working visit to Austria.

In the wide-ranging interview, Putin answered a number a questions relating to his country’s future relationship with the United States, the denuclearisation of North Korea and chemical weapons use in Syria.

The Russian premier offered to co-operate with US counterpart Donald Trump on arms control, after the latter expressed concern in a recent telephone conversation.

“Donald said he was worried about the possibility of a new arms race. I fully agree with him.”

“We should do something about it, give corresponding instructions to our Foreign Ministry and the US State Department,” suggested Putin.

As for the possible outbreak of nuclear war between the US and North Korea, the Russian president felt negotiations should lead to compromise on both sides.

“I think this road – the road towards denuclearisation of North Korea – should be a two-way road,” he said.

“If the North Korean leader is backing up his intentions with practical actions, for example, giving up new tests of ballistic missiles, new nuclear tests, the other side should reciprocate in a tangible manner,” added Putin.

During the interview, the Russian leader touched upon the issue of US-led air strikes against Syria earlier this year.

Putin argued that the coalition used chemical weapons as the basis for strikes, which also hindered investigations into militants’ chemical weapons use in Douma.

“You tell me: ‘Everyone recognises the use of chemical weapons.’ Not everyone. We believe it is fake news, used as a pretext for the missile attack, which is a violation of international law,” held Putin.

“Tell me, please: is this the best way to ensure the objectivity of what happened there? I do not think so. I think it was an attempt to create conditions that would make it impossible to investigate thoroughly,” he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Vienna on June 5th.


Mon Jun 04, 2018 - Syria: Turkish Medical Equipment Discovered in Terrorists' Positions in Hama Province
Farsnews

The Syrian Army troops continued their mop-up operation in Southern Hama on Monday and discovered a field hospital and Turkey-made medical equipment left behind by terrorists in the village of Talaf.

The army's engineering units discovered a field hospital which terrorists had been using to treat their wounded members containing medicines, medical supplies and equipment.

The hospital is protected by 1-meter thick walls of basalt stone, equipped with 40 beds and medicine storage facility, mostly of Turkish origin, along with an operating room.

In a relevant development on Friday, the Russian Air Force carried out a fresh round of airstrikes on terrorists' positions and movements in Northern Hama and Southern Idlib, destroying several bases and depots on Thursday night.


Sun Jun 03, 2018 - Syrian Army Discovers Saudi-Made Chemicals in Terrorists' Positions in Southern Damascus
Farsnews

The Syrian Army troops continued mop-up operation in the recently-liberated Yalda, Bebeila and Beit Sahm regions in Southern Damascus, discovering an explosive workshop and Saudi chemical materials on Sunday.

The army men continued cleansing operation in Yalda, Bebeila and Beit Sahm and found a workshop in terrorists' former positions used for making explosive and poisonous materials.

A large volume of powerful explosives made by a Saudi company was found in the workshop, according to the army officers.

In the meantime, a-kilometer-long network of tunnels was discovered by the army in the region that was used by the terrorists to transfer arms and ammunition to different battlefields.

Also, a large number of landmines, bombs and chemical masks were found in the farms near Yalda, Bebeila and Beit Sahm.


2018-06-05 - Former US Marine sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to aid ISIS
Former US Marine sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to aid ISIS

Former US Marine Everitt Aaron Jameson has pleaded guilty to trying to give material aid to the Daesh terror group, the Department of Justice said in a news release.

“According to court documents, Jameson joined the Marine Corps and received basic training, including earning a sharpshooter rifle qualification, but was ultimately discharged for failing to disclose his asthma history,” the release said on Monday.

Jameson, 26, pleaded guilty to the charges, said he was well versed in the Anarchist Cookbook and wanted to use explosives in an attack. He also noted that he could get pipe, nails and powder for explosive devices, the Justice Department said.

Jameson identified Pier 39 in New York City as a target location of an attack, noting that it was crowded and explosives could be used to funnel people into an area so that he could inflict casualties by shooting people trying to escape, the release recorded.

Jameson is scheduled to be sentenced by US District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neill on Sept. 4. If the Court accepts the plea agreement, the parties have agreed that the defendant should be sentenced to 15 years in prison and a life term of supervised release.
 

Back-dated April 20, 2018 - Israel Continues to Block and Sabotage Peaceful settlement in Syria
Israel Continues to Block and Sabotage Peaceful settlement in Syria

It is well known that Israel has been supporting the so-called opposition operating in Syria in order to overthrow the legitimate government of Bashar Assad since the very beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011. Another Tel Aviv’s goal here is to gain full control over the Golan Heights which Prime Minister B. Netanyahu is currently using to provide the militants from Syria with weapons.

Besides, the fighting jihadists striving to break the war-torn country are receiving medical care in Israeli hospitals. “Israel has been always stood by our side in a heroic way,” confirmed Moatasem al-Golani, the spokesman for the rebel group Liwa Fursan al-Joulan also known as Knights of the Golan. “We wouldn’t have survived without Israel’s financial assistance, food and weapons supplies.”
To be noticed is that the Israel Defense Forces have set up special paramilitary training camps, both in terms of imparting military, paramilitary and terrorist skills and as an opportunity for radical indoctrination. According to Inside Syria Media Center’s military correspondents on the ground, the Israeli military has been providing weapons and ammunition as well as intelligence support and a full-scale air support.

Thus, Israeli AF (IAF) have carried out more than 100 airstrikes on Hezbollah and the Syrian Arab Army’s positions. Moreover, the IAF have intensified their activity by conducting an air attack on the Syrian airbase T-4 on April 9, and also on the Ash-Shayrat and Ad-Dumayr air bases on April 17, 2018.

Furthermore, there has recently appeared new evidence of Israel’s increasing supplies to the radicals affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA). This assistance mainly consists of providing arms and weapons as well as money to buy ammo at black market.
Local activists report that in late March – early April the contacts have intensified between the Israeli intelligence officers and the representatives of the Syrian armed groups acting in the area of Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The Israelis handed over to the militants some bags, boxes and cases, contents unknown, probably ammunitions, medicine and food rations. We may propose it was the next batch of the so-called help to the Syrian militants controlled by Israel.

Tel Aviv, thus, seeks to maximize the support in order to get them ready for an offensive of the Syrian troops and Lebanese Hezbollah in the south of al-Quneitra Governorate.


Tue Jun 05, 2018 - Infighting Resumes between US-Backed Militants in Northeastern Syria
Farsnews

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and other US-backed militant groups engaged in a fresh round of clashes in Raqqa province on Tuesday as similar tensions in Raqqa city have increased.

SDF's security forces arrested Commander of Thowar al-Raqqa Brigade Abu Amar in the town of Ein Issa in Northern Raqqa.

Also, local sources reported that the SDF gunmen opened fire at Abu Amar's vehicles to stop it only a week after heavy fighting between the two US-backed militant groups in Raqqa city's neighborhoods.

Other sources in Northern Raqqa reported that four SDF militias were killed in a blast in the 93rd Division Base near a base of the American and French forces in Ein Issa.

The SDF kept its gunmen on alert after the explosion while the US forces shot flares over the field for hours and started reconnaissance planes over the region.

The SDF claimed that the blast occurred due to military exercises for defusing landmines.

In a relevant development on Sunday, unknown attackers opened fire at a group of the SDF in al-Karamah settlement in Eastern Raqqa, killing a militiaman and injuring nine more.

In the meantime, over eighty civilians gathered in al-Sa'ah Square in Raqqa city and protested against SDF's forced recruitment, calling for release of their arrested young men. Also, a field source pointed to the popular uprising against SDF in Raqqa city in recent weeks, and said the SDF has come under a fresh wave of attacks.


2018-06-05 - Syria sends letter to UN slamming US airstrikes on Syrian soil
Syria sends letter to UN slamming US airstrikes on Syrian soil

The Syrian government sent a letter to the UN slamming the U.S. Coalition’s latest airstrikes that allegedly killed ten civilians in Al-Hasakah.

