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

[sToRmR1dR]

Russian Defense Ministry to Discuss Missile Attack Warning System Development

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160823/1044536489/russia-defence-missile-warning.html

The Russian Ministry of Defense collegium will discuss on Tuesday the progress on the missile attack warning system.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Russian Ministry of Defense collegium chaired by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will discuss on Tuesday the progress on the missile attack warning system, the ministry's press service said.

"In accordance with the agenda, the collegium will discuss the implementation of the 2016-2020 Plan of action for the Eastern Military District, taking into account the prospects of placing troops in the Kuril Islands and the Action Plan of the Airborne Troops for years 2016-2020. During the meeting, further development of a missile attack warning system will be discussed," the press service said.

According to the statement, the agenda will also include issues of improving the structure of the military police, as well as the approval of model standards for the projects of the Russian Defense Ministry.

The meeting will be attended by the Armed Forces' top officials, as well as representatives of state bodies and public organizations.

Russian, Belarusian Security Councils Discuss NATO Presence in Eastern Europe

http://sputniknews.com/world/20160823/1044539140/russia-belarus-nato.html

According to Russian Security Council statement, it had discussed risks and challenges posed by NATO presence in Eastern Europe with the Security Council of Belarus.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Russian Security Council said in a statement Tuesday that it had discussed risks and challenges posed by NATO presence in Eastern Europe with the Security Council of Belarus.

"The sides exchanged opinions regarding risks and challenges to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus posed by increased NATO military presence in Eastern Europe, as well as issues related to the fight against international terrorism," the Council said.

Post-Soviet military bloc's peacekeepers begin exercise in Belarus

http://tass.com/defense/895408

More than 1,000 troops and 500 units of military equipment will be involved in the joint Unbreakable Brotherhood-2016 exercise of the Collective Security Treaty Organization

MINSK, August 23. /TASS/. More than 1,000 troops and 500 units of military equipment will be involved in a joint exercise of the peacekeeping contingents of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states codenamed Unbreakable Brotherhood-2016, which starts in Belarus on Tuesday, the Belarusian Defense Ministry reported.

"The main objectives of the exercise are strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between the peacekeeping forces of the CSTO member states, improving practical skills of the commanders and staffs at all levels in preparing a peacekeeping operation and command and control of forces and units during peacekeeping missions," the Defense Ministry said.

In addition, according to the Belarusian Defense Ministry, the CSTO partners will drill interaction "in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the local population in a simulated conflict zone, as well as practice actions to destroy simulated illegal armed groups in their areas of responsibility."

According to the CSTO Secretariat, "for the first time the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces will get the UN Security Council mandate and will act in a crisis region in cooperation with the UN mission." Representatives of the United Nations Secretariat and the International Committee of the Red Cross have been invited to the exercise.

A demonstration of new and upgraded samples of weapons, military and special equipment, the use of which is allowed to the peacekeeping force was held on the eve of the manoeuvers at the Obuz-Lesnovsky military range in the Brest region. About 10 organizations of the Belarusian State Military Industrial Committee system and the defense sector of the Belarusian economy presented nearly 100 samples of weapons, military and special equipment, according to the State Military Industrial Committee.

The Unbreakable Brotherhood-2016 manoeuvers will be held at the Obuz-Lesnovsky range in the Brest region on August 23-27. The Russian peacekeeping contingent involved in the exercise comprises more than 300 soldiers.

Churkin urges US-led coalition to analyze its actions in Syria

http://tass.com/politics/895380

"Regretfully, some UN Security Council members have been tactless and openly unscrupulous in discussing the situation in Syria," Russian Ambassador to the United Nations said

UNITED NATIONS, August 22 /TASS/. Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin has called on the U.S.-led coalition to look in the mirror more frequently and analyze its own operations in Syria instead of spreading provocative insinuations about the Russian military operation in Syria at the UN Security Council.

"Regretfully, some UN Security Council members have been tactless and openly unscrupulous in discussing the situation in Syria. They try to push provocative insinuations about the Russian Aerospace Forces operations in Syria through the United Nations Security Council while being reticent about their own actions, which can hardly be called justified," the Russian diplomat told a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Monday.

He called attention to the fact that dozens of air strikes, which the coalition forces had delivered at the residential quarters in the Syrian town of Manbij, killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds of civilians, including women and children.

"Civilians have received no aid. The only time when civilians tried to leave Manbij was on July 19 when an air strike delivered at a refugee column hurt about 200 people," Churkin said. He also recalled that the U.S. coalition air strikes had killed 28 people, including 7 children, in Al-Ghandour near Manbij on July 28.

"We are discussing the situation in Syria for a second time. However, I have not heard a word from the coalition members about that incident. I would like to urge our western colleagues to tone down their rhetoric; look in the mirror more frequently and analyze their own actions and the actions of their fosterlings. The world will see fewer tragedies then," Churkin said.

Talking about the proposed humanitarian pauses, which are established for delivering relief aid into Aleppo, Churkin said they should not be used by insurgents to replenish their resources, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said on Monday.

Churkin said that the parameters of humanitarian cargoes, including the initiative to establish a 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo with participation of UN special agencies, were being defined. "We firmly believe that humanitarian lulls should not be used by the insurgents to replenish their resources and regroup their forces like it used to be in the past. We hope that the opposition sponsors will be able to make it (the opposition) more agreeable and committed to the terms of future agreements," the diplomat said.

Churkin emphasized that it was necessary to tighten control over the passage of cargoes via the Turkish-Syrian border in order to prevent terrorists from using humanitarian corridors for strengthening their ranks with more militants and receiving fresh supplies of weapons and ammunition.

On August 18, the Russian Defense Ministry said it was ready to support the United Nations initiative to establish weekly 48-hour pauses in military hostilities in Aleppo for holding humanitarian operations in the city. The first pause in fighting is to be introduced this week.

UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien said on Monday that the United Nations would send 70 trucks with food and essentials to eastern Aleppo if a ceasefire agreement was reached.

A number of Western countries on Monday welcomed Russia’s decision to support the United Nations initiative. However, they insisted that the Syrian government should not use the humanitarian pauses in Aleppo to regroup and build up its forces ahead of storming rebel-held strongholds in Aleppo’s eastern outskirts.

The United Nations Security Council discussed the humanitarian situation in Syria on Monday. The delegations of the United States, Britain and Ukraine blamed Russia for civilian deaths in Syria. British Ambassador to the United Nations Matthew Rycroft cited a report by the Human Rights Watch non-governmental organization that claimed that Russian warplanes used flame bombs in Syria.He urged Russia to stop using that weapon in its air campaign.

Deciphering the 'Russian Withdrawal' from Hamadan

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/08/deciphering-russian-withdrawal-from.html

August 22, 2016 - Fort Russ News -
- Analysis by: Joaquin Flores -

Is Russia withdrawing from the Hamadan air base in Iran? Today, a news piece made its rounds stating that Russia is officially downgrading its status at, or completely withdrawing its forces from, the Hamadan air base in Iran. It was just last week that Iran and Russia had announced this as a base which Russia could permanently use.

Official statements, especially in a time of war, always serve multiple purposes and contain data which is normally beyond the limited scope of the statement itself. Therefore, in light of the existing literature on 4GW (fourth generation warfare) and 'new media', we understand that the statement itself does not reflect the full scope of the reality in question. Based upon our assessment of both what seems strategically logical under the current circumstances, and in line with the precedent established by Russia in prior cases, it is beyond any doubt that what has been reported does not directly infer to the reality which it refers.

As RT reported: "Official Representative of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, Major General Igor Konashenkov, stated that, now that tasks have been successfully completed and Russian aircraft have been withdrawn from the Hamadan airbase in Iran, the base will henceforth only be used depending on the situation in Syria. The grounds for use will be mutual agreements on combating terrorism."

This Russian MoD's statement and relevant media reports could be interpreted as announcements of a Russian withdrawal from the base for one reason or another. The information that all the Russian aircraft involved in sorties from Hamadan, from Tu-22M3's to Su-34's, are now back in Russia might seem to indicate a a tacit withdrawal from an important newly acquired operative location during a pivotal juncture in the Syrian conflict. In actuality, Russia and Iran have just agreed to change how they publicly describe what is indeed, as previously described, Russia's permanent use of the Hamadan airfield.

The US was likely to use the existence of a Russian base as a bargaining chip in any upcoming ceasefire talks, which Russia has recently indicated it would be willing to enter into on a pilot basis. Indeed, following this track, the Russian announcement may be taken as a clear sign that specific terms of a ceasefire will be negotiated in the very near future.

This fits a clear pattern of Russian information war strategy in which Russia unilaterally declares a withdrawal or otherwise redeployment of forces in order to prevent the US from using such as a bargaining chip in their list of demands.

A nearly identical announcement was made back in March as a precursor to ceasefire talks that Russia was pulling its planes back to the Russian Federation from its Latakia base. The language used in circulating that information created the public perception that Russia was generally down-scaling its operations. This was an effective device in the lead up to ceasefire negotiations, but subsequent facts would show to the contrary that Russia had redoubled its efforts. This move corroborates the opinion of the author that the nature of US-Russian bilateral talks are limited to facts on the ground, as opposed to those that would include every foreseeable or imaginable development.

After the original Hamadan base announcement from the week of August 15th, which accurately explained the nature of Russia's permanent use of the Hamadan base, lawyers and diplomatic channels from the US expressed their view that this violated UN Security Council Resolution 2231 which states that "it is necessary to coordinate with the UN the supply, sale or transfer of certain types of weapons to Iran, including combat aircraft."

Lavrov had clarified that these aircraft were not in the possession of Iran and therefore not subject to the UNSC's resolution. However, this created a dilemma within the political processes of Iranian democracy.

Article 146 of the Iranian Constitution prohibits the establishment of any foreign military bases in the country, a significant outcome of the Iranian Revolution of 1979. The previous description of the base as being a permanent Russian presence would unnecessarily give ammunition to opposition parties in Iran's upcoming elections even if Iran's officials could clarify that they had "given nothing away." In addition, such accusations could set back progress in easing and lifting sanctions against Iran and rebuild business relationships, which some European countries have already to begun to realize.

Overall, this new reshuffle resembles the supposed Russian "withdrawal" from Latakia several months ago. In reality, it is another tactical and strategic repositioning and use of information war intended to keep the upper hand in the diplomatic standoff over Syria.

It is also important to mention that there is a key phrase embedded in the official announcement from Major General Konashenkov, that the base would: "henceforth only be used depending on the situation in Syria".

This tells us that in reality there will be no change in the use of the airbase, because its use always depended on the situation in Syria. Whether one frames the base as an ongoing operation, or to the contrary, one that is only used right before an actual sortie, bears no distinction in practice.

In summary, we can interpret this announcement of a new "withdrawal" as accomplishing one or more of the aforementioned requirements: (1) removing potential demands from the soft pro-Atlanticist Iranian opposition; (2) greatly reducing the possibility of the US presenting the Hamadan airbase as a concession to be demanded Russia; (3) reducing the potential of the US successfully arguing that Iran is violating the UN Security Council resolution.

US not sure whether Russia ‘stopped’ using Iran airbase

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/23/481272/US-Russia-Iran-airbase-

The United States has reacted to Russia’s announcement that its fighter jets stopped using an airbase in western Iran to target terrorists in Syria.

The US State Department on Monday said that it was unclear if Moscow's use of the airbase had "definitively stopped."

"We're monitoring closely, we continue to. It's not clear to us other than what we've seen in various press and public statements whether their use of this airbase has definitively stopped, but we'll continue to watch it closely,” State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said.

Toner stated that the Russian-Iranian cooperation was part of the "alarming" situation in Syria, but then added, “I'm not aware that we have information one way or the other what's going on here.”

Earlier on Monday, Russia's ambassador to Iran said all of his country’s aircraft had left the Nojeh Airbase near the western Iranian city of Hamedan.

“All Russian military currently left Iran’s Hamedan airbase,” Ambassador Levan said.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a separate statement that Moscow could use the Iranian airbase again depending on the situation in Syria and as long as Iran agreed.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman also confirmed the end of Russia’s use of Nojeh Aairbase, saying the move was part of an operational cooperation between Tehran and Moscow.

“Russia has no base in Iran and is not stationed here. They did this (operation) and it is finished for now," Bahram Qassemi told reporters.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan had said that Russia would be allowed to use the Nojeh base "for as long as they need.”

When it was reported last week that Russia was using the Iranian airbase, the US State Department called the move "unfortunate but not surprising" and said that it was examining whether that was a violation of a United Nations resolution.

Iran and Russia are Syria’s main allies and have been assisting the government of President Bashar al-Assad in its fight against foreign-backed terrorist groups, including Daesh terrorists.

Since September 30, 2015, Russia has been conducting airstrikes against Daesh and other terrorist groups in Syria at the Syrian government’s request.

Iran has also been providing advisory assistance to the Syrian government.

Russian planes’ flights from Iranian base not suspended — official

http://tass.com/world/895398

Iran's parliament speaker says the two countries are allies in the fight against terrorism

TEHRAN, August 23. /TASS/. The flights of Russian warplanes from the Iranian airbase in Hamedan have not been suspended, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said on Tuesday.

"The flights haven’t been suspended. Iran and Russia are allies in the fight against terrorism," Larijani said. He added that Iran’s Shahid Nojeh air base in Hamedan is only "used for refueling," not for permanent deployment.

The speaker responded to last week’s statement of MP Mahmud Sadeghi that 20 lawmakers had sent a letter to the parliament’s presidium demanding explanations about the use of the airbase. "The request will be certainly considered," Larijani said.

Last week for the first time ever, Russia’s military used an airfield in Iran to attack terrorists in Syria. Long-range bombers, namely Tupolev-22M3 and Sukhoi-34 front-line bombers participated in the raid. Earlier, these aircraft flew sorties from airdromes in Russia and front-line bombers, from the Hmeymim base in Syria.

On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry official spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told reporters in Tehran that Russia stopped using the base in Iran.

US ready to target Russian, Syrian jets in Syria: Pentagon

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/23/481261/US-Russia-Syria-Daesh

The Pentagon has warned Syria and Russia that the US is ready to shoot down their planes, which Washington claims threaten American advisers in northern Syria.

The warning came after US fighter jets tried to engage Syrian Arab Air Force aircraft in Syria last week, but the showdown was avoided as government planes left before the Americans arrived.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis claimed on Friday the US fighters attempted to intercept the Syrian planes to protect American advisers – a term the US military often uses for its Special Operations Forces – working with Kurdish forces after the Syrian government jets bombed the area.

On Monday, another Pentagon spokesman, Peter Cook, said, "We would continue to advise the Syrian regime to steer clear of those areas."

"We are going to defend our people on the ground, and do what we need to defend them," Cook told reporters.

"It's not a no-fly zone," he said, adding that “the Syrian regime would be wise to avoid areas where coalition forces have been operating."

When asked about Russia, Cook said the US would also do the same with Russian jets, which have been striking Daesh targets in Syria at the country's request since last year.

"If they threaten US forces, we always have the right to defend our forces," Cook said.

Russia launched its air offensive in Syria in September 2015. According to analysts, the campaign has so far broken the backbone of Daesh and other militants there, and has provided the Syrian government with an opportunity to defeat the foreign-sponsored terrorist onslaught.

The US and some of its Arab allies began their campaign in Syria in September 2014 without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.

Since then, they have been carrying out airstrikes in the war-torn country, but their air raids have done little to stop the Takfiri group’s advances there.

Davis said Friday that two Syrian SU-24 attack planes attacked Kurdish forces undergoing training with US Special Operations troops around the northeastern city of Hasakah, but they had left by the time the American jets arrived.

In response, the General Command of the Syrian Arab Army said later in the day that Kurdish forces were "attacking state institutions, stealing oil and cotton, obstructing exams, kidnapping unarmed civilians and spreading chaos and instability.”

Since March 2011, Syria has been gripped by a foreign-backed militancy. Daesh terrorists still control parts of Syria and Iraq.

New deal reached for Hasakah in Hmeimim Base

https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/new-deal-reached-hasakah-hmeimim-base/

Syrian government officials reportedly met with YPG and Asayish leaderships in the Russian Hmeimim Base to negotiate a lasting ceasefire under Russian supervision.

Three main points were agreed upon:

1. The security box in Hasakah is to remain under the control of the local police force while Brigades 121 and 123 in Kawkab region in eastern Hasakah are to be under the control of the Syrian Army.

2. Asayish units are to withdraw to their previous points of control.

3.Police stations to be given back to police officeers and interior ministry forces to be given the role of protecting governmental institutions including the prisons and immigration/passport offices.

Russia Suggests Mechanism to Prevent Incidents Between Syrian, US Air Forces

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160823/1044538829/russia-syria-us-incidents.html

The Russian Defense Ministry has proposed to establish a mechanism to prevent incidents between the Syrian and US air forces operating in the Arab republic, media reported Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – According to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, citing a source in the military and diplomatic circles, the increased activity of the Syrian Air Force and its Su-24M2 aircraft led to the Russian Defense Ministry's initiative to establish a mechanism which aims to prevent any incidents between the Syrian and US aircraft, as Damascus does not have communication channels with Washington as Moscow does.

