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

[Ant22]

Complete liberation of Syria from ISIS has also been reported by RT:

https://www.rt.com/news/412149-syria-liberated-isis-terrorists/

The Russian General Staff has declared the liberation of Syria from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), stating that all territories previously under terrorist control were liberated in the final push by the Syrian Army.

“All terrorist units of ISIS on Syrian soil have been destroyed, and the territory is liberated,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov said.

“Therefore, as of today, there’s no territory controlled by ISIS in Syria,” he added. Gerasimov made the announcement during an annual briefing for foreign military attachés.

Can't help but be reminded of the 'Ride of the Rohirrim' from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. What Russia has done for the Syrian people is truly heroic.

http://<iframe width="854" height="...w="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Such a great comparison Hesper!

But as reported by RT, ""ISIS defeat in Syria ‘significant step, but remnants may regroup elsewhere’". This battle has been won but unfortunately the war continues.

https://www.rt.com/news/412357-syria-liberation-isis-russia/

The liberation of Syria from ISIS is a significant step, but they have yet to be defeated ideologically, says journalist Adel Darwish. Many factions are still fighting and there will be some retaliation, other analysts told RT.

Russia's Central Command announced a momentous victory for Syria on Wednesday, saying the country has been fully liberated from Islamic State.

“All terrorist units of ISIS on Syrian soil have been destroyed, and the territory is liberated,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov said.

Adel Darwish, a journalist and co-author of Water Wars: Coming Conflicts in the Middle East described the liberation of Syria as “a significant step.”

“Perhaps we still have a long way to defeat the terrorists ideologically, but liberating every inch that they used to occupy, because unlike Al-Qaeda and other groups, ISIS wanted to have a base. The expansionist, colonialist movement wanted to establish an Islamo-fascist state. Defeating them is very important, they actually take the shine off that success that would recruit young people from all over the world,” he continued.

However, now ISIS may regroup on other territories, Darwish went on to say.

“Of course, they will regroup somewhere else. I’ve been worried in the previous few years when the American-led coalition when they surrounded the area, and instead of arresting all of them, rounding them up or dropping a bomb, or put them on trial, they gave them escape routes, so they regroup somewhere. So, perhaps all the surrounding areas, especially Turkey and Northern Iraq should not allow them to do [that],” he said.

According to the journalist, Russia’s bigger strategic plan is to “re-shape political Islam.”

“We have seen [Russia] helping in Syria and defeating the terrorists,” he said. At the same time, Darwish added, Moscow is improving relations with other players in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. In his opinion, Moscow is trying “to defeat the jihadi political Islam and push forward a more moderate Islam” because there are a lot of Muslims, “a lot of Islamic culture and heritage” in Russia itself.

Ammar Waqqaf, director of UK-based think tank Gnosos, commenting to RT on the Russian military’s announcement about the defeat of ISIS, said it was “a huge day.”

“Now with the major operations really ending, and the last stronghold of ISIS being liberated – there will remain remnants of ISIS who are fearful of getting back or reconciling with the state in Syria,” he said.

“There will be some retaliation for a long time. But at the end of the day, this is a huge day; this is a day when we can say that a certain phase of the war in Syria has ended. And hopefully, the next one will not take long to end as well,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that it was the US-led coalition which toppled ISIS, but at the same time, the Pentagon says they will keep troops in Syria as long as they need.

RT asked Daniel Pipes, founder & president of the Middle East Forum what would be the point of that if ISIS is no longer a force in Syria.

“There are still so many problems in the country: so many rivalries and hostilities so I think it is wise to keep some presence there,” he said.

“Syria has been one of the most horrid humanitarian war situation in the world… It is a total mess. The elimination of ISIS is a positive step… but it is a small step. There are still so many factions that are fighting, so much hostility among outside actors: the Turks, the Saudis, the Qataris, the Americans, the British, the Russians, the Iranians, that is far from being resolved,” he pointed out.

van Eland, director of the Center on Peace and Liberty, says that ISIS may become “a guerilla force,” adding that there’s also a terrorist force “that could plague Europe for a while.”

He said: “There is always a question of who is going to occupy the lands that ISIS had occupied before they were defeated. I think the US always has trouble leaving theaters of war…I predict the US would probably stay around in Syria with the help of the Kurds since they don’t want to give the territory back to Assad.”

In Eland’s opinion, the US is keeping the territory to have some sort of a role in peace negotiations and the future of Syria. “And having forces on the ground always helps out. There is probably no military reason for them to be there anymore,” he told RT.

 

[Yozilla]

Excuse me for some discourse but second to none IMO is Helms Deep Finale - ("Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.")

http://<iframe width="854" height="...w="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Oh Yeah!



P:S.

http://<iframe width="854" height="...w="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Oxajil]

I remember somewhere in the beginning hoping that Syria won't become another Libya as it is today after Hillary's psychopathic 'intervention'. So many lives have been lost, and many countries destroyed due to the Deep State's rampage in recent years. I was truly hoping: Not another country! So, I am very happy to see the situation has much improved over the past couple of years. I hope it won't be too long until Syria is completely cleaned (if possible). Very happy that Russia intervened when it did, it truly made a big difference, and it shows how great results can be achieved by cooperating fairly with other powerful nations, very different to the US Deep State's 'Me, me, me' and 'all mine!' agenda (Not Trump's who actually said that good relations with Russia would be a good thing).

By the way, I remember seeing a recent picture of Assad giving Putin a hug, which was very heartwarming!

It's quite interesting to see that when 'rebels' aka terrorists were attacked in Aleppo a long while ago, social media, the MSM, were all about saving Aleppo. People were demonstrating on the streets, tweeting and posting that we all need to #SaveAleppo. Suddenly, everyone cared about Syria, not knowing that the people who were taping themselves crying about being attacked were actually buddies with terrorists or are terrorists themselves. Since then, nothing but crickets, and no word from people on Syrians now, or are sadly not bothered to check the developments and see how Russia has helped save so many innocent lives, and that Assad is anything but a dictator. As Laura says: Bizarro World! All the more reason for us to keep spreading the truth, for those who want/can see and in support of all the major key players that have greatly helped Syria.

 

[goyacobol]

I remember somewhere in the beginning hoping that Syria won't become another Libya as it is today after Hillary's psychopathic 'intervention'. So many lives have been lost, and many countries destroyed due to the Deep State's rampage in recent years. I was truly hoping: Not another country! So, I am very happy to see the situation has much improved over the past couple of years. I hope it won't be too long until Syria is completely cleaned (if possible). Very happy that Russia intervened when it did, it truly made a big difference, and it shows how great results can be achieved by cooperating fairly with other powerful nations, very different to the US Deep State's 'Me, me, me' and 'all mine!' agenda (Not Trump's who actually said that good relations with Russia would be a good thing).

By the way, I remember seeing a recent picture of Assad giving Putin a hug, which was very heartwarming!

It's quite interesting to see that when 'rebels' aka terrorists were attacked in Aleppo a long while ago, social media, the MSM, were all about saving Aleppo. People were demonstrating on the streets, tweeting and posting that we all need to #SaveAleppo. Suddenly, everyone cared about Syria, not knowing that the people who were taping themselves crying about being attacked were actually buddies with terrorists or are terrorists themselves. Since then, nothing but crickets, and no word from people on Syrians now, or are sadly not bothered to check the developments and see how Russia has helped save so many innocent lives, and that Assad is anything but a dictator. As Laura says: Bizarro World! All the more reason for us to keep spreading the truth, for those who want/can see and in support of all the major key players that have greatly helped Syria.

Well said Ambassador Oxajil.

Following this war since 2014 and barely a peep from MSM until the battle for Raca is disheartening to say the least and now Syria seems like a war that has been just a "battle" in a bigger war.

I don't think it's bad if we at least express thanks for the battles won even if we know the war is still going strong.