“The Syrian Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the UN Secretary General and the Security Council Chairman in connection with the illegal attacks by the international coalition against the peaceful inhabitants of Syria and against the sovereignty, unity and security of the Syrian territory,” the Foreign Ministry said.

As the Foreign Ministry noted, the coalition attacked a number of villages in the provinces of Al-Hasakah, Al-Raqqa, and Deir Ezzor in response to their refusal to join forces with their US-backed groups.

“The Syrian Arab Republic again calls on the Security Council to assume responsibility for the protection of international peace and security and immediately respond to the cessation of the massacres that the coalition is committing, as well as to stop the illegal and hostile presence of the U.S. and other foreign forces on Syrian soil,” the Syrian diplomatic department.


2018-06-05 - ISIS training camp for children uncovered in Syria
ISIS training camp for children uncovered in Syria (video)

A Syrian army source told Sputnik that a unit with government forces had discovered a training camp for children recruited by Daesh*.

The “Young Lions of the Caliphate,” a military training base for young terrorists, has been found in Eastern Hama Province. A damaged armored military Humvee was discovered by the entrance.

According to the military source, the camp had everything necessary for military training – obstacle courses, battle practice grounds and classrooms.

Earlier, a similar children’s training camp was discovered in Southern Damascus after the Syrian army liberated the Palestinian Yarmouk camp from the militants.

Uploaded on Jun 5, 2018 (1:17 min.)
 
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2018-06-06 - Netanyahu negotiated Israel’s withdrawal from Golan Heights with Assad: former adviser
Netanyahu negotiated Israel's withdrawal from Golan Heights with Assad: former adviser

The former Israeli presidential adviser, Uzi Arad, told a radio station on Wednesday that the Israeli and Syrian governments held two rounds of negotiations regarding Israel’s withdrawal from the Golan Heights.

According to Arad’s claims, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad held ‘serious’ negotiations on two occasions between 2009 and 2011.

Assad allegedly demanded Israel fully withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which was not necessarily opposed by Netanyahu, Arad stated.

“It was clear that the Syrians wanted to return to the 1967 lines, and despite this Netanyahu didn’t abandon the talks, there was no moment in which he said ‘over my dead body,’” he said.

The Times of Israel reported that the were first reports in 2012 by the Yedioth Ahronoth daily, citing US sources, calling the talks ‘intense’ and saying Netanyahu had agreed to withdraw from the entire Golan in exchange for a peace deal.

Despite the intensity of the negotiations, the first round of negotiations was said to have been rejected by Assad after Israel only offered to withdrawal 3.2 kilometers inside the Golan Heights.

Israel also offered Syria some Jordanian lands near ‘Aqaba during the first round of negotiations. The second round also ended with both sides failing to agree.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has flatly denied these claims by Arad, adding that “the facts are incorrect. Our commitment has been — and still is — keeping the Golan. We won’t give up the Golan.”


2018-06-06 - Israel mulls massive expansion in occupied Golan Heights
Israel mulls massive expansion in occupied Golan Heights

Israel’s Deputy Minister Michael Oren told Arutz Sheva on Wednesday that his government is mulling the idea of massively expanding their presence inside the occupied Golan Heights region.

“We’ve been settling the Golan for more than 50 years now, but there are just 22,000 Israeli citizens there,” Oren stated.

“The Golan is an inseparable part of the character of the State of Israel, and we must develop the area,” he said on the 51st anniversary of Israel’s victory during the 1967 Six Days War.

According to Oren, expanding Israel’s presence in the occupied Golan Heights is not only a moral issue, but also, a security one, as he accuses Iran of purposely displacing the local Sunni population.

“This is not just a demographic or moral issue, but a serious security threat. Iran is working to replace the local Sunni population with Shi’ite forces [on the Syrian side of the Golan], and to establish itself militarily in Syria in order to turn the Golan into a new front with Israel. We have a window of time that is critical to take advantage of – our presence there is important to the security of the State of Israel, the Middle East, and the world,” he added.

Israel captured the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six Days War; they would later annex the region 1981.

In response to Israel’s refusal to hand back the Golan Heights, the United Nations passed Resolution 497, which recognized the region as a part of Syria.

While Israel claims just 22,000 citizens in the occupied Golan Heights, the remaining population is Syrian Druze, who refuse to accept Israeli citizenship.


2018-06-06 - Syrian Army attacks jihadist reinforcements near occupied Golan Heights
Syrian Army attacks jihadist reinforcements near occupied Golan Heights

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) targeted a group of jihadist rebels that were attempting to move towards the front-lines in the Al-Quneitra Governorate last night.

According to a military report, the Syrian Army’s 90th Brigade rained missiles and artillery shells on the jihadist rebels inside the towns Awfaniyah and ‘Ayn Al-Baydah in rural Al-Quneitra.

The military report added that the Syrian Arab Army managed to inflict heavy casualties in the ranks of the jihadist rebels that were attempting to move their forces through Al-Quneitra last night.

With a large number of troops already inside Al-Quneitra, the Syrian Arab Army is expected to kickoff their offensive near the occupied Golan Heights in the coming days.


2018-06-06 - Syrian Army gives rebels until June 14th to surrender in southern Syria
Syrian Army gives rebels until June 14th to surrender in southern Syria

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has officially given the rebels in the Dara’a and Al-Quneitra governorates until the end of Ramadan to surrender or else they kickoff their long awaited offensives.

According to a military report, the Syrian Army informed the rebels that they have until June 14th to give them an answer; they will not give them an extension.

The rebels have already stated that they are not interested in a reconciliation deal with the government, so the likelihood of them surrendering on June 14th is very slim.

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) is currently attempting to secure a ceasefire with ISIS in southwest Dara’a in order for them to just focus on the Syrian Arab Army’s offensive.


2018-06-06 - Syrian Army ammo depot explodes in western Hama
Syrian Army ammo depot explodes in western Hama (video)

A massive explosion was reported in the western countryside of the Hama Governorate, today, after an ammunition depot burst into flames.

According to a Syrian military report, the ammunition depot blew up as a result of the heat – no bombing was reported.

The ammunition depot was located inside the west Hama town of Jubb Ramleh.

Wednesday’s ammo depot explosion marks the second in five days that a military site has blown up due to overheating.

31933872_2171168929836522_6543847768874549248_n.jpg

Syrian Army ammo depot explodes in western Hama (video)


2018-06-06 - Syrian Army sends more reinforcements to repel ISIS attacks in Deir Ezzor (Video)
VIDEO: Syrian Army sends more reinforcements to repel ISIS attacks in Deir Ezzor

The Syrian Army Command has dispatched a paramilitary group to help Syrian forces maintain their positions amid recurrent ISIS onslaughts. The reinforcements were sent after the Islamic State intensified attacks on the Syrian Army and allied forces in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor province.

ISIS deadly attacks have proved costly for the government forces in terms of troops and military hardware.

Saraya AL-Areen, an independent Syrian group that fights alongside SAA like NDF under command of Military Intelligence Directorate, has been assigned with beefing up the SAA defensives in the oil-rich province.

A convoy of technical vehicles manned with scores of heavy-armed, battle-hardened fighters left the Syrian capital to eastern Syria.


2018-06-06 - Syrian Army foils rebel attempt to smuggle arms into Idlib (Photos)
Syrian Army foils rebel attempt to smuggle arms into Idlib

Huge quantities of weapons and ammunition intended to be smuggled into the jihadist-held Idlib province were seized by the Syrian Army in north Homs countryside. The smuggled weapons include assault rifles, machineguns, RPGs launchers, Fagot ATGM, Cobra Sam missile, mortar shells , B-9 rifles and big amount of Ammo and grenades. The weapon cache, hidden in food trucks, was set to be transported to jihadi groups in the southern countryside of Idlib via local smuggles.

Once a key bastion for Syrian rebels, the entire north Homs countryside has fallen to the Syrian Army’s control under an evacuation deal concluded between the Syrian government and rebel fighters.


