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

[sToRmR1dR]

Developing: Israeli jets stalking Syrian-Lebanese border

The Israeli Air Force is once again flying close to the Syrian-Lebanese border, raising the Syrian Air Defense’s alert levels.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Israeli jets continue to fly up and down the Syrian-Lebanese border, which may be an attempt to provoke a response from the Syrian military.

Thus far, no anti-aircraft missiles have been fired at the Israeli jet, nor has the latter entered Syrian airspace.

While it is not uncommon for the Israeli Air Force to occasionally fly close to the Syrian border, the prevalence of these flights today has raised fears of another potential attack inside Syria.

 

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South Front Streamed live 16 hours ago

Kremlin comments on refusal to deliver S-300s to Syria
May 11, 13:35 UTC+3
The refusal to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems to Syria is not linked in any way with the recent visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Moscow, the Kremlin says
SOCHI, May 11. /TASS/

. The refusal to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems to Syria is not linked in any way with the recent visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Moscow, acting Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
Peskov thus commented on a statement by acting Russian presidential aide for military and technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin made in an interview with Izvestia newspaper.

"Technologically, it is absolutely wrong to link this [Kozhin’s words] with Netanyahu’s visit because the interview was given before Netanyahu’s visit," the acting Kremlin spokesman said.

Four Russians killed in Istanbul helicopter crash — Foreign Ministry
March 10, 2017, 13:37 UTC+3
MOSCOW, March 10. /TASS/.

Four Russians were killed in a helicopter crash in Istanbul, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Center said on its Twitter page on Friday.
"Turkey - five people, including four Russians, died while two persons were injured as a result of a helicopter crash in Istanbul," the Twitter message said.

It was reported earlier on Friday that a helicopter carrying up to seven people, including four Russians, had crashed in an Istanbul suburb. The passengers included Salim Ozen, the CEO of Vitra Russia - the Russian branch of Eczacibasi Group engaged in the sale of tiles, bathroom and lavatory equipment.
The press office of Eczacibasi Group said the passengers included Russian citizens Alexander Vanin, Igor Kochergin, Lyudmila Chuprova and Yelena Badragan.

Syria shot down more than half of missiles fired by Israel, says Russian Defense Ministry
May 10, 12:22 UTC+3
Israel used more than 70 air-to-surface and tactical missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry report
MOSCOW, May 9. /TASS/.

Syrian air defense units have downed more than half of the air-launched and tactical ground-based missiles fired by Israel last night, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters on Thursday.
According to the ministry, "the Iranian armed units’ deployment sites as well as the positions of the Syrian army’s air defense units near Damascus and in southern Syria came under attack." "While repelling Israel’s attack, Syria’s air defense units downed more than half of the missiles," the Defense Ministry said, adding that reports on the damage caused to the Iranian armed units and Syria’s military and civil infrastructure are being verified.

In last night’s air raid on Syria Israel used more than 70 air-to-surface and tactical missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Between the hours of 01:45 and 03:45 on May 10 the Israeli Armed Forces on the pretext of retaliation for an attack against Israeli positions in the area of Golan heights by armed groups dealt strikes against Syrian territory.

"Participating in the air raid were 28 Israeli planes F-15 and F-16, which fired more than 60 air-to-surface missiles on different parts of Syria. Also Israel launched more than ten tactical surface-to-surface missiles," the Defense Ministry said. "The attacks were against the deployment sites of Iranian armed groups and also Syrian air defenses in the area of Damascus and in southern Syria."

"Syria’s air defenses downed more than half of the Israeli missiles," the Defense Ministry said.
The damage caused to Iranian armed groups and also Syria’s military and civilian infrastructures are being specified.

Israel said that the Iranian forces Al Quds on Thursday fired no less than 20 missiles and rockets against Israel’s forward positions in the Golan Heights, thus inviting retaliation. Tel-Aviv says that some of the Iranian missiles were intercepted by the air defense system the Iron Dome, while the others fell short of the targets. Israel suffered no destruction or casualties

VIDEO of Israeli rocket hitting Syrian SA-22 aerial defense system
Published time: 11 May, 2018 10:10

Israel's military has released a video showing a strike on an SA-22 aerial interception system. The battery was hit to prevent it from firing at Israeli jets amid a large-scale attack on alleged Iranian military sites in Syria.

Less than a day after Thursday's strikes, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a video apparently filmed from a camera on a rocket. It is seen approaching the SA22 weapon system from the air before the rocket appears to hit a target.

https://twitter.com/x/status/994625305007607813

Israel launched a barrage of rockets and sent an armada of 28 jets to Syria to strike Iranian targets on Thursday. Tel Aviv claims the overnight operation, one of the largest in years, came in retaliation to an earlier Iranian Quds Forces attack against IDF positions on the Golan Heights.

READ MORE: ‘Iran has no reason to strike Golan’: Analysts dispute Israel’s ‘political’ claim of missile attack

Tehran condemned the attack, with Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi saying that terrorists only benefit from it. He called it a "blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty."

 

[angelburst29]

Kremlin comments on refusal to deliver S-300s to Syria
May 11, 13:35 UTC+3
The refusal to deliver S-300 air defense missile systems to Syria is not linked in any way with the recent visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Moscow, the Kremlin says
SOCHI, May 11. /TASS/

I might be wrong but I'm under the impression that the S-300 air defense system is a big upgrade and more advanced then the SA-22 aerial interception system but Israel has been zeroing in on the SA-22 for target practicing in recent missile attacks, so I can understand why Russia has refused to delivery the S-300? But China just got full delivery, by Sea of Russia's S-400.

Thu May 10, 2018 - Russia Completes Delivery of First Regimental Set of S-400 to China
Farsnews

A military-diplomatic source said Russia has completed the delivery of the first regimental set of the air defense system S-400 to China. A third ship carrying missing support equipment has arrived at its port of destination. China will begin acceptance procedures at the end of May.

"The last batch of military equipment for the first regimental set of S-400 systems has been delivered by sea from Ust-Luga, the Leningrad Region, to China," the source told TASS, adding that "The ship has brought the equipment not damaged during a December storm in the English Channel and the damaged equipment after repairs."

A regimental set of S-400 systems was dispatched to China by three ships.

Russia’s federal service for military-technical cooperation said last January that during a heavy storm in the English channel support equipment on board one of the three ships was affected.

The transport ship had to return to the port of departure for re-examination of the affected components for defects.

At the beginning of April it was announced that the first two ships carrying the bulk of the equipment had arrived in China.

Now that the third ship has arrived, the full regimental set of S-400 systems is in China, according to the source.

It includes the command center, radars, launchers, guided air defense missiles, power supply equipment and other items.

Russian specialists will begin the handover of the military equipment to China at the end of May. The whole procedure will take about two months.

The federal service for military-technical cooperation has refrained from comment.

The conclusion of a contract with China for the supply of S-400 systems was announced in November 2014.

Presidential aide for military-technical cooperation Vladimir Kozhin confirmed the conclusion of the contract in November 2015.

China is the first foreign customer of these air defense systems. It is to obtain two regimental sets of S-400. The air defense system S-400 Triumf is Russia’s long- and intermediate range system meant for hitting air attack weapons (including stealth aircraft) and other targets amid heavy fire and radio-electronic resistance.


11/05/2018 - Russia wants Israel, Iran to show Restraint in Syria
Russia wants Israel, Iran to show restraint in Syria

Moscow expects Iran and Israel to exercise restraint and use only political and diplomatic means to resolve the situation, Acting Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“Certainly, we know that pretty tough statements are being made. Of course, Moscow is concerned about the growing tensions and hopes that all parties will show restraint and resort exclusively to political and diplomatic means to solve all existing problems,” he said when asked about Russia’s attitude towards the deterioration of relations between Iran and Israel.

Earlier in the day, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas that Russia is alarmed by the escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel and insists on the resolution of the conflict through a dialogue.

Earlier in the day, Acting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said following talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas that Russia is alarmed by the escalation of tensions between Iran and Israel and insists on the resolution of the conflict through a dialogue.

“In our contacts with the Iranian leadership and the leadership of Israel, including yesterday’s meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we emphasized the need for avoiding any mutually provoking moves,” Lavrov said.


Thu May 10, 2018 - MP: Rocket Attack on Israel Conducted by Syria, Not Iran
Farsnews

A Syrian lawmaker on Thursday refuted Tel Aviv's claims that the attack on the Israeli military in the Golan was conducted by Iran, stressing that the barrage of rockets were sent by his own country's army.

As Tel Aviv and Western media have accused Tehran of launching rocket and missile attacks at Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights, Member of the Parliament Fares Shehabi tweeted on Thursday that "Iran denies firing any rocket at Israel! The Syrian army fired more than 50 rockets at Israel in response to continuous Israeli terrorism against Syria".


Fri May 11, 2018 - Damascus Not to Hesitate to Respond to Israeli Airstrikes
Farsnews

Syria will counter all the attacks by the Israeli forces on its sovereign territory and will not hesitate to strike Israeli military targets as it has a right for self-defense, Syrian Ambassador to China Imad Mustapha said on Friday in light of recent airstrikes by the Israelis in Syria.

"Syria will continue to strengthen its air defenses, attempt to interject and down every missile fired by Israel, and target any Israeli air force asset that infringes on Syrian national airspace. Also, it will not hesitate to launch its own retaliatory attacks onto Israeli military positions in accordance with its undisputed right of self-defense and holding the aggressor accountable," Mustapha told Sputnik.

The diplomat denied Israel's statements that the attacks were not directed against the armed forces of Syria.


