Syria in 2015

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
Western-backed #FSA in #Daraa province with mortar attack vs. #Assad position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joETgPO-uWY …

Michael Weiss ✔ @michaeldweiss
Which tells you all you need to know about Moscow's commitment to the peace talks:
https://twitter.com/reutersworld/status/681673598810124288 …

News
#ISIS defence seemingly collapses S-E of #Manbij.
#SDF advance W of #Tishreen Dam, take several villages.

Footage
Precise Rus (SU-34-fired) missiles hit just meters from rebels in #SheikhMaskin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9Fvg__2hT0 …

Footage
Russian Su-34 bombs rebels while #Assad's forces try to recapture #SheikhMaskin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYMeaJygTUY …

TerMaela in besieged #Homs province today.
#Assad's bombs further destroy the city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eLya7Dy_dU …

[OUTLAW 09]

Valid comment........

If Russia calls all Syrian rebels ISIS, why not also call Iraq Syria and describe Kurdish YPG troops as Syrian army?

[OUTLAW 09]

MORE children killed by Russian air strikes...BUT no response from Obama and the UNSC....

Meanwhile in #reality,#Russia killed & wounded many children N of #Aleppo tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqVqZpiSnaU …

[CrowBat]

SO now it appears the US is directly supporting both the Kurds, IS and Russia.......??

Kurds militia & #ISIL attack north #Aleppo rebel held corridor with Turkey pushing to A'zaz. Russ provide air cover.
pic.twitter.com/K7XwUsBGIh

Appears that even a Boy Scout Troop might have a better plan......
...just another failed attempt by Oblabla to bring insurgents in northern Syria to their knees - and emphasis is on failed.

Namely, yes: the SDF (that is: YPG + about 200 of US-vetted combatants from Jaysh at-Thuwar - that is: those that didn't side with the FSyA and were then left to go fighting Daesh on the eastern side of the Azaz corridor), broke the truce with the Marea Operations Room (FSyA, AAS, JAN) and attacked the village of Malikia, on the western side of the Azaz corridor, two days ago.

They didn't really block the Azaz corridor in this fashion: rather blocked one (western) of two roads going down the area.

But this attack came at a very unopportune time, namely right when the Mutassim Brigade of the Sultan Murad Division FSyA assaulted and liberated the village of Duwaydan from the Daesh, on the eastern side of the corridor...

...ah well: different units of the Marea Ops Room counterattacked Malikia and recovered it the very same evening...

The situation is actually such that the insurgents could completely destroy the entire Kurdish-held Afrin enclave. But,
- a) they know what a public outcry this would cause in the West, and
- b) they consider fighting the Daesh more important.

Perhaps Oblabla, PYD/YPG Stalinists, and few other idiots there could come to the idea to at least consider the option b as more useful - for everybody involved...

[OUTLAW 09]

U.S. Chides Russia Over Killing Syrian Rebel Leader
http://go.shr.lc/1ZyVgzi

Russian non linear warfare now in Turkey.........FSB or PKK???? one and the same in non linear warfare......

Blast of semi-trailer truck rocks Istanbul port on Tuesday – local media
http://www.unian.info/world/1225228-blast-of-semi-trailer-truck-rocks-istanbul-port-on-tuesday-local-media.html …
pic.twitter.com/mAhosr6GFw

CGI Asks @MarkGaleotti @Richard_RSC @cjcmichel @mhikaric
Will Turkey-Russia Tensions Spill Over Into the Caucasus?
http://globalinterests.org/2015/12/18/cgi-asks-will-turkey-russia-tensions-spill-over-into-the-caucasus/ …

Struggle in the Grey Zone and World Order....WELL worth the read.....
Supports the concept of non linear warfare......
http://linkis.com/www.rand.org/blog/20/niB9i

"A User’s Guide to #Russia-n #Propaganda" - #IW
http://toinformistoinfluence.com/2015/12/29/a-

[OUTLAW 09]

330 wounded regime fighters & civilians evacuated from 2 besieged #Idlib towns to #Turkey
Also 450 rebels & civilians from Zabadani

Video from desert town of #Palmyra after #Russia'n airstrikes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVEkcgjSJjA …

13 #SAA officers killed by bomb explosions in al-Zahra /#Homs city
Among them a brigade general
Assad brigadier general Sharaf Abd Al Latif Darwish killed in Zahra bombing

Ali Al Naqri Assad regime fighter & "news" correspondent killed in Zahra explosion in Homs

Assad forces repelled with heavy losses in Hama http://eldorar.com/node/93051

Hezbollah commander of operations killed in Deraa
http://slnnews.co/?p=36972

Assad regime shelling of Kurdish areas once again just goes to show that he will go after the Kurds too eventually

History tells us #Russia is trapped in a dangerous mixture of negligence and active propaganda fed by her leadership. Paranoid delusion.
EXAMPLE:
Confused #Russia´s Ministry of Defence says #SAA took #Tishreen Dam. #LiesOrStupidity?
https://twitter.com/mod_russia/status/681513980259643392 …

[OUTLAW 09]

T-90 Shotra uncovered in #Syria
pic.twitter.com/8JCHwAf6mY

[OUTLAW 09]

Mortars are foreign-supplied within the minimal support, the #FSA receives ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYK5ZlXopTg …

Footage
#FSA mortar attack on #AlThaala airport in #Daraa province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_PYd7YRYsU …

Footage
Western-backed #FSA in #Daraa province with mortar attack vs. #Assad position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joETgPO-uWY …

BreakingReport
Syrian rebels recaptured #Brigade82 north of #SheikhMaskin after #Nusra suicide bombing and #FSA offensive.

Footage
#Assad Mil Mi-24 drops bombs on civilians in besieged #Homs province town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfSPcs1ClVg …

[OUTLAW 09]

The total failure of MSM in accurate reporting from Syria.........