2018-06-06 - Saudi jihadist commander reportedly assassinated in rural Idlib
Saudi jihadist commander reportedly assassinated in rural Idlib

A Saudi jihadist commander of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham was assassinated this week after unknown assailants opened fire on his vehicle in rural Idlib.

According to pro-opposition activists, Abu Mohammad ‘Abdallah was traveling through the eastern part of the Ma’arat Al-Nu’man District when the unknown assailants attacked his vehicle.

The HTS commander is a Saudi national that was previously a leader in the Al-Nusra Front. No group has claimed responsibility for this assassination.


Wed Jun 06, 2018 - Syrian Army Destroys Tahrir al-Sham's Key Base in Idlib Countryside
Farsnews

An important base of Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or Al-Nusra Front) was fully destroyed in a special operation of the Syrian Army as other army units warded off the terrorists attack in Southern Idlib.

The Syrian army troops carried out a military operation against a major command center of Tahrir al-Sham near Tal-e Sultan (Sultan Hill) Northwest of the military airport in Southern Idlib, battlefield sources said.

The sources noted that Tahrir al-Sham's arm and ammunition depot was fully destroyed and a number of terrorists were killed and wounded in the Syrian army's military operation.

Meantime, other army units also engaged in heavy clashes with the members of Tahrir al-Sham and Turkistani Islamic Part and Haras al-Din who were trying to penetrate into the Syrian army's positions in Tal-e (Hill) al-Masitaf South of Tal al-Sultan Southeast of Idlib, inflicting heavy losses on the terrorists.


2018-06-06 - US shows off air arsenal at military base in northern Syria (photos)
US shows off air arsenal at military base in northern Syria (photos)

The U.S. Air Force released several photos of their troops operating inside a military base in northern Syria this week.
According to pro-opposition media, the photos were taken at the Sarrin Military Base in western Al-Raqqa.

As shown in the photos below, the base is equipped with a U.S. Marine MV-2 Osprey, C-130J Hercules cargo jet and several other military planes.

Joint partners provide support for OIR > U.S. Air Forces Central Command > Display

The Sarrin Military Base in western Al-Raqqa serves as main support hub for the U.S.-led Coalition.


Wed Jun 06, 2018 - More Civilians Killed, Wounded in US Air Raids in Northeastern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970316000204

The US-led coalition air raids on residential areas in Hasaka province left a number of civilians dead or wounded on Wednesday. At least 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the US-led airstrikes on Jaza village East of the town of al-Shadadi in Hasaka province, local sources said. Many more civilians were also wounded in the US-led air raids on residential areas in Hasaka province.

Meantime, the SANA news agency reported that the US-led airstrikes on residential areas Southeast of al-Shadadi, specially the villages where their residents have refrained from joining the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have increased. Many residential buildings have been destroyed as a result of US-led airstrikes.


Wed Jun 06, 2018 - Damascus: US-led Coalition Targeting Syrians over Refusal to Back Militants
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13970316000107

Damascus government said the illegitimate US-led International Coalition has been targeting civilians in the villages of Hasaka, Raqqa and Deir Ezzur as a retribution for their refusal to join US-allied separatist militias.

In a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General and President of the United Nations Security Council, Damascus lambasted the Coalition’s incessant aggressions targeting innocent Syrian civilians and Syria’s sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity, SANA reported.

Citing a slew of atrocities the Coalition perpetrated in the villages of al-Hasaka, which left scores of civilians dead and many others injured, the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry stressed that the attacks are intended to punish the locals for their reluctance to join separatist militias allied to the United States.

According to the letter, the US has been restructuring relations with Daesh (ISIS or ISIL) terrorists, integrating some within these militias and using others in mounting attacks against the Syrian Arab Army’s sites with a view to recapturing areas the Syrian army and allies have liberated from terrorism.

The letter added that the Coalition had not balked at providing overt military backing to Daesh terrorists against the Syrian army, the latest of which was on May 24 when its warplanes targeted military outposts for the Syrian army between al-Bukamal and Humaima in Deir Ezzur countryside 24 hours after the Syrian army managed to abort Daesh attack against these sites.

The Coalition’s sole aim is to undermine Syria’s sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity and prolong the crisis in it which contravenes the UN Security Council’s resolutions, the letter noted.

The Ministry urged the Coalition’s member country to pull out of this “outrageous coalition”, calling on the UNSC to assume its responsibilities in preserving international peace and security and take immediate action to end its massacres.

The letter also called for terminating the illegal US and foreign presence on the Syrian territories and to call a halt to the US plans in support of terrorism.

“The US hostile polices in Syria, the region and the world lack ethical grounds because it has become part and parcel of the threats which endanger international peace and security,” the letter concluded.


Wed Jun 06, 2018 - Foreign Ministry: Syria’s Raqqa reduced to rubble by US-led coalition during ‘liberation’
http://tass.com/politics/1008227

The world is just starting to learn the price of this victory for ordinary Syrians, the director of the Information and Press Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The testimony given by witnesses and human rights activists dispel the Western myth of the "liberation" of Raqqa - a Syrian city that was essentially bombed into oblivion in an operation by the US-led coalition, said Artyom Kozhin, Director of the Information and Press Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry. The diplomat’s response to a media question was published on the ministry’s website on Wednesday.

"The assault on this large Syrian city and the center of the namesake province lasted until October 17, [2017], when it was declared to have been cleared of IS [the Islamic State, a terror organization, outlawed in Russia,]" Kozhin noted. "In Raqqa, the coalition secured its main victory in Syria. The world is just starting to learn the price of this victory for ordinary Syrians."

"Reports from various sources on this issue dispel the official Western myth about the ‘liberation’ of this city," the diplomat stressed. "Raqqa was mostly reduced to rubble, and a substantial and immeasurable part of its population was killed and buried under the wreckage."

The Russian Foreign Ministry official pointed to the evidence of a high-ranking US military officer which surfaced in the media and which says that, in particular, "the number of projectiles launched on Raqqa in the four-month assault is higher than anywhere else since the end of the Vietnam War." "The results of the use of US artillery and British and French aviation are visible at almost every turn there," Kozhin pointed out. "No one is rebuildnig the ruins - there are no authorities in the occupied city that would care for the fate of the remaining residents."


4 June، 2018 - President al-Assad issues decrees raising salaries of military personnel and pensions of retired military personnel
https://sana.sy/en/?p=139552

President Bashar al-Assad on Monday issued two decrees on raising the salaries of military personnel and the pensions of retired military personnel.

Legislative decree no. 8 for 2018 stipulates for raising the salaries of military personnel by 30% of the total salary after adding compensation to the fixed sum, with the raise becoming part of it.

Legislative decree no. 9 for 2018 stipulates for raising the pensions of retired military personnel by 20% of the total pension, with the raising becoming part of it, and the compensation is added to the pension after calculating the new raise.


5 June، 2018 - First artificial corneal transplant in Syria restores sight to woman
https://sana.sy/en/?p=139634

-A medical team at the ophthalmology hospital managed to cultivate an artificial cornea for a woman in her seventies, restoring eyesight to her two years after losing it. The surgery is the first of its kind in Syria.

Rana Omran, the hospital’s director, who conducted the surgery with Dr. Somar Darwish and a medical team, said in a statement to SANA that the patient had been suffering from Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease which leads to corneal condensation and causes vision loss in its later stages. She said the patient was hospitalized after she lost vision in both eyes.

“With the personal efforts of the hospital’s doctors, we managed to import the cornea. The operation took place on Monday and by next morning; the patient was able to see by 5/10 visual acuity.

Several years ago, Taghreed realized there was something wrong with her vision. Medical counseling failed to pinpoint the problem, says her relative Salma. The ensuing measures were restricted to curing the symptoms, causing a complete sight loss to her right eye and a gradual loss in the left. Winding up in the eye hospital, the case was accurately diagnosed and the corneal transplantation decision was taken, she explains.