My thanks to angelburt29 for her unwavering coverage of the news around the world and others who share their thoughts and information here.

I too am thankful for the courage and help that Putin and Russia have given to President Assad. Their friendship should be an example to the rest of the world (especially the U.S.).

 

[Voyageur]

I remember somewhere in the beginning hoping that Syria won't become another Libya as it is today after Hillary's psychopathic 'intervention'. So many lives have been lost, and many countries destroyed due to the Deep State's rampage in recent years. I was truly hoping: Not another country! So, I am very happy to see the situation has much improved over the past couple of years. I hope it won't be too long until Syria is completely cleaned (if possible). Very happy that Russia intervened when it did, it truly made a big difference, and it shows how great results can be achieved by cooperating fairly with other powerful nations, very different to the US Deep State's 'Me, me, me' and 'all mine!' agenda (Not Trump's who actually said that good relations with Russia would be a good thing).

By the way, I remember seeing a recent picture of Assad giving Putin a hug, which was very heartwarming!

It's quite interesting to see that when 'rebels' aka terrorists were attacked in Aleppo a long while ago, social media, the MSM, were all about saving Aleppo. People were demonstrating on the streets, tweeting and posting that we all need to #SaveAleppo. Suddenly, everyone cared about Syria, not knowing that the people who were taping themselves crying about being attacked were actually buddies with terrorists or are terrorists themselves. Since then, nothing but crickets, and no word from people on Syrians now, or are sadly not bothered to check the developments and see how Russia has helped save so many innocent lives, and that Assad is anything but a dictator. As Laura says: Bizarro World! All the more reason for us to keep spreading the truth, for those who want/can see and in support of all the major key players that have greatly helped Syria.

Yes, "so many lives have been lost" and so many people don't seem to have cared, after all they say, al-Assad was evil, so Russia is evil. And all we get from the cabal emanating from the likes of Madeleine Albright; despite her protesting of here sick statement from back in Iraq 1.0, to the empty soul of Hillary gloating over the corpse of Qaddafi, is more and more.

If people could pull their heads out of the sand for just long enough to take better stock of the world situation, they might become appalled and they might see the gift of Russia and what they have done to turn the tide in Syria as simply remarkable. I can't fathom what things would look like today had this intervention not happened, including what Hillary would be doing sitting in that big chair.

"I remember seeing a recent picture of Assad giving Putin a hug, which was very heartwarming!" It is almost beyond words what that meant.

 

[3DStudent]

Thanks for the LOTR movie clips, that helps to put it into emotional perspective. To merge a bit of fiction with reality. It was moving for me, and I cried a bit, but I think out of hope. That there's "still some hope in the world, and it's worth fighting for." I've been following the Syrian events more or less since 2014 too. Thanks angelburst29 for keeping us in the loop.

 

[angelburst29]

Russia’s Defense Ministry is bewildered at the statement made by France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian that Russia has misappropriated the victory over IS (Islamic State terrorist organization, outlawed in Russia), the ministry said on Sunday.

Russia bewildered at France’s statement on Syria 10/12/2017
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-bewildered-frances-statement-syria/

“The defeat of IS in Syria is first of all result of actions by the Syrian leadership and governmental forces,” the ministry said. “With support of the Russian Aerospace Force, the Syrian armed forces liberated from IS terrorists hundreds of settlements and returned under control of the legitimate leadership practically the entire territory of the country.”

Over that time, the international coalition focused on counter-acting the Syrian governmental forces, including direct air strikes on their positions in Deir ez-Zor, the ministry said. Over three year of existence, the “coalition” only recently succeeded for the first time in fighting IS in Syria – when it delivered mass bombing of Raqqa and its civilians, the Defense Ministry said.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Russia had misappropriated the victory over the IS terrorist organization in Syria. In an interview with BFMTV, he said forces of the international coalition had pushed the terrorists away, and the Russian military came to assist the forces of (Syria’s President) Bashar Assad and in the end liberated Deir ez-Zor with a certain delay.

Representatives of various opposition forces in Syria told Sputnik on Friday that they consider the country's former Vice President Farouk Sharaa to be a good candidate to run the country during the transitional period.

Syrian Opposition Favor Farouk Sharaa as Future Transitional Government Head
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201712091059860832-syria-opposition-sharaa-future-government/

So far, the formation of a transitional governing body in Syria has been the main stumbling block for all the diplomatic forces to settle the conflict, because the Syrian sides have polar views on the potential role of current President Bashar Assad in it. The opposition insists Assad "must go" at the very beginning of the transitional period, while the government cannot accept it and calls it a precondition for the direct talks.

"Yes, he [Sharaa] can play a positive role in the transition. It could be a compromise to prevent any political, administrative and security vacuum in Syria by leading the transitional period as the president of the full-fledged Transitional Governing Body (TGB) in Syria," Abdul Hakim Bashar, the representative of the Kurdish National Council in the Syrian Coalition, told Sputnik.

According to Firas Khalidi, member of the unified Syrian opposition delegation in Geneva from the Cairo platform, Sharaa could be "a bridge" between the Assad's government and "a new time."

"I think nobody would oppose the candidacy of Farouk Sharaa… I think he can be the TGB president. This idea is close to my views on how we can find a solution, a mix between the regime and the opposition," Khalidi told Sputnik.

Head of the Council of the Syrian Tribes Salem Meslet also gave a positive assessment of Sharaa's candidacy.

"It would be a replacement that leads to an appropriate solution, any change that stops the bloodshed and saves lives in Syria would be good for all Syrians, as long as it remains within the principles and will of the Syrian people," Meslet told Sputnik.

Damascus side, apparently, has a cautious view on Sharaa.

"He has no political weight. The opposition only wants to remove president Assad," a political adviser at the Ministry of Information of Syria, Ali Ahmad, told Sputnik.

"He is almost 80 years old … I do not think these rumors are serious," a high-ranking Syrian diplomat said, adding "there is no transitional period and no ruler in Syria but for president Assad."

Sharaa will open and, possibly, run the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, organized by Russia and slated for the beginning of 2018, a Sputnik correspondent learned from its sources earlier.

The aim of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress is to push Syria to a stage of a political settlement of the crisis after the recent victories over terrorists in the country and successes with de-escalation zones implementation. The Congress is expected to bring together nearly 1,500 representatives of various political forces and components of Syrian society, both opposition and pro-governmental parties, external opposition movements, ethnic and religious groups (Muslims, Christians, Arabs, Kurds, Turkmans, Assyrians, Circassians, Armenians, tribes), civil society organizations (such as the Syrian Arab Red Crescent) and even the representatives of the de-escalation zones population.

A Syrian-led political process, as per UNSC Resolution 2254, implies establishment of a "credible, inclusive and non-sectarian" transitional governance and drafting of a new constitution for the country and holding free and fair elections within 18 months under the UN supervision.

The Sochi Congress seeks to address constitution and elections issues closely. They are unavoidably related to and parallel with the period of a political transition in country.

A Russian interceptor has been scrambled to stop a rogue US fighter jet from actively interfering with an anti-terrorist operation, the Russian Defense Ministry said. It also accused the US of provoking close encounters with the Russian jets in Syria.

Russian Su-35 chased away rogue US F-22 jet in Syria: MoD
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-su-35-chased-away-rogue-us-f-22-jet-syria-mod/

A US F-22 fighter was preventing two Russian Su-25 strike aircraft from bombing an Islamic State (IS, former ISIS) base to the west of the Euphrates November 23, according to the ministry. The ministry’s spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov described the episode as yet another example of US aircraft attempts to prevent Russian forces from carrying out strikes against Islamic State.

“The F-22 launched decoy flares and used airbrakes while constantly maneuvering [near the Russian strike jets], imitating an air fight,” Konashenkov said. He added that the US jet ceased its dangerous maneuvers only after a Russian Su-35S fighter jet joined the two strike planes.

