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

[angelburst29]

Is Russia bringing out the heavy "fire-power" to finish the job and push the U.S. and Turkey out of Syria?

New Thermobaric Weapon Reportedly Joins Syrian Army (VIDEO)
https://sputniknews.com/military/201712301060432129-idlib-solntsepyok-flame-throwing-systems/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnztVI9Qm_M (0:30 min.)

Despite Daesh being defeated by the joint efforts of the Russian forces and the Syrian Army, peace has yet to arrive in Syria; the Arab country is still struggling with other terrorist and militant groups.

A video showing the arrival of what looks like a Russian TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Scorching Sun) flame-throwing system in Syria's Idlib province has been published by the Telegram channel 338 which deals with military-related issues.

"It will be very hot in Idlib soon) New Year's magic) Things are coming to another entrapment," the caption under the video reads.

The TOS-1A is expected to support the Syrian Army's offensive against terrorists in Idlib's southern areas.

Earlier, a number of media outlets reported about an unknown number of the Solntsepyok systems being used in Syria.

The TOS-1A is an upgraded version of the TOS-1 Buratino heavy flamethrower, a 220-mm 30-barrel or a 24-barrel multiple rocket launcher, mounted on a T-72 tank chassis.

The range of the Solntsepyok system's unguided incendiary or thermobaric missiles is about six kilometers, while a zone of continuous destruction stands at almost one square kilometer.

The US-led coalition against Daesh terrorist group (banned in Russia) will focus on stabilization of the liberated regions in Syria and Iraq, Brett McGurk, the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, said.

US-Led Coalition to Focus on 'Stabilizing Communities Liberated From Daesh'
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201712301060424812-us-coalition-daesh-syria/

"Our work over the coming year will require intensified effort to stabilize communities liberated from Daesh," McGurk said in the letter sent to coalition members on Friday.

Our work over the coming year will require intensified effort to stabilize communities liberated from Daesh," McGurk said in the letter sent to coalition members on Friday.

The envoy stressed that the United States will keep its presence in Syria as the fighting against the group is still ongoing.

Pentagon says that the claims that that it trained Islamists at two military bases in Syria were "absurd," saying they "work with our partners to kill or capture ISIS".

Pentagon Denies Claims of Training Daesh in Syria
https://sputniknews.com/us/201712301060423926-pentagon-training-militants-syria/

The Pentagon has rejected claims by a Russian military commander that it trained Islamists in Syria, saying such allegations were absurd, in a comment to Sputnik on Friday.

Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov said this week US instructors were training Islamic State (Daesh or ISIS) militants at two military bases, where US special forces operate, to boost rebel ranks. “There was a threat of seizure of the city Al Quaryatayn in Syria. Their forces were defeated. It is clear that the militants are being trained there," Gerasimov said.

"The allegation that the U.S. supports ISIS is false and absurd. We do not train ISIS. We work with our partners to kill or capture ISIS," the US Department of Defense’s Rebecca Rebarich said.

Gen. Gerasimov said that 350 militants had been blocked by Syrian troops at the At Tanf garrison in the country's southeast, while some 750 more remained at the Shaddadi camp, controlled by Kurdish opposition forces. Gerasimov assumed that after the training former Daesh terrorists would become members of the so-called New Syrian Army, whose task is to destabilize situation in the country.

Later, Syria's SANA news agency has reported, citing eyewitnesses, that on Wednesday, US helicopters have evacuated Daesh leaders from several areas across the Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor to to safety in al-Hasakah province, much of which is presently under the control of Kurdish and US forces.

A cameramen, who was working for the Syrian state broadcaster Sama TV, was killed when covering a military operation in the south of the Idlib province, while the broadcaster’s correspondent was injured, local media reported on Friday.

Syrian State Broadcaster’s Cameraman Killed in Idlib Province – Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201712291060418765-syria-broadcaster-cameraman-killed-idlib/

The media team came under fire of the Jabhat Fatah al Sham terror group (formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra or Nusra Front), which shelled the Syrian government army during the offensive operation in the northwestern province, the Sana news agency reported.

The correspondent was delivered to hospital in the city of Hama, according to the agency.

The Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation assisted the evacuation of 111 people from Eastern Ghouta as part of the first humanitarian evacuation of critically ill patients and hostages from territories controlled by the armed opposition.

Russian Troops Help Evacuate Over 110 People From Syria's East Ghouta
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201712291060417552-russian-troops-syria-evacuate/

The last part of evacuation operation, when 111 people left opposition-occupied Eastern Ghouta, including 29 seriously ill patients and 31 hostages, ended in the early hours of Friday. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) evacuated hostages and patients under the control of Syrian army and the Russian military from the reconciliation center. The humanitarian convoy then arrived to the territory controlled by the government and all Syrians evacuated from Eastern Ghouta were sent to hospitals in nearby Damascus.

The Syrian military helicopters dropped thousands of leaflets over Idlib province, calling on residents to expel the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) from the province.

Syrian Helicopters Drop Thousands of Leaflets Calling on Residents to Expel Terrorists from Idlib
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961009001660

The leaflets stated that people are suffering in Idlib because of Al-Nusra’s ongoing presence inside their areas, the AMN reported. Furthermore, the leaflets gave examples of how the Syrian Army was able to restore schools, electricity and water in areas that were liberated from the Al-Nusra.

Recently, the Syrian Army and their allies launched a massive offensive in Southeastern Idlib that targeted the territory controlled by Al-Nusra and its allies. Thus far, the Syrian Army has been able to capture a large chunk of territory, including the important town of Abu Dali.

The Grad missiles fired by the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) and blown up by the air defense systems deployed at the Russian airbase in Humeimim had been supplied by the US and Saudi Arabia, a Russian expert said on Saturday.

Al-Nusra's Intercepted Grad Missiles Supplied by US, S. Arabia
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961009001610

Aleksi Ivankov was quoted by the Arabic website of RT as saying that the terrorist groups stationed in Idlib province, including the al-Nusra Front, have been supplied by the US and Saudi Arabia with Bulgarian-made Grad rockets.

The Arabic-language Moraseloun news website reported on Wednesday that the Russian forces stationed at Humeimim airbase intercepted the Grad rockets, using the Pantsir defense shield. The missiles were fired against the villages near Jabalah region in Lattakia province.

The missiles were fired by the terrorists from Badama region in Southwestern Idlib and were destroyed over Jabalah airspace.

The Syrian army said it has seized a large volume of American-made weapons and ammunition from the terrorists during the mop-up operations in Deir Ezzur.

US Arms Seized from Terrorists in Deir Ezzur
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961009000621

While purging terrorists from different districts of the city of Deir Ezzur, the army units gained access to a large cache of mortar rounds, different types of machine-guns, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and shoulder-mounted rockets, including some manufactured by the US.

The army forces also seized wireless and radio broadcasting stations in one of ISIL's headquarters while purging terrorists from al-Sayyal village in the outskirts of Albu Kamal city East of Deir Ezzur.

VIDEO: Syrian Army captures dozens of anti-tank missiles, rocket launchers from ISIS in Deir Ezzor
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-syrian-army-captures-dozens-anti-tank-missiles-rocket-launchers-isis-deir-ezzor/

The Turkish Army, backed up by allied militants, exchanged heavy fire with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the outskirts of the town of Afrin in Western Aleppo, injuring a number of gunmen from both warring sides, a Kurdish media outlet reported on Saturday.

Turkish Army, SDF Exchange Heavy Fire in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961009001512

The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that the mortar units of the Turkish Army and their affiliated militants shelled heavily the SDF's positions in the villages of Daqnah and Ma'anaz and Tal (hill) Qastal Jandu near Afrin in Western Aleppo.

It went on to say that the SDF, meantime, pounded the positions of the Turkish army and Ankara-backed militants in Western Aleppo, leaving seven Turkey-backed militants injured, two of them in critical conditions.

Dissident-affiliated websites reported earlier today that the Turkish Army has forwarded another military column to Western Aleppo to enhance its forces for an imminent operation against the SDF in Afrin.

The news websites reported that another convoy of the Turkish military vehicles left the village of Kafr Loseen and crossed the border into Syria's Idlib.

The websites further said that the convoy, consisting of several personnel carriers and cargo vehicles and engineering machinery, moved to the positions of the Turkish army troops in Afrin region in Western Aleppo.

At least ten government buses and ambulances arrived in the Beit Jinn region in Western Ghouta on Friday morning to transport the militants to Idlib province, the Syrian military reported.

Syria: Buses Arrive to Transport Militants from Occupied Golan Heights to Idlib
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961008000582

According to the Syrian military, at least 300 terrorists of Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) will be transported from Beit Jinn to Idlib as part of the ceasefire deal.

Another batch of terrorists are expected to leave in the coming days, as the Syrian army men begin entering the areas Al-Nusra once controlled in the Beit Jinn pocket.

With the Beit Jinn pocket cleared, the Syrian Army will shift their attention to the Southern suburbs of Damascus, where they will attempt to retake the Yarmouk Camp District and Hajar Al-Aswad region.

Media sources reported on Wednesday that the Syrian army has given a 72-hours-long ultimatum to the al-Nusra Front in Southwestern Damascus to leave the region or lay down arms and apply for government amnesty.

At least ten government buses and ambulances arrived in the Beit Jinn area of the West Ghouta this morning to transport the jihadist rebels to the Idlib Governorate, the Syrian military reported.

Buses arrive to transport jihadists from occupied Golan Heights area to Idlib
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-buses-arrive-transport-jihadists-occupied-golan-heights-area-idlib/

According to the Syrian military, at least 300 jihadist rebels from Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham will be transported from Beit Jinn to Idlib as part of the ceasefire deal.

Another batch of jihadist rebels are expected to leave in the coming days, as the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) begins entering the areas HTS once controlled in the Beit Jinn pocket.

With the Beit Jinn pocket cleared, the Syrian Army will shift their attention to the southern suburbs of Damascus, where they will attempt to retake the Yarmouk Camp District and Hajar Al-Aswad.

The Syrian army discovered two new mass graves containing the bodies of tens of people slain by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists in Raqqa province, Northeastern Syria.

Mass Graves of Dozens of ISIL Victims Discovered in Northeastern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961009000614

Field sources reported on Friday that the army has found two mass graves near the town of al-Wadi, 25km away from the Southeastern parts of Debsi Afnan.

They added that corpses of tens of Syrian civilians and military men, who were killed and executed by the ISIL during its rule over the region, were seen in the mass graves.

US Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman Col. Ryan Dillon told reporters in November that hundreds of suspected members of the ISIL terrorist group and thousands of their family members were allowed to flee Raqqa in convoys arranged by US-backed forces in the days before the city fell to coalition forces,.