The successful surgery augurs well for scores of similar cases, especially cases of chemical and thermal burns. As a drawback, the new medical procedure offers no cure for patients who need normal cornea.

The economic sanctions against Syria push patients who need corneal transplantation to wait long before procuring corneas. “Patients need to wait for one year or more before normal cornea is secured,” Dr. Joseph Salloum, the hospital’s director, said.
 
Syriana Analysis Published on Jun 4, 2018
Syriana Analysis latest geopolitical report in regards to Syria, particularly the latest military and political developments in Daraa, Idlib, Deir Ezzor and Raqq

Vanessa Beeley on War Propaganda (Video)
June 7, 2018 Kevork Almasian Syriana TV
Independent investigative journalist Vanessa Beeley spoke at ‘Media on Trial’ event in Leeds, on Sunday 27th May, addressing the war of propaganda as a weapon of mass deception in the Syrian war and explaining how corporate media outlets glorify the Islamist terrorists, most recently in Eastern Ghouta.

Published on May 27, 2018 / 16:14

Beeley also spoke about the trilateral bombing of Damascus by the U.S., France, and the UK after the alleged chemical attack in Douma, among other important issues which shaped the discourse of the ongoing war in Syria.


PressTV Published on Jun 7, 2018 / 1:48
Iraq says it has launched airstrikes on Daesh targets across the border in Syria. A military statement says F-16 fighter jets destroyed an area where Daesh terrorists were operating.

The Iraqi air force has carried out several such raids against the Takfiri group in Syria since last year with the approval of the Syrian government. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared final victory over Daesh in December.

But the terrorist group is said to be still operating from some pockets along the border with Syria and continues to carry out ambushes and bombings across Iraq

Syrian War Report – June 7, 2018: Kurdish Leadership Is Ready For Direct Negotiations With Damascus
South Front Published on Jun 7, 2018

Syrian Democratic Forces Capture Three Villages And Kill Dozens Of ISIS Fighters In Southern Al-Hasakah
07.06.2018
On June 7, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured the villages of al-Murjan, Kulib Tahtani, al-Khuirah and seven farms north of the strategic town of Dashisha near the Syrian-Iraqi border, in the southern al-Hasakah countryside, according to the Kurdish Hawar News Agency (ANHA).

The SDF said in an official statement that its fighters had killed 42 fighters and 2 commanders of ISIS during their advance towards Dashisha. US-backed forces added that SDF fighters are now clearing the liberated areas from the mines and IEDs, which were planted by ISIS.

Reportedly, the US-led coalition conducted 21 airstrikes, 47 artillery strikes and 3 rocket strikes on ISIS positions around Dashisha supporting the SDF. The SDF said that these strikes destroyed two vehicles, a motorcycle and two fortified positions of ISIS.

The US-led coalition launched the military operation against the remaining ISIS fighters in Dashisha on June 3. To this day, the ISIS-linked news agency Amaq has not released any report regarding the recent development around the area.

Local observers believe that the SDF will impose its control over Dashisha within days because at this stage of the conflict ISIS appears to be incapable of resisting the fire power of the US-led coalition.

Netanyahu: Assad 'No Longer Immune', Israel to Destroy Syrian Forces if Attacked
(updated 20:09 07.06.2018)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has concluded his diplomatic tour around Europe, where he held talks with the leaders of France, Germany and the UK on the Iranian nuclear deal and the situation in Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad was "no longer immune."

"If he fires at us, we will destroy his forces… There is a new calculus that has to take place," Netanyahu added.

The statement comes as the prime minister wraps up his diplomatic trip to Europe, with his only goal during this voyage being, reportedly by his own admission, "to bring an international agreement that Iran would leave Syria."

Israel and Syria have been repeatedly engaged in tit-for-tat attacks in bordering areas, including the disputed Golan Heights, a region, which was had been captured by the Jewish state as a result of the 1967 Six Day War and formally annexed 14 years later. The move has been criticized by the international community, with the UNSC passing a resolution, condemning Tel Aviv's move as "null and void and without international legal effect." Despite that, however, the Israeli authorities have refused to give the territory back to Syria, with Netanyahu stating earlier that this "would never happen."

In the most recent escalation of tensions, the Israeli Air Force hit dozens of what it described as Iranian targets in Syria after 20 rockets had been fired at the IDF positions in Golan Heights in May. Damascus stated that Syria would counter all the attacks by the Israeli forces on its sovereign territory and will not hesitate to strike Israeli military targets as it has a right for self-defense.

The Prime Minister underlined that he highly appreciated the "deconfliction" agreements with Moscow, which have already allowed the forces of the two countries to avoid clashes in the Syrian sky for three years, and expressed the hope that in the future these mutual understandings will continue.

Earlier in the day, The Times of Israel reported, citing a senior diplomatic official that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May had allegedly reached a “widespread agreement” about the need to completely remove what was described as the Iranian military presence from Syria.

"My point was to harness the leading European countries to oppose the continued expansion of Iran," the newspaper quoted Netanyahu as saying.

The official added that Netanyahu also sought to persuade European leaders to follow the example of US President Donald Trump and to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, though Prime Minister May had reportedly declined this proposal.

"I'm not sure that we are talking about the blind eye. I think they perfectly see what we are doing," Netanyahu replied.

Tensions between Tel Aviv and Tehran have been increasing of late as Tel Aviv repeatedly accused Tehran of building up its military presence in Syria, and carried out a series of airstrikes against alleged Iranian assets in the Middle Eastern country.

Syrian President Bashar Assad, however, dismissed these allegations, pointing out that while there are Iranian military officers who assist the Syrian Arab Army as advisers, there are no Iranian troops in Syria.

When asked Netanyahu whether this meant that Russians were turning a blind eye to the actions of Israeli troops in Syria, he stated that Moscow was aware of Tel Aviv's actions.

Iraq receives 39 Russian T-90 tanks within bilateral agreement
Jun 7, 2018, 3:41 pm by Nehal Mostafa
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com)
The Iraqi Defense Ministry has said one of the tanks brigades in the army began rearmament process that includes providing it with Russian T-90C tanks.

In a statement, the ministry said it received 39 Russian T-90C tanks and that they were divided among two battalions in the brigade.

The personnel, according to the statement, “were trained on operating the tanks under supervision of Russian experts.”

There has been an agreement between Russia and Iraq over sending Russian Т-90С / СК tanks to the Iraqi army in 2017.

Uralvagonzavod, the manufacturer of T-90 tanks said Iraq will 73 tanks, in accordance with the contract.

Previously, news reports said Iraqi army received fighter jets and other items from Russia.

Russia had previously pledged to maintain military assistance to Iraq in its war against Islamic State. In 2016, It opened a military command center in Baghdad and provided Iraq with tons of anti-chemical weapons kits in 2015.

However, Moscow has not partaken in the U.S.-led military alliance backing the Iraqi forces in their campaign against IS which has run since 2014.

In December, the Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi announced gaining control on all the territories that were captured by Islamic State, since 2014. However, the group still has dormant cells, through which it carries out attacks, across Iraq like it used to do before 2014.
 
Jun 5, 2018 - EVICTION NOTICE: Syria orders US to cease occupation
EVICTION NOTICE: Syria orders US to cease occupation - Fort Russ

DAMASCUS – Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid Mualem demanded that Washington withdraw its military forces from the US military base in Al-Tanf. The senior official ruled out the possibility of negotiating any separation agreement in southern Syria before the withdrawal of US troops.

Washington is to leave the military base in Al-Tanf, Mualem said during a news conference in Damascus.

“When the US withdraws its troops, we will negotiate a security agreement in southern Syria,” the minister said.

According to the Syrian official, at the moment Damascus is not negotiating agreements regarding the situation in the south of the country. Mualem thus denied information on an alleged separation of forces agreement in the area.

“As long as the Americans are present in Al-Tanf, we do not trust those statements,” he said.

