Syria in 2016 (April-June) [Archive] - Page 4

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:30 AM

Ah.....the Russian cat is out of the bag so to speak....Russia tried this once early in Geneva 1 BUT are trying it again....JaI and Sham are not and never have been any part of IS, AQ or any other jihadi grouping...largely supported by KSA....that is what Russia is targeting....the KSA influence as they see the Saudi's basically influencing HNC and the Geneva talks...thus they are trying to limit Saudi influence.....

WHAT is extremely interesting is that when Russian claims they have "links" to IS and AQ THEN how do they explain the current IS attacks on the leadership of Sham?

WELL so much for those so called "links".....they will get you killed if you are a leader inside Sham.

The Russians are after JaI has their leader Alloush whose brother was executed by a Russian air strike AND who was not on the air strike list has great influence in the HNC....and recently was the first to walk out of Geneva 2 stating that Assad and Russia were constantly violating the CoH and it was time to go back to fighting.......

MFA Russia
✔ ‎@mfa_russia #Churkin: Russia requested UNSC to put Ahrar ash-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam on the sanction list of terrorist groups
http://bit.ly/1YT8xkZ

NOW it will be interesting to see the Obama WH response...if they go along with it at the UNSC THEN you will finally see just how Obama has been supporting Putin both in eastern Ukraine and now in Syria.....THEN you will see just how much was "patched up" by the recent Obama visit to KSA and the GCC meeting.....

UNITED NATIONS, April 27. /TASS/. Russia has filed a request with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council to put Ahrar ash-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam, which are reported to regularly violate the ceasefire regime in Syria, on the sanction list of terrorist groups, Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said on Tuesday.

"On April 26, the Russian delegation lodged with the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the United Nations Security Council (1267/1989/2253) on sanctions against Islamic State and Al Qaeda a request on putting two organizations - Ahrar ash-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam - on the sanction list of this auxiliary body of the United Nations," Churkin said in a statement.

The reason for this step, in his words, was numerous reports that these groups active in Syria have close links with such terrorist organizations as Islamic State and Al Qaeda, offer them and receive from them financial, logistics and military support.

When put on the list of terrorist organization along with Islamic State and Al Qaeda, these groups will stop to be covered by the ceasefire regime in Syria and it will be possible to deliver strikes against them.

According to the Russian diplomat, Russia began preparatory work to promote its request to the committee several months ago but decided to take a pause when another round of intra-Syrian talks started in Geneva. But now that these groups are reported to regularly violate the ceasefire regime in Syria, the Russian side has taken a decision to resume its request.

The Russian United Nations envoy told TASS on April 22 that Russia is taking effort to add more groups of Syrian militants to the United Nations Security Council list of prohibited terrorist organizations. "We raise this issue and take efforts on it," he said, adding that it takes time to supplement the United Nations Security Council lists. "Consent is needed from everybody [every member of the Security Council - TASS]. They must reach a consensus," he said.

Wonder what the Russian UNSC Ambassador would say about this...??

Jabhat Al Nusra kill ISIS Emir in Homs & his companion. Picture too graphic to show

NOW this might effect actually what US DoD and DoS and even Putin are stating....JaN is not "everywhere" as they seem to want to always claim....
Nusra is primarily in the south. They've essentially evacuated the north with minimal manning in Handarat area.

Field comment:........
The point I was trying to make was Nusra were in the South & regime & Russia have bombed the entire north

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:53 AM

For Assad guys who are fighting on ground; they still believe they are fighting US/Israel/NATO, and ISIS is US-made.

Latakia: dozens of pro Assad fighters killed trying to advance on rebel held Kabana

Aleppo: 5 Assad regime soldiers killed in old Aleppo by rebels

Jabhat Al Nusra kill ISIS Emir in Homs & his companion. Picture too graphic to show

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 08:03 AM

"Child Soldiers" propaganda on Russian TV - "Don't be afraid to die for your country"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OX8ocpJVE4 …

BUT WAIT Iran is sending into Syria Afghan Shai refugee teenagers aged between 15-17 to fight and die to protect Shia shrines....all claiming their are vacationers......AND IS uses child soldiers........

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 08:05 AM

Hezbollah military commander Yahya Jawad killed by Syrian Rebels

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 08:10 AM

CrowBat...now we know where all the Russian aviation fuel came from...they were building up their reserves prior to arrival...