Col. Ryan Dillon essentially confirmed a BBC report that 250 ISIL fighters and thousands of family members, along with weapons and other supplies, were disbursed throughout Syria in a series of convoys that were arranged by US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

"In the course of that screening there were four foreign fighters that were identified and detained by the Syrian Democratic Forces," Dillon said, adding, "Out of the rest of the 3,500 civilians that came out of Raqqa at that time, approximately less than 300 were identified and screened as potential ISIL fighters."

The Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad made an unannounced trip to the Homs Governorate, Friday, to meet with several wounded soldiers and their families.

In pictures: Syrian President meets with wounded soldiers in Homs (Photos)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-syrian-president-meets-wounded-soldiers-homs/

Joining the Syrian President during his visit to the Homs Governorate was his wife, Asma, and three children.

The Syrian President often makes these trips to meet with wounded soldiers; however, this is only the second time he has been pictured inside the Homs Goverorate since the start of the war.

In the pictures below, the Syrian President is seen meeting with many soldiers, including George Tannous of Homs.

 

[angelburst29]

Bit off topic perhaps, but it might be interesting and somewhat related to this topic:

UP AND RUNNING: The Full-Cover Anti-Missile Shield Has Been Put Into Operation in Russia (1:23 min)

http://<iframe width="1280" height=...w="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Mutual destruction seems to be a day of the past. Luckily Putin's Russia beat them to it, if it were any other way around. The US might have Nuked and totally destroyed Russia already.

<snip>

China has a new toy, too!

China Tests Hypersonic Weapon; US THAAD Is Powerless: Checkmate 29 December, 2017(Photos - Video)
_https://stockboardasset.com/insights-and-research/china-tests-hypersonic-weapon-us-thaad-is-powerless-checkmate/

The art of war is rapidly evolving with Beijing spearheading the push with the first modern operational hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). According to The Diplomat, the weapon, known as the Dong Feng (“East Wind”), DF-17 for short, is designed to challenge existing missile defense systems, such as America’s anti-ballistic missile defense system called: Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

An unnamed U.S. government source, who has studied recent intelligence reports on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF), said China conducted two separate tests of the hypersonic missile back in November. The first test was conducted on November 01 and the second test took place on November 15. The Diplomat signals, that the November 01 test was the first Chinese ballistic missile launch to take place after the Communist Party of China’s 19th Party Congress in October.

Following half-dozen development tests between 2014-2016, the most recent tests were launched from the Jiuquan Space Launcher Center in Inner Mongolia. The Diplomat then explains how the November 01 test was widely viewed as successful after the hypersonic weapon hit its intended target “within meters.”

During the November 1 test flight, which took place from the Jiuquan Space Launcher Center in Inner Mongolia, the missile’s payload flew to a range of approximately 1,400 kilometers with the HGV flying at a depressed altitude of around 60 kilometers following the completion of the DF-17’s ballistic and reentry phases.

HGVs begin flight after separating from their ballistic missile boosters, which follow a standard ballistic trajectory to give the payload vehicle sufficient altitude.

Parts of the U.S. intelligence community assess that the DF-17 is a medium-range system, with a range capability between 1,800 and 2,500 kilometers. The missile is expected to be capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional payloads and may be capable of being configured to deliver a maneuverable reentry vehicle instead of an HGV.

Most of the missile’s flight time during the November 1 flight test was powered by the HGV during the glide phase, the source said. The missile successfully made impact at a site in Xinjiang Province, outside Qiemo, “within meters” of the intended target, the source added. The duration of the HGV’s flight was nearly 11 minutes during that test.

The source told The Diplomat, this was “the first HGV test in the world using a system intended to be fielded operationally.” U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the DF-17 could be operational as soon as 2020.

“Although hypersonic glide vehicles and missiles flying non-ballistic trajectories were first proposed as far back as World War II, technological advances are only now making these systems practicable,” Vice Admiral James Syring, director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, said in June, during a testimony before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.

In 2015, Lockheed Martin, well aware of China’s HGV threat, dusted off their plans to upgrade its THAAD missile system to counter hypersonic weapons.

Lockheed Martin is hoping the maturing threat of hypersonic boost glide vehicles from ambitious adversaries will spark interest in the company’s dormant plan to design a more capable interceptor for the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) air defense system.

Chinese officials confirmed they conducted a test last month of what they are calling a hypersonic strike vehicle. U.S. officials worry this missile could outsmart their defenses.

Nevertheless, China is not the only superpower in the HGV game, the United States and Russia are developing hypersonic weapons, as well.

And lastly, the Rand Corporation warns, “the trajectory and capabilities of HGVs provide them with some unprecedented attributes that may be disruptive to current military doctrines of advanced nations.”

 

[angelburst29]

Zionist Entity Concerned about Syrian Army, Allies Advance into Border with Occupied Golan Heights
http://english.almanar.com.lb/416425

The field advance achieved by the Syrian army and allies in the southwestern countryside of Damascus into the border of the occupied Golan heights triggered the Zionist concerns about the complete collapse of the ‘security zone’ controlled by the militant groups, according to the Israeli media.

The Zionist media has expected that Hezbollah and the Syrian will benefit from the advance in Mount Hermon (Jabal Al-Sheikh) to launch a decisive attack on the militant groups in Quneitra and Daraa and destroy the Israeli-backed ‘security zone’ which provides the occupation entity with the needed protection.

The Zionist media has considered that this field development as a strategic change, adding that it blows all the Israeli bets on the militant groups as they have been expected to prevent the resistance forces from fighting the Zionist occupation army.

Dozens of jihadists and their relatives were evacuated from the Beit Jinn area, near the Syrian-Israeli border, on Friday. The process was supervised by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC).

Watch dozens of jihadists leave strategic enclave near occupied Golan Heights (Video)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/watch-dozens-jihadists-leave-strategic-enclave-near-occupied-golan-heights/

According to local media, four buses left for Idlib. It was reported that the agreement to evacuate the anti-government militants was initiated in order to protect citizens and infrastructure.

Syrian forces launched an operation to secure the area.

Beit Jinn is considered to be the last crucial militant-held enclave southwest of Damascus.

The Syrian army is preparing to retake regions occupied by militants in Golan after driving out the al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) terrorist group from Southwestern Damascus, a military expert said.

Military Expert: Syrian Army Preparing for Liberation of Occupied Golan
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961010000995

The Arabic website of Sputnik quoted Heitham Hassoun as saying on Sunday that the Syrian army will purge the terrorists from the Southwestern parts of Damascus by regaining control over the two strategic towns of Mughur al-Mir and Beit Jin.

He added that the army has regained control of the Northern entrances of Quneitra province after winning back these regions and will cut the Zionists' hands who attempt to enter this region using the terrorist groups.

Hassoun underlined the strategic importance of the liberation operations in Beit Jin and Mughur al-Mir regions, adding that this achievement will be a prelude to the army's preparation to liberate all regions in the occupied Golan.

He said that Israel's interference in this region (Southwestern Damascus) has been proved, adding that the latest reports show Israel's financial and logistic support for the terrorist groups.

Tens of terrorists laid down their arms and joined the ceasefire regime on Saturday and left Southwestern Damascus towards Idlib and Dara'a provinces.

Nearly all the terrorists who had demanded to leave Southwestern Damascus were relocated together with their families from Beit Jen to Idlib and Dara'a provinces within the framework of an agreement with the Syrian arm.

A sum of 65 terrorists together with their families left Beit Jen towards Idlib province on four buses. Meantime, 106 terrorists along with their families left Beit Jen towards Idlib on six buses.

Battlefield sources also reported that Al-Nusra Front terrorists set fire to their headquarters and military hardware before leaving Southwestern Damascus.

Meantime, army sources said that the militants who intend to remain in Beit Jen will have their cases dealt with in coming days.

The Syrian army continued its military operations in Northeastern Hama against the al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board), and took control of several regions while destroying the terrorists' defense lines in Southern Idlib.

Syrian Army Takes Control of Key Regions in Hama, Destroys Al-Nusra Front Terrorists in Southern Idlib
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961010000610

The Syrian army troops backed by air force and artillery units took control of train station, Tilial, Zatari and Tal Sakikin Northeastern Hama.

The battlefield sources disclosed that the Syrian army destroyed the terrorists' defense lines in Southern Idlib, and advanced towards the town of Mourek and al-Tamaneh.

The sources also said that the Syrian army will be able to lay siege on al-Tamaneh from three directions after taking control of Mourek town.

In a relevant development on Saturday, the Syrian military helicopters dropped thousands of leaflets over Idlib province, calling on residents to expel the Al-Qaeda linked Al-Nusra Front from the province.

Several military helicopters of the US-led coalition carried out another heliborne operations in Southern Hasaka to evacuate a number of ISIL members from the region to an unknown location, local sources disclosed on Sunday.

US Army Continues to Rescue ISIL Militants Trapped in Hasaka
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961010000793

The sources said that several US helicopters that had taken off from the surrounding areas of al-Basel Dam in Southern Hasaka were flying over Assad Refugee Camp and transferred the ISIL terrorists from the camp to an unknown location.

The sources said that the helicopters were transferring militants who had been previously transferred from the Eastern outskirts of Deir Ezzur, al-Shaitat region in particular.

The militant-affiliated news websites reported on Tuesday that the SDF imposed full control over Murad oilfield on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Deir Ezzur province and the two small towns of al-Hasyan and Abu Hardoub in the region.

In the meantime, field sources said that the SDF invasion of more oilfields in Eastern Deir Ezzur has increased the possibility of direct confrontation with the army soldiers who mission is mainly capturing control over the energy-rich regions.

The Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) has dismissed several of its senior commanders after the terrorist group sustained heavy losses and casualties in tough battle with the Syrian army, websites close to the terrorist groups reported.

Northern Hama: Al-Nusra Front Expels 14 Senior Commanders After Heavy Defeat From Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961010000386

At least 14 senior Al-Nusra Front commanders were laid off for not resisting the Syrian army's military advances in different battlefields of Hama, Idlib and Aleppo, the terrorist-affiliated websites said.

They noted that eight Al-Nusra commanders were expelled after the defeats of the past two days in Hama and six others were from Idlib and Aleppo, and said some of Al-Nusra commanders have been transferred to al-Aqab prisons.

Meantime, reports indicate that Nouralddeen al-Zinki has dispatched its military convoys to Eastern Hama and Southern Aleppo in a bid to prevent the Syrian army advances in Idlib province.

The Syrian Army troops imposed control over more regions in Northeastern Hama, and forced the terrorists of Al-Nusra Front to escape from the battlefields in groups, field sources reported on Saturday.

At least one civilian was killed and one more was injured after the militants shelled the suburbs of the Syrian capital, as well as a refugee camp, local media reported.

At Least One Civilian Killed in Militants' Shelling of Damascus Suburbs
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961010000452

The SANA news agency reported on Saturday that the militants, who shelled Harasta suburb and the Wafedeen camp, violated the de-escalation zone agreement in Eastern Ghouta.

The media outlet added that the militants fired four mortar shells and caused material damage to both public and private buildings.