11/05/2018 - Israel and Iran may see another confrontation as Syrian troops prepare for southern Syria offensive
Israel and Iran may see another confrontation as Syrian troops prepare for southern Syria offensive

Israel and Iran may come to blows in the near future as the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) prepares to launch a massive offenisve in the southern provinces of Dara’a and Al-Quneitra.

According to a military source in Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army’s upcoming offensive in the Dara’a and Al-Quneitra governorates will likely witness Israeli interference due to the latter’s fears over a larger Hezbollah-Iranian presence along the Golan Heights.

Iran’s participation in this southern Syria offensive will be limited, but Israel views any movements by the Syrian Arab Army as a threat to their national security.

In the past, the Syrian Army troops in Al-Quneitra have come under assault from the Israeli forces in the occupied Golan Heights, despite the fact these attacks often benefit the jihadist rebels in the area.

While Israel likely prefers having the opposition groups on their border, the latter will not be able to withstand a large-scale offensive if the Syrian Army takes the high ground in western Dara’a.

The Syrian Army’s first objective will be to seize the strategic hilltop town of Tal Al-Harrah in western Dara’a; this will give them fire control over a large part of the Al-Quneitra Governorate.

What happens after the capture of Tal Al-Harrah will be critical because if the Syrian Army pushes towards the provincial capital of Al-Quneitra, it could trigger a response from Israel.


11/05/2018 - EU is concerned about recent attacks from Syria on Israeli Army posts
EU is concerned about recent attacks from Syria on Israeli Army posts

The European Union is seriously concerned by the recent attack on Israeli army posts on the Golan Heights, which Israel blames on Iran, the European Union’s External Action service said on Thursday.

“Reports about last night’s Iranian attacks against Israeli army posts from inside Syria to which Israel responded by striking against Iranian targets in Syria are extremely worrying,” an EU spokesperson said in a statement.

The document stresses that “Israel has the right to defend itself.”

“At the same time, we call on all regional actors to show restraint and avoid any escalation, which could further undermine regional stability,” the statement reads.


11/05/2018 - France expresses ‘serious concern’ over Syrian attacks on Israel
France expresses 'serious concern' over Syrian attacks on Israel

The French Foreign Ministry issued a communique on Thursday that touched on the recent hostilities between Israel and Syria near the occupied Golan Heights.

“France expresses its grave concern over the attacks on Israeli positions in the Golan Heights last night. We will continue our unswerving commitment to the security of Israel and condemning any attempts to undermine it,” the communiqué said.

The French diplomats noted that “it is necessary that all parties show restraint in order to avoid a dangerous escalation of tension in the Middle East.”

“That is why, as the President of the Republic (Emmanuel Macron) stated, France wants, in particular, to open negotiations with Iran in a broader framework, including both nuclear activity and the missile program, as well as the solution of regional crises,” the statement said.

The French Foreign Ministry did not condemn Israel’s attack on Syria nor did they make reference to UN Resolution 497, which recognizes the Golan Heights as Syrian territory.


Fri May 11, 2018 - Bahrain Backs Israel's Most Direct Confrontation in Syria
Farsnews

Bahrain has expressed support for Israel after Tel Aviv hit dozens of military targets in Syria amid Syrian army advances against Takfiri terrorists and other foreign-backed militants.

In a rare expression of support, Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa twitted that Tel Aviv had a right to "defend itself" after Israel said it carried out some 50 raids inside Syria, press tv reported.

Israel claimed that the early Thursday assault was its most extensive strike against Syria in decades. Syria’s military said Thursday that the airstrikes had killed three people and destroyed a radar station and an ammunition warehouse.

In a statement carried by state news agency SANA, Syria’s foreign ministry said that the Israeli strikes on its territory were a “direct confrontation” that marked a “new phase” in the country’s seven-year conflict.


10/05/2018 - Israeli DM says Lebanon under the control of Hezbollah
Israeli DM says Lebanon under the control of Hezbollah

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned on Thursday that Lebanon is now under Hezbollah’s “complete control,” The Times of Israel reported.

His remark came after Hezbollah’s success in the Lebanese parliamentary elections earlier this week.

According to Lieberman, the outcome of the vote had led to a dangerous situation on the country’s northern border, where Lebanese servicemen “take direct orders from Hezbollah and [its leader, Hassan] Nasrallah.”

“Hezbollah has in practice completed its takeover of Lebanon,” Lieberman was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

And that means it is in complete control not just of the Lebanese [government], but also its army. From now on a Lebanese sniper is a Hezbollah stand-in and takes direct orders from Hezbollah and Nasrallah. And that is a new reality,” he said.


11/05/2018 - Syrian Army uncovers one of the largest rebel tunnels in Syria (video)
Syrian Army uncovers one of the largest rebel tunnels in Syria (video)

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uncovered one of the largest tunnels built by the rebel forces in Syria during their ongoing operation inside the town of Hajar Al-Aswad this week.

According to a military source in Damascus, the tunnel was uncovered by the Syrian Arab Army’s Republican Guard inside the Madaniyah District in southern Damascus.

The tunnel is known as the “The Gate of the Two Ghoutas”; it was built to link the East Ghouta and West Ghouta. The tunnel itself is nearly 1 kilometers long and goes under the Damascus-Dara’a Highway.

Despite constructing most of the tunnel, they were never able to finish the project because they eventually lost Darayya and other West Ghouta towns.

Below is the video of the tunnel:

Syrian Army uncovers one of the largest rebel tunnels in Syria (video) (5:14 min,)

 

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Syrian Police Enter Four Key Districts In Southern Damascus And Showcase Militants' Weapons (Photos, Video)
11.05.2018
On May 11, several units of Syrian Police and security forces entered the districts of Aqraba, Beit Sahm, Yalda and Babbila south of the Syrian capital of Damascus and raised a Syrian flag there, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

A last batch of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Jaysh al-Islam and Jaysh al-Ababil fighters departed from these four districts on May 10 in the framework of the reconciliation agreement, which was reached on April 29.

Images: https://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/photo_2018-05-09_10-35-08-1-768x432.jpg
https://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Untitled-8.jpg?x87222

Before their withdrawal the militants handed over loads of weapons and ammunition to the Syrian Arab Army, according to the SANA. These weapons included an RPG-29 anti-tank rocket launcher, a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle, two SA-7 man portable air defense systems (MANPADs), seventeen vehicles and dozens of mortars and mortar cannons.

Now after clearing Aqraba, Beit Sahm, Yalda and Babbila districts, the SAA’s last mission around Damascus is to eliminate the remaining fighters of ISIS in the Yarmouk refugee camp and the district of al-Hajar al-Aswad.

Syrian Police are entering the districts of Aqraba, Beit Sahm, Yalda and Babbila:

الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء Published on May 11, 2018

All Russian citizens who fight for Islamic State will face criminal prosecution – senior diplomat
10 May, 2018 12:54
Over 4,000 Russian citizens are currently fighting on the terrorists’ side in Syria, but all of them will face criminal charges if they return home, the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov has said.

“Russian law enforcement agencies currently possess information about over 4,000 Russian citizens who have left our country in order to participate in armed formations [in Syria],” the diplomat said at the OSCE conference on counter-terrorism.

He noted that criminal cases had been started in absentia against almost 3,000 of these people and around 3,700 had been put on wanted lists.

“Despite the fact that many terrorists speak about their Russian origin, they demonstrate little drive to return in our country, where they would practically inevitably face a harsh and just punishment. More often, they choose some comfortable territories in Europe where they can hide with relative success,” Syromolotov stated.

The Russian diplomat emphasized that the special services considered female terrorists equally dangerous with the male ones, noting that in many cases women formed the most radicalized part of the whole terrorist underground.

“In most cases pledging full loyalty to the terrorist group is a condition for those who want to join, including the fighters’ wives. We think that these women should not only be targeted in various prevention operations, but also feel the principle of inevitability of punishment,” he said.

The Russian official also warned that, despite the fact that the war against terrorism in Syria had practically been won, the terrorist groups had not given up the fight and world nations should expect new hotbeds of extremism appearing in various places, including the OSCE countries. He said that the “absolutization of the freedom of expression” exercised by Western nations was aiding the terrorists in putting their plans into life.

“Information and communication technologies and internet become the main channels of radicalization of the population and recruiting new members in terrorist organizations… We propose to start a detailed discussion of the concept of ‘voluntary counter-terrorist self-restraints’ for mass media and officials,” Syromolotov told his OSCE colleagues.

Another counter-terrorist project proposed by Russia is a joint international database containing information about people suspected of involvement with terrorist groups and their movements.

The Real Story Behind Israel's Attack on "Iranian" Targets in Syria and Trump's Abandonment of the Iran Deal -- Sott.net
Joe Quinn Sott.net Thu, 10 May 2018 23:59 UTC
Video and Charts

 

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11/05/2018 - Lieberman to Assad: ‘Throw Iranians out of your country’
Lieberman to Assad: 'Throw Iranians out of your country'

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has called on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to remove Iranian forces from his country’s territory, arguing that they are not operating in Syria’s interests and only further complicate the situation in the country.

“Throw the Iranians, Qassem Soleimani and the Quds forces, out of your country! They are not acting in your interest, they are only hurting you. Their whole presence only brings problems and destruction,” Lieberman said in the northern city of Katzrin.

Early on May 8, the Israeli Air Force reportedly hit dozens of what it called Iranian military targets in Syria after Iranian forces allegedly fired 20 rockets at Israel’s frontline positions in the Golan Heights.