The newspaper added that the Russian initiative's technical proposals would be a topic of discussion during the meeting between the Russian and US foreign ministers scheduled for August 26-27.

Last week, the United States contacted Moscow through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) deconfliction channel after the Syrian Air Force had conducted airstrikes near ground forces in the vicinity of Hasakah, to ensure flight safety during combat missions over Syria.

On Monday, US Department of Defense Press Secretary Peter Cook said that the United States was prepared to communicate directly with the Syrian government to avoid another situation like the one with Hasakah.

Russia to Deploy Giant Aircraft Carrier to Syria's Waters

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950602000453

"Russia's war on ISIL terrorists will strengthen by dispatch of Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean Sea near the waters of war-hit Syria," sources said.

An informed source told Ria Novosti that Kuznetsov carrier is under the last phases of technical checks and will be ready to do its missions in Syria till end of September.

A senior Russian navy officer said earlier this month that Russia's Aircraft Carrier was preparing to start flights of the country's latest fighter jet from near the Syrian coasts.

"There is a need to launch the system before the aircraft-carrier enters the Mediterranean sea and it should get prepared for starting Mig-29 fighter jet missions by the end of 2016," the Arabic-language media quoted an unnamed Russian navy officer as saying.

The news came as the Russian navy dispatched its Admiral Kuznetsov to the Eastern waters of the Mediterranean Sea to join the anti-terrorism operations in Syria.

The Kuznetsov is now working with Sukhoi-33 for tracking operations, but it lacks the capability of the Mig-29 fighter jets to hit the land targets.

"Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will be deployed to Eastern Mediterranean Sea between the months of October 2016 and January 2017," a Russian diplomat was quoted by media sources as saying.

"Chief Staff of the Russian Army has prepared a plan based on which the aircraft carrier's crew will exercise the processes of the fighter jets' take off from the their landing on the carrier," the diplomat said, adding, "The bombers on the board of aircraft carrier will cooperated with those in Humeimim airbase in Syrian coasts."

"The carrier will be deployed to the nearest distance to Syrian lands to have enough fuel for long-distance combat flight over the country," the sources further added.

"The carrier is projected to host at least 15 Sukhoi-33, Sukhoi-27 and Mig-29 and 10 choppers of K52, K27 and K31 in Syrian mission," the source went on to say.

The carrier is projected to host at least 15 Sukhoi-33, Sukhoi-27 and Mig-29 and 10 choppers of K52, K27 and K31 in Syrian mission.

Syrian Army Repels ISIL's Attacks in Deir Ezzur

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950602000502

ISIL failed to break through government-held region of al-Jabal opposite to al-Omal district due to the heavy fire of the Syrian soldiers backed up by the country's warplanes.

ISIL left tens of dead members and destroyed vehicles and military equipment and retreated from the battlefront.

In the meantime, the Syrian soldiers engaged in heavy fighting with ISIL near Deir Ezzur airbase which lasted for several hours.

In relevant developments on Saturday, Russian warplanes launched fresh combat flights over ISIL's gathering centers near the Eastern city of Deir Ezzur, inflicting major damage on the terrorists' positions and military hardware.

The Russian fighter jets pounded ISIL's concentration centers near the small towns of al-Jafreh, Hatleh, and al-Hosseiniyeh, leaving several terrorists dead or wounded and destroying their equipment.

In the meantime, Syrian army troops engaged in heavy fighting with ISIL near Deir Ezzur, and destroyed their booby-trapped vehicles and machinegun-equipped vehicles.

Terrorist Groups Suffer Heavy Casualties in Syrian Army Attacks in Dara'a

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950602000698

Dozens of terrorist were killed or wounded when their positions in al-Karak and Bosra square in Southern and Central parts of Dara'a city came under attacks by the Syrian government forces.

Terrorist groups' military hardware, arms and ammunition were also targeted and destroyed in the attacks.

In relevant developments in the province on Monday, one of the main command centers of Fatah al-Sham (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups previously known as the al-Nusra Front) in Dara'a came under attack by Syrian army soldiers.

Syrian Army troops stormed Fatah al-Sham's command center in the Southeastern side of al-Karak water reservoir in Dara'a al-Mahatta, destroying the center and killing several militants.

Syrian soldiers also inflicted major losses on Fatah al-Sham's militants in the Eastern side of electricity company.

Terrorist' artillery units in al-Arba'een neighborhood in Dara'a al-Balad also came under heavy attack by the army men.

In the meantime, Syrian soldiers stormed Fatah al-Sham's positions near Dara'a dam and Western side of al-Na'eimeh town.

 

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Expert-level consultations on coordination in Syria kicked off between the Russian and US military in Switzerland, a diplomatic source close to the talks told RIA Novosti on Tuesday without elaborating on the length of the meeting.

Russia-US Military Expert Talks on Syria Kick Off in Geneva
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160823/1044554786/russia-us-syria.html

The consultations are expected to address work between Moscow and Washington to organize humanitarian pauses in Aleppo and ensure the safety of humanitarian convoys traveling along Castello road.

The outcome of the ongoing talks would determine the likelihood of the previously reported August 26 meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva, sources told RIA Novosti earlier.

The battle for the city of Aleppo is shaping to become a milestone in the Syrian conflict; its outcome will most likely determine the fate of the country, if not the Middle East, philosopher and anthropologist Vladimir Lepekhin, director of EurAsEc (The Eurasian Economic Community) Institute, wrote for RIA Novosti.

US 'Trying to Discredit Russia's Efforts in Syria' and Ruin Aleppo Operation
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160816/1044324998/us-russia-aleppo.html

For the analyst, this is not merely a battle between Damascus-led forces and rebels, but rather a "standoff" between the Russian and US-led coalitions.

This is why Washington and its allies are increasingly active in Syria.

The United States "is trying to undermine the Syrian Arab Army's (SAA) operation aimed at freeing Aleppo, the city that the US views as the capital of 'moderate' Syrian opposition. They also want to fuel tensions in Damascus suburbs and strengthen their positions in areas close to Raqqa and northeastern provinces," the analyst said.

Aleppo, once the largest city in the embattled country, has been controlled by the SAA and radical groups, but last month government forces managed to cut all supply routes to rebel-held areas in what was perceived as a major victory for Bashar al-Assad. The militants have tried to break the siege ever since.

Meanwhile Russia launched a humanitarian operation to help tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the city.

Lepekhin mentioned that no one doubts that the US is behind so-called moderate opposition forces in Aleppo that have long since merged with terrorist groups operating in the city. This is why the Western coalition is trying to "further discredit Russia's efforts, ruin Aleppo's blockade and undermine the SAA advance in northern Syria."

The analyst further noted that US special forces have been more active in the embattled country.

"In late July, several media outlets in the West reported that the US State Department was preparing an anti-Assad operation in Jordan, home to the largest British intelligence base that has been used by US troops," the analyst said.

Lepekhin also pointed a possible link between the downing of the Russian Su-24 in November, the crash of Russian Mi-8 helicopter last month and SAA operations. Both incidents took place when the Syrian Arab Army, assisted by Russian warplanes and local allies, launched major operations.

The Su-24 incident undermined the SAA offensive in Latakia at a time when the army was trying to seal the porous border with Turkey. The Mi-8 crash could have been linked to the SAA success in Aleppo.

Over 30,000 Islamic terrorists have been killed in anti-terror operations, but the authorities are having problems sending the bodies back to their country of origin, the chairman of Syria's Forensic Medicine Committee told Sputnik.

Thousands of Dead Terrorist Corpses Still Litter Syria, Official Tells Sputnik
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160823/1044553229/syria-terrorist-corpses.html

The Syrian government has been unable to repatriate the bodies of thousands of Daesh fighters who were killed in anti-terror operations, Hussein Nofal, chairman of Syria's Forensic Medicine Committee, told Sputnik.

Nofal explained that after the bodies were identified and the country of origin informed, even neighboring countries proved unwilling to receive the corpses.

"We managed to identify several thousand dead terrorists from France, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon and other Arab countries. We have been unable to identify another 30,000 (terrorist) corpses," Nofal told Sputnik.

Sadly, the doctor added that the bodies of innocent Syrians have also suffered the same fate. He said that the Syrian army and allied forces have discovered several mass graves containing the victims of terrorist groups operating in Syria, and that their bodies often showed signs of torture.

When we find mass graves containing dead civilians in towns which have been liberated, very often we are only able to establish the cause of death, because so much time has passed since they were killed we are unable to identify them," Nofal explained.

We often find that the dead were subjected to physical torture, blows, cuts, diesel fuel and oil injected into the blood. Foreign objects were found inside the bodies of some of the women," said the doctor, adding that terrorist groups are increasingly targeting their violence at women and children.

The Syrian army continues its drive to liberate territory held by Islamic militants, and on Tuesday repelled a series of attacks by Daesh terrorists near Kuweires air base in the region of Aleppo, about 50km south of the Turkish border. Several terrorists were killed and their military equipment destroyed, sources in the Syrian military said.

Al-Masdar News reported that the Syrian army has seized Umm Qara Hill, an important strategic area in southern Aleppo, from Jaysh Al-Fateh jihadi militants.

Iran's Fars News also reported on Tuesday that the Syrian army and allied militia had killed more than 100 fighters from Islamic terrorist groups including Ahrar al-Sham and Fatah al-Sham (formerly al-Nusra Front) in the region of Hama, a city 46 kilometers from Homs in west-central Syria.

 

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Russia’s National Guard reports 15 terrorists' facilities eliminated in North Caucasus

http://tass.com/society/895419

National Guard troops completed 280 public order maintenance tasks

MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. Fifteen terrorist infrastructure facilities have been destroyed in Russia’s North Caucasus region over the past week, the temporary information center of the Russian National Guard Service told TASS on Tuesday.

"The combined force servicemen have conducted more than 120 special operations in Russia’s North Caucasus region destroying 15 terrorist infrastructure facilities and seizing 39 pieces of small arms and more than 8,000 ammunition," the Russian National Guard said.

National Guard troops completed 280 public order maintenance tasks last week. "Together with law enforcement officers, Russian National Guard servicemen detained over 12,000 citizens for various wrongdoings, including public order breaches," the information center said.

Sukhoi Su-34 plane nicknamed ‘Duckling:’ Russian Aerospace Force’s best bomber

http://tass.com/defense/895438

Unique aerial surveying and combat capabilities of Russia’s advanced warplane

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The first contract for the delivery of Su-34 combat planes was signed with the Russian Defense Ministry in 2008. Four years later, the advanced fighter-bomber entered service with Russia’s Aerospace Force. As Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Aerospace Force Viktor Bondarev said earlier, the Su-34 will eventually replace Su-24 (Fencer) frontline bombers and Su-25 (Frogfoot) attack aircraft. The Russian Aerospace Force is expected to receive no less than 200 Su-34 fighter-bombers under the state armament program through 2020.
The Russian air task force is successfully using these warplanes in an operation in Syria against militants of the Islamic State (terrorist organization outlawed in Russia).

Why ‘Duckling’?

The aircraft features a standard aerodynamic layout with an additional foreplane, a trapezoidal midwing, twin vertical tails, two AL-31F engines in the fuselage’ rear and tricycle landing gear.

The crew comprises a pilot and a navigator sitting side by side in an armored cockpit. The cockpit can be accessed through a lower hatch by climbing the footsteps.

Commander of a Su-34 air wing, Captain Alexei Belonog who has logged almost a thousand flight hours and mastered four types of aircraft told TASS on the eve of Military Aviation Day that precisely the Su-34 fighter bomber was an indisputable favorite for him.

And, by the way, it is pure truth that the advanced fighter-bomber is gently called the ‘Duckling’ in the troops due to its flat-shaped nose cone. I don’t see anything bad in this
Alexei Belonog
commander of a Su-34 air wing, captain

The Su-34 is a favorite plane among many pilots as it features a spacious and comfortable cockpit and excellent flight characteristics. “Of course, it is not designed for aerobatics but it can also experience overloads of up to 7.5G [overloads experienced by pilots when they perform aerobatic maneuvers],” the pilot said.

[...]

Russian Airborne Troops to receive over 2,000 items of modern armament

http://tass.com/defense/895562

The formation of three new reconnaissance battalions and six tank companies will be completed this year

MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. Russia’s Airborne Troops will this year receive over 2,000 items of modern armaments, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting of the ministry’s board.

"Over the past four years, the Airborne Troops have received over 3,000 items of new and modernized specimens of armaments and military hardware. This year, there are plans to supply another 2,000 items of armaments and modern hardware," Shoigu said.

He said the Airborne Troops already comprise three air assault brigades and five reconnaissance battalions. "This year, the formation of another three reconnaissance battalions and six tank companies will be completed," the minister said.

Besides, Shoigu said, the intensity of troops training rose by 17%.

Earlier, the plans to create six tank companies in the Airborne Troops by the yearend were voiced by Airborne Troops Commander Col. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov. According to data of a TASS high-ranking source in the Airborne Troops Staff, there are plans to transform the companies into tank battalions by the end of 2018.

Post-Soviet military bloc is creating police unit for UN peacekeeping missions

http://tass.com/world/895533

The unit may soon be involved in peacekeeping missions under the UN auspices

MINSK, August 23. /TASS/. A peacekeeping police unit, which is being created within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), may soon be involved in peacekeeping missions under the UN auspices, CSTO Deputy Secretary General Valery Semerikov said on Tuesday at the Unbreakable Brotherhood-2016 exercise of the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces that is underway in Belarus.

"A peacekeeping police unit is being set up within the Collective Security Treaty Organization. It will always stand by to carry out missions in accordance with UN standards," Semerikov is quoted by Belarus’ BELTA news agency.

The CSTO deputy secretary general said that this activity will enhance the CSTO prestige in general and all the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization taken separately.

Semerikov said that the CSTO Collective Peacekeeping Forces will for the first time get the UN Security Council mandate and will act in a crisis region in cooperation with the UN mission. "The CSTO units may be deployed in the near future", Semerikov said.

The Unbreakable Brotherhood-2016 exercise together with the CSTO collective peacekeeping forces began in the combined arms exercise area Obuz-Lesnovsky in the Brest region of Belarus on Tuesday. Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister, Major-General Sergei Potapenko supervises the drill.

As part of the exercise the CSTO collective peacekeeping forces will respond to a mass arrival of refugees from conflict zones. Buffer zones will be created, hypothetical aggressors will be separated, militants will be blocked and disarmed, and humanitarian cargoes will be escorted. The exercise will test the real readiness of staffs, commanders and rank and file personnel of the peacekeeping forces to act in an aggravated crisis situation, said the Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister, according to BELTA.

The Unbreakable Brotherhood-2016 exercise is scheduled to run through August 27. National contingents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan are taking part in the exercise. Up to 1,500 personnel representing the armies, interior troops and police of all the six CSTO member states as well as about 300 aircraft, armored vehicles and automobiles will be involved in the drill overall.

Russian Defense Ministry says humanitarian lull in Aleppo due when UN cargoes ready

http://tass.com/politics/895426

The Russian Defense Ministry is ready to assist with the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid in Aleppo

MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. The first 48-hour-long humanitarian pause in Aleppo will be announced when the UN Secretary General’s special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, says the cargoes are ready for delivery to city residents, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told the media on Tuesday.

"By coordination with the Syrian authorities the first 48-hour humanitarian pause in combat operations in Aleppo will be announced when there is a special message from the special envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, to the effect the humanitarian cargoes are ready for delivery to Aleppo," Antonov said.

On August 24 officials from Russia’s center for reconciliation in Syria will hold a meeting with the head of the local UN office.

"The meeting is to coordinate the dates and routes for the delivery of UN humanitarian cargoes to Aleppo residents," Antonov said.

"The Russian Defense Ministry and the Syrian authorities are prepared to assist in the delivery of humanitarian cargoes from different organizations and individuals to Aleppo and its distribution through the deployed humanitarian centers," he said.

Russia ready to assist with delivery

According to Antonov, the Russian Defense Ministry, together with the Syrian authorities, is ready to assist with the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid in Aleppo.

"The Russian Defense Ministry, in cooperation with the Syrian authorities, is ready to provide assistance in delivering humanitarian aid from various organizations and citizens to Aleppo and distributing it through the humanitarian corridors that have been set up," he said.

Antonov recalled that Russia’s military supported de Mistura’s idea of 48-hour pauses in Aleppo. Also, he said the Russian Defense Ministry and the Syrian authorities were pushing ahead with the humanitarian operation, launched in the city on July 28. Humanitarian aid was being delivered to Aleppo. Humanitarian corridors were open for civilians and militants prepared to lay down arms. Cooperation with the office of the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Syria had been established.

Earlier, the Defense Ministry said it was ready to declare the first 48-hour humanitarian pause in Aleppo this week. Before that Russia suggested pausing combat operations for three hours a day to let humanitarian convoys into the city.

EXCLUSIVE: Fatah Al-Sham Terrorists Seen Among Kurdish Asayesh Forces in Hasaka

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950602001539

The Asayesh Kurdish forces (a branch of the PKK) fighting against Syria's National Defense Forces had sought help from Fatah al-Sham terrorists to fight the NDF and launch artillery attacks on the civilians in Hasaka.

At least 23 civilians were killed in the Asayesh forces' artillery attack on the residential areas of Hasaka.