There was a terror attack in #Homs yesterday, that killed 16.
But there were also 50 more terror attacks throughout Syria that killed 50 more.

1st attack is reported by dozens of Western MSM
50 others - all on video - are totally concealed.

[OUTLAW 09]

Turkish President @rterdogan_ar is in Riyadh for talks with King Salman.

What the heck is this........?
Mao´s "Little Red Book", Gaddafi´s "The Green Book", Hitler´s "Mein Kampf", #Putin´s "Words That Change The World"

[OUTLAW 09]

Heroes aftermath retake control over Brigade 82 surrounding #Sheikh_Meskin
#Daraa cs #Syra Dec 29

Russian AF deliberately strikes first responders.....AND YET they claim to not be killing civilians....another lie it seems.......

@SyriaCivilDef recover wounded children due airraids,then 2nd one hit them
#Douma #SYria Dec29

SCD filling water tanks of Schools in #Maarrat_Misrin city
#Idlib #Syria Dec 29

SCD teaching the children of #Ariha, how to protect themselves in case of explosions..
#Idlib #Syria Dec 29

Important
#SCD collecting #Russia cluster bombs on #Qalaat_alMadiq
#Hama #Syria Dec 28
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=678533092183157&id=654873181215815 …

Russia airstrikes on #Rashah village
#Hama cs #Syria Dec 29
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfjLY62lF0 …

Assadis getting desperate---- wiping themselves out trying to get up to Kbeyna, #Latakia. Unloading thousands of shells

[OUTLAW 09]

Syrian #civilians, killed by #Russia

September: 33
October: 263
November: 259
December: 155 (until the 23rd)

[CrowBat]

The total failure of MSM in accurate reporting from Syria.........

There was a terror attack in #Homs yesterday, that killed 16.Actually, this attack killed nearly 50, and about 20 of them were top NDF commanders in the city.

So, it's a double failure (on the part of the MSM).

[OUTLAW 09]

Actually, this attack killed nearly 50, and about 20 of them were top NDF commanders in the city.

So, it's a double failure (on the part of the MSM).

Graphic from @snhr: toll of civilians killed in #Syria during 2015
12,044 killed by the regime = 73%
@SyriaCivilDef
pic.twitter.com/ki1muFqwD1

[OUTLAW 09]

Now it really does appear as if Obama and Kerry are totally complicit in the killing of civilians as Assad is the core problem and has been since 2011....OR does now the US equate genocide with democracy......?????

OR has the US figured out that the anti Assad forces are just fighting to just fight because they are so happy with Assad in power???

Washington reportedly backing down on insistence that Assad can’t compete in Syrian presidential election:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-29/putin-sees-assad-chance-to-stay-as-u-s-pursues-syria-settlement …

[OUTLAW 09]

Turkish and Greek fighters engage in dogfight over the Aegean Sea
http://wp.me/p2TYIs-9jc
pic.twitter.com/xtxKcNcd2j

Bershidsky on Putin's year abroad--a boost to Russian pride delivered by TV propaganda, but no tangible benefit.
http://bv.ms/1QFP0UR .

Maidan all over again...Putin's biggest nightmare.......
What happens when Russians start not believing state television? Kremlin makes some preparations for civic unrest.
http://bit.ly/1Ox6v9z .

Map
Pro-#Assad forces recapture one third of #SheikhMaskin (29.12.).
#FSA / rebels outgunned and inferior.
pic.twitter.com/9fNlmj3JOQ

Well after taking major loses and slow pay just what did they expect......
Hezbollah Fighters Are Fed Up With Fighting Syria’s War
http://thebea.st/1SlKiLi via @thedailybeast

[OUTLAW 09]

Syrian Express is on the move again...........

ВМФ NF Amguema class Yauza concludes the cargo ship's 3rd deployment to Syria, transits the Bosphorus & will be at the BlackSea in minutes

Mikhail Rudnitsky (Project 05360/1) class salvage & mooring vessel Sayany going to Black Sea
pic.twitter.com/WSLrv98ZEK

[OUTLAW 09]

Turkish and Greek fighters engage in dogfight over the Aegean Sea
http://wp.me/p2TYIs-9jc
pic.twitter.com/xtxKcNcd2j

Bershidsky on Putin's year abroad--a boost to Russian pride delivered by TV propaganda, but no tangible benefit.
http://bv.ms/1QFP0UR .

Maidan all over again...Putin's biggest nightmare.......
What happens when Russians start not believing state television? Kremlin makes some preparations for civic unrest.
http://bit.ly/1Ox6v9z .

Map
Pro-#Assad forces recapture one third of #SheikhMaskin (29.12.).
#FSA / rebels outgunned and inferior.
pic.twitter.com/9fNlmj3JOQ

Well after taking major loses and slow pay just what did they expect......
Hezbollah Fighters Are Fed Up With Fighting Syria’s War
http://thebea.st/1SlKiLi via @thedailybeast

Footage
The outgunned #FSA takes tank hits / casualties in #SheikhMaskin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vulz2z9mAk&feature=youtu.be …

Footage
The #FSA fights at the N entrance of #SheikhMaskin as pro-#Assad forces advance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MSmRI1vLlY …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat----what do you think of these comments....... Second question...was this the reason for the Erdogan visit to KSA???

Syrian rebels are starting to realise, the current offensives are different.
It's not #Assad that attacks them, but #Russia&#Iran.
They lose.

Latakia prov. is as good as lost, #Aleppo prov. (S-W of the city) will fall piece by piece, the #Homs pocket will shrink dramatically.

While winning time due to fake @UN negotiations, #Russia will bomb the hell out of #FreeSyria and Shiite sectarian forces will gain ground.

Here is my prediction for #Syria2016:
#Assad, #Putin, #Nasrallah and #Khamenei will capture at least 50% of what Syrian rebels hold today.