The major general went on to say that “most close-midair encounters between Russian and US jets in the area around the Euphrates River have been linked to the attempts of US aircraft to get in the way [of the Russian warplanes] striking against Islamic State terrorists.” He also said that the US military officials provided no explanation for the November 23 incident as well as other, similar encounters.

The statement came as a response to the Pentagon’s claims about “an increase in unsafe behavior” by Russian warplanes. “We saw anywhere from six to eight incidents daily in late November, where Russian or Syrian aircraft crossed into our airspace on the east side of the Euphrates River,” Lt. Col. Damien Pickart, the spokesman for US Air Force Central Command, told CNN earlier on Saturday.

A newly-formed Battalion of the Syrian Army's elite forces, known as ISIL Hunters, tracked and targeted a group of ISIL terrorists that had kidnapped and executed two Russian volunteers in Eastern Syria, killing the entire militants, the Russian news websites reported on Sunday.

Syrian Army Special Unit Hunts Abductors of Russian Volunteer Forces in Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000982

The websites quoted the ISIL Hunters as saying that the Battalion identified and tracked a group of ISIL terrorists that had kidnaped and executed Roman Vasilievich Zabolotny and Grigory Mikhailovich Surkanov, two Russian volunteers, in early October.

Also, the ISIL Hunters announced in a statement that the Battalion carried out track and target operation in Deir Ezzur and managed to kill the entire abductors of the terrorist group.

Western media sources reported in September that Russia was about to establish a new military base in Deir Ezzur that would be the Russian forces' largest base in the war-hit country after Humeimim airbase in Lattakia.

The Arabic-language al-Ahd news website quoted western media sources as reporting that Russia was to set up a new large military base in Deir Ezzur due to its regional and international strategic importance.

Al-Ahd added that the long distance between the Russia-run Humeimim airbase and Eastern or Central Syria and the superior capabilities and features of Deir Ezzur airbase were two other reasons for Moscow's decision.

In the meantime, proximity of Deir Ezzur to the US bases in Iraq and Syria's main oilfields, on which Russia was keen to invest, were mentioned among other reasons, al-Ahd pointed out.

The website went on to say that Moscow's decision to set up a military airbase in Deir Ezzur was also mainly aimed at preventing the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces from crossing the Euphrates River to rush towards South that is home to the richest oilfields in Syria.

Tunisian security sources disclosed that one of the main founders of the ISIL terrorist group has been an agent of Israel's Mossad, an Arab media outlet reported on Sunday.

Israeli Intelligence Agent One of Founders of ISIL Terrorist Group in Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919001286

The Arabic-language Al-Hadath news quoted the Tunisian Intelligence Services as disclosing that Qassan Bin Ali Abdul Salam nom de guerre Abu Abdul Rahman al-Tunisi, from Tunisia, that was an emir and a senior commander of the ISIL terrorist group in Deir Ezzur had worked once as an agent of Mossad.

Al-Hadath reported that al-Tunisi was a resident of Italy, suspected of trafficking drugs, adding that al-Tunisi further traveled to Sweden and was employed by the national intelligence agency of Israel.

Abu Abdul Rahman al-Tunisi returned to Tunisia in 2012 and later moved to Syria, where he took up several posts in the ISIL terrorist group, including Emir of ISIL in Deir Ezzur province.

Based on reports, Qassan Bin Ali Abdul Salam was one of the founders of the ISIL in Syria.

Al-Tunisi tried to escape ISIL-held regions with a hefty amount of money, but was arrested and executed by the ISIL.

The Syrian Permanent Representative to the UN told the Security Council in April that Israel provided air support to the ISIL terror group fighting the Syrian Army in Palmyra.

“Israel provided air support to ISIL with airstrikes in Palmyra,” Bashar al-Jafari told the audience during the Security Council session on Syria.

Jafari made his remarks during a UN Security Council session held to discuss a draft resolution submitted by the US, Britain and France on the use of Chemical weapons in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province.

Jafari was apparently alluding to the Israeli airstrikes that were conducted near the T-4 Military Airport in March.

In addition to aiding ISIL, Jafari also accused Israel of providing medical relief and air support to Al-Qaeda in Syria.

Opposition sources have revealed that big meetings took place between rebel commanders and Israeli representatives on the 2nd of December in preparation for a joint offensive in the Yarmouk Valley in west Dara’a.

Exclusive: Israel, Free Syrian Army to launch joint offensive in southern Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/exclusive-israel-free-syrian-army-launch-joint-offensive-southern-syria/

The planned operation aims to minimize the ISIS presence in the area that has witnessed a swift expansion of ISIS influence and domain over the past few months.

Israeli support will most likely be confined to drone strikes and ground-to-ground missile bombardment of ISIS positions in the Yarmouk Valley.

Notably, rebel factions had launched a major offensive codenamed “The People of the Land” against the ISIS-affiliated Jaish Khalid Ibn al-Walid on the 28th of November. Aided by limited Israeli air support, the insurgents were able to make minor advances on the Tasil front before the terrorist group was able to quickly reverse all the former’s gains in a counterattack.

The Ajnad al-Sham and the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) engaged in a tough battle in a region in the Southern countryside of the Syrian capital city of Damascus, inflicting heavy casualties on each other, militant-affiliated websites reported on Sunday.

Fresh Wave of Infighting Erupts among Terrorists in Southern Damascus
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919001074

The websites reported that Al-Nusra attacked the positions and a command center of Ajnad al-Sham affiliated to the Free Syrian Army in al-Qadam region in the Southern countryside of Damascus, killing and injuring each others' fighters.

The websites further said that Ajnad al-Sham later attacked Al-Nusra's command centers and laid siege on them in al-Qadam.

Dissident-affiliated websites reported on Saturday that the Al-Nusra Front was to exit Eastern Ghouta and move towards militant-held regions in Northern Syria following an agreement with Russia.

The websites reported that the Al-Nusra militants were to leave Eastern Ghouta for Northern Syria in the coming days after the militant group and the Russian reconciliation center reached an agreement over the relocation of the Al-Nusra fighters to other militant-held regions.

The websites went on to say that while a large number of terrorists were waiting for the start of the plan, a fresh wave of disunity has surfaced among them.

In the meantime, a source close to the Al-Nusra said that some of the foreign members of the group and commanders were just due to leave the region.

The total number of the Al-Nusra terrorists in Eastern Ghouta stands at 500 based on field estimates.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are mulling to join the Syrian Army troops after Russia declared support for the SDF and the US refused to continue providing arms supplies to the Kurds in Syria, an Arab media outlet reported on Sunday.

SDF Likely to Join Syrian Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919001024

The Arabic-language al-Hadath news quoted well-informed sources as saying that secret talks are underway between the Syrian Army and the SDF over the SDF's merger into the state army.

Al-Hadath further said that both sides are studying the terms and conditions of such a meger, adding that affiliation of the SDF to the Syrian army seems very likely now.

The SDF decided to join the Syrian army after a halt in arms supplies by the US forces and the possibility of Turkish Army's imminent operation against the SDF in Northern Syria.

Militant-affiliated websites confirmed on Saturday that senior Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Yaser al-Dahla and his fighters surrendered to the Syrian Army troops in the Eastern province of Deir Ezzur.

ALEPPO, Syria - Reports have emerged that Russia plans to open the road between Aleppo and Gaziantep.

Road to open between Syria's Aleppo and Turkey's Gaziantep under Russian protection
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/12/breaking-road-to-open-between-syrias.html

The road is reportedly to be used only for civilian purposes and will be under the protection of the Russian Military Police.

The two cities are only 97km apart, with Aleppo being Syria's largest city the country's economic and industrial hub. Gaziantep is one Turkey's largest city and currently hosts thousands of Syrian refugees.