The Sama TV crew was targeted by an IED left behind by the jihadist rebels inside the town of Abu Dali, Saturday, resulting in the death of one cameraman.

Video: Moment Sama TV crew was targeted by jihadist IED in southeast Idlib 31/12/2017
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-moment-sama-tv-crew-targeted-jihadist-ied-southeast-idlib/

Video footage of the IED attack was released by pro-government media on Saturday; this film shows the moment the Sama crew encountered the IED inside Abu Dali:

Among the wounded from the television crew was the Sama TV journalist ‘Abdel-Ghani Jaroukh – he is in stable condition at the moment.

The town of Abu Dali was recaptured by the Syrian Arab Army on Friday after a short battle with the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and Jaysh Al-‘Izza.

The International Federation of Journalists said at least 81 reporters were killed doing their jobs this year, while violence and harassment against media staff has skyrocketed.

Media Group: Level of Violence in Journalism Unacceptably High December 31, 2017
http://english.almanar.com.lb/417804

In its annual “Kill Report,” the world’s biggest journalists’ organization said the reporters lost their lives in targeted killings, car bomb attacks and crossfire incidents around the world.

More than 250 journalists were in prison in 2017, according to the report.

The number of deaths as of Dec. 29 was the lowest in a decade, down from 93 in 2016. The largest number were killed in Mexico, but many also died in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, The Associated Press said citing IFJ report.

The IFJ suspected but could not officially confirm that at least one other journalist was killed Thursday in an attack by ISIL Takfiri group’s suicide attack on a Shiite cultural center in Kabul, in which at least 41 people died.

IFJ President Philippe Leruth said that while the drop in deaths “represents a downward trend, the levels of violence in journalism remain unacceptably high.”

He said the IFJ finds it “most disturbing that this decrease cannot be linked to any measure by governments to tackle the impunity for these crimes.”

Meanwhile, the report added that eight women journalists were killed, two in European democracies — Kim Wall in Denmark, who died on the submarine of an inventor she was writing about, and Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia who was blown up by a bomb placed in her car.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Angelburst29][quote author= bjorn]
Bit off topic perhaps, but it might be interesting and somewhat related to this topic:

UP AND RUNNING: The Full-Cover Anti-Missile Shield Has Been Put Into Operation in Russia (1:23 min)

Mutual destruction seems to be a day of the past. Luckily Putin's Russia beat them to it, if it were any other way around. The US might have Nuked and totally destroyed Russia already.

I don't believe the Russians are bluffing when they say that they can intercept missiles. The following video's below are rather impressive and do exactly that.

<snip>

I've only so far found video's of Russian military tech being capable of intercepting missiles.

Bit weird since for example, the US and their Israeli Iron Dome system (patriot system) claims to be capable of performing the same feat. Though, in reality it has yet to be caught on tape. Missiles have been caught on tape exploding, but never of any clear interception. Apparently, a real interception looks like 2 missiles colliding against each other. Who would have known. We can thank the Russians for that logic and video's, since Israel claims that Palestinians missiles and rockets are invisible for the naked eye to spot whenever they are confronted by it. Which is complete lie of course. They just rather set up an expensive fireworks show to give the impression that they are under attack for the world to watch.[/quote]

I don't see that your Post is "off topic" ... actually, it factually points out that "Russia has a far superior Military program and advance technology" than the U.S. If anyone is bluffing on "Full-Cover Anti-Missile Shield's" - it might be Israel? [/quote]

I wouldn’t say that it’s bluff, I think it’s just for show. To give the impression that the are under attack in order to justify their ''self defence''. Israel is a Loony Tunes Terror State.

Though, perhaps it’s also for bluff like you said. But I wouldn't dare to use those words together in the same sentence (Israel + Bluffing) If you put all the world's nations psycho's in the same asylum, Israel will get it’s own special floor. (Look up for example ''Samson Option'' a means to nuke the world if they wouldn't get their way)

Sometimes I wonder if Israel was just put into existence to nuke the Arab world in the end. Since the C’s said that 4STS is out to destroy the true Semitic bloodline (Which are mostly Arabs Persians and Jews?) It would also mean the destruction of Israel, but would they care at that point? Maybe it’s just a sacrificial pawn.

Anyhow, here is more about the Iron Dome if you are interested.

Iron Dome is a massive Hoax - Israel is just firing blank missiles up in the air
https://www.sott.net/article/283431-Iron-Dome-is-a-massive-Hoax-Israel-is-just-firing-blank-missiles-up-in-the-air

The Iron Dome Hoax is a rather hard one to understand and come to terms with. After all, we are told on the nightly news, night after night, that Hamas missiles are being intercepted by the almost god-like Iron Dome system, which allegedly intercepts 90% of the missiles launched toward Israel... Why lie about that?

What proof is there that Iron Dome actually is hitting missiles in the first place? Well, there actually isn't any. The few Hamas missiles actually ever launched (by the way, Hamas is a group originally created by and - to some extent at least - still controlled by the state of Israel) do not in fact even have warheads, and are basically hollow pipes and fireworks, as has been seen time and time again in previous Israel-Palestine 'wars'.

Well, it turns out the "Iron Dome" interceptor missiles are a similar scam. They are in fact not intercepting anything, but instead are exploding in thin air, making people believe the IDF is intercepting alleged Hamas rockets, when in reality they're essentially billions of dollars' worth of American taxpayers' money spent on glorified fireworks that self-detonate in the air.

Speculation that this is the case has been growing, with a recent assertion by Israeli Dr. Motti Sheffer claiming exactly that: the Iron Dome is a massive lie, which is "intercepting simulated rockets" that in reality do not exist. The Iron Dome rockets are just exploding in the air, causing a loud sound, but not actually intercepting anything.

A group of Israeli skeptics asked the Israeli government to share thermal imaging proof that the rockets were in fact intercepting other rockets, and they were denied. But why deny them some thermal imaging of the "proof" of Iron dome? There is no reason to withhold said proof, which is further evidence that there are no "Hamas rockets" being intercepted by Iron Dome, and Iron Dome is just a fireworks system.

The only "Hamas rockets" that ever make it into Israel, which are publicly shown, are essentially smoke bombs, and the rest are hollow metal tubes. That's hardly anything to get worked up about. There don't appear to have any warheads, and there is no visible damage in Israel at all from these supposed "Hamas rocket attacks".

But why? Why would Israel do this? Well, the answer is obvious:

The reason for the fake Hamas "missile attacks" and the phony Iron dome system is to keep the Israeli population in fear and thinking there is a legitimate attack on their lives (when no such threat actually exists) it is to make them hate the Palestinians, and allow the actual ground invasion to take place, which will kill hundreds of thousands eventually- as well as to put in place the "no go zone" which essentially eliminates half of Gaza to residential habitation.

It is also to guarantee billions of dollars of US funding "protecting Israel", and to make the American people feel Israel is in fact under attack, and to make the American people keep sending them money to 'protect themselves' from the non-existent Hamas rocket threat.

Who needs billions of dollars for road repairs, health care, or just tax rebates in the US... when we can send that money to Israel to use it for ethnic genocide?

 

[angelburst29]

I wouldn’t say that it’s bluff, I think it’s just for show. To give the impression that the are under attack in order to justify their ''self defense''. Israel is a Loony Tunes Terror State.

Though, perhaps it’s also for bluff like you said. But I wouldn't dare to use those words together in the same sentence (Israel + Bluffing) If you put all the world's nations psycho's in the same asylum, Israel will get it’s own special floor. (Look up for example ''Samson Option'' a means to nuke the world if they wouldn't get their way).

Sometimes I wonder if Israel was just put into existence to nuke the Arab world in the end. Since the C’s said that 4STS is out to destroy the true Semitic bloodline (Which are mostly Arabs Persians and Jews?) It would also mean the destruction of Israel, but would they care at that point? Maybe it’s just a sacrificial pawn.

Anyhow, here is more about the Iron Dome if you are interested.

Iron Dome is a massive Hoax - Israel is just firing blank missiles up in the air
https://www.sott.net/article/283431-Iron-Dome-is-a-massive-Hoax-Israel-is-just-firing-blank-missiles-up-in-the-air

In reference to Israel's "Samson Option'', I wonder if Russia possesses a counter measure like it's S-300 missile defense system - that can reportedly blind radar, disrupt electronic guidance systems, and interfere with satellite imagery as well? Remember the report of what a Russian plane did to the US destroyer, USS Donald Cook by jamming it's electronics? Could Russia do the same by neutralizing an atomic nuclear warhead in a missile? Wasn't there a report of the Russian Navy - locking onto missiles fired from an American ship and changing their trajectory, so they fell in deep water and away from it's intended target?

This article was published back on October 17, 2015:

Russian Jamming System Blocks All NATO Electronics Inside Bubble 600 Km in Diameter over Syria (Photos - Graph)
_http://osnetdaily.com/2015/10/russian-jamming-system-blocks-all-nato-electronics-inside-bubble-600-km-in-diameter-over-syria/

Editor’s Note…

This latest revelation follows the earlier report of the Russian cruiser mounted S-300 missile defense system deployed in the shore of Latakia. Both of these systems amount to what NATO’s supreme commander General Philip Breedlove described as the Russian A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) bubble in Syria.

***
By Webster Tarpley

New Russian Jamming System Near Latakia Blocks All NATO Electronics Inside Bubble 600 Km in Diameter; Radar, Satellites, Communications All Disrupted; System Shifts Military Balance in Favor of Russia.

From the combat zone in northern Syria comes news of the deployment of a new Russian electronic jamming system which can reportedly blind radar, disrupt electronic guidance systems, and interfere with satellite imagery as well. As a result, NATO is effectively blinded inside a bubble of 600 km in diameter centered on the Russian base at Latakia, reports, Thierry Meyssan from Damascus.

The technology in question seems similar to the KRET Richag-AV system, although it apparently functions on a larger scale. A tactical version of this system was presented to journalists in the Russian city of Back in April 2015. As Sputnik reported then: The Richag-AV system, mounted on the Mi-8MTPR1 (a variant of the Mi-8MTB5-1 helicopter) is said to have no global equivalent.

Its electronic countermeasures system is designed to jam radar, sonar and other detection systems in the aims of defending aircraft, helicopters, drones, ground and naval forces against air-to-air and surface-to-air defense systems within a radius of several hundred kilometers. It can be mounted on units from any branch of the armed forces, including helicopters and airplanes, as well as ground and ship-based forces. The Mi8-MTPR1-based Richag-AV platform, using multi-beam antenna arrays with DRFM technology, is designed to actively jam and thus ‘blind’ radar systems in order to defend against radio-electronic guided weapons systems. In a combat situation, the system would operate as part of an aviation shock attack group aimed at breaking through virtually any defense system, blinding everything up to and including the US MIM-104 ‘Patriot’ anti-aircraft missile system.