Syrian rebels talk of "repelling" attack after attack, but in reality, they fall back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iIIaXkTdYI …

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
Brutal Russian airstrikes on #KafrNabudah today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW6gzGphh4Y …

Footage
#FSA D-30 artillery position, shelling #Assad forces, advancing into #SheikhMaskin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjINyk5fuU …

Footage
#SheikhMaskin today.
Pro-#Assad terrorist forces advanced back into the city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZgAkMA088M …

Tall Rifat after 6 weeks of #RussianAirstrikes:
Imagine, that was YOUR #kitchen ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRab1Ye_1sA …

5 years of #Assad's bombings & Syrians still did not get ANY help to stop them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGPenkxU-zU …
(Ter Maela)

Rebel's TOW targets a tank near Khan Touman, not clear whether or not it was hit
https://youtu.be/IXa0GKHUlUo

Daraa Moment when rebels retook brigade 82 base in outskirts of Shayk Maskin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89dVOcZ90IU …

JaF-report from frontline in southern outskirts of #Aleppo after repelled attack by Shiite militias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49UH384FnUQ&feature=youtu.be …

Clashes earlier between FSA Liwa Mutasim brigade & #ISIS on the Harbel front near Mare’a in northern #Aleppo,

ISW ‏@TheStudyofWar ·
New ISW #Syria airstrikes map. #Russia continues attacks on opposition prior to negotiations.
http://bit.ly/1VnPRbJ

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
Brutal Russian airstrikes on #KafrNabudah today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW6gzGphh4Y …

Footage
#FSA D-30 artillery position, shelling #Assad forces, advancing into #SheikhMaskin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZjINyk5fuU …

Footage
#SheikhMaskin today.
Pro-#Assad terrorist forces advanced back into the city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZgAkMA088M …

Tall Rifat after 6 weeks of #RussianAirstrikes:
Imagine, that was YOUR #kitchen ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRab1Ye_1sA …

5 years of #Assad's bombings & Syrians still did not get ANY help to stop them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGPenkxU-zU …
(Ter Maela)

Rebel's TOW targets a tank near Khan Touman, not clear whether or not it was hit
https://youtu.be/IXa0GKHUlUo

Daraa Moment when rebels retook brigade 82 base in outskirts of Shayk Maskin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89dVOcZ90IU …

JaF-report from frontline in southern outskirts of #Aleppo after repelled attack by Shiite militias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49UH384FnUQ&feature=youtu.be …

Clashes earlier between FSA Liwa Mutasim brigade & #ISIS on the Harbel front near Mare’a in northern #Aleppo,

ISW ‏@TheStudyofWar ·
New ISW #Syria airstrikes map. #Russia continues attacks on opposition prior to negotiations.
http://bit.ly/1VnPRbJ

Absolutely savage Russian bombardment on the rebel-held town of Kafrnabouda in Hama. #Syria
http://youtu.be/qW6gzGphh4Y

Syrian Rebellion Obs ‏@Syria_Rebel_Obs
#SRO - Mortars and sporadic clashes between regime forces and #SDF (mainly #YPG) at S-W Sheikh Maqsoud (#Aleppo) frontline after aristrike.

[OUTLAW 09]

Ayatollah Putin is not backing down, insists #Hezbollah is not a terrorist group, what would we do without him!

BUT WAIT.......
High civilian death toll, low accuracy and efficiency. #Russia's air campaign is solidifying stalemate in #Syria.

[OUTLAW 09]

SCD collect dozens of #Russia unexploded CLuster Bombs in #Maarat_al_Nouman
#Idlib #SYria Dec 29

Hezbollah mercenaries terrorists occupiers raised their dirty flag on #Al_Waer neighborhood
#Homs #Syria Dec 30

Heavy clashes between Rebels & #SAA mercenaries in #Manshiyah neighborhood now
#Daraa #Syria Dec 30

Rebels destroyed #SAA Tank exterminating mercenaries crew+hidden behind it #Khan_Touman
#Aleppo #Syria Dec30

SAA mercenaries shelling With Grad Rockets targeting #alGhab_plain
#Hama CS #Syria Dec 30

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Ratiyan village
#Aleppo CS #Syria Dec 30

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Kashtaar village
#Aleppo CS #Syria Dec 30

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Faysal_Mills
#Aleppo CS #Syria Dec 30

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Tanab village
#Aleppo CS #Syria Dec 30

SAA helicopters dropped barrel bombs on #Darayya
#Damascu CS #Syria Dec 30

SAA barrel bombs on #Teir_Maela
#Homs #Syria Dec 30
https://youtu.be/dNYFvAlA0RI

[CrowBat]

CrowBat----what do you think of these comments....... Second question...was this the reason for the Erdogan visit to KSA???I've got very little clue about politics. Can only guess that Turkey and Saudi Arabia want to better coordinate their next moves related to support of insurgents.

Re. what 'rebels' are 'starting to realize': this depends upon what 'rebels' are we talking about.

The JAN, for example, is next to never bombed and thus has not much to report. Lately, it has lost a lot of its 'fierceful' image in the Syrian public: it proved unable of effectivelly defending any important parts of the frontline (at least not on its own), while only one of its units (Chechen-staffed Jund al-Aqsa) has proven as skilled enough to run offensive operations. Unsurprisingly, JAN is presently primarily preoccuppied with hijacking or assassinating various FSyA leaders in northern Aleppo and Idlib, steering trouble between FSyA and SDF etc., with the aim of weakening the FSyA, or at least keeping it disunited so it can maintain control over insurgent units. Then, the JAN knows it's got no support in the population there, and the moment FSyA stands united against it, it's 'game over'.

Ahrar ash-Sham is also seldom hit, and thus feeling very little. They've got no problem to send reinforcements around the frontlines as necessary, and are doing quite well in bolstering the FSyA in NE Lattakia or on the eastern side of Azaz corridor, for example.