Speaking about the back-and-forth fire between the IDF and Iranian forces, Lieberman said “there is nothing like the sin of vanity and there is no room for arrogance. […] The tensions have not ended yet and we need to see everything in its right proportions.”

“This is a permanent policy: if someone is going to carry out an attack against the State of Israel, to launch missiles against the State of Israel, we will always try to strike it first,” Lieberman stated.

Israeli officials have repeatedly voiced concerns over the growing Iranian presence on Syria’s border, as recent tensions in the area have encouraged the Israel Defense Forces to send military vehicles, troops and missile interceptors to the Golan Heights.

In April, Israel’s Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned Iran of an “appropriate” response to any actions by Tehran that are aimed at “hurting” Israel.

Iran replied to the Israeli accusations by asking the Israeli government to stop its “dangerous and constant adventurism and provoking behaviors which are threatening the regional peace and security.”


12/05/2018 - Israeli weapons among arms handed over to Syrian Army by militants in southern Damascus
Israeli weapons among arms handed over to Syrian Army by militants in southern Damascus

Militants in the south Damascus towns of Babila, Yelda and Beit Sahem handed over their “medium and heavy weapons” to the Syrian Army on Friday, according to reports by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA.) The militants will now be transported to the Idlib governorate as part of the agreed transfer deal.

A local SANA reporter said the militants handed over an array of armaments, including weapons produced by Israel. The list of relinquished weapons includes machine guns, sniper rifles, mortar launchers, improvised explosives and landmines.

Both Iran and Syria have accused Israel of aiding militants, including Daesh fanatics, in Syria, especially in Damascus and near the Golan Heights.

Tehran described the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) attack against Syria on May 10 as Tel Aviv’s latest attempt to assist militants in the country, who have suffered a string of defeats at the hands of Syrian government forces, backed by their Russian and Iranian allies.

The reporter said that some of these weapons had been used in recent attacks on civilian and military facilities in Damascus.

Earlier in the day, militants in another area of the south Damascus pocket fired rockets at a government-held neighborhood, injuring three civilians, SANA reported, citing an informed source in the Damascus Police Command.

 

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X22Report Published on May 11, 2018


More Details About Destruction Of Pantsir-S System By Israel (Photo, Video)
12.05.2018

SOURCE: facebook.com/Encyclopedia.of.Syrian.military/
More details have appeared about the Syrian Air Defense Forces’ Pantsir-S short to medium range air defense system, which was destroyed by Israel during the May 10 encounter.

The picture from the site where the air defense system was destroyed allowed to get a more precise picture of the May 10 incident. It appears that the Pantsir-S was not in a combat position, including radar, after it had fired all of its missiles at some targets. The position of hydrostructs allows to suggest that the system was preparing to move for reloading.

It should be noted that initially multiple pro-opposition sources used the Israeli video of the Pantsir-S destruction to mock the Syrian Air Defense Forces as unprofessional. Now, when more details have appeared, such statements look much more questionable.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1604137663039957

Yarmouk. Hell under Damascus
Ярмук. Ад под Дамаском
11.05.2018 This video may be inappropriate for some users.

Hajdar al-Aswad - in translation from Arabic "Black Stone" - the city is only 4 km southeast of the center of Damascus.

Three years ago, the black flags of IGIL (banned in the Russian Federation) in the Syrian capital first appeared here. Then the sleeping cells of the terrorists unleashed an internecine war with the rest of the factions for the government-controlled camp of Palestinian refugees Yarmuk.

Now, after the victory of the Syrian army in East Gut, militants of the Dash were left to fight alone, in their statements cursing other militants for the decision to capitulate.

For the Syrian army, this military operation is the last battle in the 7-year battle for Damascus. And we have to fight here with the enemy, who are dead in the city building

 

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May 12, 2018 - All parties to Astana talks on Syria confirm their participation
All parties to Astana talks on Syria confirm their participation

The UN delegation led by Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and the delegation of Jordan will take part in the meeting as observers.

All parties to the negotiations in Astana to resolve the Syrian crisis have confirmed their participation in the meeting scheduled to be held on May 14-15, the press service of Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry reported on Saturday.

"All parties to the Astana process on Syria have confirmed their participation in the upcoming negotiations, which will be held in the capital of Kazakhstan on May 14-15. Taking part in them will be the delegations of the guarantor states - Russia, Turkey and Iran - along with [the delegations of] the Syrian government and armed opposition," the press service said.

It was noted that the UN delegation led by Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and the delegation of Jordan will take part in the meeting as observers.

"Russia’s delegation will be led by Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev, while Turkey will be represented by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Sedat Onal. The Iranian delegation will be led by Senior Assistant to Iran's Foreign Minister for Special Political Affairs, Hossein Jaberi Ansari," the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry explained that the guarantors are expected to hold bilateral and trilateral expert consultations prior to the event. The plenary meeting with the participation of all parties is scheduled for May 15.


May 12, 2018 - Russia calls on Britain to join Syria peace talks
Russia calls on Britain to join Syria peace talks

Russia has called on the British regime to stop “pointing” fingers at others, and to independently join the diplomatic process to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria, the Russian embassy in London said.

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called on Russia to use its influence in Syria to induce those who conduct destabilizing activities to take measures for a political settlement.

We urge the British government to stop pointing at others and start participating in a proper diplomatic process, to do everything to find a political solution for Syria in negotiations … This Britain officially supports the belligerent Syrian opposition and constantly encourages actions to overthrow the government in Damascus. They also support the “White Helmets” – an organization that, instead of providing humanitarian assistance, acts as a skilled producer of fake news,” the statement given to RIA Novosti read.

The embassy reminded Britain also fundamentally ignores the positive effect that comes after the launch of the “Astana process”.


May 12, 2018 - Two US F-22 jets escort Russia’s Tu-95 aircraft - Russian Defense Ministry
Two US F-22 jets escort Russia’s Tu-95 aircraft - Russian Defense Ministry

Russia’s Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft were escorted by two F-22 jets of the US Air Force at some section of the route, which did not approach them closer than 100 meters, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov told reporters on Saturday.

He noted that "the Tu-95MS strategic bombers operated by the [Russian] Aerospace Forces and the Tu-142 long-range anti-submarine aircraft operated by the Navy successfully performed a planned flight over the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean, the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk on May 11." "At some section of the route the aircraft operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces that were carrying out a patrol flight were escorted by two F-22 jets of the US Air Force for 40 minutes, which did not approach them closer than 100 meters," he said.

According to Konashenkov, the crews of the Russian aircraft have fully accomplished their air patrol missions.

He added that Russia’s long-range and naval aviation pilots regularly performed flights over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the Atlantic, the Black Sea and the Pacific. All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict conformity with the international airspace rules, without any violations of other countries’ borders.


May 10, 2018 - Damascus: New Phase of Aggression on Syria Has Begun with Original Enemies (Israel) after Defeating Agents
Damascus: New Phase of Aggression on Syria Has Begun with Original Enemies after Defeating Agents

The Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Ministry affirmed that the Israeli aggression on Syrian territories came within the framework of the aggressive approach of the Zionist entity and in response to the defeat of its tools of the terrorist groups.

In the framework of the aggressive approach of the Zionist entity and in response to the defeat of its tools of terrorist groups, it targeted with a number of missiles some military sites where most of the missiles were repelled efficiently by the air defense of the Syrian Arab Army, an official source at the Ministry told SANA.

The source said that “the direct aggression of the Zionist entity and its supporters indicates that a new phase of the aggression against Syria has begun with the original enemies after the defeat of the agents,” adding that the Syrian Arab Army will confront them.

The source concluded by saying that the aggressive behavior of the Zionist entity will not succeed in reviving the defeated conspiratorial project in Syria rather it will only increase tension in the region, which poses a serious threat to international peace and security.


12.05.2018 - Iranian General Alleges Trump's Iran Policy to Speed Israel's Downfall
Iranian General Alleges Trump's Iran Policy to Speed Israel's Downfall

The US president announced on May 8 that Washington would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions against Tehran and every company that works with it. Iran slammed the US decision, saying the deal can't work without Washington adhering to it.

Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Forces Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari has forecasted what he described as the upcoming downfall of Israel, tying it with Trump's recent decision to withdraw from the JCPOA (also known as the Iran deal). He also claimed that the Iranian Ground Forces had a calendar which shows the time of the annihilation of Israel, reports Fars News Agency.

"The treatment of the nuclear deal by Trump will fail to produce the results desired by the Zionists and would rather speed up annihilation of the usurper regime," he alleged.

Earlier, the Iranian envoy to the UN, Gholamali Khoshrou, wrote an official letter of condemnation of the Israeli actions to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. According to him, Tel Aviv is responsible for supporting terrorist groups in Syria.

"Israeli reckless action in this instance only helped [Daesh] and other terrorist groups in Syria. [Recent bombings] clearly demonstrate their destructive policy in assisting those groups for the purpose destabilizing the region," the letter says.

The Iranian envoy further slammed the recent airstrikes conducted by the Israeli air force under the pretext of bombing Iranian troops allegedly deployed in Syria. He noted that Israel targeted "legitimately deployed Iranian nationals and interests" in Syria.

The development has further escalated the already tense relations between the two countries, with Tehran not recognizing Israel's right to exist and Tel Aviv claiming that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. In addition to this, Israel claims that Iran has a military presence in the war-torn Syria that it intends to use against Israel. Tehran denies the allegations, claiming that it is only sending military advisors and humanitarian aid to the Arab Republic.