Late last week, the Asayesh forces had attacked the Syrian army positions in Hasaka to take control of the town of Shadadi, but the Syrian air force targeted their position.

The Syrian army had announced ceasefire after several days of clashes in Hasaka but Asayesh forces violated the truce and continued their operations.

Sources close to Asayesh had claimed earlier that the Syrian Kurdish group of People’s Protection Units (YPG) seized over 90% of the Syrian army's positions in Hasaka but after some hours it was declared that the Kurds have accepted the ceasefire and stopped operations in the city.

Media sources disclosed on Tuesday that a high-ranking Kurdish delegation was to arrive in Hemimim Airbase in Lattakia to hold a meeting with Russian officials on ways to end the differences with government forces in Hasaka province.

"The Kurdish delegation is due to meet a Russian General who is to mediate between the Kurdish police of Asayesh and the pro-government National Defense Forces (NDF)," the Arabic language Al-Mayadeen said quoting informed sources on Tuesday.

"The Russian military official is to reaffirm a temporary peace-agreement concluded on Sunday nigh between the rebel Kurds of the PKK and the Syrian government officials."

Media activists further added that a new peace agreement will possibly be inked in Hemimim.

Later on Tuesday, sources close to the Syrian Kurdish fighters said that Asayesh has finally accepted ceasefire with the Syrian governmental forces in Hasaka.

Ahrar Al-Sham Terrorists Warn Saudi Mofti to Stay Away from Idlib Or Wait for Headchopping

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950602001352

"Ahrar al-Sham has decided to block al-Moheiseni's path to the territories held by the Takfiri group in Idlib province," the sources said.

"If al-Moheiseni continues to accuse Ahrar al-Sham of being dependent on Turkey and carrying out Turkish plans in Syria, the groups will punish him and cut off his head," the sources quoted Ahrar al-Sham as saying.

Also a source close to Ahrar al-Sham disclosed that al-Moheiseni stays in Harm region controlled by Fatah al-Sham (the newly formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front). Al-Moheiseni is collecting fresh recruits for Fatah al-Sham.

Earlier today, al-Moheiseni underlined that growing differences among Jeish al-Fatah coalition's groups will end in nothing but collapse of Operations Room for Conquest of Aleppo.

"If my attempts to decrease differences among the coalition's militant groups fail, and if the other members of Jeish al-Fatah coalition do not unite with Fatah al-Sham (the newly-forced al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) I will encourage young fighters to leave the coalition. I will also leave the militant groups alone," al-Moheiseni underscored.

He further accused some members of Jeish al-Fatah coalition of seeking more relations with their foreign backers which as he said is the main barrier on the way of uniting coalition's members.

 

[angelburst29]

EXCLUSIVE: Fatah Al-Sham Terrorists Seen Among Kurdish Asayesh Forces in Hasaka
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950602001539

The Asayesh Kurdish forces (a branch of the PKK) fighting against Syria's National Defense Forces had sought help from Fatah al-Sham terrorists to fight the NDF and launch artillery attacks on the civilians in Hasaka.

At least 23 civilians were killed in the Asayesh forces' artillery attack on the residential areas of Hasaka.

US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner stated that the United States was not necessarily involved in Hasakah, Syria, an area where US military personnel were reportedly endangered by Syrian government airstrikes last week.

US Forces 'Not Really Involved' in Hasakah, Syria Airstrike Area
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160823/1044571106/usa-not-involved-hasakah-airstrike.html

The United States was not necessarily involved in Hasakah, Syria, an area where US military personnel were reportedly endangered by Syrian government airstrikes last week, US Department of State spokesman Mark Toner stated on Tuesday.

"Our forces have not really been involved in that area," Toner said of Syria's northeast Hasakah region.

Late last week, US aircraft scrambled above Hasakah in response to Syrian air strikes against US-allied Kurdish forces near the city.

The Department of Defense later implied that there were US "coalition personnel" on the ground, and it urged the Syrian government to avoid targeting areas where US personnel or US-backed forces are operating against Daesh.

Toner noted that the airstrikes in Hasakah were "in close proximity… to where some of our forces were operating."

However, he added that "is not to imply we had involvement in that area itself."

In response to the Hasakah incident, Defense Department spokesman Peter Cook said on Monday that the United States was prepared to communicate directly with the Syrian government to avoid unintended occurrences.

Russian proposal to draft a UN convention against chemical and biological terrorism is vital in the light of chemical attacks by Daesh terrorist group, Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said.

Russia Insists on UN Convention Outlawing Chemical Terrorism
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160824/1044573549/russia-un-chemical-terrorism-convention.html

Earlier this month Daesh, outlawed in many countries, reportedly launched a chemical attack in the Syrian city of Aleppo, injuring at least 20 civilians.

"As the Islamic State [Daesh] took control over industrial capacities for chemical weapon production, and the threat of its expansion throughout the Middle East is daunting, there is a good point in favour of the Russian initiative to draft international convention against chemical and biological terror attacks," Churkin said at the meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday.

According to the Russian diplomat, the draft document should define and outlaw terror attacks of such nature to suppress spread of chemical weapon.

"The threat of chemical and biological terrorism is sweeping and crossing borders. The urgency to intensify fight against terror attacks is so high that Resolution 1540 is insufficient," Churkin added.

UN Security Council's Resolution 1540 of 2004 bounds member states to refrain from supporting non-state actors in production, proliferation and use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapon. On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged to tighten control provisions of the resolution.

The Russian Foreign Ministry warned against flirting with a terrorist group Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham as it could lead to the creation of another "terrorist monster".

Moscow Warns Washington Against Flirting With Terrorists
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160823/1044570001/moscow-warns-washington-flirting-terrorists.html

Moscow warns Washington against flirting with an outlawed terrorist group Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham as it could lead to the creation of another "terrorist monster", the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.

"A question emerges (and not only for us maybe): what is this: powerlessness of the United States or someones conscience line for the prolongation of the conflict? An attempt to play games with the Nusra [Front] militants could lead to the creation of another terrorist monster," the statement read.

The ministry added that the United States was constantly looking for new ways to "give respite" for the terrorist organization.

"Washington agrees that the Nusra Front, which recently changed its name to Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham, is a terrorist organization but refrains from carrying strikes against it."

Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the United States back in February promised that it would take two weeks to separate the terrorists and the so called moderate opposition.

On August 20, a suicide bomber targeting a Kurdish wedding in Gaziantep blew himself up, killing over fifty people and injuring over a hundred more. Among the dead were two Syrian children – nine year old Fatma Abdullah and eight year old Usama Cuma. Their parents had fled Syria to escape Daesh, but ended up losing them to terror in Turkey.

Parents Trying to Save Kids From Daesh in Syria Lose Them in Gaziantep Attack
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160823/1044566909/gaziantep-terror-attack-sputnik-interview-refugees.html

The death toll from a suicide bomb blast in Gaziantep, southern Turkey on Saturday night has reached 54, with 66 people listed as wounded, among them 14 who are critically wounded. The Turkish government says the Daesh (ISIL/ISIS) terrorist group is likely to be responsible for the attack.

Among the victims were two children of Syrian refugees who came to Turkey in search of peace and safety, after their homes in Syria were conquered terrorists.

36-year-old Ahmet Abdullah, the bereaved father of Fatma, told Sputnik Turkey that he came to Gaziantep from Aleppo three years ago.

"We moved to Gaziantep to save our children and to try and lead a normal life. I work in a shoe factory. That evening, when the explosion occurred, we immediately rushed to the scene to see what had happened, because our home is very close by, in the same quarter. At that moment we did not yet know that our daughter had been killed."

"It was very late when our neighbors told us the tragic news. It turned out that when the bomb exploded, Fatma was playing in the street next to the house where the wedding was taking place. After hearing this, I lost consciousness and was taken to hospital. Our neighbors helped us with the funeral for our daughter.

"Words cannot begin to describe the state we're in," Ahmet said. "I am tormented by a single thought: how can I live without my Fatma? Our family has been crushed by this event. My two other children are afraid to go outside; they are constantly crying, remembering their sister."

37-year-old Syrian refugee Hasan Cuma, who lost his son Usama, has a similar story to tell. "I have three children. When the war in Syria began, we moved first to Aleppo, and then to a village on the Turkish-Syrian border. Eventually, Islamist militants made it unsafe to be there, and we fled to Gaziantep. I have been working here for four years in a textile factory."

Hasan noted that on that fateful evening, his two boys "had gone to a grocery store near the home where the wedding celebration took place. I gave them some money and told them to come back as soon as possible. A few minutes later, there was a powerful explosion. We immediately ran to the scene, and saw a lot of ambulances, a lot of people who had been wounded and killed."

"I rushed to look for my children – one was hit by the shockwave and thrown to the curb, the second was lying right in the epicenter of the blast. We took them to the hospital by car. My younger son was wounded; his older brother wasn't breathing. We spent the whole night in the hospital, waiting for the doctors to come out of the operating to tell us about our children. In the morning, we were told that our eldest, Usama, had died. His younger brother, Hussein, is now in intensive care, and was severely wounded. My wife is crying constantly; there is no relief to our grief."

Muhbet Akdogan, the mother of the groom at the wedding, who was wounded and is now being treated at Gaziantep Central Hospital, offered new details on the terrorist attack:

"That evening, the guests were dancing and having a good time. I was looking for my older sister – I had to ask her something. At that moment I saw a person in a suicide belt; it was not a child [as reported earlier by authorities] but an adult. When he realized that I had noticed him, he rushed straight into the crowd of guests. A few seconds later there was an explosion. Around me were dead and wounded. I too was hurt, and was taken to hospital. Many of our family members were killed."

 

[sToRmR1dR]

North Korea responds with ballistic missile launch from submarine

https://www.sott.net/article/326183-North-Korea-responds-with-ballistic-missile-launch-from-submarine

Japan Foreign Ministry Protests North Korea's Missile Launch

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160824/1044574570/japan-protests-north-korea-launch.html

The Japanese Foreign Ministry issued a protest to North Korea over a ballistic missile launch on Wednesday, which Tokyo believed violated UN resolutions.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, media reported that Pyongyang had launched a ballistic missile from a submarine in the Sea of ​​Japan. According to the reports, it traveled over 300 miles before plunging into the Sea of Japan, and allegedly fell in Japan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). No damage to the Japanese air and sea vessels have so far been reported.

"The launch is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and poses a threat in terms of security," the ministry said in a statement, quoted by the Kyodo news agency.

The protest was transmitted through diplomatic channels through the Japanese Embassy in China, the agency said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the launch a grave threat to Japan security and an "unforgivable act," and ordered ministries to prepare for emergencies to ensure the safety of the population, as well as to start collecting and analyzing the information on the issue.

US and South Korea began Monday the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian large-scale military exercise, the computerized command and control implementation, which mainly focuses on defending South Korea from a possible North Korean attack.

Pyongyang has repeatedly claimed that the joint military drills are a rehearsal for a real attack on North Korea. The United States and South Korea, in their turn, insisted that the exercises are aimed at training defensive skills for combating emerging threat from the North.

Japan’s Security Council set for extraordinary session after North Korea’s missile launch

http://tass.com/world/895609

It was reported North Korea had test fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile in the East China Sea

TOKYO, August 24. /TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convened on Wednesday the country’s National Security Council for an extraordinary session in the wake of the North Korean test-launch of a ballistic missile from a submarine, according to the Japanese government.

The Japanese National Security Council last gathered for an extraordinary session on August 3. The council convened at that time also following the test launch of a North Korean ballistic missile.

Yonhap news agency reported earlier in the day that North Korea had test fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile in the East China Sea.

The news agency cited the South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying that the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was test fired at 5:30 a.m. local time from waters near the city of Sinpo.

According to Yonhap, the missile covered a distance of about 500 kilometers (311 miles) and "fell in Japan's air defense identification zone."

The launch of the ballistic missile comes two days after South Korea and the United States began their annual large-scale military drills in the region involving some 75,000 troops.

North Korea slammed the joint drills of its south neighbor with the United States as hostile saying they posed threat to security on the Korean Peninsula.

Tokyo to Install Advanced Missiles Near East China Sea’s Contested Islands

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160824/1044576095/tokyo-installs-advanced-missiles-east-china-sea.html

Amid a spike in confrontations between Chinese and Japanese aircraft over the East China Sea, Tokyo has announced the deployment of an enhanced missile interception system near the disputed Senkaku Islands.

According to the Japanese Yomiuri Shimbun daily, Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces stationed on islands in Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures will receive Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM). The rockets will be deployed on the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki, as well as on Amami Oshima island, in the vicinity of the disputed East China Sea.

The missile is an advanced model of the Type 03 system, also known as SAM-4 or Chu-SAM that entered service in the army of Japan in 2003. Enhancements include an extended firing range, multitask mission capability and the ability to intercept hypersonic missiles and fighter jets.

One system that can be fitted atop an army vehicle, consists of a launcher, radar and other equipment, the report specified.

To fulfill the project, the government allocated an additional ¥17.7 billion ($170 million) in the draft military budget for the 2017 fiscal year. Due to financial constraints, however, the full cost of the SAM-4 will be paid off over several years.

Those same financial constraints forced Tokyo to reject the idea of buying two systems. Currently, one system is planned and is expected to enter service by 2021.

The news comes in the wake of a continued military buildup in the East China Sea. Both sides have proposed military measures to defend the contested areas, including deployment of new aircraft and patrol ships.

US condemns N Korea missile test, says ready for 'any attack'

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/24/481412/US-condemn-North-Korea-missile-test

The US military has denounced North Korea’s ballistic missile as a “provocation” and vowed to defend Washington and its allies against any attack from the East Asian country.

North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile at 2029 GMT Tuesday (4:59 am Wednesday local time), just two days after threatening a nuclear attack in retaliation for large-scale US and South Korean joint military exercises.

US Strategic Command said on Tuesday night the launch of a missile off the coast of Sinpo, North Korea, "did not pose a threat to North America," citing comments from the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

"Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, is ironclad," said Commander Gary Ross, a Pentagon spokesman. "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."

"We call on North Korea to refrain from actions that further raise tensions in the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations,” he continued.

The United States called on North Korea to halt its ballistic missile tests, saying that such moves have only made the international community more determined to press forward with UN sanctions.

In January, North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, and vowed to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the US and its regional allies.

The North was recently placed under the toughest UN sanctions in two decades. The country, however, has pledged not to relinquish its nuclear power unless the US ends its hostile policy and dissolves the US-led military command in South Korea.

"We intend to raise our concerns at the UN to bolster international resolve in holding the DPRK [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] accountable for these actions," Ross said.

In February, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket which it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and Seoul denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.​

In March, the US sent a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to South Korea’s largest port city to take part in joint wargames, dubbed "Key Resolve."

China, Japan, S Korea censure North’s latest missile launch

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/24/481443/N-Korea-S-Korea-Japan-China-missile-test

China, Japan and South Korea have denounced North Korea’s latest missile test, calling on Pyongyang to refrain from “provocative” actions that could deteriorate the situation on the already-tense Korean Peninsula.

Foreign ministers of the three countries made the remarks at the end of an annual trilateral meeting held in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, on Wednesday, hours after Pyongyang successfully test-fired a ballistic missile, believed to be a KN-11.

The missile was launched from a submarine near the North Korean coastal city of Sinpo at around 5:30 a.m. local time earlier in the day. It reportedly flew some 500 kilometers (311 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan.

“We have confirmed that we will urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint regarding its provocative action, and to observe the UN Security Council's resolutions,” Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told a joint press conference with his Chinese and South Korean counterparts.
“I hope to coordinate closely in order for Japan, China and South Korea to lead the efforts of the international community,” he added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed Beijing’s opposition to the North’s nuclear and missile work, saying his country is opposed to any move that exacerbates tensions in the region.

Beijing “is opposed to any actions that violate UN Security Council Resolution 2270,” Wang further said, referring to a resolution passed in March denouncing Pyongyang’s military activities, including rocket launches.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se also said that Pyongyang’s repeated missile tests since the beginning of this year “demonstrated a rapid advancement of capability,” expressing concern over the “urgent situation.”

He also said that the three countries should be united in tackling the problem.

Seoul’s officials had earlier censured the launch as an “armed protest” against the commencement of annual South Korean-US military drills that Pyongyang calls an invasion rehearsal.

The annual two-week “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” maneuver, which is largely computer-simulated, started on Monday with the participation of 50,000 Korean and 30,000 US soldiers.

The Korean People’s Army (KPA) issued a statement Monday morning, threatening a “preemptive retaliatory strike,” should the war drills threaten Pyongyang’s sovereignty.

Earlier on Wednesday, Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, also “strongly protested” against the move and called it “unforgivable.”

The US also joined the trio and slammed the North Korea’s latest missile launch as a provocation and vowed to raise the issue at the United Nations.

Tensions have been flaring in the region since January when North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, and vowed to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the US and its regional allies.

A month later, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket which it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and Seoul denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

North Korea says it will not give up on its nuclear “deterrence” unless Washington ends its hostile policy toward Pyongyang and dissolves the US-led command in South Korea. Thousands of US soldiers are stationed in South Korea and Japan.

The UN has imposed a general ban on Pyongyang’s developing of the ballistic missile technology. It has adopted five rounds of crippling sanctions on the North since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.