Ahrar's pendant in Eastern Ghouta - Jaysh al-Islam - is feeling impacts of the mass-murder of local civilians run by Assadists and Russians around them, but otherwise felling quite little in terms of own losses. Their frontlines are meanwhile back to a 'circle' of Damascus suburbs and minor towns, which will be much more problematic for the regime to assault than relatively flat and open orchards around Marj as-Sultan. Overall, I do not see them giving up that easily.

The Rastan-Talbiseh Pocket (north of Homs), has survived the first big NDF offensive without losing one metre of the ground, despite massive bombardment and tank assaults. The area is held by a mix of FSyA and ex-FSyA units that declared themselves the JAN in order to receive support from abroad (read: Kuwait and Qatar). Most importantly: mass of insurgents there are ex-SyAA officers, NCOs and other ranks, well-versed and meanwhile very experienced, and they're defending their homes and families. The area is also build-up, and thus very problematic to assault. I do not see them giving up just like that.

The FSyA - whether dozens of its factions fighting in Aleppo and Idlib in the north, or the Southern Front in the south - is bearing the brunt of fighting. It is not really feeling 'Russian' impact as such, directly. Russians do bomb a lot, but they're either missing or their bombs fail to detonate. Exceptions are the few PGM-strikes Russians are sporadically flying. Overall, these make as much 'difference' as PGM-strikes flown by Assadists at earlier times....

What the FSyA does feel is presence of many more, and then better-trained and -equipped Assadist troops on the frontline. Namely, Russian Army troops were deployed so to protect all the major installations in the rear, which means that plenty of NDF was made free to be rushed to the front. Lately, the regime and IRGC have re-trained lots of NDF-militias run by various intel agencies, Shabihas etc. and thus we can now track the appearance of entirely new 'loyalist' units like 102nd and 103rd Brigades Republican Guards, or the Ba'ath Brigade etc., on the battlefields.

What the FSyA also feels is a massive presence of IRGC-QF-run units of Hezbollah/Iraq. There are nearly 30,000 of these in Syria meanwhile, and although they are not really 'outgunning' or 'outnumbering' the insurgents, that's really a big number for this war - and then one that's felt on the frontlines. Foremost: such numbers enable the IRGC to rotate own units in and out of the battle, and - despite losses - keep its troops relatively 'fresh'; this is a luxury the FSyA can not afford: thanks to JAN's efforts, it's too disunited but to coordinate on bigger scale. Means not this is unlikely to change, then the more JAN is terrorising them, the more enemies it is creating too...

...and overall, most of the FSyA, AAS and IF have one thing in common: as genuine Syrians, they're stubborn beyond what we in West consider 'possible'. They went through much more problematic times too (think just about late 2013 and early 2014, when the Daesh was on the verge of completely destroying the insurgency). On the contrary, they know that what the regime is throwing into the battle now is the last of what the regime can send there; they know Hezbollah/Lebanon and the IRGC are at the end of their nerves showing first signs of frustration etc.

So, for them, it's a matter of 'holding out'. As long as they keep on getting supplies, they'll hold out.

Regarding battlefields: FSyA in NE Lattakia is under immense pressure, absolutely no doubt about this. But, it's not crumbling. It was reinforced by four FSyA and two AAS brigades from Idlib, the last week, in turn prompting Russians to withdraw one Hezbollah brigade, and thrown in the 102nd RGD and that 'Desert Hawks Special Forces Brigade' of the PGM, but even these 'fresh' troops are only making crawling gains. Overall, it's anything but 'guaranteed' that Lattakia is 'lost forever' for insurgents there.

I'm particularly curious to see how anybody imagines to 'shrink' the RTP pocket so 'dramatically', in 2016.

...and in southern Aleppo: the IRGC offensive there was stopped cold short of reaching M5. Although there is no doubt that Hezbollah/Iraq can send additional brigades to Syria (and is even likely to do so during January), I'm yet to see the IRGC achieving what it wanted to achieve there. On the contrary, evacuation of civilians and WIA from Fouah-pocket near Idlib City indicates they've concluded they can't go on like this, and are now searching for different ways of solving the situation.

So, from my POV, the question is rather how long can the regime, the IRGC, all three of Hezbollahs and then also Russians hold out?

And how much are they all - plus the JAN - going to radicalize the FSyA, IF, and AAS? Then, there is a limit for everything, so also for Syrian tradition of tollerating any sort of idiots in the neighbourhood.

IMHO, many things are likely to change should this US-vetted, Sunni-Arab part of the SDF really punch through from Teshreen Dam and capture Manbij. If they can widen that operation and really bring collapse of the Daesh west of Euphrates, the FSyA would suddenly get plenty of room to manoeuvre - and also re-establish JAN-free links to the Turkish border.

(With other words: there's a new - and perhaps the last ever - chance for the West to 'do something' in Syria... we'll see if the West is going to use that opportunity.)

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia cluster bombs found at #al_Rashdin village aftermath it's airstrikes
#Aleppo cs #Syria Dec 30

2 martyrs so far:
Child Rama Jarsh, 8 yo
Sir Mohamed Abdelaziz
Victims of #Russia airstrikes on #Douma #Syria Dec30

Our heroes in #Dalha after it's liberation from #isis terrorists
#Aleppo cs #Syria Dec 30

SCD collecting #Russia Cluster Bombs on #Maarat_a_Nouman, aftermath it's airstrikes
#Idlib #Syria Dec 27

Starvation is a favorite Assad and Putin (eastern Ukraine)now Syrian tactic.....
Ignored by #media, people/IDPs living in Madaya, rural #Damascus are starving to death b/c of #Assad regime & #Hezbollah imposed siege.

And here is @Pynnha108 comparing #RuAF destroyed civilian convoy with a militant one not spotted by RuAF. Wonderful.