The most recent Israeli airstrike took place on May 10. Tel Aviv claimed that it launched an attack in retaliation for rockets being fired at the occupied Golan Heights allegedly by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force. According to Israel, the airstrike destroyed almost all Quds Force facilities in Syria. The Syrian army reported that its air defenses had "shot down dozens of Israeli missiles," however several of them reached their targets. According to unconfirmed reports, several Syrian servicemen were killed and wounded in the strikes.

The Israeli air force conducted airstrikes against the Syrian T-4 airbase in February and April, claiming it had targeted "Iran's bases in Syria," which Tehran had allegedly been planning to use in order to attack Israel. Syria and Iran have slammed the attacks, which allegedly killed several Iranian military advisers.

US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that the US was withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international agreement reached in 2015 by Iran, the United States, Russia, France, China, the UK, Germany and the EU. The agreement was aimed to prevent Iran from using its nuclear program to pursue the development of nuclear weapons and to ensure its peaceful nature.


May 12, 2018 - Seventeen civilians killed in air strike by US-led coalition in Syria’s province
Seventeen civilians killed in air strike by US-led coalition in Syria’s province

Five women and four children were killed in an air strike on the village of Hadaj located southeast of the city of al-Hasakah.

At least 17 civilians died in an air strike launched by the US-led coalition against two villages in the south of the Syrian province of al-Hasakah on Saturday, the Syria TV said.

The air raid killed eight people in the village of al-Hammadi. Five women and four children were killed in an air strike on the village of Hadaj located southeast of the city of al-Hasakah, some 620 kilometers of Damascus.

Syria’s government has repeatedly appealed to the United Nations Security Council to condemn the coalition’s acts of aggression, which cause deaths among civilians and inflict damage on economic infrastructure.


May 12, 2018 - North Korea’s nuclear test site to be publicly dismantled on May 23-25
North Korea’s nuclear test site to be publicly dismantled on May 23-25

A public ceremony of dismantlement of the North Korean nuclear test ground of Punggye-ri is scheduled for one day between May 23 and May 25, North Korea’s KCNA news agency said on Saturday citing the country’s Foreign Ministry.

The ceremony will depend on weather conditions, the agency said. Currently, Pyongyang is carrying out relevant technical preparations.

The North Korean authorities had promised to dismantle the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in May, with the process being made public. The agreement to this effect was reached at a summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Panmunjom on April 27. Kim Jong-un promised to invite journalists and security experts to North Korea to watch the process.


May 12, 2018 - Reporters from 5 countries to cover dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear test site
Reporters from 5 countries to cover dismantling of North Korea’s nuclear test site

Reporters from South Korea, China, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom are to cover the ceremony, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said.

Journalists from five countries have been invited to attend the ceremony when North Korea’s Punggye-ri nuclear test site will be dismantled, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

Reporters from South Korea, China, Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom are to cover the ceremony, it said. The Foreign Ministry said in a press release circulated by the country’s KNCA news agency that the number of reporters had been confined "in due consideration of small space" at the nuclear test ground.


May 11, 2018 - UN Nuclear Watchdog’s Chief Inspector Resigns
UN Nuclear Watchdog’s Chief Inspector Resigns

The chief inspector of the UN’s nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resigned Friday, a spokesperson for the agency said.

No reason was given for Tero Varjoranta’s sudden departure, which comes days after US President Donald Trump took the US out of the deal between Iran and world powers over its nuclear program.

The IAEA conducts inspections in Iran to verify compliance with the terms of the deal.


Back-dated September 11, 2017 - IAEA Chief Says Iran Playing by the Rules
IAEA Chief Says Iran Playing by the Rules

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog said on Monday Iran was playing by the rules set out in a nuclear accord it signed with six world powers in 2015.

Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran had not broken any promises and was not receiving special treatment, after Washington suggested it was not adhering to the deal.

“The nuclear-related commitments undertaken by Iran under the (deal) are being implemented,” he said in the text of a speech to a quarterly meeting of the IAEA’s 35-member Board of Governors.

Most sanctions on Iran were lifted 18 months ago under the deal and it has adhered to the key limitations imposed on it.


12.05.2018 - Top US State Department Nuclear Expert Resigns - Reports
https://sputniknews.com/us/201805121064381626-usa-state-department-nuclear-expert/

According to the Foreign Policy, State Department’s top expert on nuclear proliferation Richard Johnson served as Acting Assistant Coordinator of Iran Nuclear Implementation. Johnson resigned this week following Trump’s decision to exit from the Iran Nuclear Deal.

The report noted that Johnson had been in weeks-long talks with US allies France, Britain and Germany in an effort to save the JCPOA governing Iran’s nuclear program.

Although Johnson gave no reason for his departure, he did underscore that the JCPOA had been successful in curbing Iran’s nuclear program, the report said citing his farewell email to colleagues.

Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would withdraw from the JCPOA. The president also vowed to re-impose the highest level of economic sanctions against Iran in response to Tehran's development of its nuclear program.

 

[Ca.]

corbettreport Published on May 10, 2018

TRANSCRIPT AND MP3 AUDIO: https://www.corbettreport.com/israeli... There is in fact a Middle Eastern nation that is in fact in control of a vast, undeclared stockpile of nuclear weapons. This nation does have the capability of deploying those weapons anywhere in the region. It is not a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and its arsenal has never been inspected by any international agency. But this nation is not Iran. It's Israel.

R&U Videos Published on May 10, 2018

Disinformation

Published on May 11, 2018 / 24:00

Israeli Defense Minister Calls On Syria’s President To Get Rid Of Iranians
12.05.2018
On May 11, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman called on Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to remove Iranian forces from Syria argoung that these forces will only complicate the situation in the war-torn country. Lieberman also hinted that the situation in Syria will improve if these Iranian forces withdraw

“They are not helping you, they only cause damage, and their presence will only cause problems and damages … Get rid of the Iranians and maybe it will be possible to have a different kind of life,” Liberman said during a visit to the Golan Heights, according to the British media outlet Telegraph.

The Israeli Air Force attacked more than 70 targets inside Syria on May 10 as a response to rocket attack supposedly carried out by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Israeli targets in the Golan Heights. Back then, the Syrian state media said that several Israeli missiles had been shot down and only a few positions and equipment of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) had been hit.

Addressing the incident, Liberman said that the tensions have not ended yet and stressed that the Israeli Army is committed to response to any further attacks from Syria’s territory.

“This is a permanent policy: if someone is going to carry out an attack against the State of Israel, to launch missiles against the State of Israel, we will always try to strike it first,” Lieberman stated, according to the Russian news outlet Sputnik.

The Israeli pressure on the Iranian forces in Syria will continue, according to local observers, who also believe that Iran will withdraw from the country at the official request of the Damascus government only.

 

[angelburst29]

13.05.2018 - Russian Military Police starts Patrolling Urban Area of Damascus
Russian Military Police Starts Patrolling Urban Area of Damascus

The Russian military police have started to patrol southern quarters of the Syrian capital, which were liberated from militants, a Sputnik correspondent reported from the scene on Sunday.

In order to ensure the security of the quarters, the pedestrian and motorized patrols are operating at all main streets, while the observation posts were also installed. The military police units are on duty around the clock. The exchange of information is well established with the population.

On Saturday, more than 3,200 militants and over 5,000 members of their families left the southern areas of Damascus, including the Yarmouk refugee camp. The withdrawal lasted for eight days and took place under the agreement with the Russian center for Syrian reconciliation.

A small part in southern Damascus is still controlled by the Daesh terrorist group. An anti-IS operation by the Syrian forces is underway.


13.05.2018 - US fears it's al-Tanf Base in Syria may be Captured by Iranian Forces - Reports
US Fears its al-Tanf Base in Syria May be Captured by Iranian Forces – Reports

In 2016 the United States established a training program for Free Syrian Army militants at its military base in al-Tanf to fight Daesh terrorists in the region.

According to The Washington Post, the United States has been concerned over the possibility of Iranian forces, fighting in support of the Syrian government, seizing the US outpost in al-Tanf. Other high-ranking aides were cited by the media outlet as saying that they saw it as a chance to expand the campaign against the Iranian forces in the war-ravaged country.

Such a turn of events would contradict President Donald Trump’s promise to “leave Syria, like, very soon” as the US has allegedly accomplished its mission to “knock out” Daesh*.

According to The Washington Post, the al-Tanf base’s fate illustrates the confusion characterizing President Trump’s response to Iranian increasing "political and military influence" across the region. Initially, the base was established to fight armed militant groups and recapture a strategic border crossing at Bukamal, but since Trump took office, he promised to act decisively against the Islamic Republic, which allegedly joined Syrian government troops and frustrated US plans to move northwest.

As President Trump accused Tehran of fomenting “violence” and fueling “bloodshed and chaos” across the Middle East, the anti-Daesh mission in al-Tanf smoothly shifted to countering the alleged Iranian presence in the area. Trump’s top military aides are, however, reluctant to kick-off a larger campaign in Syria out of concerns over the safety of troops positioned in the region.

Tensions between the US and Iran have recently escalated as President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and reinstate anti-Tehran sanctions. The situation is being exacerbated by Israeli strikes on alleged Iranian positions in Syria in response to Tehran purportedly firing rockets at the IDF forces positioned in the Golan Heights. Iran, in turn, denied its military presence in Syria.

Since 2016, the US has been training Free Syrian Army militants at its military base in al-Tanf to fight Daesh, however it has drawn much criticism from Damascus and Moscow, with the latter voicing concerns that Washington was “spewing Daesh mobile groups who make inroads to launch subversive terrorist operations against Syrian troops and civilians.”