 

[angelburst29]

Military sources announced on Wednesday that Syrian army soldiers and popular forces, backed up by Russian fighter jets, have continued to hit Jeish al-Fatah's defense lines in military academy buildings.

Tough Battle underway between Syrian Army, Jeish Al-Fatah Southwest of Aleppo City
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950603001235

Military sources announced on Wednesday that Syrian army soldiers and popular forces, backed up by Russian fighter jets, have continued to hit Jeish al-Fatah's defense lines in military academy buildings.

"The Syrian government forces launched their attacks on Jeish al-Fatah's position in military academy buildings from the strategic hills of al-Moshrefeh in the Southern entrance of Aleppo city, while the Russian warplanes have been bombing heavily the terrorist groups' gatherings at the academy buildings since early hours of this morning," sources said.

Reports said earlier today that Syrian soldiers and their popular allies stormed the defense lines of Jeish al-Fatah in 1070 Housing Project in the Southern districts of Aleppo, and took back more building blocks in the complex.

Syrian Army aircraft launched fresh attacks on ISIL's centers across the central province of Homs, targeting the Takfiri group's arms depot, command center and a convoy of vehicles.

ISIL's Depot, Command Center, Armored Vehicles Targeted in Syrian Air Raids in Homs
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950603001177

The Syrian fighter jets pounded an ammunition depot of the ISIL in al-Halmouz and a command center in Deir Foul, destroying the sites and killing or wounding several terrorists.

The Syrian warplanes also hit ISIL's vehicles hard in al-Sukhnah, Arak and al-Heil oil-rich regions.

The Syrian security forces seized a large amount of weapons and ammunition from a vehicle en route from Raqqa to the Eastern part of Hama province.

Syria: Army Seizes Arms, Ammunition on Raqqa Highway
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950603000894

Large quantities of anti-armor missiles, mortar shells and artillery shells were seized from the vehicle on a road linking al-Saboura to Wadi al-Azib and Itharya about 100 kilometers from the city of Hama.

The Syrian security forces had received intelligence tip about the vehicle.

Russian military aircraft in Iran are only allowed to refuel at the Hamadan airbase in accordance with existing agreements, the chairman of the Iranian parliamentary committee on foreign policy and national security said Wednesday.

Hamadan Only Airbase in Iran Used for Refueling Russian Aircraft - MP
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160824/1044584987/russia-refuel-hamadan.html

On August 16, Russia used the Iranian base for the first time in its anti-terrorism campaign in Syria. Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 strike aircraft carried out airstrikes against Daesh and Jabhat Fatah Al-Sham, formerly known as the Nusra Front, in Syria, both outlawed in Russia.

"Russian aircraft refuel in Iran only at the Hamadan airbase," Alaeddin Boroujerdi said.

These services are provided to Russia after a decision by the Security Council of Iran," he added. "The use of the Iranian airbase is taking place in the framework of the joint [Russia-Iran-Iraq] centers that have been located in Damascus and Baghdad for a year already."

The meeting served as the starting point to develop early warning systems and to help each other in disaster management.

BRICS Establishes Joint Task Force for Disaster Risk Management
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160824/1044582985/brics-rijiju-risk-management.html

BRICS nations have resolved to set up a dedicated Joint Task Force for disaster risk management
in order to broaden regular dialogue, exchange mutual support and collaborate among themselves. This was decided after a two-day meeting of BRICS ministers on disaster management in the Indian western state of Rajasthan.

Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju termed the meeting as a "new milestone in collaboration and cooperation among BRICS countries in the field of disaster management."

"This meeting has agreed on a road map for implementation of the Joint Action Plan where all of us have resolved to work together on exchange of information and experiences on disaster management, research & technology exchange on forecasting and early warning for floods and extreme weather events and capacity building of stakeholders for disaster management," Rijiju said.

Russia has delivered more than 20 tons of humanitarian aid to the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor

Syria's Deir ez-Zor Receives Over 20 Tonnes of Relief Aid From Russia
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160824/1044576661/deir-ezzor-russia-humanitarian-aid.html

The Islamist-besieged Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor has received over 20 metric tons of humanitarian aid from Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"Parachute platforms with a total…of more than 20 tons landed in the besieged areas. During the delivery of food, a Syrian Air Force plane was accompanied by the Su-30 fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said it has plans to drop several dozen more tons of food on Deir ez-Zor in the nearest future.

 

[angelburst29]

According to US defense officials, the guided missile destroyer USS Nitze was intercepted by four Iranian vessels near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

US Destroyer Intercepted at High Speed by Iranian Vessels Near Strait of Hormuz (Video)
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160825/1044614222/nitze-strait-of-hormuz-intercept.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OxIbK0-FPE

The American destroyer was operating in international waters alongside the USS Mason when officials say four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels performed a "high-speed intercept" of the Nitze.

"These sorts of unsafe and unprofessional actions can lead to escalation and miscalculation, which may necessitate additional defensive measures," said Cmdr. Bill Urban, public affairs officer for US Naval Forces Central Command, according to Stars and Stripes.

He added that over the past year and a half, roughly 10 percent of Iran’s interactions with the US Navy were deemed unprofessional.

The US destroyer allegedly attempted to make radio contact with the vessels, but received no response. Crewmembers then sounded the Nitze’s ship whistle, a naval signal meant to express that the ship is unclear about another vessel’s intentions. The destroyer then fired ten flares toward the Revolution Guard vessels, still without response.

According to the statement, the Revolutionary Guard forced the Nitze to change course in order to avoid a potential collision.

After coming within 300 yards of the Nitze, the Iranian vessels left.

The incident is under investigation, and is reminiscent of the instance in January in which two US Navy patrol vessels drifted into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf. Crewmembers were apprehended by the Revolutionary Guard and nearly sparked an international incident in the midst of the Iran nuclear negotiations.

CENTCOM ststed that a US airstrike on a Daesh weapons facility near Raqqa, Syria may have resulted in civilian casualties, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Wednesday..

US Airstrike in Syria’s Raqqa Possibly Caused Civilian Casualties
http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160824/1044611362/usa-airstrike-possibly-kill-civillians.html

A US airstrike on a Daesh weapons facility near Raqqa, Syria may have resulted in civilian casualties, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Reports indicate that what appeared to be a non-military vehicle drove into the target area after the weapon was released from the aircraft," CENTCOM stated. "The vehicle's occupants may have perished as a result of the strike."

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia's S-300 air defense missile system crews alerted for drills

http://tass.com/defense/895621

The combat readiness check was launched in Russia’s Central Military District

YEKATERINBURG, August 24. /TASS/. Crews of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems of Russia’s Central Military District, stationed in the Sverdlovsk region, have been alerted for drills within an inspection, the district’s press service reported on Wednesday.

"During the combat readiness check the military will practice in a mock battle acquisition, tracking and destruction of real targets of a simulated enemy, represented by the MiG-31 supersonic fighter jets of an air regiment stationed in the Perm region", the press service said.

The battalions are currently on a march to the assigned firing position area, "where they will drills tasks of covering the airspace in a complex electronic environment." "The Air Force and Air Defense exercise involves some 300 troops with more than 70 military equipment units, including four MiG-31 fighters", the press service reported.

Russia Kicks Off Major Combat Readiness Check

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160825/1044618663/russia-snap-combat-readiness.html

The inspection will allow to assess how three military districts would react to crises in the Russian southwest.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Snap combat readiness checks will take place on August 25-31 in Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Thursday.

"Today, another unannounced inspection begun in accordance with a decision by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Forces of the Southern [military district], as well as parts of the forces of the Western and Central military districts, the Northern Fleet, the High Command of the Aerospace Forces, the command of the Airborne Troops are set on full combat readiness starting 7:00 Moscow time [4:00 GMT]," Shoigu said at a meeting with military leadership.

According to the minister, the inspection will allow to assess how the three military would react to crises in the country's southwest.

"During regrouping, the Southern Military District's readiness to promptly deploy self-sufficient forces to localize crises will be assessed. The capabilities of the Western and Central military districts to increase efforts in the southwestern strategic direction will be checked," he stated.

"I instruct Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov to inform foreign military attaches about the unannounced comprehensive combat readiness inspection that is being carried out," Shoigu added.

Putin orders snap checks in Russian armed forces August 25-31

http://tass.com/defense/895849

The Russian defense minister reports snap checks begin in 3 Russian military districts, Northern Fleet, Aerospace, Airborne Forces

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. A surprise combat readiness check has been announced in the Southern, Western and Central military districts, in the Northern Fleet and also in major commands of the Aerospace and Airborne Forces, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Thursday.

"Today another snap check has started in Russia in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces," Shoigu said.

"The forces of the Southern, a part of forces and means of the Western and Central military districts, the Northern Fleet, the major command of the Aerospace Forces and the command of the Airborne forces are put on full combat alert from 7.00 a.m. Moscow time," he said.

"The check will be conducted on August 25-31," the minister said. "I order Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov to inform military attaches of foreign states about the surprise overall combat readiness check of forces."

"During relocation to assess the ability of the Southern Military District to promptly deploy self-sufficient force groupings to localize crisis situations. To check the capabilities of the Western and Central military districts to step up efforts in the south-western strategic direction," Shoigu said at a meeting with military leaders.

He noted that during the first 24 hours "it is necessary to check the military’s ability to perform specific combat readiness activities." Later military units should leave for firing ranges and training areas to prepare to solve the tasks within the framework of the exercises.

 

[angelburst29]

Neocons and liberal hawks have poured millions of dollars into propaganda to justify “regime change” in Syria and are now desperate to keep the war going until President Hillary Clinton gets a chance to escalate, as Rick Sterling describes.

Propaganda for Syrian ‘Regime Change’
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/08/23/propaganda-for-syrian-regime-change/

Neocons and Clintonites have launched a major campaign with the goal of direct U.S. military intervention and aggression against Syria, potentially leading to war with Iran and Russia.

An early indication emerged as soon as it was clear the Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic Party nominee. Following the California primary, The New York Times reported on State Department diplomats issuing an internal memo “urging the United States to carry out military strikes against the government of President Bashar al Assad.”

In early August, Dennis Ross and Andrew Tabler opined in The New York Times about “The Case for (Finally) Bombing Assad”. Dennis Ross is a favorite Clintonite. In her book Hard Choices, Clinton described how she asked Dennis Ross to come to the State Department to “work on Iran and regional issues.”

New York Times regular Nicholas Kristof made his own pitch for war against Syria. According to the self-styled humanitarian, we need “safe zones” as proposed by Clintonite Madeline Albright and retired General James Cartwright. That is risky, Kristof said, but “the risks of doing nothing in Syria are even greater.”

PBS broadcast a story titled “Repeatedly targeted by airstrikes, Syrian doctors feel abandoned.” The story features video from the “White Helmets” along with photos from the reported April bombing of Al Quds Hospital. Currently there is a huge media campaign around the situation in Aleppo. Syrian American doctor Zaher Sahloul, of the Syrian American Medical Society, has been interviewed extensively on mainstream media as well as DemocracyNow with widespread promotion in Truthout and other sites.

There has been lots of publicity around a letter to President Obama, supposedly written by 15 doctors in East Aleppo. The letter ends “We need your action.” The flow and wording of the letter suggests it may have been composed by a marketing company and there has been no verification of the doctors who supposedly signed it.

The letter was likely written by a paid Syria War propagandist or Washington lobby firm. Read the letter here and judge for yourself. For contrast watch this interview with a real Syrian doctor not mouthing propaganda from K Street in Washington D.C.

An online Change petition asks German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Barack Obama to “save the people of Aleppo.” The publicly funded Holocaust Memorial Museum has promoted the video #SaveSyria.
One of the producers of the video is The Syria Campaign which is the marketing organization which branded the pervasive “White Helmets,” as documented in “Seven Steps of Highly Effective Manipulators”.

In parallel with this media campaign, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has introduced HR5732 the
“Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act of 2016.” The resolution calls for escalating economic/financial pressure on Syria and “Assessment of potential effectiveness of and requirements for the establishment of safe zones or a no fly zone in Syria”.

Dr. Sahloul, the Syrian American Medical Society doctor / spokesperson, says that Obama’s legacy will be defined by whether or not he attacks Syria to impose a “no fly zone.” It seems unlikely that Obama would do that at the end of his term. Instead, the goal is to prepare the public for the new war to begin after Hillary Clinton becomes President.

Falsehoods and Lies of Omission In his article ““The media are misleading the public on Syria” author Stephen Kinzer recently wrote, “Coverage of the Syrian war will be remembered as one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the American press. Reporting about carnage in the ancient city of Aleppo is the latest reason why.”

Here a few facts about Aleppo which contradict the mainstream media narrative:

–At least 85 percent of Aleppo’s population is in government-controlled areas.

–The estimate of 300,000 civilians in rebel/terrorist-controlled east Aleppo is likely a gross exaggeration. In spring 2015, Martin Chulov of the Guardian visited the area and estimated there were 40,000.

–While there are very few doctors serving in the opposition-controlled Aleppo, there are thousands of doctors working in the government-controlled area.

–The dominant rebel-terrorist group in Aleppo is the Syrian version of Al Qaeda.

–The armed groups who invaded Aleppo have been unpopular from the beginning. In the fall of 2012, journalist James Foley wrote: “Aleppo, a city of about 3 million people, was once the financial heart of Syria. As it continues to deteriorate, many civilians here are losing patience with the increasingly violent and unrecognizable opposition — one that is hampered by infighting and a lack of structure, and deeply infiltrated by both foreign fighters and terrorist groups.” Foley was later captured by Syrian rebels and executed by the Islamic State on Aug. 19, 2014.)

–The rebel-terrorists launch dozens and sometimes hundreds of mortars daily into the government-controlled areas causing huge casualties. Western media ignores this destruction and loss of life.

–The much publicized April bombing of the supposed Medecins sans Frontieres-supported “Al Quds Hospital” in Aleppo was full of contradictions and discrepancies. These were highlighted in an Open Letter to MSF. To this date, MSF has not provided corroborating information.

–Much of the video purporting to show bombing effects in Aleppo are stamped with the “White Helmets” logo. White Helmets is a creation of the U.S. and U.K. and primarily a propaganda tool. The claims they are Syrian, independent and non-partisan are all false.

–Much of the information about Syria comes from “activists” trained and paid by the U.S. In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton says the U.S. provided “training for more than a thousand (Syrian) activists, students, and independent journalists” (p464, hardback version). Obviously they are not independent and their reports should be carefully checked.

–In contrast with the ambiguous situation at “Al Quds Hospital”, consider what happened to Aleppo’s “Al Kindi Hospital.” Take three minutes to view the suicide bombing of Al Kindi Hospital. Take two minutes to view what the “rebels” did to Syrian soldiers who had been guarding the hospital.

–Like NBC correspondent Richard Engels’s fake kidnapping and the contrived CNN reports by “Syrian Danny,” the Aug. 21, 2013 chemical attack in Ghouta has been essentially shown to have been a staged event intended to force a U.S. attack on the Syrian government by making it appear that President Bashar al-Assad had crossed President Obama’s “red line.”

–The latest propaganda tool being used to promote U.S. aggression against Syria is the photograph of little Omran in the orange ambulance seat. The video comes from the Aleppo Media Center, or AMC. Like the White Helmets, AMC is a U.S. creation.

The photo of Omran has been widely accepted without scrutiny. The insightful Moon of Alabama has raised serious questions about the media sensation. Brad Hoff has documented that the main photographer, Mahmoud Raslan, is an ally of the Nour al Din al Zenki rebel terrorists who beheaded a young Palestinian Syrian a few weeks ago, confirmed step by step in this short video. Another good short video exposing the propaganda around #Syrianboy is here.

Why the Burst of Propaganda? The Syrian crisis is at a critical point with the prospect that the rebel/terrorists will collapse. If they are crushed or expelled, it would allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Aleppans to return home as soon as services are restored. This would also allow the Syrian army and allies to focus on attacking the Islamic State in the east and rebel/terrorist groups remaining in Idlib, Hama, the outskirts of Damascus and the south.

Until the last year, fanatics and mercenaries were traveling from all parts of the globe into Syria via Turkey. Tens of thousands went to Syria from Southeast Asia, China, Russia, North Africa, Europe and North America. They were given carte blanche to depart their home countries, arrive in Turkey and be guided into Syria.

For example, young Canadians such as Damien Clairmont went and died in Syria. His mother has courageously exposed the fact that Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) knew about his plans yet did nothing to stop him.

Progressive Muslim leaders demanded the government identify and start dealing with the radical recruiters. It was evidently the policy of the cynically named “Friends of Syria” to “look the other way” as their citizens were being brainwashed and then recruited to become terrorists attacking Syria.

Now, with terrorist blowback in Western Europe, the United States and Turkey, these same “Friends” are feeling consequences from their policies. Terror attacks in Britain, France, Belgium and the U.S. have ended – or at least disrupted – the policy of collusion with Wahhabi terrorists.

In the last year, security services have started arresting recruiters and new recruits. In Britain, a long-time promoter of ISIS has been convicted. In Belgium, the court has approved the extradition of a suspected French terrorist. Previously, Belgium was the Western country with the highest per capita number of citizens joining the terrorist fight in Syria. And now Turkey has started arresting people en route to join ISIS in Syria.