Northern #Aleppo villages Dalha & Harjala seized by #ISIS this AM are back in rebel control following a succesful counterattack by rebels

MORE Russian attacks on civilians.....
Not the 1st time the Abidin IDP camp was targeted, not too long ago Assad even targeted it with cluster munitions
http://youtu.be/rel0nQN2lnc

6 reported dead so far inc. women & children & 10s injured in 3 #Russia|n airstrikes on Abidin IDP camp in Jisr al-Shugour, #Idlib, #Syria

Brave Russian pilots attack A'bden refugee camp south #Idlib again.
https://youtu.be/A0WScHgh4QE

Unrelenting/unprecedented Russian airstrikes target rural areas of Idlib, Aleppo, Hama and Latakia today. Explosions rocking entire region.

[OUTLAW 09]

Clashes picking up again between rebels & #ISIS at the border town of Dalha in northern #Aleppo, #Syria

Daraa Sheikh Miskin battles continue bet. rebels & Assad/Hezb, mostly at northern part as per reports, situ very fluid, lots of airstrikes

[OUTLAW 09]

So this is the "milestone" Kerry and Obama were recently talking about....??

This is how Syria peace talks going: Russia killed one negotiator by an airstrike and regime just detained another 2

Ahmad al-Asrawi & Munir Bitar were reportedly heading to Riyadh when they were arrested on the Lebanese borders⁩

[OUTLAW 09]

Unconfirmed reports #ISIL expelled #FSA Thuwar al-Riqqa & #YPG from Ayn Issa and Brigade 93 northern #Riqqa.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.385498&lon=38.859501&z=13&m=b …

SRO - After its renewed offensive (after the failed assault yesterday), pro-regime militias took over most of north of #Sheikh_Miskin.

Maybe this is a wake-up call for MOC southern groups kept silent while Assad and Shia invaded the rest of Syria..

ISIL suicide attack targeted a Ahrar al-Sham and Shamiya Front CP in A'zaz north #Aleppo.
https://youtu.be/l9iWteeM5Bo

According to @SputnikInt #RuAF destroyed #JaI´s OSA 9k33 SA-8 SAM in #Ghouta. But it was out of ammo anyway.

That's the 2nd time they claim destroying one, the 1st was in October:
http://lenta.ru/news/2015/10/15/vks/ …
(link in Russian)

Why is #Russia attacking Tal Rifat at the rebel front line against #IS? #RuAF has not attacked #IS in north #Aleppo.

Put the question differently: Why is #Russia actively supporting #IS in their fight against north #Aleppo rebels?

[OUTLAW 09]

Aftermath of Russian airstrikes in Tal Rifat, #Aleppo yesterday. 15 homes destroyed, 19 civilians dead & 37 wounded
http://youtu.be/OTio4Ih38ks

Oh & no #ISIS in Tal Rifa’at, in fact it’s considered the 1st line of defence against #ISIS, weaken rebels is Russia’s objective of course

[OUTLAW 09]

IS arms captured by SDF are from KSA. Part of Saudi military support to Saddam war against Iran.

Michael Weiss ✔ @michaeldweiss
1. Russian MoD is the sole source. 2. "Syrian oppo" group tipped them off? Which one? http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/12/30/world/europe/ap-eu-russia-syria.html?_r=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=%2AMideast%20Brief … pic.twitter.com/nwis7otWS7

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
#Lavrov: American comprehension of being an exceptional nation is not helping the matter of fighting terrorism
http://sptnkne.ws/avx6

#IS reported advances taking Ain Issa and surroundings after #FSA retreat in north #Raqqa countryside
http://redd.it/3ysk7v

Intense Russian air strikes are taking place on and around various cities and towns in #Syria. None is targeting #ISIS locations.

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
#Zakharova:We demand Turkey authorities to immediately catch those responsible for murder of #Su24 Russian pilot
http://bit.ly/1NQVDzU

[OUTLAW 09]

How are Israel, Russia, China and Iran gaming Obama's final year and handover? Interesting piece here.
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/12/obama-foreign-policy-netanyahu-putin-clinton-217209 …

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
#Lavrov: The US-led coalition’s arrogance in #Syria encouraged Turkey’s similar behavior in Iraq
http://sptnkne.ws/av32

[OUTLAW 09]

#ISIS started counter offensive north of #Raqqa & pushed back #YPG and Sunni rebels from Ain Issa & some villages
pic.twitter.com/0D4pGt8xsb

SCD recovered 4 martyrs victims of #Russia airstrikes on #Khan_al_Sabil
#Idlib cs #Syria Dec 30

Mosque hit by an air raid in the #Jobar district of #Damascus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3QFrXgE7dM … #

Reports a high level Iranian IRGC officer by the name of Ghadeer Elyeen (غدير عليين) was killed by rebels in #Daraa, #Syria today

BREAKING FOOTAGE
@SyriaCivilDef Rescue children under rubble aftermath #Russia airstrikes on #Douma #SYria Dec 30
http://twitter.com/sakirkhader/status/682240407376424961/video/1 …

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes on #Khan_Shaykhun
#Idlib #Syria Dec 30

Journalist Abdul Rahman Tafour injured due #Russia airstrikes on #Douma
#Damascus cs #Syria Dec30

Rebels destroyed #SAA Tank T-72 in the fronts at #Sholawat checkpoint
#Hama cs #Syria Dec 30

[OUTLAW 09]

U.S. Embassy Syria ✔ @USEmbassySyria
Toner: NGOs have reported that Russian strikes in #Syria have killed hundreds of civilians & hit medical facilities, schools & markets

So according to #Russia's standards we can expect #SAA to be designed terrorist organization for bombing civilians. https://twitter.com/artwendeley/status/682269835846402049 …

If shelling Damascus makes you a terrorist in Russia's eyes someone better warn Assad
https://twitter.com/ArtWendeley/status/682269835846402049 …

Jaish al Islam and Ahrar as Sham are terrorists acc. to #Russia. Ahrar for being AQ and JaI for shelling Damascus. https://twitter.com/unianinfo/status/682232910347382784 …

Assad, yet again, uses political discourse as a ruse to lure domestic political opposition out into the open: https://twitter.com/AliTahmizian/status/682267080255668224 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia states that it drops highly precision dumb iron bombs thus not hitting civilians---not so sure this statement applies to the cluster munitions that are also killing civilians that Russia claims it is not killing.....