A Swiss tanker reportedly transported oil shipments from #Russia to #Syria three times last year according to RTS

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 08:14 AM

NDF cmdr in Mazzeh, Damascus Feda Badour has been killed, reports suggest from injuries in Sayeda Zeinab bomb attack

Reports #ISIS targeted Mare’a several hours ago with artillery & Grad rockets

Heavy clashes between rebels & #ISIS on multiple fronts in north rural #Aleppo; unconfirmed reports of ISIS advancing inside Dudyan

Turkish artillery shelling multiple #ISIS positions in north rural #Aleppo inc. Tilalayn, Baraghida, Sheikh Rih & outskirts of Dudyan

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 12:15 PM

Northern #Aleppo: #Syria|n rebels under heavy attack by #ISIS and #YPG at the same time now. #Azaz & #Mare in danger

For those still do not believe the Kurdish YPG and IS do not work together.....

NOTICE how now the Russian FM is weaving JaI and Sham into their narrative they equal IS and JaN?

MFA Russia ‏@mfa_russia
#Zakharova: Tensions increased in Aleppo, Latakia and Damascus region due to attacks by Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar ash-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam

BUT WAIT not a single comment on the mass targeted killing of civilians by Assad bomb attacks ...not a single word by Zakharova....

IMHO deliberate targeted killing of civilians by Assad is not discrediting Assad and or the RuAF......appears the truth hurts when you get caught at killing civilians.......

MFA Russia 
‏@mfa_russia
#Zakharova: Syrian opposition from High Negotiations Committee tried to discredit Syrian authorities & Russia’s Aerospace Forces in Geneva

BTW...Assad and Russia need no assistance in discrediting themselves...they both are doing a great job of it themselves.........

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 12:24 PM

Palmyra: Assault by #Assad forces on #Arak village was repelled by #ISIS, 20 #Assad forces were killed.

WOW...now Russian MoD has declared all civilians killed in their air strikes on hospitals, schools, mosques, marketplaces WERE evidently ALL terrorists.....

Минобороны России
✔ ‎@mod_russia #MCIS2016 #Gerasimov: In #SYRIA, Russia doesn't make strikes on abandoned schools,hospitals & mosques,although terrorists are based there.

NOTHING like being war criminals and then blaming the civilians killed that they made you bomb them by only LOOKING like a terrorist....

BUT WAIT is General Gerasimov saying that Syrian civilians should be using EMPTY hospitals, schools, marketplaces or mosques.....to avoid getting bombed??

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 12:35 PM

Appears the Iranians did not read the fine print in the lifting of sanctions...a number of sanctions were in fact kept in place......Iran also angry that the US Supreme Court ruled 4B USDs could be attached for damages...meaning the killing of US civilians in a terrorist attack largely sponsored by Iran......

Iran's Supreme Leader says U.S. lifted sanctions only on paper
http://reut.rs/26tzxgB

The Supreme Leader should have known about those attacks as he is the Supreme Leader.....

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 12:41 PM

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister US Senator @SenRichardBlack visited #Damascus today (proudly reported by #Assad state media).
Shocking ignorance. The Senator for #Virginia described #Assad as world's best hope vs. terrorism. He said - if Assad falls, #ISIS will "march on Europe."Can we say that Assad (a Ba'athist) was able to fool Westerns and turn them all to his side after 5 years? I think Yes.

"I will be #Syria's voice in the United States " said @SenRichardBlack. In fact you´re #Assad´s and #Iran´s voice. http://syriantimes.blogspot.de/2016/04/senator-richard-black-i-will-be-syrias.html#.Vx_GlxTcsT0.twitter …

CrowBat

04-27-2016, 02:08 PM

NOW this might effect actually what US DoD and DoS and even Putin are stating....JaN is not "everywhere" as they seem to want to always claim....
Nusra is primarily in the south. They've essentially evacuated the north with minimal manning in Handarat area.
One has to be careful in this regards. Yes, JAN is 'not everywhere'. There's no JAN in Aleppo City, for example. But yes, it's 'nearby': it's holding most of the frontline from Hindarat, north of Aleppo, to the Turkish border - including the Bab al-Hawa border crossing.

The latter means it is in position to extract a cut from everything that's sent to other groups. In turn, this means it is in position to influence all the other groups.

That said, yes, Russians remain stubborn in NOT bombing the JAN: they're sticking to their air power doctrine (which is de-facto the same one that was in use already during Afghanistan War of 1980s) which demands de-population of targeted area with the aim of destroying local support for insurgents. Since the JAN is away from most of major population centres in Aleppo and Idlib, it's on hand that Russians are thus bombing everybody else - foremost civilians - with the excuse of 'JAN is everywhere'.