"The situation when the United States is virtually occupying a 55-kilometer [34-mile] zone around At-Tanf on the Syrian-Jordanian border without the consent of the Syrian Government, is bewildering. This zone includes the infamous Rukban refugee camp, where militants from illegal armed groups are freely moving near the US Armed Forces," the assistant to the secretary of the Russian Security Council told Sputnik.

The US-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against Daesh targets in Syria since 2014 without a UN mandate or authorization from the Damascus government. Syria views their presence as a violation of the country's national sovereignty.


13.05.2018 - Double Blast leaves Reportedly 9 Dead, 28 Injured in Northwestern Syria
Double Blast Leaves Reportedly 9 Dead, 28 Injured in Northwestern Syria

Nine people were killed and 28 others injured as two car bombs exploded in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, Yasser Zaim, the spokesman of the municipal council of the nearby Azaz city, told Sputnik on Saturday.

"The number of those killed as a result of the blast of the car bomb near the central hospital in the Idlib province reached nine civilians, including three hospital security employees,"

Nine individuals went missing after the incident, Zaim also said.Some of those wounded were taken to the Turkish hospitals, the official added.

Idlib is one of four de-escalation zones created after relevant agreements were reached by Iran, Russia, and Turkey during the Astana reconciliation talks last year.


13/05/2018 - ISIS claims 30 Syrian Army soldiers killed in southern Damascus
ISIS claims 30 Syrian Army soldiers killed in southern Damascus

The so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) claimed on Sunday that their forces had killed 30 Syrian Army soldiers in the southern part of Damascus.

According to the statement released by the terrorist group’s official media wing, their forces killed these soldiers while defending their last positions in the town of Hajar Al-Aswad.

Al-Masdar cannot confirm these numbers at the moment.

The Islamic State has often exaggerated their numbers in this war when they are suffering heavy losses, so the death toll is likely hyperbolized.


13/05/2018 - Largest rebel convoy leaves north Homs to Syria’s north
Largest rebel convoy leaves north Homs to Syria's north

Rebel fighters in north Homs continue to hand over their weapons before embarking in a one-way trip to the country’s north as per a deal with the Syrian government.

Up to 140 buses entered the insurgent-held pocket to carry out the evacuation of thousands of militants and their families who refused a reconciliation offer.

Militants from a longtime-held pocket that covers areas in north Homs and south Hama countryside will be heading as the 4th batch. Up to 9700 people have been evacuated so far under the Russia-brokered agreement between the Syrian government and rebel factions.


13/05/2018 - US allegedly calls on Qatar to cutoff support to IRGC: report
US allegedly calls on Qatar to cutoff support to IRGC: report

The Trump administration has allegedly called on Qatar to end its support for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Sunday Telegraph reported.

The request by the Trump administration comes after a number of allegedly leaked emails between senior Qatari officials and leading figures in Hezbollah and the IRGC.

The emails showed that Qatar paid hundreds of millions of dollars to secure the release of the Qatari hostages in Iraq; they also include alleged conversations with the commander of the Quds Force, General Qassem Suleimani, and Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Sayyed Hassan Nasralah.

“What these emails show is that a number of senior Qatari government officials have developed cordial relations with senior figures in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, as well as a number of Iranian-sponsored terrorist organizations,” a senior US security official told the Telegraph.

“At a time when the US government is trying to persuade Iran to end its support for terror groups in the Middle East, we do not believe it is helpful that Qatar continues to have ties with such organizations,” the security official continued.

The authenticity of these emails remain in question.


13/05/2018 - Russian frigate stalks US ship near Syrian waters (video)
Russian frigate stalks US ship near Syrian waters (video)

The United Kingdom’s ITV network reported on May 11th that the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman was stalked by the Russian frigate Yaroslav Mudry in the eastern waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the ITV report, the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman was conducting operations in the eastern Mediterranean earlier this week, when the Russian frigate began playing a “cat and mouse” game near Syrian waters.

The ITV correspondents stationed on board the U.S. ship stated that the Russian frigaate could clearly be seen following each move made by the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman.

Below is the video of this latest incident in the eastern Mediterranean:

Russian frigate stalks US ship near Syrian waters (video - 2:40 min.)

 

[Ca.]

Syriana Analysis Published on May 13, 2018

Since the big confrontation between Syria and Israel on the tenth of May 2018, several pro-Israeli journalists and self-proclaimed experts on Syria have spread 3 inaccurate information about the important event. Kevork Almassian, the founder of Syriana Analysis refutes these allegations.

US will not take part in Astana talks on Syria — diplomat
May 14, 8:24 UTC+3
The international meeting in Astana will be held on May 14-15
ASTANA, May 14. /TASS/.

US representatives will not take part in the international meeting in Astana on the settlement in Syria, Kazakh Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anuar Zhainakov told reporters on Monday.
"The US delegation has refrained from taking part in the current round of talks on Syria in Astana," Zhainakov said.

The international meeting on the settlement in Syria will be held in Astana on May 14-15. Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry earlier reported that, in addition to Russia, Iran and Turkey acting as guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire, the delegations of the Syrian government and the opposition, UN representatives and observers from the US and Jordan had been invited to the meeting.

During the talks, the parties are due to discuss the current situation in Syria, including in the de-escalation zones, humanitarian issues and confidence-building measures and coordinate further steps to facilitate the resolution of the crisis in that country. Bilateral and multilateral consultations are scheduled to be held on May 14, while the plenary meeting is to be held on May 15.

https://twitter.com/x/status/995758467645353985

https://twitter.com/x/status/994034901140811776

 

[angelburst29]

I AM the President of the United States!

C.a, that photoshop photo is priceless!

 

[goyacobol]

I AM the President of the United States!

C.a, that photoshop photo is priceless!

Definitely, a winner in my book too.

 

[angelburst29]

More details have appeared about the Syrian Air Defense Forces’ Pantsir-S short to medium range air defense system, which was destroyed by Israel during the May 10 encounter.

The picture from the site where the air defense system was destroyed allowed to get a more precise picture of the May 10 incident. It appears that the Pantsir-S was not in a combat position, including radar, after it had fired all of its missiles at some targets. The position of hydrostructs allows to suggest that the system was preparing to move for reloading.

It should be noted that initially multiple pro-opposition sources used the Israeli video of the Pantsir-S destruction to mock the Syrian Air Defense Forces as unprofessional. Now, when more details have appeared, such statements look much more questionable.

Business Insider just Posted this article - I'm beginning to wonder, if Business Insider is just another Israeli mouth piece?

Monday 5.14.2018 - Russian air defenses were caught on video getting beaten badly by Israeli forces in Syria — here are Russia's excuses
Russian air defenses were beaten badly by Israeli forces in Syria on video — here are its excuses

Moscow has offered two explanations for why the Russian-made Pantsir-S1 missile defense system took a direct hit during an Israeli airstrike in Syria last week.

• "One is that it had already used up its ammunition reserve," Aytech Bizhev, a former deputy commander-in-chief of Russia's air force, told the Russian state-run news agency RT. "The other is that it was simply turned off; it wasn't battle ready."
• Whatever the reason, the incident wasn't good advertising for the Russian system.

Moscow has offered two explanations for why the Russian-made Pantsir-S1 missile defense system took a direct hit during an Israeli airstrike in Syria last week.

"One is that it had already used up its ammunition reserve," Aytech Bizhev, a former deputy commander-in-chief of Russia's air force, told the Russian state-run news agency RT. "The other is that it was simply turned off; it wasn't battle ready."

Israeli fighter jets struck dozens of Iranian military sites in Syria on Thursday, killing at least 23 people, including five Syrian soldiers, according to the Syria Observatory for Human Rights.

Israel, which released footage of the Pantsir-S1 system being hit, said it launched the attack after Iranian forces fired 20 rockets toward the Golan Heights on Wednesday, some of which were shot down.

But the day before that attack, Israel carried out strikes near the Syrian capital of Damascus, shortly after it determined "abnormal movements of Iranian forces" in Syria and after President Donald Trump announced the US would pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.

As for the destruction of the Pantsir-S1, there "can be no third option, as it wouldn't have let itself to be destroyed," Bizhev told RT, adding: "When it's battle ready, it performs constant surveillance of enemy aircraft and has a very fast reaction time. It would've brought down those cruise missiles with either its cannons or own missiles."
Mikhail Khodorenok, a retired Russian colonel, also told RT that the Pantsir-S1 wasn't camouflaged, meaning it "wasn't ready for engagement." He added that the incident didn't "question the high combat capabilities" of the system.

There are other possible reasons the Pantsir-S1 took a direct hit.

It could be that its radar was turned off to avoid anti-radiation missiles — it was most likely hit by a Delilah anti-radar cruise missile— or that the Syrian operators simply bungled the incident.

Bizhev said the Israeli jets had a geographic advantage in that they fired their missiles "without entering the [Syrian] air defense area." He told RT that "they approached at low altitudes, then bounced from behind the Golan Heights, carried out the attack, and left."

The Pantsir-S1 "requires between three to five minutes to go operational," Bizhev said, adding that it's exhausting for the crew to keep the system on at all times.

But questions remain — for example, why the system would have been turned off and not strategically placed or camouflaged, given the back-and-forth strikes in the previous two days.

Also, did the Pantsir-S1 run out of ammunition before the strike or during it? The latter doesn't seem to jibe with Russia's excuses. The former also appears strange, considering the operators would want a loaded system, as Israeli and Iranian forces had been trading strikes.

Whatever the reason the Pantsir-S1 took a direct hit, it wasn't good advertising for the Russian system, as Moscow heavily depends on foreign military sales to boost its flagging economy.