NATO supreme commander and US Air Force General Philip Breedlove was probably talking about this new KRET system when he addressed the German Marshall Fund on Monday, September 28. Here Breedlove had warned that Russia was creating an “A2/AD bubble” over the Syrian coast, and the eastern Mediterranean. A2/AD is the abbreviation for anti-access and area denial. Breedlove pointed out that Russia has already established such bubbles over the Baltic Sea at the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, and also over the Crimea and the black Sea.

While Russia’s stated goal in moving into Syria is to fight the Islamic State, NATO’s top commander believes Russia’s new presence includes the first pieces of an intricate layer of defensive systems deployed to hinder U.S. and coalition operations in the region. “As we see the very capable air defense [systems] beginning to show up in Syria, we’re a little worried about another A2/AD bubble being created in the eastern Mediterranean,” said Breedlove to an audience at the German Marshall Fund Monday. A2/AD stands for anti-access/area denial. During the early stages of warfare, A2/AD could have been a moat around a castle, or spikes dug into the ground—anything to keep the enemy off a certain swathe of territory. In the 21st century, however, A2/AD is a combination of systems such as surface-to-air missile batteries and anti-ship missiles deployed to prevent forces from entering or traversing a certain area—from land, air or sea.

According to Breedlove, the introduction of an A2/AD bubble in Syria would be Russia’s third denial zone around Europe. The first and oldest he said, was in the Baltics where the Russian naval base in Kaliningrad has robust anti-air capabilities. The second zone—originating from Russian-occupied Crimea—covers the Black Sea. “Russia has developed a very strong A2/AD capability in the Black Sea,” said Breedlove. “Essentially their [anti-ship] cruise missiles range the entire Black Sea, and their air defense missiles range about 40 to 50 percent of the Black Sea.

In addition, the Russian military had provided a demonstration of their ability to blind even the sophisticated Aegis phased array radar, which is part of the equipment of modern US cruisers and destroyers. This incident came during the Crimean crisis of spring 2014, when the US sent a destroyer into the Black Sea. This ship was repeatedly buzzed up by a Russian Sukhoi-24 jet fighter, which was able to cripple the radar guidance the systems of the vessel. Here is a summary of the incident from Live Leak:

The US destroyer USS Donald Cook, equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles entered the neutral waters of the Black Sea on April 10, 2014. The purpose was a demonstration of force and intimidation in connection with the position of Russia in Ukraine and Crimea. The appearance of American warships in these waters is in contradiction of the Montreux Convention about the nature and duration of stay in the Black Sea by the military ships of countries not washed by this sea.

In response, Russia sent an unarmed bomber Su- 24 to fly around the U.S. destroyer. However, experts say that this plane was equipped with the latest Russian electronic warfare complex. According to this version, Aegis spotted from afar the approaching aircraft, and sounded alarm. Everything went normally, and the American radars calculated the speed of the approaching target. But suddenly all the screens went blank. Aegis was not working any more, and the rockets could not get target information. Meanwhile, Su-24 flew over the deck of the destroyer, did battle turn and simulated a missile attack on the target. Then it turned and repeated the maneuver. And did so 12 times.

 

[bjorb]

[quote author= Angelburst29]In reference to Israel's "Samson Option'', I wonder if Russia possesses a counter measure like it's S-300 missile defense system - that can reportedly blind radar, disrupt electronic guidance systems, and interfere with satellite imagery as well? Remember the report of what a Russian plane did to the US destroyer, USS Donald Cook by jamming it's electronics? Could Russia do the same by neutralizing an atomic nuclear warhead in a missile?[/quote]

I hope so! The Russian talk softly but they carry a long stick. I think that's for sure.


[quote author= Angelburst29]Wasn't there a report of the Russian Navy - locking onto missiles fired from an American ship and changing their trajectory, so they fell in deep water and away from it's intended target?[/quote]

I'm not familiar with that incident but it really sounds interesting, that's also what EM weapons can do I believe. The following article offers a wide variety of Russian defencesystems of that type which are already in service. I could copy the full text here but it also comes with a lot of pictures and twitter feeds that cover the full picture. Maybe it's worth checking out concerning this :)

Invisible Shield, Invisible Sword: Russia's Electronic Warfare 'Second to None'
https://sputniknews.com/military/201708311056962045-russia-electronic-warfare-system-krasukha/

Anyhow, I think It's still difficult to know how many or what kind of tricks both sides have up to their sleeves. And there is also I believe a difference between what the consortium has in their arsenal and the US. (C's material) And the consortium doesn't seem to share their tech all that much? (Otherwise they might lose their advancement and ability to keep other countries hostage through their technology? OSIT)

- And thanks for that article angelburst! It really is interesting, Russians weapons thanks to Putin are weapons of peace not war. So it's always uplifting to read that the good guys have better defence systems :D

 

[angelburst29]

Photo evidence has emerged showing that forces of the Turkish Army in Syria’s Aleppo province have deployed anti-aircraft missile systems. The reason for the establishment of an air defense system in the country by Turkey remains unclear.

Pictures: Turkish forces set up anti-aircraft missile systems in Syria’s Aleppo province 01/01/2018
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-turkish-forces-set-anti-aircraft-missile-systems-syrias-aleppo-province/

On Sunday, Turkish sources shared two images over social media showing the deployment of at least one MIM-23 Hawk anti-aircraft missile battery and its fire control radar inside the northern Syrian province of Aleppo by Turkey-led forces operating in the country.

The exact location of the battery seen in the released pictures (below) is stated to be Darat Izaa, an area currently under the control of Turkey-led forces. The reason for the deployment of the anti-aircraft system(s) in Syria has not been disclosed.

The MIM-23 Hawk is a US-build medium-range surface-to-air missile system that originally entered service in the early 1960s. Despite the development of more modern anti-aircraft missile designs, upgrades to the system have improved it enough for some NATO (and non-NATO) armies to retain it in their stockpiles.

Syrian air defense forces have deployed heavily-upgraded surface-to-air missile systems to protect a key military installation south of Damascus city.

Picture: Syrian military deploys upgraded anti-aircraft systems at key base south of Damascus
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/picture-syrian-military-deploys-upgraded-anti-aircraft-systems-key-base-south-damascus/

According to reports from Syrian conflict military analysts, the Syrian air defense forces have deployed several heavily-modified S-125 Pechora batteries (a Soviet-designed system originally built in the 1960s) to the Marj Ruhayyil airbase located south of Damascus city.

The modernized variant in question is reportedly the M2 version of the S-125 Pechora, which in addition to having an improved kill probability record, is technically capable of tracking and intercepting low-flying cruise missiles.

The satellite picture (seen above) provided by sources reporting the deployment is claimed as proof of it happening.

If true, the upgrading of the Marj Ruhayyil base’s local air defense network is likely a response to the increased number of air attacks carried out by Israeli warplanes against Syrian military assets in the province of Damascus and neighboring regions over the course of 2017.

The Turkish Army has deployed Air Defense Units near the town of Afrin in Northern Aleppo as they prepare for an imminent military offensive against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a news website reported on Monday.

Turkish Air Defense Units Deploy Near SDF Positions in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961011000634

The militant-affiliated Arabic-language Anab al-Baladi reported that the Turkish troops embarked on deploying an air defense system in the town of Dar al-Izzah in Western Aleppo near the town of Afrin.

It added that the Turkish army has positioned MIM-23 HAWK missile system, telecommunication equipment and radars in Dar al-Izzah near Afrin.

Dissident-affiliated websites reported on Saturday that the Turkish Army forwarded another military column to Western Aleppo to enhance its forces for an imminent operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Afrin.

A number of gunmen of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed or wounded in the fight against the Ankara-backed militants in Northeastern Aleppo on Monday.

SDF Suffers Casualties in Clashes with Turkey-Backed Militants in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961011000562

The Turkey-backed Thowar al-Shoyoukh Battalion affiliated to the Free Syrian Army stormed the positions of the SDF in al-Tokhar near the al-Sajor River near the town of Manbij in Northeastern Aleppo and managed to prevail over their strongholds.

A number of the SDF fighters were killed and tens of others were wounded in the clashes. Also, two SDF fighters, along with their weapons and equipment, were captured by the Ankara-backed militants.

The Syrian Opposition Interim Government announced today the formation of the "Syrian National Army" (SNA).

Syrian opposition government declares formation of a new "National" Army
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/12/photos-syrian-opposition-government.html

The SNA are organized from factions that comprised of the Turkish-backed Euphrates Shield and operate in northern Aleppo countryside. The SNA is organized into three legions.

The Euphrates Shield was a coalition of the Turkish military and Turkish-backed forces including the Free Syrian Army but mostly jihadist groups like Ahrar al-Sham.

The Euphrates Shield expelled ISIS from the Turkish border and prevented Kurdish forces from Hasakeh and Raqqa to reach the Kurdish-held Afrin Canton in northwest Aleppo countryside.

The SNA are yet to announce any operations it will conduct, but it is expected they will be used to fight Kurdish forces and expel them from the western side of the Euphrates river.

A large power-plant in the province of Homs that was badly damaged by militant rocket fire several days ago has been repaired and is now working at full capacity again.

Power restored to western Syria after militant missile attack heavily damages large power-plant
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/power-restored-western-syria-militant-missile-attack-heavily-damages-large-power-plant/

On Thursday, militant forces in northern Homs targeted the Al-Zahraa power-plant with five rockets, hitting the energy facility. The damage caused to the plant forced the Syrian energy authority to impose power cuts to major cities and towns throughout the country’s west.

By Saturday however, government engineers repaired the Al-Zahraa plant and since then pre-attack power rations have been restored throughout western Syria’s big cities and towns.

The terrorist groups issued distress calls to urge their peers to rush to their aid as they are being crushed by the Syrian army and popular forces in Hama and Idlib provinces, informed sources said Monday.

Syria: Terrorists in Idlib Issue Distress Call to Comrades
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961011000171

The sources said that the army men, backed up by the artillery and missile units, continued to hit the positions of Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) in Southeastern Idlib and captured Khowein al-Kabir region.

Also, the Syrian Air Force pounded terrorists' movements and positions in Khowein al-Kabir, al-Latamina and Kafr Zita, inflicting major losses on the terrorists, they added.

In the meantime, the militant-affiliated websites reported that Commander of Jeish al-Mujahedeen of Ahrar al-Sham Abu Bakr has asked other terrorist groups to assist them to slow down the army's rapid advances in Hama and Idlib.

Field sources reported on Monday that over 2,000 terrorists are present in the battlefields in Hama and Idlib province to face the advancing Syrian Army troops.

Over 2,000 Terrorists Deploy in Hama, Idlib to Slow down Syrian Army Advances
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961011000381

The sources said that over 2,000 militants have been dispatched to Northeastern Hama and Southeastern Idlib to face the army troops that are advancing in the region.

The sources further said that most of the terrorists have deployed in their key bases in Morek, al-Latamina, Kafr Zita and Khan Sheikhoun.