Russian propaganda is now pushing hard against the US finally awakening to the Russian killing of civilians in large numbers.....

Acc. to @de_sputnik #Rogosin said #Russia avoided killing civilians by only using high precision munition in #Syria. https://twitter.com/de_sputnik/status/682146690288074752 …

Remember Sputnik is the 100% Russian state owned propaganda media outlet...

[CrowBat]

Russia states that it drops highly precision dumb iron bombs thus not hitting civilians---not so sure this statement applies to the cluster munitions that are also killing civilians that Russia claims it is not killing.....

Russian propaganda is now pushing hard against the US finally awakening to the Russian killing of civilians in large numbers.....

Acc. to @de_sputnik #Rogosin said #Russia avoided killing civilians by only using high precision munition in #Syria. https://twitter.com/de_sputnik/status/682146690288074752 …

Remember Sputnik is the 100% Russian state owned propaganda media outlet......eventually, it doesn't matter what is Sputnik, what is RT etc. This is a forum about 'Small Wars'. I'll leave it to everybody else to decide if Syrian Civil War is indeed a 'small' war any more, but the rest of the title implies 'military affairs'. And in regards of 'military affairs', the situation was nicely described by certain (Brigadier-General) Mohammad Yousaf, former boss of the Afghan Bureau of the Inter-Service Intelligence of the Pakistani Military, in his book 'Afghanistan: The Bear Trap', on page 59 (hard-back edition from 2001):


Close air support - that is attacking guerrillas in contact with communist ground troops - was limited. This task was invariably given to helicopter gunships rather than fighter-bombers. Heavy use of bombing in localized areas was a common way of exacting reprisals after a successful guerrilla ambush. Indiscriminate bombing was causing great destruction of villages and inflicting hundreds of civilian casualties. It did not normally do much harm to the Mujahideen, but it was the primary cause of the torrent of refugees flowing into Pakistan....

...and that is PRECISELY what Russians are doing in Syria.

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat-----what do you think of this field report.....have you heard anything along the lines of this field comment as the T90 should not have been in this area and it appears to be a T72?

TOW is usually optical wire guided not IR guided......

Syria Very Interesting video. Rebels TOW ATGM deviated by a white smoke. IR Smoke grenade?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff7Whq2j1Xo
… pic.twitter.com/Jcuv0UXGcH

Or wind influenced??

Other commenters......
Hard to say from that video. Could be 3D17 (Visual/IR) discharged 2-3 s before impact.

Modern aerosol grenades do produce white/grey smoke, but that looks more like sand/dust.

Missile launched at 0:18, unidentified flash/explosion generate a white smoke at 0:29, missile goes down at 0:30 and explode.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Today propaganda crew tries to make it into a massive firefight.......
RT crew 5 kms from the hotly contested #syria town of #Sheikh_Miskeen. Explosions, shooting ceaseless. Heading in...

Daraa Street battles continues in Shayk Maskin- #Iraq'i Shiite militias
try to invade the rebel held city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbg3xQMzDxY …

Daraa From battle in Sheikh Masakin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUZxIayeMc4 …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sKPJSnnboc&feature=youtu.be …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km8s0_ce5s8 …

Unique picture from the battle for #SheikhMaskin.
Woman fires mortar vs. pro-#Assad gangs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KSsXw6eGQE …

News
Syr rebels keep resisting pro-#Assad forces in #SheikhMaskin on the last day of 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbg3xQMzDxY …

[OUTLAW 09]

32 #Assad-forces killed during battle in Jinan area in SE outskirts of #Hama city

JaF-report from frontline in southern outskirts of #Aleppo after repelled attack by Shiite militias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49UH384FnUQ&feature=youtu.be …

Syria Rebels repelled regime assault on Samadaniyah al-Gharbi in #Quneitra

[OUTLAW 09]

MORE deliberate Russian air strikes on civilians........BUT WAIT Russia claims to be using highly precise bombs.....?????

Russia'n airstrikes hit #refugee camp near #Azaz town in northern #Aleppo /#Syria'n border area to #Turkey
serveral dead

Footage
Another day, another Syrian #IDP camp bombed by #Russia
This time in #Azaz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cszHAIuBLWg …

SECOND Syrian IDP camp hit in two days and not a word from the UNSC.......

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
The ruins of #Talbiseh are under #Assad artillery fire today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOVBx91zovY …

Footage
#Turkey builds new border defence line several meters inside #Syria, locals say.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsY-LnM3zuM …

Footage
Syrian rebels bust pro-#Assad lie of capturing Technical Institute in #Daraa city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AnmQ4JFDQ4 …

Near besieged #Homs province:
#Assad's sectarian-clean state takes shape ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D6h-awqSRo …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Today propaganda crew tries to make it into a massive firefight.......
RT crew 5 kms from the hotly contested #syria town of #Sheikh_Miskeen. Explosions, shooting ceaseless. Heading in...