Thursday May. 10, 2018 - Israel just released footage of one of its missiles hitting an air-defense system in Syria
Israel just released footage of one of its missiles hitting an air-defense system in Syria

Israel just released video of a Delilah cruise missile taking out a Pantsir-S1 self-propelled combined gun-missile system during its strike on Iranian Quds targets on Wednesday in Syria.

• Israel says the strike was in response to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in Syria shooting 20 rockets toward IDF posts in the Golan Heights on the same day.
• The Delilah is a cruise missile developed in Israel by Israel Military Industries (IMI), built to target moving and relocatable targets with a CEP of 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) at a max range of 250 km.

On May 9, 2018, the Quds force, a special force wing of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, stationed in Syria, shot 20 rockets towards IDF posts in the Golan Heights. The IDF intercepted four of the rockets, preventing casualties and damage. This is the first time that Iranian forces have directly fired at Israeli troops.

In response, in the night on May 10, IDF fighter jets (mainly F-16I Sufa aircraft according to most sources even though the official IAF website's release on the attack shows also a file photo of an F-15I) struck several military targets in Syria that belonged to Iran's Quds force. "The IDF's wide-scale attack included Iranian intelligence sites, the Quds force logistics headquarters, an Iranian military compound in Syria, observation and military posts, et cetera. In spite of a warning from Israel, Syrian aerial defense forces fired towards the IAF aircraft as they conducted the strikes. In response, the IAF targeted several aerial interception systems (SA5, SA2, SA22, SA17) which belong to the Syrian Armed Forces. All of the IDF's fighter jets returned to their bases safely."

Among the targets hit by the Israeli combat planes there is also a Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 according to the NATO designation) as shown in the following footage.
The Pantsir-S1 is a Russian-built advanced, self-propelled combined gun/missile system that is made mobile on 8×8 trucks. The transportable gun/SAM system includes up to 12 surface-to-air missiles arranged into two 6-tube groups on the turret, and a pair of 30mm cannon.

The SA-22 was destroyed from what, based on the type of aircraft reportedly involved in the air strikes, the range of the missile and similar footage available online, seems to be a Delilah missile (actually, there is someone that suggested the missile might have been a Spike NLOS, but the use of a standoff missile seems much more likely).

The Delilah is a cruise missile developed in Israel by Israel Military Industries (IMI), built to target moving and re-locatable targets with a CEP of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) at a maximum range of 250 km.

The best description of the cruise missile comes from the IAF website: (Note: Author provides long description quote)

Anyway, here's the footage: (Note: Link not given but below, this message ... it states "Read the original article on The Aviationist. Copyright 2018. Follow The Aviationist on Twitter. ")

As said, the Delilah is a standoff weapon: it means the aircraft can use it while remaining at safe distance.

As a side note, according to our sources, a KC-707 tanker that supported the F-16I. Yesterday, more or less when the jets were attacking the targets in Syria, a KC-707 was operating in the southern part of Israel.

We can't be sure the tanker was supporting the raid (the fact an Israeli aircraft could be tracked online during a combat mission is somehow surprising), still worth a mention.


14/05/2018 - Satellite images show alleged aftermath of Israeli attack on Syria (Image frames)
Satellite images show alleged aftermath of Israeli attack on Syria

The Israeli Air Force hit multiple targets in Syria late last week in what it said was a ‘retaliatory’ measure amid an alleged Iranian military buildup in the Arab Republic.

The images provided by satellite imaging company ImageSat International (ISI), yet to be independently verified, offer an overview of some of the damage caused by Israeli bombing of what are claimed to be Iranian military positions.


imagesatintl @imagesatint

#Syria: Aftermath of the #Israeli #attack on #Damascus international airport. #ImageSat #Syriastrike
12:59 PM - May 13, 2018

ISI’s ‘preliminary damage assessment’ seemingly shows destruction at the Damascus International Airport, including the ruins of a 30×15 meter storage structure. Satellite images also show an evacuated ‘Glasshouse’, the nickname for what Israeli analysts claim is Damascus-based headquarters for Iran’s military operation in Syria.

The satellite images follow the release of aerial images by the Israeli Defense Forces of what it claimed were “Iranian sites in Syria.”

Israel launched a massive airstrike against what it said were 60 ‘Iranian’ military targets in Syria late last week, calling the measure retaliation for the firing of nearly two dozen rockets into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. According to Israeli media, none of the rockets reportedly made it into Israeli territory. According to the IDF, all the targets in the May 10 attack consisted of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force troops.

According to the Israeli military, its targets included intelligence, logistics and weapons storage facilities, a military compound, as well as targets in the buffer zone (i.e. the territory between Israeli and Syrian forces) along the border between the two countries.

Tel Aviv has accused Tehran of expanding its military presence in Syria as a means to threaten and stage attacks against Israel. Iran has denied that it has an extensive military presence in Syria, saying its contingent is limited to military advisers, who are in the country to help the Syrian army ongoing fight against terrorism. The Iranian mission has the approval of Syria’s internationally recognized government.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the effectiveness of the Israeli Air Force’s attack. According to the Russian military, Syrian air defenses downed “over half” of the missiles launched by Israeli F-15s and F-16s. For its part, the Russian foreign ministry has voiced its concern over the Israeli attack, and called on all sides to exercise restraint.


14/05/2018 - Hezbollah chief hails Syrian response to Israeli attack, calls reports of 23 dead ‘lies’
Hezbollah chief hails Syrian response to Israeli attack, calls reports of 23 dead 'lies'

Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah hailed the Syrian military’s response to the Israeli attack on Thursday, stating that this was a clear ‘message’ to Israel about attacking Syria’s sovereignty.

“For the first time, the occupation forces’ installations in the occupied Golan Heights were targeted with such an attack. Israel claims that only 20 missiles were fired and some of them were downed, but the truth is that 55 missiles, some of which of heavy-caliber, were fired at a number of military installations, creating huge explosions, which forced residents in the Golan Heights and some in northern Israel to seek refuge in bomb shelters in panic,”

In response to reports of 23 Syrians and Iranians killed by the Israeli attack, Sayyed Nasrallah denied these claims, calling these rumors nothing more than a disinformation campaign started by Gulf media outlets.

Sayyed Nasrallah stated that the Syrian media reports about four Syrians killed were more accurate.

The Hezbollah chief then touched on the message this Syrian response sent to the Israeli military, including how his forces are monitoring everything being said.

“This is only a partial response to Israel’s attacks on Syria. The message that the enemy received was resounding and we are following the Israeli media outlets. The message is that you are mistaken if you think that you can continue to kill and bomb as you please,” Nasrallah said.

“The other parties will respond at the appropriate time and place and with the appropriate method. You as an enemy can no longer continue to violate Syria’s sovereignty and attack it without facing a response or punishment. This landmark rocket attack has launched a new phase,” Nasrallah concluded.


14/05/2018 - New Syrian Army missile launcher eliminates scores of ISIS terrorists (video)
New Syrian Army missile launcher eliminates scores of ISIS terrorists (video)

The Syrian military recently produced a new missile launcher that has enhanced their striking capabilities against enemy forces.

The missile launcher is called the Golan-1000 IRAM and it is currently used by the Syrian Arab Army’s 4th Division across the country.

As shown in the video below, the Syrian Army’s 4th Division can be seen using the Golan-1000 IRAM against the Islamic State (ISIS) forces inside the southern part of Damascus.

New Syrian Army missile launcher eliminates scores of ISIS terrorists (video - 3:04 min.)

The Golan-1000 can launch three 500mm missiles at once, which is a big boost for their armed forces.

 

[angelburst29]

14/05/2018 - US military presence near Tanf base in Syria ‘aggression’ – Syrian UN envoy
US military presence near Tanf base in Syria 'aggression' - Syrian UN envoy

The US military presence near the At-Tanf military base and nearby Rukban refugee camp in the south of Syria is “pure aggression and occupation,” head of the Syrian government delegation to the Astana reconciliation talks Bashar Jaafari told reporters.

“For us, the American military presence in Syria is a pure aggression and occupation. We sent an official letter to the UNSC [UN Security Council], as well as to the Secretary-General in this regard,” Jaafari said.

He added that the same concept applied to the Turkish “invasions to Afrin and the Turkish military presence in parts of the Syrian territory.”

The ninth round of the talks on Syrian settlement in the Kazakh capital began earlier on Monday. The US Embassy in Kazakhstan told Sputnik earlier in the day that the US delegation would not be taking part in the negotiations.

The United States occupies a 34-mile zone around its military base in Al-Tanf, where it trains and equips armed Syrian opposition forces. The Rukban refugee camp is located some 11 miles south of At-Tanf and inside the US-controlled zone on the Syrian-Jordanian border.

Astana has hosted eight rounds of talks on Syrian settlement so far. One of the main achievements of the negotiations was the creation of de-escalation zones in the conflict-torn country last year, which has helped reduce the level of violence.


15/05/2018 - US allegedly sets up base in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor
US allegedly sets up base in Syria's Deir ez-Zor

Iran’s Fars news agency has cited sources as saying that a new US military base is being set up in Syria’s eastern Deir ez-Zor province.

The base, which is located in the Badiyeh al-Sha’afa area, will be equipped with “advanced military tools and systems,” according to the sources.

The reports come a week after Sharfan Darwish, spokesman for the Manbij Military Council of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said that the US military had created a new military base in the Syrian region of Manbij about three months ago, following Ankara’s threats to seize control of the area.

Darwish was quoted by Reuters as saying that “after the Turkish attack on Afrin and the increase in Turkish threats towards Manbij, coalition forces built the base to monitor and protect the border [between the combatants].”