The trade route between the two cities was once thriving before the war against Syria began in 2011.

The Syrian Army troops have found a large volume of advanced arms, ammunition and telecommunication equipment in the regions that were previously under ISIL's control in Southeastern Deir Ezzur, field sources reported on Sunday.

Deir Ezzur: Syrian Army Finds More Ammunition, Modern Telecommunication Equipment in ISIL's Positions
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960919000301

The sources said that the army's engineering units discovered a large volume of weapons, munitions, bombs, landmines and advanced telecommunication equipment and radars as well as bomb-laden or armored vehicles while combing regions between the towns of al-Mayadeen and Albu Kamal in the mop-up operation in Southeastern Deir Ezzur.

The sources further added that the army men found a large number of bomb-laden boxes and toys in ISIL's hideouts in the region.

Military sources conformed on Friday that the army men, operating from South of the town of al-Mayadeen towards the town of Albu Kamal and from North of Albu Kamal towards al-Mayadeen, managed to join the town flanks and captured the entire villages and towns on the Western bank of the Euphrates River that were previously under ISIL's control, the sources said, adding that with the recent advances the army soldiers managed to lay siege on ISIL trapped in a large desert region as large as 7,000 sq/km.

The sources further said that the army is now in control of the entire regions on the Southern bank of the Euphrates River from Eastern Raqqa to Deir Ezzur city and Albu Kamal.


The Syrian Army discovered another large warehouse belonging to the defeated ISIL terrorists with a huge number of American and Israeli lethal weapons in Deir Ezzur. [VIDEO]
http://en.farsnews.com/player.aspx?nn=13960919001279

 

[angelburst29]

Putin has stated that the Russian troops return from Syria "with victory" as he has visited the Hmeymim base in Latakia for the first time since the launch of the anti-terrorist operation at the request of President Bashar Assad.

Putin Orders Withdrawal of Russian Troops From Syria 11.12.2017 (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201712111059890490-putin-syria-hmeymim-airbase-troops-withdrawal/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQHbZrqDmog (0:26 min.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_Jzghni6IE (38:05 min.)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria after over 2 years of an anti-terrorist aerial campaign conducted in the Arab Republic.

I instruct the Defense Minister, the head of the General Staff to begin the withdrawal of the Russian troop contingents back to the places of their permanent location," Putin said, when speaking to servicemen in Syria, saying that they have demonstrated "courage, heroism, coordination, determination, brilliant training and high professionalism".

According to Putin, the work of the Russian Aerospace Forces' units in Syria has been performed brilliantly and they are "returning home with victory."

Putin has emphasized that if the terrorists "lift up their head" in Syria, Russian forces will carry out strikes the likes of which "they've never seen", adding that the two bases, in Tartus and Hmeymim, as well as the center for Syrian reconciliation, would continue to operate.

The president has underlined that with the help of Russia's military operation, Syria has been preserved as an independent and sovereign state, adding that conditions for the political settlement in the country under the auspices of the UN have been created and the refugees, that had to flee their homes, may return.

Vladimir Putin has touched upon the work of Russian defense industry enterprises and armed forces, which demonstrated the growing capabilities of the country's navy and army, the high-level combat skills of units and divisions.

Putin was met by Syrian President Bashar Assad, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, when he arrived at the Hmeymim base in the Latakia province for the first time since the launch of the anti-terrorist operation in the Arab Republic at the request of Damascus in 2015.

Putin-Assad Meeting

The Russian president has also held a separate meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad at the base.

Indeed, the threat of terrorism, in general, is very high. The fact that we defeated one of the main groups — Daesh in Syria — is extremely important for Syria, and for Russia, and for the whole world," the Russian president told Assad.

For his part, Assad has thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for the effective assistance in the country's fight against terrorism.

The achievements that have taken place are very significant, very important for us. The theme of our meeting, the destruction of Daesh fighters, is very important for the whole world. We coped with this. On behalf of the whole people of the Syrian Arab Republic, I express my deep gratitude for the role your armed forces played. The victories that have been achieved have affected not only our state, but also neighboring countries," Assad said.

The Syrian people would not forget the Russian servicemen after their blood mingled with the blood of the soldiers of the Syrian Arab army who died in the fight against terrorism, Assad stated, adding "This blood, shed on the Syrian land, confirms that they are stronger than terror, and the memory of the dead of both armies and their courage will be a guiding light for future generations."

Summarizing the results of the two-year military campaign, Vladimir Putin mentioned other grantor-states of the Syrian peace settlement, namely Iran and Turkey, expressing hope that they would assist in establishing normalcy in the country, contributing to the eradication of terrorism.

"It is important to prepare the Congress of the Syrian people, I will now have an opportunity to talk about this in Cairo with the President of Egypt, and a little later with the President of Turkey," Putin said.

Russian Operation in Syria

The announcement of Russian President Vladimir Putin has come almost a week after his statement on the complete destruction of the jihadists along both banks of the Euphrates River. Mentioning the continued existence of isolated hotbeds of resistance, Putin said that on the whole, the Syrian and Russian operation in the area has ended with the complete "routing of the terrorists."

Сommenting on the course of the operation, the Russian General Staff Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi stressed that now the terrorist group has been eliminated from Syria, Russian troops will concentrate their efforts on restoring a peaceful life in the country and observing the parties' resolutions.


Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria
http://tass.com/defense/980174

Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during surprise visit to Khmeimim Airbase Published time: 11 Dec, 2017 09:59
Edited time: 11 Dec, 2017 17:16
https://www.rt.com/news/412690-putin-syria-comes-khmeimim/?utm_source=spotim&utm_medium=spotim_recirculation&spotim_referrer=recirculation

Just a note: And a bit of confusion ...

Before coming across the RT article (listed directly above) - I was on another website and typed in "RT News Putin orders Russian forces pullout from Syria" in Google search and it produced this article (below) at the top of the search ...

Putin orders start of Russian military withdrawal from Syria, says ‘objectives achieved’
https://www.rt.com/news/335554-putin-orders-syria-withdrawal/

Although the content in the article is a condensed version of the article above, it lists the date as:

Published time: 14 Mar, 2016 17:42

Edited time: 14 Mar, 2016 20:56

The date on the comments also reflect the year 2016?

The video featured in the article is also dated Mar 14, 2016?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rCwhYshgw8

To my limited knowledge, I'm not aware of Putin ordering a withdrawal of Russian Military from Syria "until now?"

So, went back in this thread to April 1st, 2016 and worked my way up to the end of April 2016 (pages 89 - 103) nothing on a Russian troop withdrawal?
https://cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php/topic,39681.1320.html

 

[Oxajil]

Following this war since 2014 and barely a peep from MSM until the battle for Raca is disheartening to say the least and now Syria seems like a war that has been just a "battle" in a bigger war.

I don't think it's bad if we at least express thanks for the battles won even if we know the war is still going strong.

Yeah, and I think this battle was a big one. The US deep state probably miscalculated big time. Most likely they thought they're gonna oust Assad, make Syria their own, and have more influence in the region and continue to try to be a thorn in Russia's side. Thankfully, that didn't work out!

Yes, "so many lives have been lost" and so many people don't seem to have cared, after all they say, al-Assad was evil, so Russia is evil. And all we get from the cabal emanating from the likes of Madeleine Albright; despite her protesting of here sick statement from back in Iraq 1.0, to the empty soul of Hillary gloating over the corpse of Qaddafi, is more and more.

If people could pull their heads out of the sand for just long enough to take better stock of the world situation, they might become appalled and they might see the gift of Russia and what they have done to turn the tide in Syria as simply remarkable. I can't fathom what things would look like today had this intervention not happened, including what Hillary would be doing sitting in that big chair.

"I remember seeing a recent picture of Assad giving Putin a hug, which was very heartwarming!" It is almost beyond words what that meant.