Daraa Street battles continues in Shayk Maskin- #Iraq'i Shiite militias
try to invade the rebel held city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbg3xQMzDxY …

Daraa From battle in Sheikh Masakin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUZxIayeMc4 …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sKPJSnnboc&feature=youtu.be …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km8s0_ce5s8 …

Unique picture from the battle for #SheikhMaskin.
Woman fires mortar vs. pro-#Assad gangs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KSsXw6eGQE …

News
Syr rebels keep resisting pro-#Assad forces in #SheikhMaskin on the last day of 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbg3xQMzDxY …

Footage
#FSA fighter destroys pro-#Assad armored vehicle in #SheikhMaskin w/ a RPG.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ac52XBFGQ …

Footage
The #FSA seizes a ZSU-23-4, kills pro-#Assad troops in #SheikhMaskin.
Graphic!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OldVp7MskuY …

#Footage
The #FSA destroyed a pro-#Assad tank and a ZSU-23-4 in #SheikhMaskin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjh75VuyMik …

Moment Russian SU-34 warplane carried out airstrikes on Sheikh Maskin
http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2015/31-december-moment-russian-su34-warplane-carried-out-airstrikes …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5NCvJ0-BRI …

Daraa: #Syria|n rebels still holding Shaykh Maskin, killed dozens of #Assad militias & destroyed some regime tanks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km8s0_ce5s8 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Another day on the killing fields of Syria......

3 killed and 15+ wounded due 2 car bomb explosions in areas between #Kafr_Hamrah & #Huraytan
#Aleppo #Syria Dec 31

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes on #al_Dawra village
#Homs #Syria Dec 31

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes on #Palmyra, finishing to destroy part of the Archaeological site
#Homs #Syria Dec 31

And the #Russia airstrikes in #Aazaz don't stop..
#Aleppo #Syria Dec 31

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes on #Palmyra, finishing to destroy part of the Archaeological site
#Homs #Syria Dec 31

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Nawah city
#Daraa #Syria Dec 31

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Ayoudoun village
#Homs #Syria Dec 31

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #Ayoudoun village
#Homs #Syria Dec 31

SAA Heavy artillery shelling targeting the city centre of #Talbiseh
#Homs #Syria Dec 31
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOVBx91zovY …

Russia warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting #al_Qunitrat village
#Homs #Syria Dec 31

[OUTLAW 09]

MORE deliberate Russian air strikes on civilians........BUT WAIT Russia claims to be using highly precise bombs.....?????

Russia'n airstrikes hit #refugee camp near #Azaz town in northern #Aleppo /#Syria'n border area to #Turkey
serveral dead

Footage
Another day, another Syrian #IDP camp bombed by #Russia
This time in #Azaz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cszHAIuBLWg …

SECOND Syrian IDP camp hit in two days and not a word from the UNSC.......

Congrats #Russia, your airstrikes on an IDP camp in #Azaz, #Aleppo today killed 3 women & tore away children’s limbs

Russia airstrikes on Warehouse Displaced Civilians - Aleppo Dec 31/2015
https://youtu.be/DsfQZrpzO8o

Aftermath #Russia airstrikes on a Warehouse for Displaced Civilians in #Aazaz..
#Aleppo #Syria Dec31

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria Coast-#FSA denies that regime-forces seized some of their TOW's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LAaYggFb50 …
Note: #Iran produce own TOW-ATGM -copy

[OUTLAW 09]

As Ramadi and Tishrin Dam are lost, Isis's gains in Aleppo come because Russia is pounding anti-Isis rebels. https://twitter.com/thestudyofwar/status/681862889548951553 …

[OUTLAW 09]

It took the drumbeat of social media, AI and HRW to finally get the attention of the DoS......WHY did it take so long.....??

With daily videos are speeding across the net depicting the reality of the killing of hundreds of Syrian civilians many of them women and children, and with Kerry taking up the question directly with Putin recently in Moscow....AGAIN why did it take so long...??

US State Dept:
"Russia's strikes in #Syria have killed 100s of civilians; hit medical facilities, schools & markets & [displaced] 130,000+"

Russia response was "we bomb using precision weapons so we could not have hit any civilians"...NOTICE the DoS did not call Putin out on this propaganda statement....

NOTICE also the DoS did not call out Putin on his heavy handed use of cluster munitions on civilians either nor the two sarin gas attacks conducted by the Assad AF.

[OUTLAW 09]

.@YouTube just removed the Qasioun YouTube channel, deleting 100s of videos from 4 years of conflict in Syria https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Jyp_NyQ9J4Of0t64qNlNA …

THE core question is WHY did they do this when their new policies did not tangate these videos----unless Russia was pushing to have them removed as we have seen Russia dictate to Twitter, FB and YouTube many times that they wanted anti Russia accounts removed that were supporting the Ukraine.

The role of the US social media giants in the Russian information warfare campaign really does need to be seriously researched.

Russia pushed them to move their Russian user information held on their US servers to servers inside Russia and no one has asked them can the FSB reach via Russian servers US servers which in the world of network infrastructure design is usually the case.

NOTE:
Implementation of @YouTube guidelines includes removing evidence of war crimes by #Putin & his allies.

NOTE: It is time for a concerted campaign to stop @YouTube & other social media serving as censors for #Putin.

NOTE: The Syria Archive is saving some videos, but there's 500,000+ at this point on YouTube
https://syrianarchive.org

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
#FSA fighter destroys pro-#Assad armored vehicle in #SheikhMaskin w/ a RPG.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ac52XBFGQ …

Footage
The #FSA seizes a ZSU-23-4, kills pro-#Assad troops in #SheikhMaskin.
Graphic!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OldVp7MskuY …

#Footage
The #FSA destroyed a pro-#Assad tank and a ZSU-23-4 in #SheikhMaskin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjh75VuyMik …

Moment Russian SU-34 warplane carried out airstrikes on Sheikh Maskin
http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2015/31-december-moment-russian-su34-warplane-carried-out-airstrikes …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5NCvJ0-BRI …

Daraa: #Syria|n rebels still holding Shaykh Maskin, killed dozens of #Assad militias & destroyed some regime tanks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km8s0_ce5s8 …

Most of Sheikh Miskin is under rebel control according to reports however as regime withdrew to the eastern outskirts, again very fluid situ

Heavy fighting continues between rebels & regime militias + Hezb in Sheikh Miskin, #Daraa, reports of intense Russian airstrikes since AM

LOOKs like the Russian TV propaganda crew from Russia today did not make it into Sheikh Miskin out of fear of being killed and or captured.....fighting far to heavy for them.