According to Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, the US has already established two bases in the Manbij region and deployed some 300 soldiers in the area.

On March 28, Turkey warned that it would push its military operation in the northern district of Afrin further to Manbij, if the US-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) forces decline to pull out of the region.

Ankara is seeking to gain control of Manbij as part of its Operation Olive Branch, which was launched on January 20, 2018. Ankara has blacklisted the YPG, the backbone of the SDF, as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey as a terrorist organization.


15/05/2018 - Russian Airbase in Syria: US Supporting ISIL through SDF
Farsnews

Russia's airbase in Lattakia province, known as Humeimim, complained that Washington supports the ISIL terrorists through the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, as the SDF continues pressures against civilians in Deir Ezzur.

Humeimim announced on Monday that it has gained field reports disclosing that Washington is indirectly supporting and equipping the ISIL terrorists.


15/05/2018 - Rebels filmed training inside US military zone in southern Syria
Rebels filmed training inside US military zone in southern Syria

The Free Syrian Army’s (FSA) Jaysh Mughawar Al-Thurah faction was filmed training inside the U.S. military zone near the Al-Tanf Base in southern Syria this past weekend.

The Jaysh Mughawar Al-Thurah commander in the video stated that his forces are training and stationed in the Al-Tanf area, adding that their mission is to protect the civilians living in the refugee camps from the Islamic State (ISIS) and Shiite militias.

Video of the FSA training below:

Rebels filmed training inside US military zone in southern Syria

The Al-Tanf Base is located in the southeastern countryside of the Homs Governorate; it has been under the U.S.’ control since 2016.


15/05/2018 - Turkish border guards shoot dead Syrian refugees including children (Note: Activist not identified?)
Turkish border guards shoot dead Syrian refugees including children

Eight Syrian civilians, half of them are children, were shot dead by Turkish border guards while attempting to cross into Turkey, local activists reported.

The incident took place at the Kherbet Eljoz, a small village located in Bidama Nahiyah in Jisr al-Shughur district of Iblib province.

The village is infamous for being an illegal corridor for Syrian refugees fleeing the Syrian war into neighboring Turkey.

According to the local activists, the Turkish security and border forces are cracking down on Syrian refugees ahead the Turkish presidential elections set to take place next July.

It added that Washington supports the ISIL through its illegally created allies, the SDF forces, who pursue disintegration of Syria.

Meantime, local sources in Deir Ezzur reported that the SDF forces have detained tens of civilians in the province, including women, children and the elderly, en route from Damascus to the region and prevented their move to the province.

A well-informed source reported on Monday that the US forces were building a new military base in a desert-like region in Eastern Deir Ezzur two weeks after the Washington-backed SDF claimed to have started their anti-ISIL operation in Eastern Syria.

The source said that the US military is building a new base equipped with advanced military tools and systems in Badiyeh (desert) al-Sha'afa in Deir Ezzur province, adding that the construction of the base has been justified as a move in support of the SDF against ISIL in Eastern Deir Ezzur, while SDF has been engaged in several confrontations against the Syrian army.

The sources further said that the US forces and the Washington-backed militias claim to be preparing for a possible operation against ISIL in the region, while they are spreading to the territories held by the Syrian army.


15/05/2018 - Turkey Plays Secret Role in Assassination Operations in Idlib
Farsnews

Turkey is excluding the commanders of Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the Al-Nusra front) who oppose Ankara's new policies in the region in targeted killings by proxy militants.

As a rising wave of assassinations of militant commanders has started in Northwestern Syria, sources close to the terrorist groups in Idlib reported on Tuesday that the Turkish army is settling accounts with Tahrir al-Sham commanders who oppose Ankara's policies in Idlib.

They added that bomb attacks in the past few days were conducted by the Turkish intelligence agency, noting that Ankara has started assassinating Tahrir al-Sham commanders who oppose the new coalition of militants, mainly by Faylaq al-Sham and Free Syrian Army (FSA) militants.

Meantime, the FSA terrorist group in Idlib, Jeish al-Izza, Jeish al-Nasr and the Coastal Brigade 1, have declared plans to form a new coalition in Idlib with Turkey's financial support and under the command of Faylaq al-Sham.

Also, reports said that the Turkish army wants to dissolve Tahrir al-Sham by forming the new coalition to prevent the Syrian army's military operations in Idlib.

The Turkish army dispatched a new military delegation, accompanied by terrorist groups, to Western Idlib in Northwestern Syria on Saturday.

The Turkish convoy, including a military delegation, that was accompanied by terrorists entered Jisr al-Shughour region in Western Idlib.

There were several vehicles and a large volume of military equipment in the Turkish convoy.

Also, field sources reported that the Turkish delegation embarked on visiting Bedama and al-Najiyeh settlements in Western Idlib, adding that the army plans to set up a new truce monitoring point in the region.

In the meantime, local sources reported that the Russian and Syrian fighter jets pounded the positions of al-Turkistani terrorist group in Jisr al-Shughour region, inflicting major losses on the militants.

Also, a military analyst said that the Turkish troops plan to occupy Idlib and arrival of Ankara forces in Western Idlib is aimed at preventing the Syrian Army troops from carrying out anti-terrorism operation against Tahrir al-Sham Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the Al-Nusra Front) and other units of al-Turkistani group.


15/05/2018 - Breaking: Over 100 buses preparing to exit northern Homs
Breaking: Over 100 buses preparing to exit northern Homs

Over 100 buses filled with thousands of rebels and their family members are preparing to exit the northern countryside of Homs for northern Syria, a military source told Al-Masdar News tonight.

According to the source, the buses are primarily carrying militants and their family members from the towns of Talbiseh and Al-Ghanto in northern Homs.

At the same time, another 50 buses have entered this large pocket that is controlled by the rebel forces to transport another large batch of people from northern Homs to Idlib.

The 100+ buses that are preparing to leave northern Homs are part of the 5th batch of rebels and their family members to leave this large pocket.


15/05/2018 - Syrian Army raises flag over long-time rebel stronghold in northern Homs
Syrian Army raises flag over long-time rebel stronghold in northern Homs

The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has raised the flag of the Syrian Arab Republic over the strategic town of Al-Rastan in northern Homs tonight.

Recently, the last rebels in Al-Rastan were transported from northern Homs to the Idlib Governorate after they refused reconciliation terms with the Syrian government.

Al-Rastan was a long-time stronghold of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and one of the first towns to fall to the aforementioned rebel group in 2011.


15/05/2018 - Astana Joint Statement Stresses Firm Commitment to Syria’s Territorial Integrity
Astana Joint Statement Stresses Firm Commitment to Syria’s Territorial Integrity

Astana platform’s Guarantor States (Russia, Iran and Turkey) affirmed their firm commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and called for the need to avoid all steps that would prejudice these principles and undermine the achievements of Astana process.

In a joint statement at the conclusion of the ninth round of Astana talks on Tuesday, the Guarantor States expressed their readiness to continue common efforts to promote the political process in Syria based on the UN Security Council Resolution no. 2254 through supporting the implementation of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress of Sochi and holding joint consultations on a regular basis for their representatives with the UN Special Envoy to Syria and the Syrian parties.

The statement affirmed the continuation of combating terrorism in Syria until completely eliminating ISIL, Nusra Front and all other terrorist organizations affiliated to al-Qaeda or ISIL.

The Guarantor States stressed the importance of implementing the De-Escalation Zones Agreement in Syria, which played a pivotal role in maintaining the cessation of hostilities, describing the Agreement as a temporary measure that cannot violate the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria.

The statement affirmed the need to enhance efforts to provide aid to all Syrians in the field of restoring their normal and peaceful life and that the achievement of this goal is ensured by the rapid and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance without obstacles.

The three countries also agreed to hold later two meetings of the working group; one in Ankara next June on the release of the kidnapped and the detainees as well as searching for the missing persons and the other is scheduled to be a high-level international meeting on Syria in July in the Russian city of Sochi.


15/05/2018 - Syrian Armed Opposition Arrives in Astana for 9th Round of Talks
Syrian Armed Opposition Arrives in Astana for 9th Round of Talks

A delegation of 24 representatives of the Syrian armed opposition has arrived in the Kazakh capital for the ninth round of talks on the Syrian crisis settlement, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's press service said Tuesday.

"The representatives of Syrian armed opposition have arrived in Astana early on Tuesday, a total of 24 persons," press service head Anuar Zhainakov told reporters.

Earlier, a source close to Astana negotiation process told Sputnik that this round of the negotiations on the Syrian crisis settlement will focus on reviewing and giving an impetus to decisions achieved during the previous round of talks in the Kazakh capital.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy to Kazakhstan has told Sputnik that the United States would not take part in the ninth round of the talks.

 

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Wednesday May 16, 2018 - OPCW says chlorine was likely used in Syria’s Idlib in February 2018
OPCW says chlorine was likely used in Syria’s Idlib in February 2018

The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission believes that chlorine was likely used as a chemical weapon on February 4, in Saraqib, Syria’s Idlib province.

The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons believes that chlorine was likely used as a chemical weapon on February 4, in Saraqib, Syria’s Idlib province, the OPCW press service said on Wednesday.

"The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), confirmed in a report released yesterday that chlorine was likely used as a chemical weapon on 4 February 2018 in Saraqib, Idlib Governorate, Syrian Arab Republic," the press service said.

"The FFM determined that chlorine was released from cylinders by mechanical impact in the Al Talil neighbourhood of Saraqib. The conclusions are based inter alia on the presence of two cylinders, which were determined as previously containing chlorine; witness testimony; environmental samples that demonstrated the unusual presence of chlorine in the local environment; and the number of patients at medical facilities shortly after the incident who showed signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to chlorine and other toxic chemicals."