Over 10 civilians from a family were killed and several more were wounded in the US-led coalition air raid in a residential region in Eastern Deir Ezzur, dissident-affiliated websites reported on Monday.

US Airstrikes Claim More Lives in Eastern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961011000444

The websites reported that the US warplanes targeted the small town of al-Souseh on the Western bank of the Euphrates River in Eastern Deir Ezzur, killing 12 civilians and wounding several more.

The sources said that the entire victims, including five children and several women, were from a single family.

The websites added that the death toll will possibly rise due to the critical conditions of some of the injured.

 

[angelburst29]

MoD Posts Video With Cute Puppies to Wish Russians Happy New Year (Video)
https://sputniknews.com/russia/201801021060473897-mod-video-cute-puppies-new-year/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGu4wz1WQyU (0:55 min.)

The footage was released a day after an official festive speech by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and was met with excitement from internet users.

Russia's Ministry of Defense wished the country's residents happy New Year by publishing a video featuring cute puppies being trained and taken care of in the 170th dog training center of the Russian Armed Forces.

The video titled "True friends congratulate you on the New Year" and released on Youtube on January 1, captures everyday moments of the dogs' lives in the facility.

Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) are derailing an agreement for the relocation of gunmen from Beit Jinn region in Southwestern Damascus, an Arab media outlet reported on Tuesday.

Al-Nusra Tries to Sabotage Peace Agreement between Militants, Syrian Army in Southwestern Damascus
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961012000359

The Arabic-language al-Watan daily quoted well-informed sources as saying that the Al-Nusra has turned its back on the agreement and does not intend to deliver some of its positions to the army men.

The daily further said that the terrorists are still in control of al-Taloul al-Ahmar (the red hills) and Sheikh Abdullah Maqam region that overlooks Beit Jin Farm, adding that the terrorists' refusal to leave the positions is sabotaging the agreement.

The paper added that based on the agreement the terrorists should retreat from al-Taloul al-Ahmar- that consists of three hills - overlooking the town of Hadhar.

Al-Waten said further that according to the agreement the terrorists should withdraw from Sheikh Abdullah Maqam and hand over the Red Hill and later the last group of militants that had not joined the peace agreement could be evacuated from the region to other militant-held regions.

An Arab media outlet reported on Monday that over 200 gunmen of Al-Nusra Front were evacuated from Southwestern Damascus and moved towards militant-held regions in Idlib and Dara'a provinces in an agreement with the Syrian Army troops,

The Arabic-language al-Mayadeen reported that 205 of Al-Nusra gunmen left Beit Jinn region in Southwestern Damascus for Dara'a and Idlib provinces after the Syrian Army advances in the region.

Al-Mayadeen further said that withdrawal of terrorists from the region pushed into failure an Israeli plan to create a buffer zone to prevent the return of the Syrian Army troops to the occupied Golan Heights' borderline.

Terrorist groups in the Southern parts of Damascus province engaged in a fresh round of infighting as they have different views over joining peace with the Syrian Army, dissident-affiliated websites reported on Tuesday.

Southern Damascus: Heavy Infighting Erupts among Terrorists over Reconciliation with Syrian Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961012000275

The websites reported that the terrorist groups in the town of Bebeila in the Southern parts of Damascus province fought each after rifts widened among them over joining the a reconciliation plan with the army.

The websites said that fierce clashes erupted among terrorists in the main square of the town of Bebeila among pro-peace talks and other terrorists from Jeish al-Ababil of the Free Army and Jeish al-Islam, inflicting several causalities on both sides.

The websites went on to say that the pro-peace talks militants went on alert and poured into streets and moved towards the Syrian Army's checkpoints in the outskirts of Bebeila.

The websites further said that a meeting had been previously held between the Syrian Army's reconciliation committee and some of the commanders of the terrorists in Bebeila to pave the ground for the militants' affiliation to the peace process.

An Arab media outlet reported in November that disunity was growing among ISIL terrorists in the Yarmouk Refugee Camp and the small town of Hajar al-Aswad in the Southern part of Damascus province.

The Arabic-language al-Watan daily reported that Amer Sabri nom de guerre Abu Saleh Amer was appointed as ISIL's emir in Southern Syria to rule over vast parts of the Yarmouk Palestinian Refugee Camp and the town of Hajar al-Aswad.

The daily quoted local sources as saying that Sabri's command in Yarmouk came after growing disunity among terrorists as ISIL has now two different organizations in Southern Damascus, adding that one of the organizations in under the command of Abu Hashem al-Khabouri deployed in Hajar al-Aswad South of Yarmouk, whose fighters are mainly from Hajar al-Aswad.

The second organization includes Palestinians of the Yarmouk Camp and the residents of settlements in Damascus countryside.

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has officially taken control of the Red Hills (Taloul Al-Ahmar) near the town of Beit Jinn, the Syrian Ministry of Defense reported on Tuesday.

Syrian Army officially takes control of strategic hills near occupied Golan Heights (Photos)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-officially-takes-control-strategic-hills-near-occupied-golan-heights-photos/

According to the Ministry of Defense, the jihadist rebels have handed over the Red Hills as part of the second phase of the Beit Jinn reconciliation agreement.

The Red Hills are located between the towns of Hader and Beit Jinn; it was often a launching point for jihadist mortar shells on government positions. With the Red Hills under government control, Beit Jinn is now expected to be reopened to the public next week.

Below are photos of the Red Hills after the Syrian Army officially took control of them.

Two groups of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) clashed with each other after one of the FSA field commanders was killed in Northern Dara'a, local sources reported on Tuesday.

Southern Syria: Terrorists Engage in Heavy Infighting in Dara'a
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961012000731

The sources said that Liwa Houran and Liwa Enkhal, two groups of the FSA terrorists, exchanged fire in Salmin region near the town of Enkhel.

The sources said that the infighting erupted after Zaher al-Zamel, one of the commanders of Liwa Ankhal, was killed by Yaser al-Badi'eh, the commander of Liwa Houran.

The sources further said that Liwa Enkhel has forwarded more fighters and equipment to Samlin and curfew has been declared in the town of Enkhel.

Dissident-affiliated websites reported on Monday that a senior commander of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was assassinated after a new round of tensions erupted between the FSA and ISIL terrorists in Western Dara'a in Southern Syria.

Nine terrorist groups operating in Northern Syria have set up a joint operation room to face the Syrian Army troops' rapid advances in Southern Idlib, local sources reported on Tuesday.

Strongest Terrorist Groups Set up New Coalition to Slow down Syrian Army Advances in Idlib
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961012000840

The sources said that the terrorist groups of the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board), Ahrar al-Sham, al-Turkistani party, Jund al-Malaham, Jeish al-Ahrar, Jeish al-Izzah, Jeish al-Nasr, Jeish Idlib al-Hor and Nouralddeen al-Zinki have set up a joint operation room to confront the Syrian army advances in Southern Idlib.

The sources said that several meetings have been held among the commanders of the nine groups to manage the battles with army soldiers.

Well-informed sources reported on Monday that the Al-Nusra Front was seeking a new strategy to face the Syrian Army troops as the government forces were advancing rapidly towards the main stronghold of terrorists in Southern Idlib.

The sources said that the army men managed to prevail over the Al-Nusra positions in Um Jalal region after the pro-government forces captured the village of al-Khowein al-Kabir in Southeastern Idlib.

The sources said that the army men have significantly advanced in the depth of Al-Nusra's positions and have decreased their distance to the militant-held towns and settlements in Idlib, deploying 5 km away from al-Tamanna, 8 km away from Khan Sheikhoun and 13 km away from Jarjnaz.

In the meantime, Jeish al-Izzah Spokesman Mustafa Ma'arati acknowledged the terrorists' heavy defeats in the battle against the army, adding that the militant groups are seeking another strategy to slow down the army's advances in Idlib.

A tough battle is underway between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Ankara-backed militants in Northern Aleppo, an Arab media outlet reported on Tuesday.

Fierce Clashes Reported between SDF, Turkey-Backed Militants in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961012001177

The Arabic-language al-Manar reported that the SDF stormed the positions of militant groups affiliated to the Turkish army in Sheikh Issa West of the town of Mare'a in Northern Aleppo, fueling a fresh round of bloody clashes between them.

Also, the SDF artillery and missile units targeted the heavily positions of the Free Syrian Army in the town of Dar al-Izzah in Northern Aleppo.

Relevant reports said on Monday that a number of gunmen of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed or wounded in the fight against the Ankara-backed militants in Northeastern Aleppo.

An Islamic State raiding party that attempted to overrun the positions of Iraqi forces on the border with Syria has been totally wiped out after failing to even achieve the element of surprise for the briefest of moments.

ISIS raiding party completely exterminated during botched operation on Syria’s border with Iraq
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-raiding-party-completely-exterminated-botched-operation-syrias-border-iraq/

On Tuesday, ISIS terrorists operating in eastern Syria’s Hasakah region carried out a cross-border raid into Iraq. Unfortunately for the assault party, Iraqi forces were entirely prepared.

So bad was the failure of ISIS fighters to achieve any kind of tactical or operational advantage over the forces that they intended to surprise that their entire raider group was exterminated by the more-than-ready defenders.

After extremely brief but equally violent clashes, Iraq forces succeeded in killing fifteen Islamic State militants. In the end, no one terrorist was even left to retreat.

Since Iraqi forces secured their western border several weeks ago, border troops have constantly been subject to raids carried out by ISIS from areas in eastern Syria where the terrorist group still maintains a presence.

A photo-journalist working for the media arm of the Islamic State terrorist group has been killed in northeast Syria according to the jihadist faction’s own reports.

ISIS photo-journalist killed in Syria’s Hasakah province
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/isis-photo-journalist-killed-syrias-hasakah-province/

On Tuesday, the media network of ISIS released a statement and a photo regarding the death of one of the terrorist group’s front-line photo-journalists, Abu Hassan al-Shami (pictured above), in the province of Hasakah.

At the present time no information exists as to how Abu Hassan al-Shami died or who killed him. However, given the stated location of his death and nature of work he carried out as a front-line journalist for ISIS, it is likely the case that he was killed by Coalition-led forces, either by an airstrike or in clashes.

Despite being a terrorist organization, ISIS has developed a sophisticated media network during the time of its existence, hiring journalists as well as professional cameramen and video editors to visually document the worldwide insurgency operations of the jihadist group.

 

[angelburst29]

The U.S. has quietly ceded some arenas of the war in Syria to Russia and its allies, according to the Military Times.

US Quietly Ceded Part of Syria to Russia Last Week and Nobody Is Talking About It January 2, 2018
http://theantimedia.org/us-ceded-syria-to-russia-last-week/

The U.S. and Russia have been supporting opposing factions on the ground to claim as much territory as possible along the Euphrates River Valley in eastern Syria in the last few months of the war. Even so, the U.S. has apparently given up its longstanding bid to confront the Syrian government directly, though not without taking a political stab at Syria and Russia first.