Since the rebel/terrorists invaded Aleppo in 2012, they have had a constant pipeline bringing weapons, fighters and supplies into the city. For the past few months the Syrian army has been on the verge of encircling and closing the access routes into rebel terrorist sections of east Aleppo.

Western media and governments, which support the rebel/terrorists, are doing all they can to delay or prevent this closure. They are trying to stall or prevent a Syrian government victory until someone more hawkish than Barack Obama is in the White House.

Driving the Conflict Regional forces supporting the war on Syria include Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. Israel has always been deeply involved, contrary to the faulty analysis of some observers. Israel has provided medical and military support to Nusra/Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups operating near the Golan Heights. Former Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren was explicit: “Israel has wanted Assad ousted since Syria war began.” Oren has said Israel favors that outcome even if it means a victory by Al Qaeda or other Sunni extremists.

The U.S. and Western powers are also deeply involved. Working with Saudi Arabia and through Turkey, the U.S. has supplied huge quantities of weapons to the rebel/terrorists. Sophisticated weaponry totaling 994 TONS was provided last winter as documented here.

On the other side, Iran and Hezbollah are committed to defending the existing Syrian government. They know that if the Syrian government falls, they will be the next ones under attack.

Russia also sees this as a crucial conflict. The U.S. has expanded NATO up to the Russian western border, promoted the 2014 Ukraine coup, and insisted on economic sanctions against Russia. Syria is Russia’s only Arab ally and hosts Russia’s only foreign naval base. Russia probably sees this conflict as a crucial for its own future. In another sign of resistance to U.S. global hegemony, China has indicated it wishes to expand military cooperation with Syria.

Following the U.S. lead, Canada, Australia and West European countries have supported the “regime change” effort despite it being in clear violation of the U.N. Charter and international law.

Despite five years of tragedy and destruction, the U.S. continues trying to overthrow or destroy the Syrian government. This is not a new U.S. objective. In 2005, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour interviewed Syrian President Assad and said to him “Mr. President, you know the rhetoric of regime change is headed towards you from the United States….They’re talking about isolating you diplomatically and, perhaps, a coup d’etat or your regime crumbling. What are you thinking about that?”

Amanpour is not only a CNN host, she is the wife of neocon Clintonite James Rubin.

In 2010, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pressed Syria to stop its support of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah, “loosen” its alliance with Iran and sign a treaty with Israel. Significantly, these are Israel’s demands and of much higher importance to the Zionist state than the U.S.

The war in Syria is bringing numerous conflicts to a head: sectarian Wahhabism vs. humanitarian Islam; the “New American Century” with one superpower vs. a multilateral world; Zionist dominance and occupation vs. Lebanese and Palestinian resistance.

Hillary Clinton is on record criticizing the decision to not bomb Syria in late summer 2013 after the sarin gas attack outside Damascus. She has continued to promote the idea of a “no fly zone.” She is an avowed Zionist who has said she wants to take the U.S.-Israeli relationship to the “next level.”

Zionist Israel is deeply worried by the prospect of a strengthened Syria and Lebanese resistance.
In addition, there are many Palestinian refugees and their descendants in Syria and Lebanon. They retain their wish to return home in keeping with international law. Just as Zionist Israeli interests were a major factor in the invasion of Iraq, so they are in continuing the conflict in Syria. In addition, neocons have not given up their goal of a “New American Century.”

The Western Left? The Left has been weak in responding and opposing the aggression against Syria. Major factors have included: –Saudi and U.S. State Department-funded Muslim groups which support the aggression against Syria. This includes the recently famous Dr. Zaher Sahloul and the Syrian American Medical Society. SAMS and Zahloul are aligned with Saudi Arabia and receive substantial State Department funding.

–Deluded leftist groups which support what they have been told is a people’s “revolution” in Syria, just as happened in Libya.

–The flooding of social media and the Internet by “activists” and Syrian “civil society” groups who are actually paid and trained agents of the West. This is confirmed by Clinton herself in her book Hard Choices.

–Uncritical acceptance of the claims by major non-governmental organizations (or NGOs), which are predominately funded by billionaires. These organizations need to be viewed with some skepticism because of their financial dependence on a few wealthy individuals with personal agendas.

For example, in 1990, Amnesty International mistakenly corroborated the accuracy of the false claim that Iraqi soldiers were stealing incubators from Kuwait, leaving babies to die on the cold floor.

In the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Human Rights Watch, which is heavily funded by currency speculator George Soros, did not oppose the Iraq invasion and implicitly accepted it by only criticizing the lack of preparation. (HRW also promoted what turned out to a bogus story claiming that by “vectoring” the flight paths of two rockets it had proved that the Syrian military fired the sarin gas on Aug. 21, 2013, a claim that later collapsed when aeronautical experts determined that the only rocket found to carry sarin had a much shorter range.)

Physicians for Human Rights, another Soros project, has issued grossly misleading reports on Syria.

–Alternative media, which is progressive on many issues but echoes NPR and mainstream media on critical foreign policy issues including the Syrian conflict.

Some groups including Arab Americans for Syria, Syrian American Forum, Black Agenda Report, Syria Solidarity Movement, Answer and Workers World Party have actively challenged the disinformation but their budgets and influence are relatively small in comparison to the heavily funded organizations pushing for Syrian “regime change.”

Veterans for Peace, one of the most influential and respected peace organizations, has recently sharpened its understanding and position on Syria. Following a recent visit to Syria, the Vice President of Veterans for Peace, Jerry Condon, said, “Everything we read about Syria in the U.S. media is wrong. The reality is that the U.S. government is supporting armed extremist groups who are terrorizing the Syrian people and trying to destroy Syria’s secular state.

“In order to hide that ugly reality and push violent regime change, the U.S. is conducting a psychological warfare campaign to demonize Syria’s president, Bashar al Assad. This is a classic tactic
that veterans have seen over and over. It is shocking, however, to realize how willingly the media repeat this propaganda, and how many people believe it to be true.”

What the Future Holds Neoconservatives, including Clintonites, are pushing hard for a direct U.S. attack on Syria to prevent the collapse of their “regime change” project. Claiming that the U.S. and NATO can bring a “safe zone” and “protect civilians” is a grotesque falsehood. (In Libya in 2011,
similar “humanitarian” claims were simply a cover for another “regime change” project that has unleashed more chaos and death across northern Africa.)

If the U.S. tries to impose a “no fly zone” in Syria, it will result in vastly more deaths and risk escalation into direct conflict involving Syria, Russia, Iran and Israel.

Former Acting CIA director Mike Morell, who has endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, recently suggested the killing of Russians and Iranians in Syria to make them “pay a price.”

There is a clear solution to the Syrian tragedy: the countries who have been supplying tons of weapons and paying tens of thousands of mercenary terrorists should stop. The conflict would soon end. The foreigners would depart with much less fanaticism than what they came with. Many Syrian rebel/terrorists would accept reconciliation.

To create the circumstances for a peaceful settlement, there needs to be a global campaign for peace, but there is much responsibility in the U.S. since our government has become the greatest threat to peace with its insistence on global dominance. Following are some specific ideas that could help:

–Sen. Bernie Sanders raised expectations when he talked about the need stop the “regime change” foreign policy. Now is when he needs to be clear and unequivocal that U.S. military aggression against Syria will make things worse not better and must not happen. Sanders also proved that a progressive policy is popular. If Sanders abandons this core foreign policy position and does not speak out strongly against the drive for aggression, it will be a huge disappointment and failure.

–DemocracyNow and other leading alternative media need to start including different analyses. To a sad extent, their coverage of Syria has echoed NPR and CNN. If DemocracyNow is truly an “Exception to the Rulers,” it needs to start including more critical examinations.

DN producers should be studying publications such as Consortiumnews, Global Research, AntiWar, MoonOfAlabama, Al Masdar News, Al Mayadeen, Counterpunch, DissidentVoice, American Herald Tribune, 21stCenturyWire, Black Agenda Report, the Canary, RT, PressTV and TruePublica (not corporate ProPublica).

They should be bringing the observations and analysis of journalists such as Sharmine Narwani, Edward Dark, Eva Bartlett, Brad Hoff, Vanessa Beeley, Stephen Sahiounie to name just a few. Syrian academics such as Issa Chaer (U.K.) and Nour al Kadri (Canada) could be interviewed. Followers of DN have heard Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State and other U.S. officials speaking about Syria countless times. Why have Amy and Juan not interviewed the Syrian Ambassador to the UN?

–This is an opportunity and challenge for Jill Stein and Ajamu Baraka of the Green Party. They are clear on this issue. If they can get a mass audience to hear their message, it could be crucial to their winning support and prompting a necessary national debate.

At the moment there is almost no debate on the issue of perpetual war in the Middle East. Instead, the media is filled with propaganda using a boy’s photo to promote more war. The Green Party could play a hugely important role exposing the danger and duplicity of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. They could play a key role in blocking the Clintonite march to a new war.

–Veterans for Peace could play a leading role in changing the perception and ending the marginalization of the U.S. peace movement.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia Kicks Off Major Combat Readiness Check

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160825/1044618663/russia-snap-combat-readiness.html

Russia notified OSCE, China, Iran about armed forces surprise check

http://tass.com/defense/895906

The surprise testing of the Russian army’s combat readiness will last till August 31

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. The Russian Defense Ministry has notified the OSCE member-states and also China and Iran it has begun a surprise combat readiness check of the armed forces, the Defense Ministry’s press-service has said.

"In a gesture of good will we officially notified the OSCE member-states, and also China and Iran about the beginning of a surprise check," the Defense Ministry’s press-service quotes Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov as saying.

"The exercises are being carried out in strict compliance with all requirements of the Vienna document of 2011 on confidence and security building measures."

On instructions from Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu the foreign military attaches in Moscow were notified of the surprise combat readiness check, the ministry said.

The surprise testing of the Russian army’s combat readiness began at 07:00 Moscow time on Thursday on orders from President Vladimir Putin. It will last till August 31. Taking part in the check are forces of the Southern Military District, some military units of the central and western military districts and also the Northern Fleet, the Aerospace Force and airborne troops. The check is part of preparations for the strategic exercise Kavkaz-2016 due in September.

Russia's snap checks underway on eve of Kavkaz-1016 exercise

http://tass.com/defense/895874

The drills will be held at ground test sites, in the Black and Caspian seas

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. The surprise combat readiness check, declared in the Southern, Western and Central military districts, the Northern Fleet and the Aerospace Force and Airborne Troops is part of preparations for the Kavkaz-2016 exercise due in September, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"The surprise check is being held under a general plan for preparations for the strategic command and staff exercise Kavkaz-2016. Drills will be held at ground test sites and also in the Black and Caspian seas," the Defense Ministry said.

At the moment the participating troops are getting the equipment, weapons and ammunition, taking military vehicles to the column formation areas and get the equipment ready for marches to railway stations and airdromes.

The surprise combat readiness check began on Thursday morning and will end on August 31. It encompasses the troops of the Southern Military District, some forces of the Western and Central districts, the Northern Fleet, the Aerospace Force and the Airborne Troops.

The Kavkaz-2016 exercise will be held in the Southern, North Caucasus and Crimean federal districts.

Earlier, preparations for the Kavkaz-2016 exercise were held in the Southern Military District, including the Volgograd Region, the Krasnodar Territory, North Ossetia and Crimea with 2,500 troops and 350 pieces of military equipment taking part.

Russia's Su-27, Su-24 warplanes fire missiles in Baltic drills

http://tass.com/defense/895965

The warplanes have destroyed all the targets

KALININRAD, August 25. /TASS/. The Russian Baltic fleet’s naval aviation has delivered missile and bomb strikes in drills in the country’s westernmost Kaliningrad region, the fleet’s press office reported on Thursday.

"As part of planned flight and tactical exercises, Sukhoi Su-24 attack aircraft from the fleet’s naval aviation have carried out launches of air-to-surface precision missiles and rockets and delivered bomb strikes against the target field of the aviation practice range," the press office said in a statement.

The warplanes have destroyed all the targets, the press office said.

Also, the pilots of Su-27 fighter jets and Su-24 attack aircraft practiced complex piloting maneuvers: vertical, horizontal and slanting barrel rolls, and also measures to get away from a notional enemy’s air defense systems, the press office said.

Over 10 Caspian Flotilla vessels go on duty for snap check

http://tass.com/defense/895975

The surprise combat readiness check is held in the Armed Forces on August 25-31

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MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. More than 10 vessels and ships of the Caspian Flotilla, including three fast attack craft equipped with the Kalibr system have entered combat duty during a snap combat readiness check, the Southern Military District’s press service told journalists.

"Some 10 ships and vessels of the flotilla, including fast attack craft The Grad Sviyazhsk, Veliky Ustyug, Uglich, artillery gunboats, harbor minesweepers, as well as search and rescue support ships entered combat duty," the statement obtained by TASS said.

The surprise combat readiness check is held in the Armed Forces on August 25-31. It comprises Southern Military District forces, some forces of the Central and Western districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, the Aerospace Forces and the Airborne Troops. The check is held as part of preparation for the Kavkaz-2016 strategic drills to be held in September.

Russia, China to hold naval exercise to practice defensive operations

http://tass.com/defense/895869

The Russian-Chinese naval exercise Joint Sea-2016 will be held on September 12-19

BEIJING, August 25. /TASS/. Joint defensive operations will be the main theme of a Russian-Chinese naval exercise in the South China Sea next month, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday.

"Joint defensive operations on the high seas will be the main theme of the exercise," the Defense Ministry’s website quotes Wu as saying.

According to the official, Russia and China held consultations in Zhanjiang, Guandong Province in South China over holding the exercise to agree the plan for the exercise and measures to protect communication means and provide logistics support.

"The two sides explored the site of the exercise and the related infrastructures," he said.

The Russian-Chinese naval exercise Joint Sea-2016 will be held on September 12-19.

According to the chief of information support at the Eastern Military District’s press service for the Pacific Fleet, Captain 2nd class Vladimir Matveyev Russia’s Pacific Fleet and China’s Navy will focus on measures to ensure protection of naval ships on the sea and hold a joint amphibious operation in the South China Sea.

Lavrov urges US to fulfill vow to separate Syrian opposition, terrorists

http://tass.com/politics/895891

The Russian foreign minister says the US should implement the promise made in January

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called on the United States to stand by its promise to separate the opposition from terrorist groups in Syria.

"They had better look in the mirror and implement what they have been promising since January - detach the opposition that they consider to be loyal from the terrorists. They cannot do this. Either they cannot or they do not want to do this," Lavrov explained to reporters.

"They should better look at themselves," Lavrov told reporters.

Over the past six months, Russia has been calling on the US to separate the so-called moderate Syrian opposition that enjoys the West’s support and terrorists of the Islamic State and Jabhat Al-Nusra groups. Lavrov has stated many times that UN Security Council’s Resolution 2254 passed in December 2015 says that the ceasefire does not apply to these terrorist groups.

Russia, US to Coordinate Actions Following Report on Syria Chemical Attacks

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160825/1044638571/russia-us-syria-chemical.html

Russia and the United States will work together to develop a common approach for further actions in light of a recent report on the use of chemical weapons by warring sides in Syria, Russia's envoy to UN Vitaly Churkin said Thursday.

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — On Wednesday, the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) released the results of a joint probe into chemical weapons attacks in Syria in 2014 and 2015 that said the Syrian government was allegedly involved in two and the Daesh terrorist group, outlawed in Russia, in one attack.

Churkin described the report as "thorough" and said "we have to study it and see what comes out of it.

" The Russian diplomat also said he agreed with US envoy to UN Samantha Power "to get together and see what can be done on the basis of this report."

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with numerous opposition factions and Islamic extremist groups fighting the Syrian Army and other government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.

Russian diplomat: US missile defense buildup in Asia-Pacific causes imbalance

http://tass.com/politics/895938

The Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman says the situation in the Korean Peninsula turned for the worse in the wake of the US and South Korea’s decision to deploy the US missile defense system

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. Moscow has no doubts that Washington keeps building up the Asia-Pacific segment of the missile defense, thus causing an imbalance, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman has told a news briefing on Thursday.

"It has to be stated with regret that the outlook for normalization in the Korean Peninsula is nowhere near and the blame for this can hardly be placed entirely on one side," Zakharova said. "We believe that this state of affairs stems from the lack of trust and from the conflicting parties’ tendency to use power arguments."

"The show of military muscle, employed instead of attempts to find a key to the solution of the existing problems at the negotiating table, by no means adds to stability," Zakharova said, adding that Moscow’s stance on the issue of North Korean missile launches relied on the need for the observance of UN Security Council resolutions."

The situation in the Korean Peninsula turned for the worse in the wake of the US and South Korea’s decision to deploy the US missile defense system.

"We proceed from the assumption that these complexes in the Republic of Korea surely go beyond the bounds of the tasks of deterring a so-called North Korean threat," Zakharova said. "We feel no doubts about the fact that the United States, with support from its allies, keeps building up the potential of the Asia-Pacific segment of the global missile defense. This will inevitably upset the existing strategic balance and cause further complications in the situation in the Korean Peninsula and in the region in general."

The just-started large-scale US-South Korean exercise causes Russia’s serious concern, she stated.

"We have the fear that against the background of soaring tensions in the Korean peninsula such drills are capable of becoming a spark that cause the whole situation develop into a real fire," Zakharova said.