Based on this fact, the FFM prepared a report that was distributed among the member states of the Chemical Weapons Convention on Tuesday. The document was also submitted to the Security Council through the UN secretary-general.

OPCW Director-General Ahmet Uzumcu resolutely denounced the use of toxic substances as weapons by anyone for any purposes and under any circumstances, saying that such actions directly contradict the strict ban for the use of poisonous substances enshrined in the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The OPCW added that "the FFM’s mandate is to determine whether chemical weapons or toxic chemicals as weapons have been used in Syria". "It does not include identifying who is responsible for alleged attacks. Attribution was part of the mandate of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism, set up by the UN Security Council, which expired in November 2017," the organization said.

State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert reported about the attack with the use of chlorine gas near the city of Saraqib on February 6. She noted then that it was the sixth such case in the last 30 days. Nauert did not provide any other details of the incident and pinned the blame for it on the Syrian government without any evidence.


May 16, 2018 - US hiding thousands of terrorists in Syria from justice — diplomat
US hiding thousands of terrorists in Syria from justice — diplomat

The United States has remained mum about several thousand militant extremists detained in Syria whom Washington would like to let off scot-free, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

"We have taken note of the fact the US administration is keeping quiet about the several thousand foreign terrorists, who have been detained by the US-led coalition and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces in Transeuphratia," she said. "The explanation that it is allegedly impossible to agree on extradition procedures and parameters of legal assistance with the countries of origin are totally far-fetched."

"Apparently this legal vacuum is being created deliberately with the aim to conceal the real aim: to let the militants dodge responsibility. It is noteworthy that in defiance of complicity in terrorism no charges are put forward or investigative measures taken."

Zakharova said Russia knew well the number of militants and the conditions in which they were being kept.

"According to our sources, there are two or three thousand militants, mostly from Europe, Arab countries and the CIS," she said. "The so-called restrictive measures are confined to limiting the freedom of movement. They enjoy three meals a day, medical assistance and the opportunities for exercise to stay in good physical shape."

Such actions by the United States and its allies in the region, Zakharova believes, are fraught with the re-emergence of the terrorist state in the region.

"In view of President Donald Trump’s announcement of the forthcoming US pullout from Syria there emerge high risks of a Caliphate’s re-emergence in Transeuphratia under the Iraqi type scenario we saw when after the successful withdrawal of the US contingent in 2011 entailed the emergence of the group Islamic State (outlawed in Russia - TASS), she said. "By refraining from criminal prosecution of the mentioned militants the US administration in fact covers up their criminal activity."

Moscow, Zakharova said, insists on inevitable punishment for the terrorists detained by the United States and the coalition it leads.

"In this context we would like to focus attention on the principle of inevitability of punishment of the detained terrorists for the committed crimes in accordance with the extradite-or-put-on-trial principle," Zakharova said. "We believe it is utterly impermissible to manipulate with anti-terrorist tasks for using double standards to attain geopolitical aims."

OPCW work in Douma
The diplomat said the report on the work by experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in Syria’s Douma will be made public in late May.

"The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission continues, at the request of the Syrian authorities, to study all the circumstances at the site [of the alleged attack]," she said. "The samples and other evidence have been delivered to The Hague for laboratory tests, which will take two or three weeks. It will be possible to draw conclusions about the final results of the mission’s work in Douma no sooner than in late May, when the report is made public."

According to Zakharova, the OPCW mission "worked at the site of the reported incident, and that’s what Russia and Syria demanded all the time, rather than remotely" for the first time since it was established. "We expect that the outcome of the investigation will be the circumstances and professionally verified conclusions, which will help restore the real picture of what happened in Douma on April 7 and confirm that any unsubstantiated accusations against Damascus used as a pretext for illegal military action by the US, the UK and France, a group that violated the UN charter, hold no water."

"We are determined to continue to seek depoliticized and impartial investigations of all cases of the so-called chemical terrorism in Syria without exception in strict conformity with the high standards of the Chemical Weapons Convention," the diplomat added.

Eastern Ghouta incident
A number of non-governmental organizations, including the White Helmets, have alleged that chemical weapons had been used in Douma, Eastern Ghouta, on April 7. According to the statement posted on that organization’s website on April 8, chlorine bombs had been dropped on the city killing dozens and poisoning other locals who had to be brought to the hospital. The Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed these reports as fake news. The Defense Ministry added that the White Helmets were notorious for spreading falsehoods.

On April 9, officers from the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Sides in Syria visited Douma but found no trace of chemical weapons there.

The inspectors arrived in Damascus on April 14. A few hours before, the US, the UK and France, using reports on the incident as a pretext, carried out a massive strike against Syria. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Syrian air defense units downed 71 of 103 missiles that had been fired, three civilians were wounded.


May 16, 2018 - Putin: Ships armed with Kalibr missiles to be permanently on duty in Mediterranean
Putin: Ships armed with Kalibr missiles to be permanently on duty in Mediterranean

Russian naval ships armed with cruise missiles Kalibr will be permanently on duty in the Mediterranean, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his opening remarks at a meeting with top officials of the Defense Ministry and defense-industrial complex on Wednesday.

"A total of 102 voyages by surface ships and submarines are scheduled for this year. As the risk of attacks by international terrorists in Syria remains our ships armed with cruise missiles will be permanently on duty in the Mediterranean," he said.

The range of tasks facing the Russian Navy grew considerably wider in recent years and so did the geographic scope of its presence in the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic and the Asia-Pacific Region. Putin noted well-coordinated operations by the crews of surface ships and submarines during the military operation in Syria.

"Cruise missile strikes and effective operations by deck aircraft inflicted serious losses on the terrorists and eliminated their key facilities and infrastructure," Putin said. These and other crucial tasks were coped with successfully largely thanks to the high combat and technological readiness of the Navy," he said. In particular, Putin noted the growing combat potential of the Navy and the practice of long sea voyages and exercises.

"It is essential to enhance the naval component of the strategic nuclear force. This will increase the role of the Navy in nuclear deterrence," he said.

Putin described as an important task the development of multi-purpose naval groups capable of firmly countering military threats on the sea. He urged special attention to coordinated operations by such groups with the Aerospace Force and other units of the Armed Forces.

He promised that the state would continue to arm the Navy with the newest systems of weapons, communication, intelligence and target setting.


May 15, 2018 - US starts turning the heat up on EU over Iran deal — Lavrov
US starts turning the heat up on EU over Iran deal — Lavrov

European countries have come under the gun from Washington over the Iranian nuclear deal, Russia’s Acting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"All other parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for Iran’s nuclear program have reaffirmed their commitment to obligations so far," he said when asked if the United States could exert pressure on other participants in the deal. "Iran’s representatives also reaffirmed that, particularly during yesterday’s visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. China and three European countries - France, Great Britain and Germany - have also said they remain committed to the agreement," Lavrov added.

According to him, following the US withdrawal from the deal, three European Countries - France, Great Britain and Germany - "reaffirmed that they remain committed to the agreement." Lavrov stressed that Moscow could see pressure being exerted on them. "Ultimatums have been issued citing the need to stop trade with Iran, including the exports of certain goods and the imports of Iranian oil, the deadlines of 60 and 90 days have been set. This is some sort of plan to exert powerful pressure," the Russian top diplomat pointed out.

According to him, Moscow could see pressure being exerted on them. "Ultimatums have been issued citing the need to stop trade with Iran, including the exports of certain goods and the imports of Iranian oil, the deadlines of 60 and 90 days have been set. It is kind of a plan to exert strong pressure," the Russian top diplomat pointed out.

"However, our European counterparts tell us they are getting ready to become independent from the US in relation to their trade and economic ties with Iran," the Russian top diplomat went on to say. "We are interested in discussing the issue with all countries remaining within the agreement on Iran’s nuclear program," he noted.

"We will see how resilient the Europeans will be this time, for in the past there were times when they eventually gave in to Washington, damaging their own legitimate interests," Lavrov added.

The US forfeited all its rights under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program by exiting from this agreement, Lavrov explained.

"By withdrawing from the JCPOA, the United States lost all its rights under this document, as there are a number of provisions in it that confers its participants with certain rights. The US - and it seems not to be denying this fact - already forfeited all these rights," he said.


May 16, 2018 - US Department of State clarifies Huntsman’s plans to take part in SPIEF
US Department of State clarifies Huntsman’s plans to take part in SPIEF

The US administration believes that US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman’s plans to take part in the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) are a routine part of his duties, a State Department Spokesperson told TASS on Tuesday.

"Ambassador Huntsman will attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this year as a routine part of his duties as the US Ambassador," the diplomat said. "He does not have a speaking role [at the SPIEF]."

"His attendance is consistent with the approach he has taken since his confirmation: people-to-people exchanges and private interactions are an important way to show that our disagreements are with the government of Russia, not with its people," he stressed.

"The United States has legitimate, serious concerns about Russian government’s behavior. We will not hesitate to use every appropriate opportunity to convey our concerns as we engage with Russia," the diplomat added.

At the same time, he declined to answer the question on whether the Trump administration abandoned the previous US policy to discourage American companies from attending the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Nor did he explain whether the US administration plans to send a delegation from Washington to the SPIEF.


Back-dated September 30, 2017 - Who is US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman
Who is US Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman

On September 28, 2017, U.S. Senate confirmed the former Governor of Utah, Jon Meade Huntsman Jr. as Ambassador of the United States to the Russian Federation. (Article continues.)