“We are seeing the movement of limited numbers of ISIS militants westward,” said British Army Maj. Gen Felix Gedney, deputy commander for strategy and support for Operation Inherent Resolve. “They seem to be moving with impunity through regime-held territory showing that the regime is either unwilling or unable to defeat [ISIS] within their borders.”

Gedney’s accusation is surprising considering it recently emerged that the U.S. intentionally allowed safe passage for thousands of ISIS fighters leaving Raqqa unscathed. His accusation also runs contrary to the reality that the Syrian regime is the most heavily engaged entity fighting in Syria.

That being said, Gedney’s allegations detract from the real development that has gone largely unnoticed — the U.S.-led coalition has announced it has “no intention to operate in areas that are currently held by the regime.”

As the Military Times notes, this decision came as Russia announced its plans to enter into a long-term agreement with Syria for a permanent military presence. The agreement will entail that Russia will expand its naval base at Tartus, with Russian land and air forces remaining at Hmeymim Air Base.

The decision also comes on the heels of Russia’s call for U.S. forces to leave the country completely. Approximately a week ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, said there was no longer a reason for the U.S. to maintain a military presence in Syria and that Washington’s reasons for staying were baseless.

“Any reasons cited by the Americans to justify their further military presence … are just excuses and we think their presence must end,” Lavrentiev allegedly told reporters.

In other words, Russia’s permanent military presence means that Washington has been forced to admit its movements in Syria will be completely restricted. The two military superpowers essentially have no-fly zones of their own established in different parts of the country, but only one of them has the authority to fly there, and the U.S. is well aware of this legal disparity.

However, according to Gedney, the U.S. will continue to remain in Syria – illegally – to defeat ISIS in the areas its partnered forces control on the ground.
Even with Washington’s stubborn approach to occupying Syrian territory, the recent admission suggests the U.S. knows there is little they can do in Syria without taking on Russia directly.

Perhaps this is why the attention is being diverted from Syria towards Iran — another longtime American adversary — instead.

 

[angelburst29]

Israeli Chief of Staff hints at full-scale war against Syria January 3, 2018
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180103-israeli-chief-of-staff-hints-at-full-scale-war-against-syria/

The Israeli Chief of Staff hinted yesterday at the possibility of launching a full-scale war against Syria to prevent the imposition of Shia hegemony in Israel’s neighbour. Lieutenant-General Gadi Eisenkot made his comments at the University of Herzliya and accused the Iranian government of working to form a “Shia crescent” to spread its influence across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain and the Gaza Strip.

“In recent months, investment in the Palestinian arena has also grown,” explained Eisenkot, “driven by a desire to influence it by increasing the annual funding in the Gaza Strip for Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements to $100 million.”

Citing data from Israeli intelligence, the senior officer said Syria currently hosts about 2,000 Iranian advisers and 8,000 fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah. There are also 10,000 militants under Iranian influence from countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

We cannot ignore that Hezbollah, Shia militias and Iran find themselves on the victorious side of Syria alongside President Bashar Al-Assad,” Eisenkot insisted. “We are making military and international efforts in other areas to prevent Iran from establishing its presence in Syria… and an Iranian foothold in Syria would be a negative thing for both Israel and Syria itself as well as Europe.” Israel, he suggested, may become a member of a very broad coalition that will aim to prevent the imposition of Shia hegemony in Syria.

The Israeli government has accused Iran repeatedly of being the most important international force to support terrorism and destabilise the Middle East. This view is shared by the United States as well as Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that a Mil Mi-24 helicopter gunship of the Russian Armed Forces has crashed in Syria, leaving both pilots on board dead.

Russian helicopter crashes in Hama accident, two pilots killed
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russian-helicopter-crashes-hama-accident-two-pilots-killed/

The Ministry stated to Interfax news service that a technical malfunction was responsible for the accident, and that no fire damage had been taken by the helicopter. Furthermore, reports indicate that no fire from the ground towards the gunship had taken place.

Reports have it that the helicopter crash took place in the south of the Hama Governorate last week, but confirmation was only issued on Wednesday.

French citizen Emilie Koenig, who is included in the US and UN lists of most wanted Daesh terrorists, a senior recruiter of the terror group, is held in a Kurdish refugee camp in northern Syria, the recruiter’s mother said.

Senior French Daesh recruiter found in refugee camp in Syria – reports
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/senior-french-daesh-recruiter-found-refugee-camp-syria-reports/

“I talked to my daughter at the end of last week. She is being held at the Kurdish camp for refugees, she is being interrogated and tortured,” the woman told the Ouest-France newspaper on Tuesday.

She wants to ask French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian to assist in repatriation of Koenig, who “is asking her family, friends and country” for pardon.

Koenig, 33, reportedly adopted radical Islamist ideology being influenced by her first husband, who has an Algerian background.

In 2012, she left France for Syria leaving two children and recruited at least 200 French citizens to fight for Daesh. Koenig, who changed her name for Ummu Tawwab, also called for attacks on French government facilities and servicemen.

The Syrian government forces have pushed terrorists from Western Ghouta, located in the southwestern part of Damascus countryside, and completed a military operation in the area, Sana news agency reported on Tuesday.

Syrian Army restores control over entire West Ghouta after six years of war
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/syrian-army-restores-control-entire-west-ghouta-six-years-war/

The army also restored control over a strategic area of Tuloul Homr, linking the villages of Sheikh Mountain and areas of Jubata Khashab and Mashati Hadar, and located on important supply routes, the agency reported.

During a military operation, which lasted three months, the Syrian government forces forced armed terrorist groups to surrender after handing over their weapons, according to the agency.

The freed areas were declared safe after army units had dismantled improvised explosive devices and mines planted by militants in the area as part of the preparation for the return of displaced people to their homes, Sana noted.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have pulled back from a key region to help ISIL gunmen to find a way out towards their comrades on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River, field sources reported on Wednesday.

SDF Withdraws from Positions to Allow ISIL to Escape Battlefields in Eastern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961013001041

The sources reported that the SDF has retreated from its positions in Hawi Hajin in Eastern Deir Ezzur to give way to the ISIL to move from the small town of Qaranij towards other ISIL-held villages on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

Local sources reported earlier today that the SDF have released over 25 ISIL members, and started a fresh wave of arrests against civilians in camps under their control in Raqqa province.

The arrests were launched after an SDF member was attacked by unknown raiders at the entrance of Ein Issa.

North Korea was first to use a border hotline with the South which resumed operation after an exchange of messages between Pyongyang and Seoul, as officials reportedly spoke for 20 minutes to make sure that the line works.

1st Contact in Nearly 2 Years: North Korea Calls South via Cross-Border Hotline Wed Jan 03, 2018
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961013001270

South and North Korea made their first contact at the border village of Panmunjom via a communication channel which Pyongyang ordered brought back online earlier on Wednesday, Yonhap reported.

South Korea’s unification ministry said that “A North Korean official first contacted the South side via the channel.”

Future discussions will focus on sending North Korean athletes to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics which will kick off in South Korea next month, according to the statement issued by an unnamed Northern official.

The North will open dialogue at 7:00 am GMT (3:00 pm Pyongyang time) at the shared border village of Panmunjom, the statement said as cited by Yonhap.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un had ordered to reopen contact channel between Pyongyang and Seoul to discuss issues related to the upcoming Olympic games in PyeongChang.

"I was instructed to open the Panmunjom [the shared border village] contact channel between North and South at 15:00 [3:30 pm in Seoul, 6:30 GMT] in order to settle issues related to hosting of the PyeongChang Olympic Games, including sending [North Korea's] delegation to the Games," Ri Son Gwon, the head of North Korea's agency handling inter-Korean affairs, said as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.

The officials added that Pyongyang would closely work with Seoul on practical issues related to sending the country's delegation to the upcoming sports event, based upon the leadership's stance, and expressed the hope that the Olympics would be successful.

 

[angelburst29]

The Russian Defense Ministry has refuted media reports about the alleged destruction of seven Russian military aircraft by militants during an attack at the Hmeymim air base in Syria.

Two Russian Servicemen Killed on Dec. 31 in Shelling of Hmeymim Base - MoD
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801041060508744-syria-servicemen-death-russia/

Two servicemen were killed as a result of a mortar attack by militants on Russia's Hmeymim airbase in Syria on December 31, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.

"On December 31, 2017, after dark, the Hmeymim airfield suddenly came under mortar shelling from a mobile subversive group of militants. As a result of the attack, two servicemen were killed," the statement said, adding that "Syrian security forces are carrying out measures to find and eliminate the militants involved in the attack as well as to enhance safety at the nearby territory."

The Defense Ministry added that Russian aviation units in Syria were combat ready and continue to accomplish their assigned tasks in full.

"Reports of Kommersant [newspaper] about alleged 'total destruction' of seven Russian military aircraft at the Hmeymim air base are fake," the ministry's statement read.

The Russian newspaper Kommersant said earlier that seven aircraft had been destroyed and more than 10 servicemen had been injured as result of the shelling of Hmeymim base by terrorists.

The day before, the Russian Defense Ministry said that a Mi-24 helicopter had crashed on December 31 during a flight to the Hama airfield in Syria, with both pilots dying in the accident.

The US continues military aid to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to prepare them for confrontation against the Syrian army in Eastern Damascus, media sources reported on Thursday.

US Preparing Kurds to Confront Syrian Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961014000325

The Arabic-language al-Hadath news website reported that the US forces delivered a new cargo of weapons, including mid-range missiles, to the SDF through the border passage between Syria and Iraq, Simalka, last Sunday.

It added that given the field information in regions controlled by the Kurds and the fact that the ISIL has lost a major part of its military power on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates river, delivering weapons to the Kurdish forces is possibly aimed at preparing them for battle against the Syrian army or the Turkish army and its affiliated militants who are involved in the Euphrates Shield military operation in Syria.

The news website, meantime, added that Washington might also be after trade objectives through the military aid to the Kurds so that it will receive a large amount of inexpensive oil for selling its weapons to the Kurds in line with attempts to create a federal system in Northern Syria.

Also, the developments in Eastern Syria indicate that Washington is seeking new strategies for battle in Syria to attain its goals after the terrorist groups were defeated by the Syrian army in different fronts and wants to display the Kurds as the number one enemy of Damascus by provoking the SDF commanders to utter harsh words which create more tension.

The Iranian military does not appear to be leaving Syria anytime soon, as their forces are reportedly preparing for a new offensive in the western countryside of the Deir Ezzor Governorate.

Despite the protests, Iranian forces not leaving Syria
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/despite-protests-iranian-forces-not-leaving-syria/

According to a Syrian military source in Damascus, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah, Liwaa Al-Fatemiyoun (Afghani-Iranian paramilitary), and the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) are preparing to storm the Islamic State’s (ISIS) large pocket in Syria’s Badiya region.

Similar to the Albukamal offensive in late 2017, the IRGC will be leading the charge to liberate this large area that is currently occupied by the Islamic State.