"Russia is prepared for the tightest interaction with all countries concerned with the aim of ensuring peace and stability in the region, achieving a comprehensive settlement of the Korean Peninsula’s nuclear problem on the basis of equitable and non-discriminatory talks with the participation of all parties concerned," Zakharova said. "In this no simple situation all parties concerned should display restraint and refrain from action that might bring about greater tensions."

Russian Foreign Ministry not suprised IS has chemical weapons

http://tass.com/politics/895930

The ministry's spokeswoman notes Moscow has numerously warned about the issue

MOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. Russia is not surprised that the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed the possession of chemical weapons by the Islamic State terrorist organization (outlawed in Russia) and their use in Syria and Iraq, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

"This has not become a surprise for us that the IS possesses chemical weapons and is using them not only in Iraq but also in Syria," the spokeswoman said.

"The Russian side has numerously spoken and warned about this," she added.

"Now these facts have been confirmed in the relevant report," the spokeswoman said.

OPCW-UN report on chemical weapons in Syria

The United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have received data on over 100 possible chemical attacks in Syria since December 2015, according to a report of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism submitted to the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

Specialists of the UN and the OPCW are investigating the cases of the use of chemical agents in Syria from December 2015 to August 2016.

According to the document, a copy of which was obtained by TASS, the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism has data on 13 cases of the use of sarin, 12 attacks with the use of mustard gas (yperite), four cases of the use of VX nerve agent, 41 incidents when people were exposed to the impact of chlorine and 61 instances of the combat use of other chemical agents.

The report also claims that the data gathered by experts of the UN and the OPCW point to the possible complicity of the government of the Syrian Arab Republic and other players in these possible incidents.

China provides Syria with medicine and equipment

http://tass.com/world/895919

Beijing is also assisting Syria in training healthcare personnel

BEIJING, August 25. /TASS/ Beijing is providing Syria with medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, and assisting in training medical staff, China’s Ministry of Defense spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday.

"China has always played an active role in the political settlement of the Syrian crisis", he noted. "According to the agreement between the two countries’ military forces, China is providing Syria with medical equipment and pharmaceuticals as humanitarian aid", Wu Qian explained.

He also said that Beijing was assisting Syria in training healthcare personnel, including nurses.

On August 14, the Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China's Central Military Commission Guan Youfei met Syrian Minister of Defense Fahd Jassem al-Freij in Damascus. According to Chinese Ministry of Defense, the parties came to an understanding on the matters concerning Beijing’s military assistance in training experts and providing humanitarian aid.

Syria’s Growing Amphetamine Production Result of 'Saudi Arabia's Financing'

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160825/1044642621/syria-amphetamine-saudi-arabia-financing.html

The official representative of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior, Mansour Al-Turki, said that the main flow of illegal amphetamine to the country comes from Syria as it has become a country where most of the amphetamine tablets are produced. But how is amphetamine driving the Syrian war?

According to al-Turki, the flow of drugs into Saudi Arabia comes from both North and South. The hashish flows into the country from Yemen. According to the representative, the drug trafficking in the Saudi kingdom is mostly carried out by the mobs from Ethiopia, Somalia and other countries.

If Syria has become a leader in amphetamine production, like Afghanistan was in producing cannabis, it means that the plan of the “Afghanization” of Syria, which many political analysts have been predicting for the past 5 years, has already happened.

In an interview with Sputnik, advisor to the Information Minister of Syria, Ali Al-Akhmad, shared his views on the allegations put forward by Saudi Arabia.

“When they say that Syria produces drugs, it is necessary to determine the location of production of amphetamine tablets, Captagon and other drugs that were used by the so-called revolutionaries at the beginning of the events [in Syria, approx.] to suppress basic human instincts,” Al-Akhmad said.

He further said that, “They [Saudi Arabia] initially knew about the production of such narcotic pills and stood behind this production in the literal and figurative sense.”

The anti-drug services in Syria work around the clock keeping an eye open on the amphetamine issue but there is information that in the territories under the control of Islamist groups there is the production and export of narcotic drugs.

“It is precisely those groups that are openly financed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It does not matter whether they are funding these groups for the production of drugs, or improvised explosive devices, or for human organ trafficking,” Al-Akhmad said.

The official representative further said that all their activities are immoral and directed against humanity.

“If Saudi Arabia really wanted to solve the problem [drug shipments from Syria to Saudi Arabia] it would help solve the Syrian crisis and restore the integrity and ability of the Syrian government to become fully operational.”

The official representative of the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia, Mansour Al-Turki, said that Syria is the largest country for the production of amphetamine in the region. According to him, the largest supply of amphetamine in the kingdom passes through the northern border and hashish through the southern, Er-Riyad newspaper published Al-Turki as saying.

“Over the past 6 months, security forces arrested 1,461 people, including 512 Saudis, 364 Yemenis, 86 Pakistanis, 64 Ethiopians, 54 Bangladeshis, 51 Egyptians, 42 Indians, 31 Somalis, 25 Chadians, 23 Syrians, 22 Palestinians, 21 Filipinos and nationals of other countries,” Al-Turki said.

All of them were arrested on charges of establishing connections for the import, promotion and distribution of drugs, including through social networks.

Over 1,000 Militants Ready to Surrender to Syrian Authorities in Darayya

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950604000678

"Recent advances of the Syrian army troops and their popular allies inside Darayya and closure of most of the supply routes used by terrorists have caused at least 1,000 militants to lay down arms and call for government's public pardon," the sources said.

"In the meantime, a large number of terrorists have called on the Syrian army to pave the ground for them to leave Darayya with buses and move to militant-held regions," they added.

"Opposition groups in their media pages have shut that militant groups' leadership did not pay any attention to anti-government fighters' demand for fresh forces but they sent a large number of forces to Jarabulus in Northern Aleppo due to being well-paid by Turkey," the sources added.

Also on Wednesday, Syrian army soldiers continued to beat back terrorists of Ajnad al-Sham and Liwa Shohada al-Islam from more strongholds in the town of Darayya, capturing new areas in the Central part of the town.

The terrorist groups withdrew from more building blocks in Darayya in Western Ghouta under the heavy attacks of the government forces.

In the meantime, offensives of Fatah al-Sham (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) to prevail over army's positions in Jobar Zmelka in Eastern Ghouta were repulsed by the country's soldiers.

Syrian Warplanes Smash Terrorists at Idlib's Border with Aleppo

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950604000692

Jeish al-Fatah's centers in the village of Shalakh and Saraqib were bombed heavily by the Syrian fighter jets, which not only claimed the lives of several militants but destroyed their vehicles carrying arms and fresh forces to their comrades in Aleppo.

The Syrian jets also targeted Jeish al-Fatah's positions in the village of Karasa in Maarat al-Nu'aman in Southern Idlib, destroying their armored vehicles.

In relevant developments in the province on Monday, a convoy of terrorist groups carrying a large number of fresh fighters heading to the Aleppo battlefield was destroyed by the Syrian Army.

Syrian soldiers targeted convoy of fresh terrorists in the Southern side of the town of Hazano at Idlib border with Aleppo.

Three trucks were completely destroyed and a number of militant were killed and injured in the attacks.

Syrian Army Demining, Defusing Explosive Traps in Farms near Douma

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950604000733

"Syrian Army's engineering units have launched defusing of a number of explosive devices and booby-trapped vehicles in farms near Douma, mainly in al-Reihan farms in Northeastern side of Douma," the sources said.

"Most of al-Reihan farms are under control of the Syrian army," they added.

Reports said earlier today that Syrian army soldiers and their popular allies tightened their grip over the key town of Douma in Eastern Ghouta and pushed back Jeish al-Islam terrorists from more farms in the region.

"Syrian government forces, in a fresh round of join offensives, forced Jeish al-Islam terrorists to retreat form Western farms of the town of Hawsh al-Farah and farms in Western side of Hawsh al-Nasri and captured vast areas in Malah farms near the town of Malah," the sources said.

"In the meantime, Syrian army and allies advanced significantly in the Northeastern side of Douma, and inflicted heavy death toll on Jeish al-Islam militants," they added.

"Terrorists' supply line of al-Reihan-Shifouniyeh was cut off by the Syrian army men, who advanced also in al-Reihan farms," the sources said.

"With the capture of al-Reihan farms, the militant groups will not be able to send their supply cargos from Tal Kurdi to al-Reihan town," the sources said, adding, "Approximately, half of the town of al-Reihan has been freed from Jeish al-Islam," they added.

Faylaq al-Rahman and Jeish al-Islam are trying to form a coalition to prevent fall of Douma.

Current situation in Syria we should see as "portal maintenance"!

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Over 4,000 Russian Coastal Troops Involved in Snap Inspection

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160826/1044653330/russia-coastal-troops-drills.html

More than 4,000 personnel and some 300 units of military equipment of Russia's Black Sea Fleet and Caspian Flotilla are involved in snap combat readiness inspections.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Over 4,000 servicemen and about 300 units of military equipment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla coastal troops are taking part in snap combat readiness inspections, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

"In total, over 4,000 military servicemen and about 300 units of military equipment are being involved in the implementation of tasks of the snap inspection," the ministry’s press service said in a Friday statement.

Earlier on Friday, the Defense Ministry informed that over 15 combat ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and more than 10 vessels of the Caspian Flotilla have sailed out as part of ongoing snap inspections.

The August 25-31 inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops.

8,000 Russian Southern Military District Servicemen Take Part in Snap Drills

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160826/1044653215/russia-snap-drills-south.html

Some 8,000 servicemen and over 2,000 units of wheeled and tracked vehicles are taking part in snap combat readiness drills in Russia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – About 8,000 Russian servicemen from the Southern Military District, as well as more than 2,000 units of military equipment are involved in snap combat readiness drills currently taking place in the country, the district’s press service informs.

"About 8,000 military servicemen and over 2,000 units of wheeled and tracked vehicles are involved in the training activities," the press service of the Southern Military District said in a Friday statement.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

Earlier on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that over 4,000 servicemen and about 300 units of military equipment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla coastal troops are taking part in the snap combat readiness drills.

1,000 Servicemen at Russia's South Ossetia Base Take Part in Snap Drills

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160826/1044653151/russia-south-ossetia-drills.html

Some 1,000 servicemen and about 200 units of weaponry and military equipment are participating in snap combat readiness drills at Russia's base in South Ossetia.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – About 1,000 of Russian servicemen and up to 200 units of equipment and weaponry are involved in snap combat readiness drills at the Russian base in South Ossetia, the press service of the Russian Southern Military District said in a Friday statement.

"In total, about 1,000 of military servicemen and up to 200 units of weaponry and military equipment of the Russian military base of the Southern Military District in the Republic of South Ossetia are involved in the activities of the snap inspection," the statement says.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

Russian Military to Be Sent to Far-Off Unfamiliar Sites as Part of Snap Check

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160826/1044652362/russia-military-far-snap-check.html

Russian military contingents will be deployed to unfamiliar grounds as far as 2,000 kilometers (over 1,200 miles) away as part of snap combat readiness inspections, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – "In accordance with the plan of the activities being held, for the further implementation of training and combat tasks, they [contingents] will be deployed to unfamiliar grounds, located at a considerable distance from their places of permanent deployment," the ministry’s press service said on Friday.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

"Some units of the Western, Central military districts and Airborne Troops will undergo combined regrouping by sea, rail and air transport over distances of more than 2,000 kilometers," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"In total, over 4,000 military servicemen and about 300 units of military equipment are being involved in the implementation of tasks of the snap inspection," the ministry’s press service said in a Friday statement.

Over Two Dozen Russian Black Sea, Caspian Ships Sail Out as Part of Snap Check

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160826/1044652085/black-sea-caspian-military-check-ships-russia.html

Over 15 combat ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and more than 10 vessels of the Caspian Flotilla have sailed out.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Over 15 combat ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and more than 10 vessels of the Caspian Flotilla have sailed out as part of ongoing snap combat readiness inspections, the Russian Defense Ministry’s mass communications department informs.

"In the Black Sea Fleet, in order to carry out tasks of the snap inspection, as part of naval battle groups, anti-ship strike groups, mine-sweeping groups and detachments of amphibious ships, over 15 warships came out to sea," the department said in a Friday statement.

The statement added that more than ten warships, boats and support vessels, as well as minesweepers from the Caspian Flotilla also sailed out as part of the combat readiness checks.

The August 25-31 inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops.

Russian Fighters Patrol Border as Part of Snap Readiness Check

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160826/1044651793/russian-fighters-western-border-check.html

Russian fighter jets of the Western Military District are patrolling Russia’s western borders.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian fighter jets of the Western Military District are patrolling Russia’s western borders as part of nationwide snap combat readiness inspections, the district’s press service informs.

"At present, we are building up forces and means of combat duty," district spokesman Igor Muginov said on Friday, adding that "fighter aircraft are constantly patrolling the airspace in the border areas."

The August 25-31 inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops.

Lavrov arrives in Geneva to hold talks with Kerry on Syria, Ukraine

http://tass.com/politics/896020

The sides may also discuss topical issues on the bilateral agenda

GENEVA, August 26. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Geneva on Thursday, where on Friday, August 26 he will hold talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry. The main issue on the agenda of the meeting of the two states’ foreign policy chiefs will be the development of coordination in the fight against terrorism in Syria.

The talks focus "will be on the Syrian settlement, including the prospects of establishing close coordination of actions in the fight against terrorist groups now active in Syria," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier.

The Syrian range of issues will possibly include the theme of the humanitarian situation around Aleppo, Turkey’s operation in Jarablus and the recently published report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations on the use of chemical weapons.

Zakharova said that the officials might also consider other international issues, including the Ukrainian problems and topical issues on the bilateral agenda.

German FM Calls for New Arms Control Deal to Avoid NATO-Russia Arms Race

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160826/1044652760/steinmeier-urges-arms-control.html

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is calling for a new European arms control agreement in order to avoid an arms race between Russia and NATO.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A new arms control deal would contribute to "transparency, risk prevention and confidence building," Steinmeier wrote in a commentary quoted by the German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper on Thursday, stressing that "we want a structured dialogue with all partners, who are responsible for the security of our continent."

Earlier this month, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the European Union needed its own armed forces to "fulfill" its mission in the world. He added that it was not absolutely necessary to be a NATO member state to participate in the proposed European army, which could be not of an offensive nature.

The idea of such an army has been repeatedly criticized by NATO officials, as well as by the UK authorities, who claimed that London would veto the move, which was prior to the British voters deciding to leave the 28-nation bloc on June 23.

NATO-Russia relations deteriorated sharply in 2014, following the beginning of an internal conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea's reunification with Russia. The alliance accused Russia of meddling in the Ukrainian conflict and began to reinforce its presence in Eastern Europe, in response to what it considers Moscow's aggressive foreign policy.

China Calls for Calm as India Moves to Deploy Missiles to Disputed Region

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160826/1044649942/china-india-border-dispute-missiles.html

As India plans to equip its troops along the Chinese border with the BrahMos missile, China’s Defense Ministry has called for calm.

A long term territorial dispute between Beijing and New Delhi has been brewing along the Tibetan border. China lays claim to roughly 35,000 square miles ruled by India, while India says that China is currently occupying 14,600 square miles of its territory.

To assert its own claims, New Delhi plans to deploy advanced BrahMos cruise missiles to the region. Introduced in 2007, the projectile is one of India’s most versatile weapons, capable of being launched from ships, submarines, aircraft, or land.

In response, China has called for its neighbor to promote "stability."

"We hope the Indian side can do more for peace and stability in the border region," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Qian told reporters, according to the Hindu.

"To maintain peace and stability along the India-China border is an important consensus reached by the two sides."

A recent commentary in China’s PLA Daily expressed similar sentiments.

"This news has gained widespread attention. India’s move to deploy missiles on the national boundary has already exceeded its defense needs and poses a serious threat to Tibet and Yunnan," it said.

"The deployment of the BrahMos missile is bound to increase the competition and antagonism in the China-India relations and will have a negative impact on the stability of the region."

India is negotiating a deal with the United States to purchase M777A2 lightweight howitzers that would be used along the border. This deal is likely to stall, however, due to price fluctuations.

Military buildups along the Sino-Indian border have increased in recent weeks. Last month, India deployed nearly 100 tanks to the Ladakh region. In response, Beijing warned of possible economic consequences. "

…A great number of Chinese firms, including smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi and PC computer maker Lenovo, have turned their eyes toward India," said China’s Global Times in an editorial.

"However, it is puzzling that while deploying tanks near China’s border, India still strives to woo Chinese investment."

China Progresses With Aircraft Carrier Support Capabilities

http://sputniknews.com/asia/20160826/1044651476/china-aircraft-carrier-support-progresses.html

China continues its investment in its aircraft carrier program by constructing a second Daguan-class auxiliary ship. The vessel, called the Xu Xiake (pennant number 88), was first introduced into service in 2011 and has traveled alongside the Liaoning on sea trials.

Ships in the Daguan class are about 196 meters long, with a beam of 6 meters, and a full load displacement estimated at 30,000 tons. The watercraft have the look of passenger ships and can accommodate up to 2,500 personnel. Their primary function is to accompany aircraft carriers.