In addition, the deputy prime minister called for the end of the foreign military presence in the city of Raqqa, occupied by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in order to start direct negotiations between the Syrian government and the Kurdish and Arab fighters of the SDF.

Information on Damascus’s resumption of control of southern Syria began to circulate in late May. The area has a strong presence of the US military, which hampers the military operations of the country’s government.

In Al-Tanf, one of the US military bases is operating illegally in Syria – installed in April 2017, despite objections from the Syrian government to “combat terrorists.”

Major-General and Syrian military specialist Muhammad Abbas spoke about the possible US plans for Syria.

The United States is trying to take control of the border between Syria and Iraq to break the link between the two states. To achieve this goal, clashes are provoked in the territory of Al-Tanf in the southern part of al-Suwayda and Palmyra,” explained the Major-General.

“The US is seeking to prolong the war in Syria, and I admit that Palmyra may once again be the target of its attacks. The conquest of Palmyra may undermine the stability and security of the area, stability that the Syrian government has secured over the last two years,” he added.


03.06.2018 - 'Illegal Presence': US Must Pull its Forces Out if al-Tanf Base - Syrian FM
'Illegal Presence': US Must Pull its Forces Out of al-Tanf Base – Syrian FM

During a Saturday press conference in Damascus, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem described the US military presence in the country as illegal, insisting that the American forces should leave the region.

Speaking with reporters, Muallem linked talks on the future of the country’s southern region with the US’ withdrawal from its base in al-Tanf, established in 2016.

“You should not believe the statements made about the agreement on Syria’s south as long as the US forces have not withdrawn from al-Tanf,” he said.

The foreign minister also dismissed the reports of Iranian bases and forces allegedly deployed in Syria.

"Iran’s presence does not exist in a military manner on the ground in Syria — these are tales told by Israel. Iran’s presence is legitimate as it is based on the request of the Syrian government, unlike the presence of the United States," Muallem stressed.

In May, head of the Syrian government delegation to the Astana peace talks Bashar Jaafari called the US military presence in al-Tanf and nearby Rukban refugee camp in the south of the country as “pure aggression and occupation.”


07.06.2018 - Russian-Jordan-US Talks on Syria's Southern De-Escalation Zone Canceled - Reports
Russia-Jordan-US Talks on Syria's Southern De-Escalation Zone Canceled - Reports

The meeting between Russian, US, Jordanian representatives regarding the de-escalation zone in southern Syria will not take place, Jordanian newspaper Al Ghad reported, citing its sources.

"The agreement is a key step within the three countries' joint efforts to stop violence in Syria and create the proper conditions for a sustainable political solution to the Syrian crisis," State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said.

The meeting was scheduled to take place this week in the Jordanian capital of Amman at the level of deputy foreign ministries.

The participants of the meeting were supposed to suggest handing over control over Syria's southern de-escalation zone to the Syrian government and the Russian military police after local militants laid down their heavy weapons.

They were also expected to discuss ways of preventing Iran’s presence in the region, which is the main concern of neighboring Israel.


07.06.2018 - Iraqi Air Force Strikes Daesh Command Center in Eastern Syria
Iraqi Air Force Strikes Daesh Command Center in Eastern Syria

The Iraqi Air Force destroyed a command center of Daesh* terrorist group in the eastern Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor on Thursday, the Iraqi military command said.

"Authorized by [Prime Minister] Haider Abadi and in coordination with the military command, the F-16 jets of the Iraqi Air Force struck a checkpoint and a command center of the terrorists in the morning in the area of Hajin in Syria, where the commanders and the militants of the group were located," the Iraqi military command said in a statement.

According to the statement, the center was fully destroyed.

This was the fifth airstrike by the Iraqi Air Force on Daesh targets in Syria since late April. Iraq has been carrying out strikes against Daesh in Syria when it received intelligence about threats to its security.

2018-06-07 - Watch: Iraqi Air Force wipes entire ISIS command center in Syria
Watch: Iraqi Air Force wipes entire ISIS command center in Syria


Thu Jun 07, 2018 - Russia: US-Turkey Agreement on Manbij Unacceptable
Farsnews

The Russia-run Humeimim airbase in Lattakia province announced that the Washington-Ankara agreement on the city of Manbij in Northern Syria is not acceptable.

The Russian airbase announcement came on Wednesday in reaction to an agreement reached between the US and Turkey on a roadmap for Manbij city.

"The agreement on Manbij reached between Turkey and the US is by all means rejected," Russia's Humeimim airbase said.

It reiterated that the agreement has been reached without coordination with the Syrian government and between two countries that are illegally present in Syria; "hence such agreement is void".

In relevant remarks on Thursday, Manbij Military Council voiced its strong opposition to the Turkish army's military presence in the Northern Aleppo city amid the US delegation's arrival there after Washington and Ankara struck a deal over the city.

"We will not accept Turkish military presence in Manbij city," the Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television network quoted Manbij Military Council Spokesman Shirvan Dervish as saying.

Dervish pointed to the capabilities of Manbij Military Council forces to safeguard the security of Manbij city, and said, "Manbij city is more secure than the Turkish-controlled areas in Northern Syria, including al-Bab, Jarablus and Afrin where killings and blasts have destabilized those regions."

Meantime, Rudaw news website reported that the representative of US President Donald Trump in the international coalition arrived in Manbij on Wednesday.

It noted that the US representative has already had meetings with the commander of Manbij Military Council.

This is the first visit by an American political delegation to Manbij city after the recent agreement between the US and Turkey.


Thu Jun 07, 2018 - US military patrols streets of Manbij after Kurdish forces withdraw
US military patrols streets of Manbij after Kurdish forces withdraw (video)

The U.S. military has begun patrolling the streets of Manbij, following the withdrawal of the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG). Video footage of the U.S. troops patrolling Manbij was released by pro-SDF media activists on Thursday; it shows them meeting with civilians and checking different parts of the city to ensure its security.

Recently, the U.S., France, and Turkey agreed to take over the city from the YPG in order to avoid having the Turkish military from launching an offensive to capture Manbij.

Also inside the city is the Manbij Military Council, who are comprised of local Arabs that helped capture the area from the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2016.

Published on Jun 7, 2018 (1:23 min.)


Thu Jun 07, 2018 - US Military Convoy Forced to Retreat by Syrian Army in Hasaka
Farsnews

The Syrian army forced a US military convoy back as it planned to pass through Qamishli in Hasaka province, media reports said Thursday.

An American military convoy was pushed back by the Syrian army before it could reach a military point under the Syrian army's control, Arabic-language Moraseloun news website reported.

The US troops were going to pass by a Syrian army regiment and a military airport near the Southern entrance of Qamishli.

The American military convoy had to retreat after being stopped and inspected by the Syrian army. In a relevant development in mid-May, the US military forces continued unabated illegal heliborne operations to rescue the ISIL terrorists and commanders from Southeastern Hasaka.

Local sources in Southeastern Hasaka reported that the US forces had conducted the heliborne operations near the town of al-Houl at the borders between Syria and Iraq.

They added that the US forces took one of the ISIL commanders who had entered Hasaka from Iraq in the operation.


Thu Jun 07, 2018 - Russia: Syria’s Raqqa Reduced to Rubble by US-Led Coalition During ‘Liberation’
Farsnews

Artyom Kozhin, Director of the Information and Press Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, said the testimony given by witnesses and human rights activists dispel the Western myth of the "liberation" of Raqqa - a Syrian city that was essentially bombed into oblivion in an operation by the US-led coalition.

"The assault on this large Syrian city and the center of the namesake province lasted until October 17, [2017], when it was declared to have been cleared of ISIL" Kozhin noted, TASS reported.

The Russian Foreign Ministry official pointed to the evidence of a high-ranking US military officer which surfaced in the media and which says that, in particular, "the number of projectiles launched on Raqqa in the four-month assault is higher than anywhere else since the end of the Vietnam War".

"The results of the use of US artillery and British and French aviation are visible at almost every turn there," Kozhin pointed out, adding that "no one is rebuilding the ruins - there are no authorities in the occupied city that would care for the fate of the remaining residents".