The Badiya offensive is expected to begin some time in the next few weeks, as the pro-government forces finalize their plans to storm this ISIS pocket.

The leader of the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, in an explosive speech defended Iran while also explaining that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad cannot forgive Hamas for their betrayal on Syria.

Nasrallah confirms that Assad is not ready to forgive Hamas for their betrayal on Syria
http://www.fort-russ.com/2018/01/nasrallah-confirms-that-assad-will-not.html

With Hamas a part of the Axis of Resistance [Iran-Syria-Hezbollah], Hamas betrayed the anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist coalition to chase mega-money from Arab Gulf States that never eventuated.

Despite the betrayal, Nasrallah revealed that Hezbollah and Iran still communicates with Hamas.

"The communication between Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as between Iran and Hamas, has never ended. The issues between Hamas and Syria are something else," he said.

"I know from my personal relationship with Assad that anything that strategically benefits the Axis of Resistance is always debatable to him," he continued.

Assad has every right to never forgive Hamas for their betrayal. Despite Syria being the only Arab state to support, arm and fund Hamas, at the beginning of the Syrian War in 2011, Hamas quickly showed their true Wahhabi colors and denounced Assad and the so-called regime.

Not content with rhetorically denouncing the only Arab state leader that supported their organization, they also went on to train the Free Syrian Army and fight alongside other jihadist groups, including Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Nusra Front.

Hamas, as master engineers of digging tunnels to smuggle supplies into Gaza, also trained the Free Syrian Army to dig tunnels. These tunnels were then used by anti-government forces to place explosives under Syrian Army military positions, barracks and government buildings, killing thousands in since 2011. Hamas are directly involved in killing thousands of Syrians through this method.

In addition, elements of Hamas' militant wing continue to fight in Syria for a jihadist cause, despite all the support Syria has provided the group in the past.

Unfortunately Iranian state apparatus choose to ignore this factor, and it common and unfortunate to see that PressTV, Fars and other Iranian media continually referring to Hamas as a resistance group and worthy of support. They do not need to look far back to see the betrayal Hamas did to Syria and the Axis of Resistance. Rather, it can be suggested that Hamas are only tolerated by the Axis of Resistance because, as a Sunni group, it helps dismiss the false notion that the Axis of Resistance is a Shi'ite coalition, rather than an anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist axis.

 

[angelburst29]

The Turkish Army has set up another military base near the town of Afrin that is under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Northern Aleppo, field sources confirmed on Friday adding that the army has deployed over 800 soldiers at the base.

Turkish Army Sets up Another Base near SDF positions in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961015000320

The Kurdish-language Hawar news quoted field sources as saying that the Turkish army has embarked on establishing a new base next to Mount Qor in the village of Balilo in Rajo region near the town of Afrin.

It added that 800 Turkish soldiers in black uniforms are constantly patrolling along the borderline in military vehicles.

Tens of military vehicles and modern equipment have been sent to the new base, Hawar news said.

In the meantime, the Turkish army has increased its monitoring towers and artillery units near Mount Qor.

A news website reported on Monday that the Turkish Army deployed Air Defense Units near the town of Afrin in Northern Aleppo as they prepare for an imminent military offensive against the SDF.

It added that the Turkish army has positioned MIM-23 HAWK missile system, telecommunication equipment and radars in Dar al-Izzah near Afrin.

A sum of seven Ankara-backed militants were killed or wounded in an attack by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near the town of Afrin in Northern Aleppo, a Kurdish media outlet reported on Friday.

Turkey-Backed Militants Suffer Casualties in SDF Heavy Fire in Northern Syria
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961015000300

The Kurdish-language Hawar news reported that the militants' mortar units affiliated to the Turkish army shelled the village of Borjaka Suleiman in Shirava region and in the village of Diwa in Jadariseh region in Afrin.

It added that the Kurdish units, in response, pounded the positions of Ankara-backed militants in Dar al-Izzah and Kaljabrin regions in Northern Aleppo, killing two gunmen and wounding five more.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured a key stronghold of ISIL on the Eastern shore of the Euphrates River in Deir Ezzur province.

SDF Seizes ISIL Stronghold in Eastern Syria after Weeklong Battle
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961015000496

The SDF operating in Eastern Syria captured the town of Qaranij (also spelt Khara’ij) from ISIL.

The battle to capture Qaranij was not easy as the SDF fighters and ISIL engaged in clashes for well over a week.

Initially, the SDF entered the town one week ago and declared it to be under their control, however, not long after, ISIL counterattacked (mostly using tunnels) and drove them out.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) captured more regions near the Syrian Army troops' positions in Eastern Deir Ezzur, field sources reported on Friday, adding that the SDF is now one step closer to direct clashes with the army.

SDF's Advances in Eastern Deir Ezzur Increase Possibility of Direct Confrontation with Syria Army
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961015000333

The SDF captured the villages of al-Naba'ei and Abu Hardob and the small town of Abu Hammam in Eastern Deir Ezzur in the army's positions, increasing the possibility of direct confrontation with the pro-government forces.

Reports say that the SDF continues to spread their territories on the Eastern bank of the Euphrates River in Eastern Deir Ezzur to deploy at the Syrian-Iraqi border near the strategic city of Abu Kamal, increasing the possibility of direct confrontation with the Syrian Army.

The SDF deployed along the Euphrates River near the village of al-Bahra in a move aimed at trapping ISIL within the heavily contested Shaitat tribal region last night.

Further to the South, the SDF entered the town of Haijan, around 25 kilometers away from the government-controlled Syrian-Iraqi border city of Abu Kamal. It is at this town that a major battle is now developing.

The Syrian Army’s elite 4th Mechanized Division units, operating in Idlib province, have been redeployed to the Eastern suburbs of Damascus, a military source said on Friday.

Syrian Army’s 4th Division Redeploy to Damascus for Major Offensive
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13961015000511

According to the source, the army's 39th and 40th brigades of the 4th Division were given orders, yesterday, to redeploy to Harasta suburb in Eastern Damascus in order to help with the ongoing campaign against terrorists.

In addition to helping other units lift the siege on the Vehicles Management Center, the 4th Division will also lead the charge to retake the entire suburb and expel the Al-Nusra Front (Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at or the Levant Liberation Board) from the area.

Once the upcoming operation is completed, they will likely return to Idlib to help with the ongoing offensive to recapture the strategic Abu al-Dhohour Military Airport.

Unconfirmed reports have surfaced showing pictures of alleged damage to the Hmeimim Russian air force base in Syria.

Pictures: Alleged damage to Hmeimim airbase warplanes after mortar attack
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-alleged-damage-hmeimim-airbase-warplanes-mortar-attack/

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, two servicemen of the Russian military were killed on December 31, 2017, in a mortar attack on the Hmeimim base.

As darkness fell, the Hmeimim air base was subjected to sudden mortar shelling from a mobile group of militants. As a result of the shelling, two servicemen were killed,” the ministry’s statement read.

However, the ministry categorically denied earlier reports by Russian newspaper Kommersant that alleged seven warplanes had been destroyed in the shelling.

There has so far been no official confirmation or denial however about the allegations that some Russian fighter-bombers were damaged but still salvageable. The surfaced photographs seem to confirm that some of the planes did indeed suffer damage, although so far there is no definitive evidence.

The Syrian Arab Army has prevented a huge car bomb attack by Islamic State forces against its positions in the eastern desert countryside of Homs province.

VIDEO: ISIS car comb attack on Syrian Army in east Homs thwarted
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-isis-car-comb-attack-syrian-army-east-homs-thwarted/

On Thursday, Syrian state television (SANA) released footage of a car bomb that the Islamic State terrorist group had intended to use against the Syrian Army in eastern Homs. The weapon was seized by army forces before it could be employed on the battlefield.

Reports specify, as the video below shows, that the vehicle ISIS intended to use against the Syrian Army was a Toyota loaded with 500 kilograms of explosive content (mostly landmines), designed to pulverize defense lines and upturn tanks.

Furthermore, sources also say that ISIS intended to sneak the car bomb behind army lines along with its suicide agent and use the weapon at a later time against Syrian forces in the area around the Talilah reservoir (east of the ancient city of Palmyra).

As it continues to secure areas recently surrendered by Al-Qaeda-linked militants (per an evacuation agreement) in the western countryside of Damascus province, the Syrian Arab Army has discovered evidence of Israeli support for the internationally designated terrorist organization, something for which suspicions have long existed in regards to the Syrian conflict.

VIDEO: Syrian Army uncovers evidence of Israel’s support for Al-Qaeda in rural Damascus
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/video-syrian-army-uncovers-evidence-israels-support-al-qaeda-rural-damascus/

On Wednesday, pro-government media released footage online showing Syrian troops uncovering abandoned jihadist positions, bases and tunnels on top of the strategic ‘Red Hills’ mountain range in Damascus province’s rural west.

Within an encampment used by jihadist fighters, Syrian troops stumbled across processed foodstuffs with Hebrew writing on their packaging. In the past, even more blatant forms of evidence have been found on militant groups in the Golan region, such as ammo boxes with Hebrew writing.

About one week ago, and following a month-long offensive operation, Syrian army-led forces succeed in pressuring jihadist fighters of the Al-Qaeda-linked Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly called Jabhat al-Nusra and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham) terrorist group to surrender their bastion in the Beit Jinn valley region of western Damascus province and accept evacuation to other rebel-held areas of the country.

 

[angelburst29]

American, Nigerien Soldiers Killed in Ambush in Niger
https://sputniknews.com/africa/201710051057956563-us-niger-soldiers-mali-ambush/

The incident occurred in the village of Tongo Tongo in Tillaberi, Niger, near the border with Mali. Tongo Tongo is about 100 miles north of the capital city of Niamey.

US military sources have said that three US Green Berets were killed and two others were injured in the fighting. The two wounded men were taken to Niamey and are in stable condition, and a counter operation is said to be underway.

Initially, all that was known was that Mali-based attackers killed American and Nigerien troops. Since then, information has come out at a trickle from Washington and Niamey sources. US Africa Command claims that the US forces were there to provide training and security assistance to the Nigerien Armed Forces.

Shadow armies: The unseen, but real US war in Africa January 1, 2018
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180101-shadow-armies-the-unseen-but-real-us-war-in-africa/

There is a real – but largely concealed – war which is taking place throughout the African continent. It involves the United States, an invigorated Russia and a rising China. The outcome of the war is likely to define the future of the continent and its global outlook.

It is easy to pin the blame on US President Donald Trump, his erratic agenda and impulsive statements. But the truth is, the current US military expansion in Africa is just another step in the wrong direction. It is part of a strategy that had been implemented a decade ago, during the administration of President George W. Bush, and actively pursued by President Barack Obama.