Above the ship’s aft superstructure is a flight deck, with the capability of operating a medium-sized helicopter like the Super Frelon-derived Z-8, which can carry 27 passengers.

The People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) new Type 901 large combat support vessel has reached an advanced stage of development. The ship is expected to supply underway logistics to the PLAN aircraft carriers. The first Type 901 was launched in December 2015, and is currently under construction at the Longxue shipyard of Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI).

New photos of the ship’s progress show sensors and weapons installed with four AK-630 close-in weapon system mountings, as well as radomes for satcom antennas in position. It’s expected that the vessel will be propelled by gas turbine engines and should displace over 4,000 tons.

Installed on the port side of the ship are four replenishment gantries, and three on the starboard side. The second gantry each side will be used for solid material transfers, including ammunition, stores and food, while the rest are used for liquids including aviation fuel, water, and oil.

A group of six pilots have qualified to fly Shenyang J-15 fighters from carriers and have been presented with awards by Vice Admiral Ding Yi, Deputy Commander of the Navy at a ceremony aboard the Liaoning, according to Chinese military media.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Lavrov arrives in Geneva to hold talks with Kerry on Syria, Ukraine

http://tass.com/politics/896020

Lavrov, Kerry begin talks in Geneva

http://tass.com/politics/896048

The main issue is establishing coordination between Russia and the US in fighting terrorists in Syria

GENEVA, August 26. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry have begun negotiations in Geneva. The meeting is held at Hotel President Wilson.

The main issue on the agenda is establishing coordination between Russia and the US in fighting terrorists in Syria.

It is unclear at the moment whether the meeting will end with hammering out a document on the issue. However, this round of consultations was preceded by vigorous diplomatic effort and work by the two countries’ military. The Syrian issue also includes the humanitarian situation around Aleppo, efforts to maintain ceasefire and launch the political process. It is not improbable that Lavrov and Kerry will also address the issue of Turkey’s operation near the Turkish-Syrian border.

Besides, the two top diplomats will discuss the situation in Ukraine and bilateral agenda issues.

De Mistura joins Lavrov-Kerry talks — source

http://tass.com/world/896074

GENEVA, August 26. /TASS/. UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has joined the talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry underway in Geneva, a source in the Russian delegation has informed TASS.

"The UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Syria has joined the talks," the source said.

The UN envoy is expected to raise the issue of introducing weekly 48-hour pauses for delivery of humanitarian aid to Aleppo. Also on the agenda is the issue of launching a political process, in particular, resuming intra-Syrian talks.

The meeting of the Russian and US top diplomats in Geneva’s Hotel President Wilson has been going on for more than two hours now.

Putin, Erdogan Agree to Step Up Humanitarian Efforts in Syria's Aleppo

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160826/1044670127/putin-erdogan-aleppo-humanitarian.html

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed in a phone call on Friday to step up efforts to ensure reliable deliveries of humanitarian aid to residents of Syria's besieged city of Aleppo, Turkey's Anadolu news agency reported.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the agency, the Turkish president informed Putin about the ongoing Turkish military operation in northern Syria and stressed the importance of joint fight against Daesh and other terrorist groups.

The presidents also discussed normalization of Russia-Turkey relations and agreed to hold a meeting on the sidelines of a September 4-5 summit of G20 leaders in China, Anadolu said.

Putin, Erdogan note importance of joint efforts in anti-terrorism fight

http://tass.com/politics/896136

The leaders exchanged views on the situation in Syria

MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed in a phone conversation the situation in Syria, the Kremlin press service said on Friday.

The conversation was held at the initiative of the Turkish side.

"The leaders had a detailed exchange of views on the situation in Syria. The importance of joint efforts in the fight against terrorism was noted," the Kremlin stressed.

Russia’s Aerospace Forces started pinpointing strikes in Syria at facilities of the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (terrorist organizations banned in Russia) on September 30, 2015, at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Ankara declared on Wednesday morning that the Turkish army had begun an operation into the territory of neighboring Syria. Turkish armor and ground troops, including commando units, in cooperation with the allied armed groups of the Syrian opposition crossed the border into Syria. Ankara said the purpose of its military operation is the struggle against the Islamic State terrorist group and Kurdish militias.

Damascus condemned the operation saying it regards such actions as an outright violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

The two leaders have also discussed bilateral ties.

"The discussion concerned further development of Russian-Turkish cooperation in the political, trading and economic spheres in the context of the agreements achieved at their meeting in St. Petersburg on August 9," the Kremlin said.

"It was agreed to continue personal contacts over issues on the bilateral and international agenda," the Kremlin’s press-service said without specifying what contacts it was referring to. By the end of the year Putin and Erdogan will have an opportunity to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in China on September 4-5.

At their meeting in St. Petersburg the two leaders agreed to systematically resume the operation of the main mechanisms of interaction. The Russian and Turkish agencies concerned were instructed to hold a meeting of the joint strategic planning group in the first half of 2017.

Russia, Japan working on peace treaty in Moscow — Foreign Ministry

http://tass.com/politics/896120

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the peace treaty negotiations with Japan are underway

MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. A session of the third round of the Russian-Japanese negotiations on the peace treaty problem has been held in Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry informed on Friday.

"The Russian delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, and the Japanese - by the Japanese government’s envoy for relations with Russia, Tikahito Harada," the ministry said.

The dates of the next round of negotiations will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

The previous round of talks was held in Tokyo on June 22.

Russia and Japan have been in talks to fully mend bilateral relations and sign a peace treaty for decades. The main stumbling block to this is the issue of the ownership of the southern Kuril Islands. After the end of World War II the Kuril Islands were incorporated into the Soviet Union. However, the ownership of Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan islands and the Habomai Islands is challenged by Japan. In 1956, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a joint declaration on ceasing the state of war, however no peace treaty has been signed until now.

Russia, Japan commend joint military drills, naval cooperation — ministry

http://tass.com/politics/896066

The two countries' officials discussed military ties, the importance of a political and diplomatic settlement in the region

MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense Anatoly Antonov and Japan’s Ambassador to Russia Toyohisa Kozuki discussed the two countries’ military ties, and commended the practice of holding joint military drills and cooperation between Russian and Japanese naval forces, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press service told journalists.

The press service added that at the August 25 meeting, the Russian Deputy Defense Minister and the Japanese Ambassador exchanged their views on the situation on the Korean peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region on the whole.

"The parties discussed the present level of military ties between the two countries. The practice of holding joint military drills, the consultations at the General Staff level and naval cooperation were assessed as positive. A pattern for multilateral military cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region was outlined", the Russian Ministry’s press service stated.

As the ministry’s source noted, Antonov highlighted the importance of "a political and diplomatic settlement to the situation on the Korean peninsula in order to prevent tensions in North-East Asia".

He also drew the Japanese diplomat’s attention to "the negative impact that the deployment of the US anti-missile shield elements has had on the situation in the region".

Russian Defense Ministry invites Japanese counterparts to join mission in Aleppo

http://tass.com/politics/896045

Russia has informed Japan about the humanitarian mission in Aleppo

MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov invited counterparts from the Japanese military authority to join the humanitarian mission in Syria's Aleppo, press service of the Russian ministry said on Friday.

The press service said the deputy defense minister voiced the invitation during a meeting with Japan's Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador in Russia Toyhisa Kozuki on August 25.

"The deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry informed about the humanitarian mission in Aleppo, which was initiated by Russia, and invited the counterparts from the Japanese Ministry of Defense to join the mission," the press service said in a statement.

The Russian deputy minister also informed the Japanese ambassador about the snap exercise of the Armed Forces, which began on Thursday at the order of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

"The deputy minister stressed specifically the exercise complies fully with all the international obligations Russia has," the press service said.

Moscow and Damascus began the joint humanitarian operation in Aleppo on July 28. A few corridors for civilians and militants to leave the city were opened. Foodstuffs, medications, articles of prime necessity are delivered to Aleppo. The Russian Armed Forces General Staff reported later that from August 11 hostilities in Aleppo will be stopped for three hours per day for passage of humanitarian convoys inside of the city.

The UN secretary general’s special envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura suggested making 48 pauses for delivery of aid. The first 48-hour-long humanitarian pause in Aleppo will be announced when de Mistura says the cargoes are ready for delivery to city residents, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told the media on Tuesday.

Russian, Syrian Warplanes Destroy Terrorists' Supply Routes in Aleppo Province

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950605000581

The terrorists' supply lines in the surrounding areas of the military academy buildings, Khan Touman, Khalseh and Ma'arateh to the South of Aleppo city came under airstrikes by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets.

The Russian warplanes also completely destroyed a terrorists' convoy in Kafar Hamreh as fierce clashes are underway inside the military academy building areas.

Also on Thursday, the Russian and Syrian warplanes hit hard the terrorists' gathering centers in Southern Aleppo city, inflicting major losses and heavy casualties on Jeish al-Fatah terrorists.

Jeish al-Fatah's gatherings in Southwestern military academy region were bombed heavily by the Russian and Syrian fighter jets, leaving scores of the militants dead or wounded and destroying several machinegunequipped and armored vehicles.

In the meantime, Syrian army's artillery units shelled a column of Jeish al-Fatah's fighter leaving the battlefield in Southern part of Aleppo and killed or wounded scored of them.

On Wednesday, Syrian Army's artillery and missile units opened very heavy fire at Jeish al-Fatah's gatherings and forced them to hide in their positions without considerable movements to open their closed supply line from Aleppo to Khan Touman, military sources said.

"The Syrian government forces engaged in heavy fighting with Jeish al-Fatah terrorists near military academy buildings, in the meantime, heavy fire of army's artillery and missile units did not leave any chance for the terrorists to advance towards Um al-Qara'a hilltop," the sources said.

"Nine armored vehicles of Jeish al-Fatah were targeted and their crew was killed in the clashes in military academy buildings," they added.

"In the meantime, Syrian military forces fortified their positions in Um al-Qara'a which is the most important hilltop in the region for monitoring the supply roads of terrorists coming from Khan Touman to al-Rashedeen," they went on to say,

"Um al-Qara'a also overlooks the entire roads in al-Ramousiyeh and military academy buildings, including a road connecting al-Hekma school to Taslih academy building," the sources said.

Source: Army Destroys Terrorists' Military Positions in Northern Homs, Kills Scores of Terrorists

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950605000685

The terrorist groups' gathering centers in the villages of Aqreb and al-Anz in Homs' Northern countryside came under the Syrian army's artillery attacks, the Arabic-language media quoted an unnamed battlefield source as saying on Friday.

Score of terrorists were killed and wounded in the Syrian offensives' in Northern Homs city, added the reports.

Earlier on Friday, the terrorists' military positions came under airstrikes to the East of Talbiseh and Za'afaraniyeh in the Northern countryside of Homs city as the army's artillery pounded the terrorists in al-Sa'an.

Syrian fighter jets launched a fresh round of combat flights over the terrorist groups' concentration centers near the villages of al-Farhaniyeh, Za'afaraniyeh in Talbiseh region, destroying their positions and technical vehicles.

Terrorist groups suffered a heavy death toll in Syrian arm aircraft's anti-terrorism sorties in Talbiseh region.

In the meantime, terrorist groups' gatherings near the town of Taldou and the village of Burj Qai'e in Northwestern Homs were bombed by Syrian fighter jets.

Also on Wednesday, Syrian Army aircraft launched fresh attacks on ISIL's centers across the central province of Homs, targeting the Takfiri group's arms depot, command center and a convoy of vehicles.

The Syrian fighter jets pounded an ammunition depot of the ISIL in al-Halmouz and a command center in Deir Foul, destroying the sites and killing or wounding several terrorists.

The Syrian warplanes also hit ISIL's vehicles hard in al-Sukhnah, Arak and al-Heil oil-rich regions.

In the meantime, a unit of the Syrian army targeted a bomb-laden suicide vehicle of the ISIL before attacking on army post in Ezzalddeen region.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Lavrov arrives in Geneva to hold talks with Kerry on Syria, Ukraine

http://tass.com/politics/896020

Lavrov, Kerry begin talks in Geneva

http://tass.com/politics/896048

Pentagon Says Still No Agreement With Russia on Cooperation on Syria

http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160827/1044684207/pentagon-russia-syria-cooperation-agreement.html

There is still no substantial agreement between Russia and the United States on effective cooperation on Syria, US Department of Defense spokesperson Peter Cook told RIA Novosti.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the Syrian issue with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva. Lavrov said after the talks that there is "better mutual understanding of this issue" between the two countries.

"Some of the differences in those discussions toward a durable solutions have been narrowed, but as Secretary Kerry said, issues still remain that need to be addressed. There is no agreement at this time," Cook said on Friday.

Earlier this week, Samir Aita, a member of the Syrian Democratic Forum opposition party, told Sputnik that the United States should be pursuing practical cooperation with the Syrian regular army, just like Russia has been pursuing practical cooperation with the armed opposition, in order for a lasting ceasefire to be achieved in Syria and for terrorists to be defeated.

Lavrov said after talks with Kerry on Friday that the two had agreed that Russia would continue to work with the Syrian government and opposition groups that cooperate with it, while the United States would continue working with the groups they can influence in Syria and with regional partners.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting a number of opposition factions and extremist groups. On February 27, a US-Russia brokered ceasefire came into force in Syria. Terrorist groups such as Daesh, as well as Jabhat Fatah al Sham (also known as al-Nusra Front) are not part of the deal. Both groups are banned in Russia and a range of other countries.

Russian Law Enforcers Kill Two Militants in Kabardino-Balkaria Republic

http://sputniknews.com/russia/20160827/1044685933/kabardino-balkaria-militants.html

Russia's law enforcement agencies killed at least two militants during a special operation in country's southern Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, a source in regional law enforcement agency told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

NALCHIK (Russia), (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, a special counter-terrorism operation was announced in Nalchik, the capital of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, and in its Chegemsky District.

"According to preliminary data, two militants, who fought back law enforcement officers militarily, were killed during the special operation. An active phase of the operation is over," the source said.

The identities of the killed militants are being established at the moment.

Russian Ships Mastering Defense at Black, Caspian Seas

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160827/1044685805/russian-ships-black-caspian.html

Russian warships are conducting drills at the Black and Caspian Seas.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russian warships are training different defensive tasks at both the Black and the Caspian Seas as part of ongoing snap combat readiness inspections, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a Saturday statement.

"The crews of missile ships, anti-submarine ships, gunboats, missile boats and minesweeping ships are working out the tasks of the organization of air defense and underwater anti-sabotage defense… the service forces of the Black Sea Fleet and the Caspian Flotilla are implementing tasks on installation of a range of equipment in the dispersal areas of warships' tactical groups in order to prepare to the inspection with possible use of shipboard weapon systems," the statement said.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

Russian S-300, S-400 Air Defense Systems Put on Combat Duty in New Areas

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160827/1044685001/s-300-s-400.html

Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems of the Southern Military District are starting combat duty in new position areas as part of snap combat readiness drills, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The air defense systems will be used several kilometers away from their permanent deployment sites and "will start maintenance work on the equipment and enter combat duty" upon their arrival, the ministry’s press service said on Saturday.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

Russian Aerospace Forces Relocate Amid Snap Combat Readiness Check

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160827/1044684326/russia-aerospace-snap-drills-relocate.html

The crews of Russian Aerospace Forces of the Western and Central military districts have started to relocate aviation equipment amid an ongoing snap combat readiness inspection.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The crews of Russian Aerospace Forces of the Western and Central military districts have started to relocate aviation equipment to airfields in the Southern Military District amid an ongoing snap combat readiness inspection, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

"Fighter and bomber aircraft as well as transport-combat and attack helicopters will perform a flight over a distance of 500 to 2,500 kilometers [310-1,553 miles]. The Il-76 military transport aircraft are performing the transfer of technical staff and aviation units, airfield and special equipment," the ministry’s press service informed on Saturday.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

Russian Military Units Sent South as Part of Snap Drills

The Russian Defense Ministry reports that special purpose brigades of the Russian Central and Western military districts will be transferred to the Southern Military District to perform tasks of the ongoing snap combat readiness drills.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Special purpose brigades of the Russian Central and Western military districts will be transferred to the Southern Military District to perform tasks of the ongoing snap combat readiness drills, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.

"The special forces units will carry out tasks conducting search and reconnaissance missions as well as anti-sabotage tasks on unknown ranges of the Southern Military District," the press service of the defense ministry said on Saturday.

Snap combat readiness inspections are running across Russia's Southern, Western and Central military districts, as well as the Northern Fleet, Aerospace Forces and Airborne Troops on August 25-31.

 

[sToRmR1dR]

Russia redeploys, readies S-300's and S-400's near Ukrainian border

http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/08/russia-redeploys-readies-s-300s-and-s.html

August 27, 2016 -
- Novorossiya - translated by J. Arnoldski

http://www.novorosinform.org/news/59579

Testing of the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has continued with the redeployment of radar stations and S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems in the Southern Military District to new locations. This was reported by RIA Novosti on August 27th with references to the Department of Information and Mass Communications of the Russian defense ministry.

“The testing of radar stations and S-300 and S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems upon arrival at new positions has commenced the deployment and technical maintenance of equipment to be put in a state of combat duty,” the source reports.