Thu Jun 07, 2018 - Turkish Army's Large Military Convoy Enters Aleppo Province
Farsnews

A new Turkish military convoy arrived in Western Aleppo as part of Ankara's military deployment plan in Northern Syria, field sources said.

The sources noted that the Turkish convoy entered Aleppo from Kafr Lousin passage in Northern Idlib.

They said the Turkish military convoy comprised of 50 military and armored vehicles as well as several trucks, and added that the convoy arrived in the town of al-Artab in Western Aleppo.

Some sources have disclosed that the said military equipment contained aid supplies for the Turkish-controlled regions in the town of al-Eis in Southern Aleppo.

Almost 3,300 civilians were captured in May by the Turkish army troops and their allied militants in Afrin region in Northwestern Aleppo, a media outlet reported on Sunday

The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that as sum of 3,295 civilians were captured by the Ankara forces in Afrin region in May amid growing unrests and spreading insecurity following occupation of Afrin region by the Turkish troops.

Hawar news went on to say that the Ankara forces have been blackmailing and torturing the captured people, adding that the Turkish troops and their allied militants turned a school in the village of Hikjeh in Shih region into a large detention center to jail the captured civilians.

Hawar news further said that the Turkish army accommodated over 1,200 terrorists of Southern Damascus and Northern Homs in Afrin.

The Ankara forces looted fruits and crops of over 50 hectares of farms in Afrin and cut over 500 olive trees.


2018-06-07 - Netanyahu vows to destroy Syrian Army if Israel is attacked
Netanyahu vows to destroy Syrian Army if Israel is attacked

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completed his diplomatic tour inside Europe this week, where he attempted to convince his European counterparts to sabotage the Iranian nuclear deal.

Despite his shortcomings on the Iranian front, Netanyahu still managed to get these European nations to apply pressure on Iran, which could turn favorable for him in the future.

Prior to leaving Europe, Netanyahu sent a stern message to both Iran and Syria, vowing to destroy the latter’s military if Israel is attacked. According to Netanyahu, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is “no longer immune” and his military is a viable target for Israel.

“If he fires at us, we will destroy his forces… There is a new calculus that has to take place,” Netanyahu added.


2018-06-07 - Putin promises Russian citizenship to Ukrainian national wounded in Aleppo
Putin promises Russian citizenship to Ukrainian national wounded in Aleppo

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised assistance in obtaining Russian citizenship to Ukrainian interpreter Irina Barakat, wounded in a militant attack in Syria’s Aleppo two years ago and airlifted to St. Petersburg.

In his annual Q&A session, Putin also pledged assistance in her seeing the family. Irina’s husband and children are Syrian nationals.

“I will ask the Defense Ministry to find your family and bring them to Russia,” Putin said. “What you are asking for – Russian citizenship, is within the competence of the Russian president, and you will get it,” Putin said. “Your case is a special one, it is your misfortune and a tragedy – all that happened to you. I hope your children know that their mother is getting well,” the president said.

He expressed gratitude to military medics and pledged all necessary support. “We understand perfectly well what injuries you received,” Putin said.

In the summer of 2016, Ukrainian national Irina Barakat lost a hand and a leg sheltering children as militants were shelling Aleppo. She was injured by a shell flying into her apartment and was airlifted to St. Petersburg on a military-transport plane.

For the past 13 years, Irina Barakat has lived in Syria, where she gave birth to two sons and a daughter.


2018-06-07 - Russia has no plans to leave Syria: Putin
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-has-no-plans-to-leave-syria-putin/

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia is not planning to pull all its troops out of Syria at the present time, and that they will stay as long as it is “beneficial for Russia” and in order to fulfill “international obligations,” while speaking during the annual ‘Direct Line’ Q&A in Moscow on Thursday.

During the session, people across Russia have the opportunity to contact President Putin via telephone, text message or on the dedicated website.

This year’s phone-in line is being held in an updated format.

The event-hosting multimedia studio is equipped with video walls along the perimeter that enables Putin to immediately get in contact with regional governors and the cabinet ministers in order to address issues straight away.

Another feature of the ongoing session is the absence of a studio audience, thus allowing the Russian leader to focus on questions and requests filed by Russian citizens.

So far some two million questions have been submitted for Putin’s Direct Line 2018 Q&A. The first phone-in line with President Putin took place in 2001 when he received around 400,000 questions.

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Russia has no plans to leave Syria: Putin
 
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The Millennium Report
May 24, 2018 - DAVID & GOLIATH 2018: How One Man Accelerated the Collapse of the British American Empire
DAVID & GOLIATH 2018: How One Man Accelerated the Collapse of the British American Empire

Every once in a long while, the whole world is treated to a replay of the biblical “David and Goliath” story.

The second decade of the Third Millennium is just such a time.

The location of this rapidly unfolding high drama happens to be roughly the same location as the first casting of “David and Goliath”—the Levant.

However, there is one very significant difference in the latest re-enactment of this End-Time blockbuster—David has a female companion who is helping take down Goliath, once and for all.

Not only that, David’s helpmate in 2018 is a quite beautiful, English-speaking, Sunni Muslim woman who was born and raised in London by Syrian parents.

Bashar and Asma Al-Assad, President & First Lady of Syria
If ever there was a power couple in the post-modern era, who derived their power from on high and not from the Rothschild banking cartel, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and First Lady Asma Al-Assad are it.

As a modern-day “David”, Bashar al-Assad has gone up against “Goliath” which has taken the form of the Zio-Anglo-American Axis (ZAAA). This husband and wife team has literally taken on the British American Empire in a way that no other mortal or nation-state has dared to do in the modern era.

What follows is the highly improbable story of how the Syrian president has prevailed against all odds against the most powerful military members of the NATO alliance which have aligned with other Mideast powerhouses such as Israel and Saudi Arabia. That Damascus is still standing, and currently being governed by the Assad family, is as inconceivable as it is miraculous. How the Syrian president has succeeded is detailed in the following article.

Syria’s Bashar al-Assad: Secret Back Story Reveals Why The West Cannot Topple His Government
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad: Secret Back Story Reveals Why The West Cannot Topple His Government

There’s an old yet highly relevant adage that says: “Behind every great man is a great woman”. There is perhaps no better example of this truism than the marriage made in heaven between Bashar and Asma al-Assad. The First Lady has weathered horrendous storms, both personal and political, that no presidential wife in the Middle East has ever experienced. Her story is one of simply supporting her “David”, no matter what the cost, no matter what the sacrifice.

What follows is the well-hidden back story regarding the First Lady of Syria — Asma Al-Assad — that will never be published by the Mainstream Media. To read this accurate and untold account of her extraordinary journey through the apocalyptic Mideast battleground will quickly reveal her tremendous courage, intestinal fortitude and remarkable heroism.

First Lady Asma al-Assad: Syria’s National Treasure and “Joan of Arc”
The Secret Power Behind Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

Conclusion
You won’t find a more courageous couple in the present age than Bashar and Asma Al-Assad.

There’s a very good reason why the British American Empire will not allow true heroes like them to emerge in the Third Millennium.
It’s the very same reason that the Empire eliminated JFK, RFK, MLK, Malcolm X and many of heroic personages of the 20th century.

They're afraid of them! Deathly afraid, as a matter of historical fact.

This is why there are no more homegrown heroes in America, the Military Arm of the New World Order.

To permit brave leaders such as the Assads to really make their mark on the planetary civilization would be the death knell for Empire.

Syrian President Predictably Demonized By All The Usual Suspects

Just how reviled is President Bashar al-Assad by the Western powers who maniacally push for regime change in Syria?

So reviled that the U.S. Intelligence Community has been disseminating the utterly absurd and obviously false accusation that “Assad created ISIS”.

Can the CIA-instigated whisper campaign get any more repugnant and ridiculous than that?