In 2007, under the pretext of the ‘war on terror’, the US consolidated its various military operations in Africa to establish the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). With a starting budget of half a billion dollars, AFRICOM was supposedly launched to engage with African countries in terms of diplomacy and aid. But, over the course of the last 10 years, AFRICOM has been transformed into a central command for military incursions and interventions.

However, that violent role has rapidly worsened during the first year of Trump’s term in office. Indeed, there is a hidden US war in Africa, and it is fought in the name of ‘counter-terrorism’.

According to a VICE News special investigation, US troops are now conducting 3,500 exercises and military engagements throughout Africa per year, an average of 10 per day. US mainstream media rarely discusses this ongoing war, thus giving the military ample space to destabilize any of the continent’s 54 countries as it pleases.

“Today’s figure of 3,500 marks an astounding 1,900 percent increase since the command was activated less than a decade ago, and suggests a major expansion of US military activities on the African continent,” VICE reported.

Following the death of four US Special Forces soldiers in Niger on October 4, US Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, made an ominous declaration to a Senate committee: these numbers are likely to increase as the US is expanding its military activities in Africa.

Mattis, like other defense officials in the previous two administrations, justifies the US military transgressions as part of ongoing ‘counter-terrorism’ efforts. But such coded reference has served as a pretense for the US to intervene in, and exploit, a massive region with a great economic potential.

The old colonial ‘Scramble for Africa’ is being reinvented by global powers that fully fathom the extent of the untapped economic largesse of the continent. While China, India and Russia are each developing a unique approach to wooing Africa, the US is invested mostly in the military option, which promises to inflict untold harm and destabilize many nations.

The 2012 coup in Mali, carried out by a US-trained army captain, Amadou Haya Sanogo, is only one example.

In a 2013 speech, then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cautioned against a “new colonialism in Africa (in which it is) easy to come in, take out natural resources, pay off leaders and leave.” While Clinton is, of course, correct, she was disingenuously referring to China, not her own country.

China’s increasing influence in Africa is obvious, and Beijing’s practices can be unfair. However, China’s policy towards Africa is far more civil and trade-focused than the military-centered US approach.

The growth in the China-Africa trade figures is, as per a UN News report in 2013, happening at a truly “breathtaking pace”, as they jumped from around $10.5 billion per year in 2000 to $166 billion in 2011. Since then, it has continued at the same impressive pace.

But that growth was coupled with many initiatives, entailing many billions of dollars in Chinese credit to African countries to develop badly needed infrastructure. More went to finance the ‘African Talents Program’, which is designed to train 30,000 African professionals in various sectors.

It should come as no surprise, then, that China surpassed the US as Africa’s largest trading partner in 2009.

The real colonialism, which Clinton referred to in her speech, is, however, underway in the US’s own perception and behavior towards Africa. This is not a hyperbole but in fact, a statement that echoes the words of US President Trump himself.

During a lunch with nine African leaders last September at the UN, Trump spoke with the kind of mindset that inspired western leaders’ colonial approach to Africa for centuries.

Soon after he invented the non-existent country of ‘Nambia’, Trump boasted of his “many friends (who are) going to your (African) countries trying to get rich.” “I congratulate you,” he said, “they are spending a lot of money.”

The following month, Trump added Chad, his country’s devoted ‘counter-terrorism’ partner to the list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering the US.

Keeping in mind that Africa has 22 Muslim majority countries, the US government is divesting from any long-term diplomatic vision in Africa, and is, instead increasingly thrusting further into the military path.

The US military push does not seem to be part of a comprehensive policy approach, either. It is as alarming as it is erratic, reflecting the US constant over-reliance on military solutions to all sorts of problems, including trade and political rivalries.

Compare this to Russia’s strategic approach to Africa. Reigniting old camaraderie with the continent, Russia is following China’s strategy of engagement (or in this case, re-engagement) through development and favorable trade terms.

But, unlike China, Russia has a wide-ranging agenda that includes arms exports, which are replacing US weaponry in various parts of the continent. For Moscow, Africa also has untapped and tremendous potential as a political partner that can bolster Russia’s standing at the UN.

Aware of the evident global competition, some African leaders are now laboring to find new allies outside the traditional western framework, which has controlled much of Africa since the end of traditional colonialism decades ago.

A stark example was the late November visit by Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir to Russia and his high-level meeting with President Vladimir Putin. “We have been dreaming about this visit for a long time,” al-Bashir told Putin, and “we are in need of protection from the aggressive acts of the United States.”

The coveted ‘protection’ includes Russia’s promised involvement in modernizing the Sudanese army.

Wary of Russia’s Africa outreach, the US is fighting back with a military stratagem and little diplomacy. The ongoing US mini-war on the continent will push the continent further into the abyss of violence and corruption, which may suit Washington well, but will bring about untold misery to millions of people.

There is no question that Africa is no longer an exclusive western ‘turf’, to be exploited at will. But it will be many years before Africa and its 54 nations are truly free from the stubborn neocolonial mindset, which is grounded in racism, economic exploitation and military interventions.

 

[angelburst29]

According to Syria's state media, the Syrian Army reported that Israel had attacked targets near the war-torn nation's capital with jets and ground-to-ground missiles early on Tuesday, causing damage.

Syrian Army Reports Israeli Missile Attack on Greater Damascus 09.01.2018
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801091060608377-israel-syria-missiles/

Syria retaliated, according to the statement; its air defenses hit an Israeli aircraft and intercepted several missiles which had been launched from within Israel.

The General Command of the Army and the Armed Forces announced that Syria's defense network had responded to three Israeli rocket attacks on military positions in the Al-Qutayfah area, north of Damascus.

Israeli missiles targeted military sites in Qutifah area near the capital of Damascus, SANA news agency reports.

There were no reported casualties. The Israeli Army has refused to comment on the incident.

This is not the first time Tel-Aviv has launched an unprovoked attack on neighboring Syria. In September 2017, Israel struck Syrian army positions in the province of Hama, near the city of Masjaf, killing two people.

In October, Israeli Air Force fighter jets destroyed a Syrian air defense battery just 50 km from Damascus, claiming the attack was precipitated by the shelling of IDF aircraft as they carried out tasks on the territory of Lebanon.

In September, a Syrian official told Sputnik that in August Israel had bombed a military airport near Damacus, adding that it was done "to encourage and support terrorists."

Russia says its military repelled an attack by 13 “militant” drones on its Khmeimim Air Base and Tartus naval facility in Syria on Saturday.

Russia repels attack by 13 ‘militant’ drones on military facilities (video)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-repels-attack-13-militant-drones-military-facilities-video/

In a statement, the Russian Ministry of Defence said its forces had detected ten drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), approaching its air base in Lakatia province and another three targeting the naval logistics facility in the coastal city of Tartus.

It went on to say the drones were either shot down by Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile launchers or disabled by electronic defence systems before reaching their target.

Images released by the defence ministry show one of the captured UAVs carrying several improvised explosive devices.

Some reports suggested the attack was carried out by an “Islamist faction”.

Khmeimim was also hit by mortar shelling on December 31 which claimed the lives of two Russian military personnel.

 

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The Russian military in Syria has disrupted a massive attack with the use of battle drones on its facilities in the country on January 6, intercepting six and shooting down seven more UAVs launched by militants.

US Spy Aircraft Flew Between Russian Bases in Syria During Drone Attack - MoD
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801091060620442-us-spy-aircraft-russian-bases-syria/

The US Navy's Boeing P-8 Poseidon was on a patrol mission in the area between the Russian Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base in Syria when militants attempted to attack the facilities using 13 drones, the ministry revealed on Tuesday.

"… This forces us to take a fresh look at the strange coincidence that, during the attack of UAV terrorists on Russian military facilities in Syria, the Navy reconnaissance aircraft Poseidon was on patrol over the Mediterranean Sea for more than 4 hours at an altitude of 7 thousand meters, between Tartus and Hmeimim," the ministry said.

After preventing the attack, the Russian military analyzed the design of and ammunition inside the seized UAVs, saying that such drones could have been supplied to the militants only by a country that is capable of "providing satellite navigation and remote control for the dropping of explosive devices." Later in the day, the Pentagon issued a statement saying that such drones could be bought on "the open market."

​Commenting on the Pentagon's statement, the Russian military expressed its concern over the remark that the technologies for attacking Russian military facilities are "easily accessible on the open market."

"What are those technologies that are being talked about?" the ministry asked. A spokesperson also called for the Pentagon to reveal where this market is "located and what special service is selling space reconnaissance data" to militants.

Turkey has lodged a diplomatic protest over claims about attacks in Syria's Idlib safe zone by the Syrian army, Daily Sabah reports citing sources in Ankara's Foreign Ministry.

Turkey Summons Russian, Iranian Envoys Over Syria Safe Zone Violation - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801091060625760-turkey-russian-iranian-envoys-idlib-violation/

Turkey appeals to Russian and Iranian diplomats to urge Syria's government to cease violation of de-escalation zone borders' violation in Idlib, according to the newspaper.

Turkish diplomatic sources say that Ankara has voiced to the ambassadors its "concern" about the operation which is conducted by the Syrian government forces in the south-east of idlib. This operation on the ground is percieved by Turkey as "a violation by the Syrian armed forces of the borders of the de-escalation zone in Idlib, which was agreed during Astana talks between three guarantor-states."

Earlier, Ankara's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that Syrian armed forces have been carrying out attacks on the so-called moderate opposition in the province of Idlib under the pretext of fighting terrorism.

During the September round of Astana talks, Russia, Iran and Turkey, the three states that serve as guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire, agreed on all four de-escalation zones in Syria — one in Idlib including parts of neighboring Hama province, the second one in the north of the central province of Homs, the third one in eastern Ghouta near Damascus and the third one in the country's southern province of Deraa.

The sides also reached an agreement on the rules of operation in buffer zones, checkpoints and observation posts, as well as the rules of engagement for units of the de-escalation control force.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Iran intended to send 100,000 Shia fighters to Syria in an effort to "colonize" the country.

Netanyahu Says Iran Plans to Send 100,000 Shia Fighters to 'Colonize' Syria
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201801091060626561-netanyahu-shia-colonization-syria/

"As part of Iran’s plans of conquest and colonization of Syria, they want to bring in as many as 100,000 Shias, Shia fighters… not Iranians, under Iranian command," Netanyahu said during a lunch with NATO ambassadors in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu stressed that this move might escalate tensions in the region and would lead to the emergence of new terrorist groups born out of Daesh and Al Qaeda.

The Israeli prime minister noted that the potential confrontation would affect Europe, as it would become the destination for those fleeing the hostilities, if they were to begin. He also stressed that Israel was currently the only state that was trying to prevent this from happening.

"Where will the spillover happen? In Europe. Where will the human flow go? To Europe. Who is preventing it right now? Israel? Right now, Israel alone. But I maintain that this is a common interest that we have in NATO," Netanyahu said.

Israel regards Iran as its number one threat, citing its curtailed but existing nuclear program, hostile rhetoric, and support offered to anti-Israel forces throughout the Middle East.