Indeed! You know, for a research I was conducting, I interviewed a Syrian refugee who came to Europe with his wife a year or two ago. While the questions were about something else, at the end I asked him if I could ask some personal questions that won't be reported in the report, which he agreed to. I asked him what he thought about Assad. To my surprise, he repeated the MSM's lies that he's a dictator and all that. My response was neutral, pretending I didn't know much I wasn't sure whether he was lying, because he didn't want to come across as a supporter of Assad, or whether he truly believed that and sided with the 'rebels'. In the end, I asked him: Would you go back to Syria if the terrorists are gone? And he said yes. I thought that was quite interesting.

 

[Cosmos]

It's a wrap! I think Assad is right: What the russians and the syrians accomplished there will be remembered in both countries for a long time and hopefully will be taught in history classes there (and hopefully elsewhere too) in 100 years. Hats off Putin! History in the making.

http://<iframe width="854" height="...w="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

On December 6, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, General Gerasimov, at an annual briefing for foreign military attachés, made an official announcement: In Syria, all the ISIS formations are destroyed, the country's territory is completely freed from terrorists." A total of more than 1,000 settlements have been liberated.

On December 11, President Putin flew from Moscow to Syria and landed at the Russian air base in Khmeimim. Putin came specifically to inform Russian soldiers and officers that their honourable and difficult mission ended in complete victory and now they have a long-awaited journey home.

At the Russian airbase, the head of state communicated with the President of the Syrian Arab Republic Bashar Assad, Russian Defense Minister General Shoigu, as well as the commander of the Russian group in Syria, Sergei Surovikin.

"Syria is preserved as a sovereign and independent state, conditions have been created for a political settlement under the auspices of the United Nations, refugees are returning to their homes."

In an informal atmosphere, Putin talked with military personnel about their mission in Syria. At the meeting from the Syrian side, President Bashar Assad as well as the Syrian commander of the elite 5th assault corps "Tigers" Brigadier General Suhel was also present.

A smaller Russian military contingent remains to observe the situation from the airbase of Khmeimim and Navy base of Tartus. In addition, the Russian Center for Reconciliation will remain in Syria.

After visiting Khmeimim, Putin went on to a real political marathon. From Syria, the Presidential aircraft delivered Putin to Egypt, which can play an important role in the peace process in Syria. From Cairo, Putin went straight to Ankara for talks with Erdogan. Putin informed Erdogan about the withdrawal of the Russian military contingent from Syria, but there was no talk of problematic issues, such as the continued presence of Turkish troops entering the border regions of Syria.

In summary: 1) Leaving Syria now, Moscow demonstrated that it is not going to get involved in a long-term conflict like "the Afghan scenario", as professed by critics.

2) The Syrian government troops are trained and armed with Russian weapons. The negotiation process is developing successfully with the "moderate opposition" both in Syria itself, and in Geneva, where the next round of negotiations with all forces party to the conflict begins shortly.

3) Russia retained military bases in the Middle East - an important geopolitical factor. The army brilliantly demonstrated all of its tactical and technical capabilities, in a short time, destroying the infrastructure of the militants. Any further offensive of the Syrian army will now be supported by the Syrian Air Force with the available forces and means.

 

[angelburst29]

Complete liberation of Syria from ISIS has also been reported by RT:

https://www.rt.com/news/412149-syria-liberated-isis-terrorists/

The Russian General Staff has declared the liberation of Syria from Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), stating that all territories previously under terrorist control were liberated in the final push by the Syrian Army.

“All terrorist units of ISIS on Syrian soil have been destroyed, and the territory is liberated,” Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Valery Gerasimov said.

“Therefore, as of today, there’s no territory controlled by ISIS in Syria,” he added. Gerasimov made the announcement during an annual briefing for foreign military attachés.
<snip>

It's amazing, what has been accomplished in the last two years, with Putin and Russian military intervention and other supporting militaries like the Iranian Hezbollah helping Syrian Arm Forces. There's also "immense respect for Assad", for keeping Syria intact, while the Country was still under extreme attack from foreign invaders.

Very few outside of Syria and the neighboring Middle Eastern Countries, were fully aware of the magnitude and immensity of the crimes being committed against the Syrian population, due to oppressed and limited reporting. The barbaric nature of the crimes "committed against human living flesh" is unfathomable, unless the events are equated with Medieval Biblical texts describing "Demon's surfacing from the deepest abyss of Hell"!

Yet, as more information surfaced, we begin to realize - that what has transpired in human suffering in Syria - has been "the standard operating procedure by certain military forces" in other war torn areas around the globe, as far back as Vietnam and beyond. Left unchecked and given license to continue unabated, it's evil tentacles will eventually reach - all four corners of the globe.

There's also the thought, that hundreds in the war torn areas of Syria have been saved through an unique humanitarian program, instituted through Russian efforts, to systematically deliver food supplies and other relief efforts, including medical care. The efforts of the humanitarian Syrian program - far exceed - any past Red Cross or U.N. relief intervention around the World. I have yet to notice, any mention of a price tag or request sent out to the general public for cash donations, which is standard procedure with the Red Cross and U.N. Plus, along with Syrian aid, the Russian Humanitarian Group also provides assistance to other areas in need, including parts of Ukraine, on a systematic basis.

Russia and Putin can't extend themselves to save the whole World but they are offering us, through their own experiences, certain tested guidelines and procedures to set in motion, to settle any disputes in a timely and amicable way. Currently, we're able to witness and study this process as it unfolds in working out a Syrian Peace Agreement. It's history - in the making and we have a front row seat.

 

[Cosmos]

Looks like Putin also personally commanded and directed the troops in syria as well as the political reconciliation! Seems like there is pretty much nothing Putin can't do, if it is needed. Just awesome!

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian President Vladimir Putin took part personally in commanding the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria, Russian upper house speaker Valentina Matvienko said Wednesday.

"As a member of the Security Council, I can say that the President personally dealt with the command of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria and the preparation of political reconciliation," she told reporters.

 

[angelburst29]

US Coalition massacres 20+ civilians in east Deir Ezzor 14/12/2017
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-us-coalition-massacres-20-civilians-east-deir-ezzor/

The U.S. Coalition bombed a town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor tonight, killing over 20 civilians in the process, pro-opposition activists reported.

According to the reports, the U.S. Coalition massacred the civilians inside the town of Al-Jurzi, which was controlled by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

No further details have been released.

A large number of pro-government reinforcements arrived in the Deir Ezzor countryside, Wednesday, to help their allies there beat back the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).

Large number of Syrian Army, Hezbollah reinforcements pour into Deir Ezzor to drive back ISIS
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/large-number-syrian-army-hezbollah-reinforcements-pour-deir-ezzor-drive-back-isis/

Units from the Syrian Arab Army, (SAA), National Defense Forces (NDF), Syrian Hezbollah, and Liwaa Al-Fatemiyoun (Iranian-Afghan paramilitary), poured into the Deir Ezzor countryside, a military source told Al-Masdar News on Wednesday.

These reinforcements will replace the Syrian Arab Army’s Tiger Forces, who were recently redeployed to the northeastern countryside of the Hama Governorate.

ISIS launched a big offensive this week that targeted the Syrian Army’s positions along the western bank of the Euphrates; thus far, the terrorist group has seized over ten towns in the last 48 hours.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to the State Duma (lower house of parliament) an agreement with Syria on expanding the Russian Navy’s base in Syria’s Tartus. The information is available in the Duma’s digital database.

Putin drafts bill for expanding of Russian Tartus navy base in Syria 13/12/2017
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/putin-drafts-bill-expanding-russian-tartus-navy-base-syria/

“The duration of the agreement is 49 years, it can be automatically prolonged for a period of 25 years in case none of the parties send a written notification to the other at least one year before a period expires concerning its intention to terminate the agreement,” the document reads.