Historical record tells the true story
The Assad government has a well established history of treating the Syrian people well. To hear the Syrians tell their story, Bashar al-Assad is nothing short of a living saint. In fact, the effusive adulations of his presidency are as common as the accolades from those who know him personally.

Al-Assad’s wife Asma — who was once called “A Rose in the Desert” — is equally lauded for her noble leadership and virtuous qualities. She is not only the beloved first wife of Assad, she’s also considered the mother of the Syrian people. The following revealing article was written about her just before the Arab Spring was carried out by the Zio-Anglo-American Axis.

The Secret Strength behind Bashar al Assad - Asma al-Assad: A Rose in the Dessert
The Secret Strength Behind Bashar al-Assad

President Assad has been elected president 3 times since he first took office in 2000. The most recent election was held in 2014 where he again won by a landslide vote of 88.7% (See graphic below).

Prior to that election, Assad won two back-to-back referendums by extraordinary demonstrations of support.
“On 10 July 2000, Assad was elected as President, succeeding his father, who died in office a month prior. In the 2000 and subsequent 2007 election, he received 99.7% and 97.6% support, respectively, in uncontested referendums on his leadership.”[1]
These indisputable historical facts speak for themselves.

Assad was never a ‘tyrant’ or a ‘butcher’ or a ‘despot’ as labelled by the crazed leadership of the Zio-Anglo-American Axis. In reality, he was quite the opposite.

This inconvenient fact of Middle Eastern life is why the MSM organs of propaganda have had to work so hard to smear him. They know that they must spew as much falsehood as necessary in an attempt to completely destroy his stellar reputation and ruin his great legacy.

KEY POINT: In light of the fact that Assad has always been elected by overwhelming majorities, it’s evident that the seditious Syrian opposition was bought and bribed by foreign entities such as the C.I.A., MI6 and MOSSAD. It’s also apparent that the Syrian rebels were actually Wahhabi extremists recruited in Saudi Arabia and Al-Qaeda terrorists bussed in from everywhere else who were paid by KOS sheiks.
Arabia and Al-Qaeda terrorists bussed in from everywhere else who were paid by KOS sheiks.
The Neocon Zionists have demonized Assad nonstop in order to stage a transparently fake Civil War. Only in this way could the perps get away with overthrowing his government by transporting thousands of paid terrorists and mercenaries into Syria. This CIA-directed color revolution was just another George Soros-incited regime change approved by Barack Obama and carried out by the U.S. Intelligence Community and Hillary Clinton’s State Department.

The real back story to the US-manufactured Syrian War is the very reason why Emailgate blew up and was never properly investigated or prosecuted. How could they possibly “LOCK HER UP”; they would take down the whole bloody system at the same time. This massive and monolithic criminal conspiracy coordinated by the Obama administration is the single biggest story on the planet today. Just how big?
“Emailgate, Servergate, Benghazigate, Syriagate, Libyagate, ISISgate and Clinton Foundationgate all intersect to expose a massive and unparalleled conspiracy of criminality and corruption in the U.S. Federal Government.”
“Emailgate is not only about the lawlessness of the entire Obama Administration, it’s also about the creation of the Islamic State, the funding if ISIL and the arming of ISIS.”
(Source: Why the Clinton Emailgate Scandal is so HUGE)
Nevertheless, even with the Zionist smear campaign running 24/7 for nearly seven years, the mendacious vilifiers have only made a minor dent in Assad’s chivalrous armor. It seems that his own people only believe what they have experienced from his magnanimous leadership. As a result, the shameless Zionists have resorted to intensifying his vilification, even at the risk of sounding (and appearing) completely insane.
Syrian Sense: Why the Jews Hate Assad

“The revolution is dead. It was sold,” said Mohammad al-Daher, a commander in the rebels’ Western-backed Free Syrian Army. “People used to assume that Assad will be gone, no question. But I wouldn’t be surprised if the end result of these negotiations is that he remains as president and beyond that, turns into a national hero who saved his country.”

What’s his secret?
Clearly, President Bashar al-Assad has bravely stood up to the West in a way that totally defies history… and logic…and credulity…and reality.

How he has successfully weathered the military invasions and personal assaults for so many years is in itself a study in what Earnest Hemingway immortalized via his novels as “grace under pressure”.

However, there are very specific reasons why Assad has made it this far and turned a certain defeat into an inconceivable victory. The following narrative reveals the four primary pillars of support which uphold his temple of inner strength, abiding valor and unshakable resolve.

The Hidden Forces Behind Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad
Syria’s Bashar al-Assad: Secret Back Story Reveals Why The West Cannot Topple His Government

What’s not conveyed in the preceding account is the reality that every person of conscience on the planet is currently pulling for President Assad and his people. Billions of souls around the globe know in their hearts that he is fighting the righteous war. That he’s courageously confronting an evil that threatens every human being.

As a result of his rare and remarkable heroism, Assad is the recipient of tremendous support, both mundane and spiritual, which permits him to not only carry on, but to prevail under highly difficult circumstances. The moral support from his own people has impelled him forward in ways that could not have happened otherwise.

Of course, truly good friends such as Putin’s Russia and Khamenei’s Iran have brought the necessary military capability to destroy the ISIS terror network that was created by NATO’s biggest military members (U.S., U.K. & France), as well as by Israel and Saudi Arabia. These same aggressor nations have predictably worked very hard to destroy Russia and Iran.

Back to Assad’s secret: he is the people’s president. He wields power for the sake of the Syrian people much like Muammar Gaddafi did in Libya. In so doing, he has endeared himself to the populace in a way rarely seen. Here’s just one example of Assad freely roaming among his people. President Bashar Al Assad Meets His People On The Streets Of Damascus (Video)

Assad tells the hard truths
Another major reason why Assad is relentlessly castigated by the mainstream media (MSM) is because he dares to tell the truth. And he does so with an understated passion that really hits home with the citizenry, as well as those listening from abroad.

The clandestine forces behind the Greater Israel project detest nothing more than raw truth like this getting to the ears of the people. Assad Speech: Why no ‘Arab Spring’ against backward, tyrannical Arab Monarchies? (Video)

Here’s another truth-telling example by Assad about the recently defunded White Helmets who falsely accused his forces of the chemical attack in Houma. Assad: Oscar-feted White Helmets are part of Al-Qaeda (Video)

When it comes to addressing MSM reporters, Assad is unusually candid in his responses to their juvenile and cynical questions. Just like Putin, he makes mincemeat of their false allegations and misleading innuendo. This reporter does nothing but squirm in his seat as Assad refutes every fake news report presented. Assad Destroys US Reporter In Interview & Exposes Zionist Propaganda (Video)

Assad’s assessments of President Trump have been especially incisive and revealing. Speaking truth to power in this manner has only brought the wrath of the American Deep State upon him. Trump is puppet of US ‘deep state,’ has no ‘own’ foreign policy – Assad

There is, of course, a much more secret back story to the genocide that was perpetrated against the Syrian Christian communities by ISIL. That the recent “Syrian Holocaust” duplicated the original Armenian genocide carried out 100 years ago in the same geographic area is no accident of fate. In point of fact, the same Zionist perpetrators set it up this way so successful was their first genocide of the indigenous Christian peoples.

The Syrian Holocaust: A Preplanned Genocide and Forced Exodus:
How the Syrian War and Ensuring Exodus were Modeled after the Armenian Genocide


Location, location, location
Assad is well aware that his country enjoys a Mideast location that is coveted by other nations around the world, not just Israel. Damascus is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. This distinction resulted from its location at the crossroads of the main trade routes between the East and the West.

Furthermore, Syria lies in the middle of an area with substantial oil and gas reserves. It also lies in the path of prospective oil and gas pipelines. The Mediterranean seabed off its west coast also has extensive proven energy deposits which are likewise coveted. There are other natural resources and geographic advantages for which Syria is envied by its enemies. When all of these are considered in the aggregate, it’s a wonder the NATO military powers did not attempt to conquer Syria decades ago.