NATO's Stance on Russia Makes Arms Control Deal in Europe Impossible - Envoy

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160827/1044695077/nato-russia-arms-deal.html

There are no grounds for a new arms control deal in Europe, as long as NATO continues to stress the need to deter Russia, Russia's envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko said Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier this week, in a commentary for German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote that a new European arms control deal would help avoid an arms race between Russia and NATO and would contribute to "transparency, risk prevention and confidence building."

"We know from history of European security process that success in the military sphere could be reached only if there is a common political project. As of today, there is no such common political ground, judging by the decisions adopted at NATO summits in Wales and in Warsaw. As long as NATO both officially and unofficially states the necessity to deter Russia, there will barely be any real political ground for a serious dialogue in the sphere of arms control," Grushko told RIA Novosti.

He added that Germany's attempts as chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to give impetus to the military and political dimensions corresponded to the signals received by Moscow from Berlin.

Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in eastern European countries bordering Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine as a pretext for the move. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned the Alliance that its military buildup along Russia’s borders is provocative and could threaten regional and global stability.

UN Syria envoy calls for immediate Aleppo aid delivery

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/27/481952/Syria-UN-de-Mistura-truce-Aleppo

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the divided Syrian city of Aleppo.

De Mistura said in a statement on Saturday that Syria’s warring sides should agree by Sunday on a 48-hour ceasefire in Aleppo to allow the safe delivery of the first relief supplies to the embattled city.

The UN official called for “all concerned to exert every effort so that, by this Sunday, 28 August 2016, we know where we stand.”

He said that for logistical and operational reasons the first convoy must go via the strategic Castello Road, the only road to the government-held areas of Aleppo.

The UN aid chief, Stephen O'Brien, told the Security Council on Monday that the world body is prepared to start delivering aid to the embattled city, but it first needs commitments from all warring parties.

On Thursday, Russia announced that it was ready to support a proposal by the UN for weekly 48-hour ceasefires in Aleppo.

Aleppo has been divided since 2012 between government forces in the west and militants in the east. Syrian forces have been engaged in a major operation to liberate the militant-held areas of the city.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy since March 2011.

Over 400,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the conflict, according to De Mistura.

Darayya under government control after militants evacuated: Syria army

http://www.presstv.com/Detail/2016/08/27/481969/Syria-Darayya-Idlib-militants-

Syrian forces have established full control over Darayya, a besieged suburb of the Syrian capital of Damascus, after militants and civilians were evacuated under a deal with the government.

“The Syrian army completely controls Darayya. … There isn't a single armed man there,” a military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Saturday.

“The Darayya file is now closed after the evacuation of all the civilians, armed men and their families under the agreement” reached on Thursday between the government and the militants, Syrian state television said.

The television broadcast footage of army vehicles combing the streets of the town, which has been under siege since November 2012.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the second and final convoy of militants and civilians left Darayya on Saturday.

The total number of evacuees is not yet clear.

Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported on Saturday that 4,000 civilians were to be directed to reception centers and at least 700 rebels escorted to the militant-held city of Idlib in northwest Syrian.

The arrivals were the first since the evacuation of the town just outside Damascus began on Friday under an agreement between the government and the militants.

This comes as Syrian army units have stepped up their clean-up operations against Takfiri militants both inside and around Darayya over the past few days, pounding terrorist positions and inflicting heavy losses on militant ranks.

Darayya has become one of the most heavily-bombed militant-held areas during Syria's conflict.

Since March 2011, Syria has been gripped by militancy it blames on some Western states and their regional allies.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict.

Syrian Deminers Begin Mine Clearance in Liberated Darayya - Source

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160827/1044697866/syia-darayya-liberation.html

Engineer troops of the Syrian army started the demining of roads and buildings in Darayya, a southern suburb of Damascus, a Syrian military source told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

ALEPPO (Sputnik) — According to the source, all civilians have been evacuated from the city, while some 1,600 militants with their families have been transferred to the province of Idlib. A total of 550 people have been accommodated in refugee camps near Damascus.

"Engineer troops began mine clearance of buildings and streets in Darayya. The city is completely under control of the army. Tomorrow we may allow journalists in the city," the source said.

Fighters of multiple militant groups have been surrounded by Syrian government forces in Darayya for several months. On Thursday, reports emerged claiming that the Syrian army and the so-called moderate armed opposition reached an agreement on evacuation of civilians and armed militants from the city.

Iran Now Eyeing Sukhoi Jets After Success With Russian S-300s

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160827/1044693621/iran-missiles-sukhoi-russia.html

Iran feels safe with the S-300 air defense systems and its own analogue, the Bavar 373, and is now mulling the purchase of Sukhoi jets from Russia for its air force, Gazeta.ru wrote citing Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehgan.

“We are building our own systems capable of securing our airspace on three levels. What we lacked in long-range interceptor missiles we successfully made up for with the purchase of the S-300 systems. We now need to consolidate our air force,” Iran’s news agency Tasnim quoted Dehgan as saying.

The Iranians’ desire to buy Russian warplanes was apparently prompted by the performance of the Russian Airspace Forces in Syria.

Tehran has a long list of advanced Russian fighter jets and bombers to choose from, including Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 jets.

The Su-30 fighter jet, modified with a hardened electronic circuity enabling the aircraft to withstand the electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear blast, is famous for its aerodynamic design that offers unparalleled maneuverability and its thrust vectoring that enables the aircraft to take-off and land in a variety of settings providing the warplane with multi-purpose characteristics.

The 2,120kmh fighter jet is able to release cruise missile from a height of 500 meters to 14,000 meters.

The Su-34 is a state-of-the-art fighter bomber, developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the mid-1980s. The two-seat Su-34 is primarily designed to destroy a variety of ground and naval targets. It is capable of performing solo and group missions in daytime and at night, under favorable and adverse weather conditions and in a hostile environment.

The Su-35 multirole fighter jet can be touted as the best dogfighter in history. In his article, published by the US magazine National Interest, military expert Sebastien Roblin gave kudos to the Su-35 (Flanker-E) super-maneuverable multirole fighter jet, which he described as a "deadly adversary" to the US F-15, Eurofighter and France’s Rafale fighter jet.

Kostantin Makiyenko, deputy director of the Center for Strategic and Technology Analysis in Moscow, told Gazeta.ru that Tehran “apparently hopes to solve its missile defense problems with the help of its very own Bavar-373 multichannel medium-range missile it started working on after Russia suspended the supply of S-300 missiles after the adoption of UN Security Council sanctions on Iran in mid-2010.”

In April 2015 President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to resume the deliveries of sophisticated weapons to the Islamic Republic, including the S-300 systems missiles amid the progress reached during negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program.

The contract entered into force in November 2015.

Chinese Air Force to Join Anti-Terrorism Operations in Syria

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950606000541

"In a surprising visit, a Chinese military delegation conferred with Syrian Defense Minister Fahad Jassim al-Freij over engagement of Chinese fighter jets in bombardments of terrorist groups' positions in Syria, mainly in Aleppo," Debka file quoted a military analyst as saying.

"Chinese jets may launch bombing of positions of Jeish al-Islami al-Turkistani with over 3,000 Uighur fighter," the analyst quoted senior spy officers of the US intelligence as saying.

Earlier this month, Beijing and Damascus agreed that the Chinese military to provide humanitarian aid to Syria, a high-ranking People's Liberation Army officer said, adding that the training of Syrian personnel by Chinese instructors was also been discussed.

Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of China's Central Military Commission, Guan Youfei, arrived in Damascus for talks with al-Freij.

During the negotiation, Guan noted China’s consistent diplomatic efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis, adding that Beijing is now seeking closer military ties with Damascus.

"The Chinese and Syrian militaries traditionally have a friendly relationship, and the Chinese military is willing to keep strengthening exchanges and cooperation with the Syrian military," he said.

Guan and al-Freij discussed the enhancement of training and "reached a consensus" on the Chinese military providing humanitarian aid to Syria. Guam also met with a Russian general during his visit to the Syrian capital.

Despite being a permanent UN Security Council member and relying on the Middle East for oil, China was previously reluctant to become involved in the Syrian conflict.

Beijing preferred to concentrate on domestic affairs and the territorial dispute with its neighbors in the South China Sea.

It praised Moscow’s anti-terrorism efforts in Syria as Russia staged a bombing campaign there in September 2015 to March 2016. Russia still has some of its forces in the country to provide humanitarian and military assistance to Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government.

Last year, there were reports that China was sending dozens of military advisers to Syria to help the country fight terrorists.

Russian Kalibr Missile-Armed Black Sea Warships to Stay Near Syrian Coasts

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13950606001140

The Serpukhov and Zelyony Dol small missile ships carried out three Kalibr launches against the Fatah al-Sham (the newly-formed al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group previously known as the al-Nusra Front) targets in Syria last week.

“Their return to the base was planned this month, but at the moment the situation in Syria requires that they remain in the Eastern Mediterranean at least in September," the source said.

Russia began an anti-terrorist operation in Syria in September 2015 at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on August 19 that positions of Fatah al-Sham were targeted heavily in the missile attacks of the Russian warships deployed in the Black Sea.

"Today, at 10:55 a.m., Zelyony Dol and Serpukhov missile ships of the Black Sea Fleet carried out three launches of sea-based Kalibr cruise missiles on Fatah al-Sham's targets in Aleppo from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea," the ministry said.

 

[Ca.]

The US: A Dead Nation Walking — Paul Craig Roberts
August 26, 2016
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/08/26/the-us-a-dead-nation-walking-paul-craig-roberts/
Here is an informative article by Dmitry Orlov: http://www.cluborlov.com

I use the writings of Orlov and The Saker as checks on my own conclusions.

In his article Orlov concludes that the United States is a dead nation, still walking, but no longer a uni-power. I agree with Orlov that US weapon systems are more focused on profits than on effectiveness and that Russia has superior weapons and a superior cause based on protection rather than dominance. However, in his assessment of the possibility of nuclear war, I think that Orlov under-appreciates the commitment of Washington’s Neoconservatives to US world hegemony and the recklessness of the Neoconservatives and Hillary Clinton. Washington is incensed that Russia (and China) dare to stand up to Washington, and this anger crowds out judgment.

Orlov, also, I think, under-estimates the weakness in the Russian government provided by the “Atlanticist Integrationists.” These are members of the Russian elite who believe that Russia’s future depends on being integrated with the West. To achieve this integration, they are willing to sacrifice some undetermined amount of Russian sovereignty.

It is my conclusion that Washington is aware of the constraint that the desire for Western acceptance puts on the Russian government and that this is why Washington, in a direct thrust at Russia, was comfortable orchestrating the coup that overthrew the elected Ukrainian government. I believe that this constraint also explains the mistakes the Russian government made by refusing the requests of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics to be reincorporated as parts of Russia, where the territories formerly resided, and by the premature withdrawal from Syria that allowed Washington to resupply the jihadists and to insert US forces into the conflict, thus complicating the situation for Russia and Syria.

Orlov sees Russian advantage in the ongoing conflict between Kiev and the breakaway republics as the conflict could be leading to the collapse of the US puppet government in Kiev. However, the disadvantage is that the ongoing conflict is blamed on Russia and feeds Western anti-Russian propaganda. It also makes Russia look weak and unsure of itself as if the Western criticism of Russia’s reincorporation of Crimea has struck home and Russia is afraid to repeat it by accepting the pleas of the break-away republics.

Moreover, if the Russian government had accepted the requests of Donetsk and Luhansk to return to Russia from which they were artificailly separated, not only would the conflict have been ended, but also the Ukrainian people would have realized the disaster caused by Washington’s coup against their government, and Europe would have realized from decisive Russian action that it was not in Europe’s interest to provoke Russia in behalf of Washington. The correct Russian response was prevented by the Atlanticist Integrationist desire to appease Washington.

In contrast to Orlov, The Saker underestimates Russian military strength, but he does understand the constraints placed on Russian decisiveness by the Atlanticist Integrationists, who seem to count in their ranks the economic establishment including the central bank and perhaps the prime minister himself. Putin does not seem to be overly concerned with what appears to me to be a fifth column of Washington’s agents as Putin himself has placed heavy bets on achieving accommodation with the West. However, Putin has cracked down on the US-financed NGOs that have tried to destabilize Russia.

Western reporting and think tank and university reports on Russia are propaganda and are useless to understanding the situation. For example, in the current issue of The National Interest Thomas Graham, who had the Russian desk on the National Security Council during the George W. Bush regime, attributes the “destabilization of eastern Ukraine” to “Russia’s annexation of Crimea.” He avoids mentioning the US-orchestrated overthrow of an elected Ukrainian government and that Crimea voted overwhelmingly (97 percent) to rejoin Russia when faced with the Russophobic government Washington established in Kiev.

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-sources-russian-conduct-17462

According to Graham, the foul deed of Russia’s acceptance of a democratic outcome upset all of Washington’s very friendly, supportive, and hopeful attitudes toward Russia. With all of Washington’s “assumptions that had guided America’s Russia policy” irreversibly dashed, it is no longer possible to maintain that Russia “is a suitable partner for addressing global issues.” Graham goes on to define Russia as a problem because Russia favors a multi-polar world to a uni-polar world run by Washington.

It is possible to read Graham’s repeat of the propaganda line as Graham genuflecting before the Neoconservatives before going on quietly in a low-key manner to attack their hegemonic attitude toward Russia. In his concluding paragraph Graham says that Washington must find a new approach to Russia, an approach of balance and limits that rejects “resort to force, which would be devastating given the destructive power of modern weaponry.”

All in all, it is an artful argument that begins by blaming Russia’s response to Washington’s provocations for a dangerous situation and concludes with the argument that Washington must adjust to Russia’s defense of her own national interests.

It is reassuring to see some realism creeping back into Washington attitudes toward Russia. However, realism is still a minority view, and it is highly unlikely that it would be the view of a Hillary regime.

In my opinion, the chance of nuclear war from Neoconservative intention, miscalculation or false launch warning remains high. The provocations of US/NATO military forces and missile bases on Russia’s borders are reckless as they build tensions between nuclear powers. It is in times of tension that false warnings are believed and miscalculations occur. In the interest of life on earth, Washington should be de-escalating tensions with Russia, not building them. So far there is no sign that the Neoconservatives are willing to give up their hegemonic agenda for the sake of life on earth.

Why Russia’s Secret Weapon is Still the SU-25 Frogfoot 'Flying Tank
Aug. 28, 2016
http://sputniknews.com/science/20160828/1044705045/su-25-flying-tank.html
The reason behind SU-25 Frogfoot’s impressive credentials and popularity across the world is that it offers an effective and useful solution to the need to blast targets on the ground, according to the US media.

https://twitter.com/SOFREP/status/769641244813254656/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Russia's SU-25 battle-plane deserves being called a "flying tank", National Interest columnist Sebastien Roblin believes.

The nickname was first used to describe SU-25's Soviet predecessor — armored Il-2 Sturmovik, which gained a reputation during World War II of being able to take a pounding while dropping bombs and firing rockets at German tanks. Il-2's successor, SU-25, is reputedly the most difficult plane in the world to shoot down.

Fast and heavily armed SU-25 attack planes entered production in 1978. They were aimed for "a titanic clash between the ground forces of NATO and the Warsaw Pact", and therefore were capable of flying low and slow to properly observe the battlefield.

Flying low meant invincibility against NATO's deadly long-range SAMs, but not against antiaircraft machineguns. To make sure the plane is protected, the Sukhoi design bureau developed a so-called titanium "tub" that housed both pilot and avionics. Armored plates with a thickness of ten to twenty-five millimeters literally wrapped around the cabin.

No surprise SU-25 has become popular for having survived in most extreme situations on the battlefield. Back in the 90s the aircraft even received its own American computer game.


The closest equivalent to SU-25 is the American tank busting A-10 Thunderbolt II, which is heavier and slower but has longer range and loiter time. But while US Air Force is set to retire the battle-plane six years from now, the SU-25 continues undergoing necessary upgrades allowing it to stay effective.

Modernized Su-25SM aircrafts have a new BARS satellite navigation/attack system and a whole slew of improved avionics such as news heads-up displays (HUDS), Radar Warning Receivers and the like. They can use the excellent R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, and have improved targeting abilities for laser-guided bombs. Russia had a lot of experience flying Su-25s as the battle-planes participated in dozens of conflicts around the world. SU-25s have seen action in the service of Macedonia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and finally in 2015 modernized Su-25SM were used in Russia's airstrike campaign against Daesh in Syria. Many observers noted that of the aircraft involved in the mission, the Su-25s were the best adapted for the close air-support role.

"While it's fun to admire high-performing fighters like the MiG-29 or F-22 Raptor, the unglamorous Su-25 has so far had a greater impact on a wide range of conflicts,"

Roblin wrote.

rt
Published on Aug 27, 2016 (graphic)
_https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncZApvnZLys

The video shows frontline Kurdish militants preparing for and launching a night attack on Jabhat Al-Nusra positions. Kurdish fighter Shilayan Fia stated why the organisation had decided to fight in the area. 'We are here in Sheikh Maqsood for the freedom of the people, for innocent children. ISIS and Al-Nusra are trying to capture Sheikh Maqsood and we are fighting against them,' she said.

The Debate – Syria situation after Darayya liberation

http://<iframe width="560" height="...zY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>