According to the agreement, Russia will use joint facilities free of charge.

“The naval base has full immunity from Syria’s civil and administrative jurisdiction. Its movable and immovable property is immune from search, seizure and other proceedings,” the document adds.

Besides, the agreement stipulates that Russia will operate the naval base. “Russia has the right to send the necessary number of troops to maintain the naval facility,” the document says.

On Monday, Putin visited the Hmeymim air base in Syria, announcing that the most well-trained terrorist groups active in the country had been defeated, and ordered the Russian Defense Ministry to begin the withdrawal of a significant part of the Russian troops from Syria.

A sum of 250 gunmen have cut their relations with the Ankara-backed militant groups and joined the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) amid reports on the possibility of SDF's affiliation to the Syrian Army troops, a Kurdish media outlet reported on Wednesday.

Tens of Gunmen Defect Ankara-Backed Militant Groups to SDF in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960922000690

The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that a sum of 250 gunmen affiliated to the Turkey-ked Euphrates Shield defected the Ankara-backed groups and joined the SDF in several stages in coordination with the Manbij Military Council in Northwestern Aleppo.

Hawar news further said that the first phase of defection in the town of Manbij occurred in mid-November.

An Arab media outlet reported on Sunday that the Syrian Democratic Forces were mulling to join the Syrian Army troops after Russia declared support for the SDF and the US refused to continue providing arms supplies to the Kurds in Syria.

The Arabic-language al-Hadath news quoted well-informed sources as saying that secret talks were underway between the Syrian Army and the SDF over the SDF's merger into the state army.

Al-Hadath further said that both sides were studying the terms and conditions of such a merge, adding that affiliation of the SDF to the Syrian army seems very likely now.

The SDF decided to join the Syrian army after a halt in arms supplies by the US forces and the possibility of Turkish Army's imminent operation against the SDF in Northern Syria.

The main militant groups in Eastern Damascus have been negotiating with the Syrian and Russian officials over ending the presence of the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) terrorists in Eastern Ghouta, an Arab media outlet reported on Wednesday.

Militant Groups, Syrian Gov't Hold Talks to End Al-Nusra's Presence in Eastern Damascus
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960922001049

The Arabic-language al-Watan daily quoted well-informed sources as saying that intense talks are underway between reconciliation committees and the Russian forces with the representatives of Jeish al-Islam and Faylaq al-Rahman to pave the ground for the imminent withdrawal of Al-Nusra terrorists from Eastern Damascus.

The paper reminded the Syrian army's control over Eastern Ghouta and the pursuing withdrawal of the Al-Nusra from the region, and said the talks have concentrated on the annihilation of Al-Nusra or its withdrawal from Eastern Ghouta and its expulsion to other militant-held regions, including Idlib.

Meantime, a fresh wave of disputes and internal conflicts has erupted among Al-Nusra members and commanders, and Al-Nusra security members have started arresting dissident commanders or members in recent days.

The Syrian Army opened heavy fire at the gathering centers of the terrorist groups in Northern Homs after the latter violated the de-escalation zone ceasefire agreement again on Wednesday and shelled the strongholds of the government forces.

Syrian Army Pounds Terrorists' Positions in Northern Homs after Militants' Truce Violation
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960922001096

Terrorist group's mortar units deployed in Northern Homs targeted the army's positions in al-Mohatah and al-Mashari'a regions in Northwestern Homs, violating ceasefire in the region.

The army's artillery and missile units, in response, shelled the bases and positions of the terrorists in the farms North of the town of al-Rastan.

A number of terrorists were killed or injured and their positions were destroying in the army's artillery fire.

Russia does not seek to boost its military influence in the Middle East – after assisting the legitimate government of Syria to preserve sovereignty and integrity Moscow has started pulling out its troops of the region, Yang Mian, a political analyst at the Center for International Relations at the Chinese Institute of Communications, told Sputnik.

After Russia's Pullout It's Up to Damascus to Maintain Stability – Analyst
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201712131059972422-russia-syria-damascus/

Russia's decision to pull out of Syria indicates that Moscow has no intention to expand its sphere of influence, Yang Mian, a political analyst at the Center for International Relations at the Chinese Institute of Communications, told Sputnik China, adding that the Russian Army helped Syria preserve its statehood and sovereignty.

"The war in Syria has been almost ended, Daesh [ISIS/ISIL] is defeated, the Syrian opposition also took part in the negotiations on the resolution of the problem. Russia's Aerospace Forces have accomplished most of its tasks in Syria; besides, there is the issue of cost for a long-term maintenance of the military base. Therefore, under these circumstances, [President Vladimir] Putin's decision to withdraw the military personnel [from Syria] was announced very opportunely," Yang summarized.

Additionally, the United States and Iraq have already announced the end of the war on terrorism.

On December 9, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi declared victory over Daesh (ISIS/ISIL) after the three-year long struggle against the terrorist group.

"Honorable Iraqis: your land has been completely liberated. The dream of liberation is now a reality," al-Abadi said in an official statement.

The announcement came two days after Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, the head of the Russian General Staff, stated that "the task of destroying the Daesh militia in Syria by the Russian Armed Forces has been accomplished."

The political analyst remarked that not all terrorist cells in Syria have been eradicated. According to Yang, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has gained enough experience to cope with its problem.

The Chinese analyst also noted that the triumphant victory of the Russian armed forces over terrorists in Syria will be regarded as a great achievement of Putin on the eve of the upcoming 2018 presidential elections in Russia.

Yang suggested that Moscow's decision to pull out of Syria will not have a big impact on the situation in the Middle Eastern country: "Russian tasks in Syria are fully implemented at this stage, and much depends now on the Syrian government and its ability to maintain domestic security and stability."

Speaking to Radio Sputnik, professor Eyal Zisser, vice rector of Tel Aviv University and the holder of The Yona and Dina Ettinger chair in Contemporary History of the Middle East, shared a similar stance.

According to Zisser, Damascus is capable of maintaining stability on its own, following Daesh's defeat. The academic opined that Putin's decision to withdraw Russian troops from Syria is a "message of trust" not only to the Syrians but to Moscow's regional allies, Turkey and Iran — the participants of the Astana format.

The Russians said from the early beginning that they came to fight for a reason, to defeat ISIS [Daesh]. They have no intention to establish any sort of military presence in Syria. So it's quite logical that when the mission was accomplished, ISIS [Daesh] was defeated, there is no need for such level of presence," Zisser stressed.

On December 11, while on an official visit in Syria's Latakia President Putin announced the withdrawal of the Russian military contingent after a two-year-long military operation which started on September 30, 2015.

"I instruct the Defense Minister, the head of the General Staff to begin the withdrawal of the Russian troop contingents back to the places of their permanent location," Putin said, praising Russian Aerospace Forces servicemen for performing brilliantly and "returning home with victory."

 

[angelburst29]

Inside Syria Media Center’ sources report on personnel changes and on the renewal of ISIS leadership. Senior officials in hiding are trying to optimize the management of their structure and continue to carry out illegal subversive activities in a number of Western countries.

ISIS Management Structure Inside: Fatally Wounded ISIS Try to Reallocate Resources and Reappoint its Killers December 13, 2017
https://en.insidesyriamc.com/2017/12/13/isis-management-structure-inside/

According to the sources, ISIS leadership is still under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The representatives of ISIS military council are Iyad Abdulrahman al-Abadi, who is known as Abu Saleh al-Haifa, and Abu al-Harith Bashar Ismail al-Jarjar. For all the security issues Iyad Hamid Khalifa al-Jamili, known as Abdulrahman Ansari, and Abu Ali at-Turkmeni from Turkmenistan known as Abdul Bin Waheed Bin Khader Bin Ahmad are responsible. One of the high-ranking field commanders is Mustafa Sat Marim al-Nasr, also known as Masib As-Suri. The coordinators and official representatives, as well as spokesmen of the radical group, are Abu Hajir al-Sufi and Abu Hasan al-Muhajir. Besides, Abu Salah (Mustafa Mohamed al-Jarmusch) runs the financial management of ISIS.