[OUTLAW 09]

Rebels successfully regain full control of Samdaniya al-Gharbiya in #Quneitra today after it was briefly captured by regime in the morning

IMPORTANT::::::
Syria INFOGRAPHIC: all the major armed groups of the Syrian rebellion & their dynamics
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/04ed/dpwvmuqv8aa7qsqzg.jpg …

Bodies of Hezbollah fighters killed in #Daraa apparently get special treatment, transported with security straight to #Damascus

Fateh Halab - Thuwar al-Sham using a TOW missile against a tank on the Khan Touman front in south rural #Aleppo
http://youtu.be/IXa0GKHUlUo

FSA Yarmouk Army shelling regime positions in the Manshia area in south west #Daraa
http://youtu.be/xHk36SZUsl4

Syria 32 #Assad-forces killed during battle in Jinan area in SE outskirts of #Hama city

[OUTLAW 09]

Renewed #Russia'n airstrikes on power converter station south of #Aleppo -blackout in the entire city

The Obama administration is playing a 'game of whack-a-mole' with Iran
http://read.bi/1R0uRsH
pic.twitter.com/DEGv1smR0M

Iran is pushing the advanced development of their ballistic missile as they inherently need it to break out on the nuclear side and YET Obama truly believes Iran will become "moderate"....?????

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria Iraqi Badr fighters with a recently delivered T-90, southern Aleppo.
pic.twitter.com/K8NmvYw5qG

'DEFENDING National Interests"--though they were destroying Islamic State and I guess that applies as well to eastern Ukraine.....?

Putin in NY address sends special greetings 2
soldiers "defending Russia’s national interests on distant frontiers"
http://ria.ru/ny2016_news/20151231/1352346126.html#ixzz3vuC0sAES …

[OUTLAW 09]

FSA commander claim 2/3 of invading troops are foreign Shiite forces from #Iraq/#Lebanon/#Afghanistan

[CrowBat]

[B]CrowBat-----what do you think of this field report.....have you heard anything along the lines of this field comment as the T90 should not have been in this area and it appears to be a T72?No clue what a Shtora looks like when in action, but I would say this TOW was not the least disturbed.

IMHO, we should keep in mind: the view we get to see in such video is not that of the gunner, but that of the camera operator. If the latter screws-up with camera-settings, then such 'effects' like visible here are unavoidable.

Anyway, since this is almost certainly going to be my last call in anno 2015: thanks for following this thread, and contributing so much this year.

Wish you all a peaceful, prosperous and of course happy New Year 2016!

[OUTLAW 09]

It appears that now Obama is conducting an informational war against the American public and news media AND not against Putin and or the IS....why is that??????

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/to-explain-his-syria-strategy-obama-wants-messaging-that-is-loud-and-clear/2015/12/31/fbdc5a76-aa65-11e5-9b92-dea7cd4b1a4d_story.html

National Security

Obama thinks his Syria strategy is right -- and folks just don’t get it

Quoted from this article above.....


As the new communication effort began, Obama gave a new title to Robert Malley, who is in charge of the Middle East for the National Security Council. As the president’s newly minted Senior Adviser for the Counter-ISIL Campaign in Iraq and Syria, Malley’s job is to consolidate efforts across departments and agencies in charge of the military, diplomatic, intelligence, financing and other aspects of the strategy.

Because Malley was not known as a prolific practitioner of social media, “it’s probably fair to say that Rob Malley was not itching to launch his own Twitter account,” the first senior administration official said. But Malley nonetheless inaugurated @robmalley44 on Dec. 11.

Although officials said Malley approves his own postings, most of what appears under the handle is compiled by the half dozen members of the White House Office of Digital Strategies, which retweets virtually every other tweet, chart, release, speech and statement on anti-Islamic State efforts from across the government.

The last week of the year sparked a a virtual flood of emails, releases, tweets and retweets from the White House, State and Defense departments, and the military and coalition allies hailing the Iraqi military’s success in driving Islamic State forces from the city of Ramadi.

In case anyone misses any of it, on Dec. 8 the NSC press office began emailing to a long list of reporters a daily roundup it said would “aggregate key developments across the various lines of effort in our unyielding campaign to degrade and destroy ISIL.”

“You’re going to see more of all of it in the new year,” the first senior official said. “You’ll see the president continue to be the chief messenger when it comes to this. He’s uniquely suited to tie together the different streams. You’ll also see Carter, Kerry, the military generals, Lew, Szubin — the whole cast of characters really, to speak to this in a very concerted way in order to ensure” that the message is getting out.

Continued.......

[OUTLAW 09]

From the fireworks war torn streets and sky over Berlin tonight which started when it got dark....a safe slide into 2016 and a Happy New Year........

It has been a long thread in 2015 and will be probably even longer in 2016 but thanks to those that take the time to read the comments and to those that make comments.

A super thanks to the 93K that have taken the time to read the comments. There is an old saying------ knowledge is power---

To those that provide info for comments here on the Syrian 2015 thread that are still in Syria---an old Iraqi saying--- "stay safe-"- and for those other social media types that I use for comments---an equally stay safe in whatever country you reside in.

This wraps up 2015------

[davidbfpo]

Thankyou Outlaw 09, as it is unlikely another will post this thread I shall close now before I go out to party. Minus fireworks!:)

To the others who post here thank you, anyone who follows this thread will have learnt a lot - even if there is rarely disagreement.

With a special note to Crowbat for his postings.