What’s quite telling is that Turkey was the primary sponsor of the Armenian genocide a century ago. Erdoğan’s Turkey has again played a key role is every aspect of the present Syrian genocide. The Turkish government was acting on behalf of Western oil companies in 1915 just as the Obama administration was when Hillary Clinton’s State Department executed the regional black operation known the Arab Spring. See: Presidential Study Directive-11: The Secret Scheme That Destroyed The Middle East Via The Arab Spring

Assad is well aware of Syria’s serious location problem. The stealing of the Golan Heights during the Six-day War in 1967 underscored just how determined Israel was in expanding its borders according to the designs of the once highly secret Greater Israel project.

Assad is also cognizant of the fact that Israel controls the Trump administration and U.S. Congress. He has seen a war cabinet quite stealthily put into place since Trump’s Inauguration Day. Toward that end, Assad has watched all the peacemakers expelled from the West Wing only to be replaced by Neocon Zionist warmongers. The horrendous effects are graphically portrayed in the following article.

Syrian War Lies and the Greater Israel Project
Syrian War Lies and the Greater Israel Project

President Bashar al-Assad: National Hero, Regional Savior and Cultural Icon
Assad has to listen to Wicked Witch of the West Nikki Haley screech her vitriol like a shrill harpie — aimed directly at him — every time she snatches the microphone at the United Nations. He had to watch warmonger John Bolton take over as NSA from lackluster H.R. McMaster. Then Neocon warhawk Mike Pompeo replaced the conciliatory Rex Tillerson at State while “Torture Queen” Gina Haspel took over the C.I.A.

Furthermore, “Saint Bashar” has to hear war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu lie through his teeth about Syria (and Iran) just before every airstrike or missile attack Israel launches against his nation. Meanwhile, the U.S. military occupies the oil-rich northeast quadrant of Syrian territory (see map above) in spite of being viewed as an arch-enemy. Trump permits this illegal occupation despite his many promises to make peace and withdraw from the Northern Levant theater of war.

It ought to be crystal clear by now that Assad, along with President Putin, have the patience of Job. Assad’s valor and fortitude in the face of constant invasions by the Zio-Franco-Anglo-American Axis have helped transform him into a larger-than-life national hero. Should he win the long game in Syria he will likely be acclaimed as a regional savior as well.

The whole world will soon find out about “Saint Bashar”—a great leader falsely accused of war crimes that were committed by his enemies. He stood up to the British American Empire against all odds and has so far triumphed. The world needs many more Bashar al-Assads to stand up to the global bullies (e.g. US, UK, France, and Israel) who only prey on the weak and small, the powerless and defenseless.

Alawite religious affiliation
The best kept secret about Bashar al-Assad is that he is not a Mideast strongman; he acts much more like an Alawi holy man.

For generations, Assad’s highly respected family has belonged to the Alawite faith tradition which is a “syncretic sect of the Twelver branch of Shia Islam, primarily centered in Syria”.[2] Although Alawites identify as Shiite Muslims, they have beliefs and practice traditions that are borrowed from the Sunni, Christian, Gnostic and Sufi religions.

So what we see in Syria is a Shiite president, whose wife was raised Sunni, and a populace that is a mix of every religious faith under the sun—literally. Before the unlawful invasion by the NATO-backed ISIS terrorist groups, the various religious communities enjoyed excellent relations. This is why Assad (and his father Hafez al-Assad) were so respected and loved by their people. They brought peace to the land. The successive Syrian governments since 1970 sought to foster an environment marked by religious tolerance and genuine brotherhood.

You never hear about this vital aspect of Assad’s innate power—people power. That’s because TPTB do not want the global village to hear the truth about this truly righteous family. You also hardly read about Bashar the M.D. ophthalmologist who would go out of his way to save an injured bird. Nor do you ever hear about all the philanthropic work that Asma has self-sacrificially done throughout the Syrian countryside and beyond.

The truth be told, the Alawites are perhaps the only people who could lead a nation like Syria because of what a religious melting pot it is and has always been. They are looked up to as the enlightened souls who possess the necessary spiritual wisdom and political acumen to maintain order in the middle of so much Mideast chaos. They are also known for cultivating a conducive environment for commerce and trade, as well as a favorable climate for national prosperity.

Special Note
What the entire planetary civilization is now witnessing in Syria is the final battle of the “Era of Empire”. No other war of the modern era has seen such a graphic depiction of good versus evil. A noble king of a small, humble nation has taken on the arrogant emperor of a mighty empire just as David challenged Goliath (on roughly the same Middle Eastern battlefield). Lest the bystander underestimate what’s really at stake there, all should be aware that the world community of nations is but a single false flag attack away from the hot phase of World War III.[3] Therefore, as the U.S. Navy continues to assemble warships in the eastern Mediterranean, extreme and uninterrupted vigilance has never been so imperative. SOS: Major False Flag Ship Attack on U.S. Navy in Mediterranean Planned as Pretext for World War III

Zionist warmongering & Armageddon

It ought to be abundantly clear why the Zionist warmongers are attacking Assad’s Syria with a vengeance. First of all, he makes them all looks bad—VERY BAD! A righteous leader inevitably shows just how bad his corrupt and criminal peers really are. Such a predicament eventually leads to pangs of jealously which are acted out when the opportunity presents. Welcome to the Syrian War!

The Neocon Zionists have done an amazing job of keeping these truths about President Assad and his family from making it to the mainstream media. They really do not want the world to know what an awesome couple has led Syria because they are determined to implement their regime change. They are obsessed with replacing a hugely popular and democratically elected leader with a U.S.-installed puppet who will allow the Zionazis to steal their oil and gas.

Where this will all lead to is anyone’s guess. Verily, the forces of light are hard at work battling the forces of darkness in Syria. Hence, the many references to Armageddon are both apropos and timely. Large swaths of the Northern Levant have already been transformed into a dystopian, post apocalyptic wasteland.

The Levant and Armageddon, Syria and World War III
The Levant and Armageddon, Syria and World War III

Perhaps Presidents Assad and Putin along with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will avert the Armageddon long planned by Christian and Jewish Zionists.

Both of these pseudo-religious groups have desecrated the Holy Land to the degree where it’s now extremely challenging to experience the sacred or see the divine. Which is yet another reason why they wish to eradicate the enlightened leadership of President Bashar al-Assad from the region—he truly aspires to lead with his authentic faith unlike those who malign him daily.Conclusion
Some folks may still wonder “how one man’s courage triggered the collapse of the British American Empire”.

Because Assad has held firm since 2011, a LOT has been exposed about the ways of Zionist warmongering.

The whole world now knows that Al-Qaeda was an American creation. And that ISIS and the Al-Nusra Front were formed, funded and armed by the Western powers. The people also know that ISIL was supported by NATO, and especially assisted by Turkey, Israel and Saudi Arabia. That the Islamic State was furtively established by the CIA, MI6, DGSE, GID and MOSSAD with the blessing of the Obama administration.

For over 7 years these irrefutable facts have leaked out into the public domain. Radioactive truths about the Greater Israel project have likewise gone viral on the Internet. So have volumes of classified information about Operation Gladio A, B and C. Who doesn’t know that virtually every terrorist attack in the Mideast (and everywhere else) is really a false flag operation conducted under the rubric of Operation Gladio.

What’s the point?

The real Axis of Evil has been exposed. And it’s not Iran, Iraq, Syria or North Korea. It’s the United States, United Kingdom, France, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Given these highly consequential revelations, the Great Game is over. The West has lost. The reign of the Almighty Dollar has ended. The BRICS-aligned nations are ever-so-deliberately leaving the Anglo-American reservation. Once this transition is complete, the Global Economic & Financial System will be re-established and disassociated from the hegemonic British American Empire. You can thank Bashar al-Assad for that.

Bottom Line: President Assad should keep on doing exactly what he’s done up until now because it’s certainly working. Soon the British American Empire will have collapsed in broad daylight because of “one’s man’s awesome courage”.
 

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