There are also a number of specific posts in the jihadi caliphate. For example, Abu Muhammad is in charge of all the prisons on the IS-controlled territory, and Abu Saji, known as Khairi Abd al-Khumud at-Taiami, is responsible for the social policy of the jihadists. Abu Shimaa, also known as Faris Riyad al-Naimi, is engaged in all the kinds of weapons supplies while a citizen of Tunisia Tariq bin al-Tahar bin al-Falih al-Awni al-Harzi, known as Abu Umar al-Tunisi, is in charge of the operations with the use of suicide bombers in Syria. According to some sources, he wasn’t killed in a U.S. drone strike at Shaddadi in north-eastern Syria on 16 June 2015, but this has not been confirmed yet.

In addition, Abu Qasim, known as Abdallah Ahmad al-Mashhadani, oversees the meeting from abroad and training of new militants, as well as the brainwashing of the suicide bombers. The chief editor of IS affiliated ‘Dabiq’ magazine, Ahmad Abu Samra, is engaged in propaganda and interaction with mainstream media, and the social engineering and the organizational engineering in Twitter is conducted by Mahdi Saidi. Subversive activities are concentrated in the hands of Abu Amr al-Kardash and his assistant for distant mining is Abu Amr al-Malcum.

It is also noticed that ISIS economy is concentrated in the hands of the Minister Haydar al-‘Abadi (Ahmad al-Salih) and his deputy named Abu Hazma. ISIS emir in Western Kalamun is Muafik al-Jarban Abu as-Sus, and in the south of Damascus is Abu al-Dahman. Military operations in the south of Syria are led by Abu Samir al-Urduni, Jordanian by nationality. The sources also report that the head of the ISIS-affiliated Jaysh Khalid ibn al-Walid Army in the south of Syria is Nadir al-Zeyab (Abu Ali), and her military leader is Abd al-Karim al-Misri.

That might be kind of weird for you to run accidentally into the above-mentioned FB-accounts when searching. Be prepared to see the photos of quite respectable citizens. Unfortunately, it is too far from the reality. The latest Inside Syria Media Center’ investigation of the so-called “White Helmets” FB-accounts showed that they are playing a double game on Facebook often disguised as everyday people.

https://en.insidesyriamc.com/?s=White+Helmets

The more so, some of the high-ranking radicals managed to survive, although, in the U.S. reports they appear killed as a result of drones’ attacks or coalition’s airstrikes, eyewitnesses report. Does a mock take place here? It seems a conspiracy is prepared. You may be quite surprised to know that some high-ranking militants like jackals have fled recently to the territory of neighboring Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq at the first sign of threat against their lives. Many of the terrorists managed to deceive their allies on jihad. Together with their family, they took along their bloody looted property leaving the rest of the radicals to the mercy of fate. Among the most famous militants who took advantage of the situation, are the head of the so-called ‘Islamic Police’ in the province of Deir-Ezzor, Mahmoud Jaber Haij Rujuk, known as Abu Al-Jude, as well as Abu Laidan al-Iraqi responsible for the city of al-Mayadin. The others include the IS Minister of Agriculture, Abdulrahman Akal al-Araf (Abu al-Haras) along with his father, and the Secretary-General for Real Estate in the province of Deir-Ezzor, Abu Hazif al-Dashish.

At the same time, the information about some previously appointed commanders remains unclear. It is known, for example, that the head of intelligence in the province of Deir Ezzor, Abu Firas Ash-Shahil, and his assistant have not been able to cope with their duties. But their fate is unknown at the moment. Many known ‘White Widow’ Sally Jones was responsible for suicide operations in the province of Raqqa. She was close to the border between Syria and Iraq when was allegedly killed by a U.S. drone strike in Syria in June 2017. This ‘office’ as well as many others in ISIS structure are vacant now or have been ‘reduced’ as a result of the Syrian Arab Army’s successful activity.

Furthermore, there are no such positions as ‘a person responsible for Deir-Ezzor defense’. This position was earlier occupied by now escaped Ahmad al-Dunham and Abu Didjan al-Zor. Some more ranks unavailable now like ‘a person responsible for the Tunisian detachments in ISIS’ and ‘a person responsible for al-Bukamal defense’ were held by Syrian Saddam al-Jamal. Such posts like ‘responsible for the security in Deir-Ezzor’ occupied by Iraqi native Abu Tawfiq al-Iraqi, as well as ‘responsible for finances in the province of Deir-Ezzor’ occupied by Abu Arif al-Iraqi were also relegated to the dustbin of history with their chiefs fled.

It seems that ISIS days are numbered. The Syrian Arab army under the help of its allies broke the back of the powerful earlier structure and is now finishing off its remains. No personnel changes or other transformations in its ranks can help ISIS to rise from the ashes. The scattered ISIS-Islamists are still present on the Syrian soil, but they will have been dealt with in the end.

 

[angelburst29]

A new video showing the Russian military transporting their equipment onto a cargo ship leaving Syria was released by a Russian news outlet on Thursday.

Cargo ship filled with Russian armored vehicles used to defeat ISIS leave Tartous – video
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/cargo-ship-filled-russian-armored-vehicles-used-defeat-isis-leave-tartous-video/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNffSf6mOkM (5:11 min.)

In the video, the Russian military can be seen loading several armored vehicles that were to defeat ISIS in eastern Syria onto a cargo ship destined for Russia.

In particular, the video shows the Russian military loading a BTR armored personnel carrier that was used to defeat the Islamic State at the battle of Palmyra earlier this year.

The Russian military will still maintain a large presence in Syria, but the bulk of their forces have been withdrawn from the country following a successful tour of duty.

The Russian Ministry of Defense slammed the U.S.’ refusal to leave Syria on Friday, claiming the latter has no more excuses to remain inside the country.

US no longer has any reason to remain in Syria: Russian MoD
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/us-no-longer-reason-remain-syria-russian-mod/

“There is no longer any basis or pretext for a U.S. military presence in Syria,” the Russian Ministry of Defense announced.

Furthermore, the Russian Ministry of Defense slammed the U.S. for refusing to accept that the situation on the ground in Syria is no longer in favor of any terrorist group.

“The Pentagon’s statements regarding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria shows Washington’s failure to accept the situation on the ground,” the Russian Ministry of Defense concluded.

Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva Alexey Borodavkin expressed concerns over the US presence in Syria, calling on the American forces in Syria illegally “to pack their rucksacks and go.”

Russia: US Forces Must Leave Syria Immediately
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960925000394

“We believe that after the victory over the ISIL terrorists there is no need for the US-led coalition to further remain in Syria, especially given that they had not been invited there,” Sputnik quoted Borodavkin as saying, adding that “So, we are calling on the Americans to pack their rucksacks and go.”

He also confirmed that the Syrian Armed Forces are now capable of repelling the terrorists' offensives in Syria, especially after the defeat of ISIL.

Borodavkin stressed that the 8th round of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva concluded on Friday without any “outcome” because of the preconditions that the opposition still insist on, adding that “The opposition delegation arrived for the talks with the position that in fact cannot be called negotiating.”

The Russian official stressed that this opposition should declare clearly in its documents that it does not see any military solution to the crisis in Syria, and that it also should take into consideration the work on the political process and make its demands consistent with reality in Syria, which would help the success of the Geneva talks.

Borodavkin also said that allegations that the Sochi congress may undermine the Geneva political process were groundless and attempts to create problems in the face of the preparations for this congress.

He stressed that the Sochi congress is an opportunity that neither the Syrians nor the main players involved in the settlement – including the UN – should miss.

Earlier this week, a report claiming that the Chinese special forces were deploying to Syria was released by several news agencies.

Chinese special forces not deploying to Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/chinese-special-forces-not-deploying-syria/

The primary source for this alleged report was the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

However, SANA issued a statement this afternoon denying that their news agency was behind this claim, adding that they were falsely attributed as the source.

The rumor regarding the Chinese military deployment began last month, when a fake Facebook page claiming to be the official Hmaymim Airport account made this announcement.

To counteract this claim, the Chinese envoy at the Geneva Peace Conference in November released a statement denying that any Chinese combat forces were being deployed to Syria.

With the Russian military’s recent move to downsize their forces in Syria, it would make no sense for the Chinese special forces to deploy to the country.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced in its latest report on Saturday that militants in more regions laid down arms and joined the peace agreement with the Syrian Army troops.

Militants in More Regions End Battle with Syrian Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960925001272

The ministry's report said that the total number of regions, towns and villages that have thus far joined the nationwide reconciliation plan stands at 2,307 after representatives of militants in more regions endorsed the peace agreement with Damascus.

The ministry added that peace talks with the gunmen are underway in the provinces of Aleppo, Damascus, Hama, Homs, Idlib and Quneitra.

Field sources confirmed earlier this month that almost 100 gunmen that had laid down their weapons and joined peace with the Syrian Army in Dara'a province received government amnesty.

The sources reported that almost 100 militants affiliated to the al-Omari Brigade deployed in al-Lejah in Dara'a province that had handed over their arms to the army soldiers in the town of al-Sanmin were pardoned by the Damascus government.

The gunmen received amnesty and returned to normal life, the sources said.

Relevant reports said last month that militants in more regions laid down arms and joined peace with the army, and added, "The total number of regions, towns, settlements and villages that have thus far joined nationwide reconciliation plan stands at 2, 276."

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) scored a major advance near the occupied Golan Heights this week, capturing several sites inside the jihadist-held Beit Jinn pocket.

Syrian Army pushes to encircle jihadist stronghold near occupied Golan Heights
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-pushes-encircle-jihadist-stronghold-near-occupied-golan-heights/

Led by the 42nd Brigade of the 4th Mechanized Division, the Syrian Arab Army began the day by capturing the large hilltop of Tal Al-Bayda.

Following the capture of Tal Al-Bayda, the Syrian Army made their push to take control of Tal Maqtoul Al-Gharbiyah; they would seize this hilltop shortly after launching their attack.

With these hilltops captured, the Syrian Army is now at the northern gate of Mughar Al-Mir, which is one of the last jihadist strongholds in the Beit Jinn pocket.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Army is now working to capture the last hilltops (Tal Al-Zaiyat and Taloul Al-Najjar) to the east of Mughar Al-Mir.

Once these hilltops to the east of Mughar Al-Mir are captured, the Syrian Army will offer terms of surrender to the jihadist rebels, as they will have no outlet for retreat.

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) unleashed a powerful attack in the Golan Heights region tonight, targeting Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham’s positions inside the Beit Jinn pocket.

Latest battle update from the Golan Heights region: map
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/latest-battle-update-golan-heights-region-map/

Led by the 42nd Brigade (Ghiath Forces) of the 4th Mechanized Division, the Syrian Army fired more than 30 surface-to-surface missiles towards the last hilltops located to the east of Mughar Al-Mir.

In addition to the missile attack, the Syrian Air Force has conducted several airstrikes over the Beit Jinn pocket, scoring several direct hits on the enemy’s positions.

With the jihadist rebels nearly surrounded, the Syrian Army is now making their last preparations before storming Mughar Al-Mir.

A woman allegedly converted $85,000 into bitcoin and other virtual currencies to support ISIL, but was nabbed by authorities as she tried to board a flight out of the US.

American Woman Uses Bitcoin to Launder Money for ISIL
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960925001288

Zoobia Shahnaz, 27, a US citizen, was indicted Thursday in federal court in Central Islip, New York. A five-count-indictment charges Shahnaz with bank fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and three substantive counts of money laundering, according to a US Department of Justice statement,
RT reported.

Both the court filing and the indictment released Thursday allege that Shahnaz defrauded several financial institutions, which is how she gained more than $85,000.

After allegedly swindling the financial institutions out of the money, Shahnaz proceeded with the conversion of that money into bitcoin and similar currencies, which were then moved to overseas funds and laundered in order to support the ISIL (Daesh or ISIS), the DOJ press release stated.

Shahnaz was arrested on Wednesday at John F. Kennedy International Airport, following a line of questioning by law enforcement officials who stopped her as she tried to leave the US for Islamabad, Pakistan.

Shahnaz laundered the bitcoin proceeds to people in the countries of China, Turkey and Pakistan. The woman also “accessed ISIS propaganda, violent jihad-related websites and message boards, and social media and messaging pages of known ISIS recruiters, facilitators and financiers," according to the DOJ statement.

She then followed through with an investigation of maps depicting regions in Syria under control by ISIL and searched the internet for “ISIS recruiters, financiers, and fighters, including those who have urged lone-wolf attacks against American targets."

Shahnaz also had intentions to “travel to Syria and join ISIS,” the DOJ press release said.

Acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Bridget Rohde released a statement on Shahnaz’s case.

“As alleged, the defendant Zoobia Shahnaz engaged in a bank fraud scheme, purchased bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies and laundered money overseas, intending to put thousands of dollars into the coffers of terrorists,” Rohde said, according to the Washington Examiner.

Shahnaz’s trip out of the US also had a layover in Istanbul, Turkey, which lasted several days. Prosecutors stressed that this is a “common point of entry” for people hailing from Western countries attempting to join ISIL, according to the DOJ press release.

Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy said people do not become leaders due to fate or their characteristics, but due to the social circumstances at that time — zeitgeist (spirit of the time).

Putin reading zeitgeist on Middle East tour Friday 15 December 2017
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1209671

Nowadays, Russian President Vladimir Putin is reading the zeitgeist in the Middle East. He visited three critical countries on Monday, having breakfast with his Syrian counterpart, lunch with his Egyptian counterpart and dinner with his Turkish counterpart.

In Turkey, he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This was their eighth meeting in a year, indicating how much bilateral relations have improved since the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara.

In Monday’s talks, agenda topics included the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move its embassy there, details of Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, and the latest developments in the Syrian conflict. Erdogan discussed Jerusalem with Putin by phone a day after the US decision. The two leaders agree on the matter, and Putin threw his full support behind Turkey during a press conference in Ankara.

Following the Putin-Erdogan talks, the next meeting in Astana was announced. Turkey and Russia are central to the Astana peace process, which includes Iran. As the Syrian conflict is approaching an endgame, the three countries have further engaged in a process of cooperation.

Putin’s surprise announcement of a partial withdrawal of Russia’s military from Syria may contribute to further improving Turkish-Russian relations. In his first visit to Syria since 2015, he said the war on terror there is almost complete, and the time has come for a gradual pullback of Russian forces. This means the Syrian crisis has entered a new phase in which Moscow plans to lead the process in close cooperation with Ankara and Tehran.

Turkey and Russia are planning to hold a congress of Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi, in which Moscow aims to bring together the Syrian government and opposition. The congress, according to Moscow, aims to address the adoption of a new constitution, the parameters of future Syrian statehood, and the organization of elections under UN auspices.

Turkey objects to the inclusion of the Syrian-Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its militia, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), because of their links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara sees as a terrorist organization. In light of this, Moscow has reportedly proposed that the congress include all Kurdish groups except the PYD.

With his one-day tour of the Middle East, Putin sent a clear message to all relevant actors that Russia is emerging as a regional powerbroker at a time of declining US influence. With a cautious and well-planned strategy based on shuttle diplomacy in the region, he appears willing to fill the vacuum that the Americans are leaving behind.