BTW, all of this is a reason why it's nothing short of ultimate nonsense when Lavrov is demanding 'other' insurgents to 'distance/separate' themselves from the JAN: they are already separated, but Russians can't care less.

************

The Senator for #Virginia described #Assad as world's best hope vs. terrorism.
He said - if Assad falls, #ISIS will "march on Europe."The good Mr. Senator might want to go back home and simply shut up.

Alternativelly, he can travel to Moscow and collect himself something like 'Hero of the Russian Federation' or 'Lenin Orden' Medall.

It seems that for such characters nothing is good enough and more, nor sufficient, to complete the destruction of Syria - and especially its population. All of this for the highest US national priorities and interests - namely the safety of Israel, and commercial profit of establishment in the DC from some perceived future deals with Tehran, of course.

I'm just waiting for such characters to recommend Assad, Oblabla, the Mentalist, Putler, the IRGC, Hezbollah, Baghdadi, Jawlani, GRU, half the presidents and chancellors of the EU, and Erdogan (of course) for the next Nobel Peace Price. Grup-wise.

For 'pacifying Syria'. Through kinetic solutions. :mad:

...and once they achieve that, and since they're aaaaaaaaaaaallll ah so much worried about the EU, they can then start searching for 'final solutions' for this 'Syrian refugee problem'.

Let me guess about the most likely idea: 'drive these Jihadists rats into the Mediterranean Sea'.

Women and children first, please.

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 03:16 PM

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 03:22 PM

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 03:30 PM

Footage
#ISIS terrorists after the capture of #Doudyan / #Dudiyan from the #FSA.
http://amaqvideos.pw/v/dd27042016.mp4 …

The Russian MoD just keeps on lying assuming no one really knows what the truth is...but somehow forgot social media.....and videos of their aircraft during bombing runs.....

Минобороны России
✔ ‎@mod_russia #MCIS2016 #Rudskoy: Rus Aerospace Forces didn't allow any strike which could entail destruction of civil objects and victims among civilians

Same picture as every day.
#Assad and his allies ignore the #SyriaCeasefire, bomb #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFpOqg-mFGs …

Footage
Fighter jet attacking rural #Homs province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQykCNftQfk …

Iran fights back.
Now pro-#Assad militias have their own TOW copy.
SyAA soldier with Iranian Toophan ATGM (BGM-71 TOW copy) today, likely in Aleppo

Girl #UnderAttack by #Assad
A picture worth more than 1000 useless UN resolutions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsOFFgJYkXk …

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 03:39 PM

Another great Russian MoD lie.....as the IS has been very successful at resupplying themselves by overrunning SAA and Hezbollah positions.....about every two weeks IS gets resupplied by Assad when his troops get beaten...

Минобороны России
✔ ‎@mod_russia #MCIS2016 #Rudskoy:militants are deprived from main source of income - illegal selling of oil; now they are limited in armament purchases

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 05:22 PM

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 05:42 PM

Reports that rebels recaptured #Doudyan under #US close air support.
Let's see ho long they can hold it.

Graphic
Baby, alive but with open skull, saved from rubble after #Assad air strike
#Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTfhwI2IsbQ …

Check out @AlMayadeenNews' @KinanaAllouche, taking a selfie w dead Syrians behind her. Assadists love dead Syrians.

Heavy Clashes at the gates of Tal Rifaat between YPG and FSA

FSA has captured Ayn Daqnah and Tal Baluni from YPG

Putin starts anti-terrorist front by working with #Hezbollah in #Palmyra & giving sectarian militias T-90 tanks.
Putin calls for creating wide anti-terrorist front

Syria's besieged Daraya facing 'extremely dire' humanitarian situation - UN
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/27/syrias-besieged-daraya-facing-extremely-dire-humanitarian-situat/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter …
http://fb.me/sZhtJ7ZM

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 05:59 PM

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/200941/assad-the-teflon-don

Why Bashar al-Assad, the ‘Teflon Don’ of the Middle East, Can’t Be Touched

Barack Obama’s Syrian endgame and the new alliances that are shaping it

By Tony Badran

John Gotti may have once held the title, but the late Gambino crime family boss had nothing on the “Teflon Don” of the Middle East, Bashar Assad. Had Gotti lived to see it, he would be astounded by how easily the two-bit head of a Syrian crime family is getting away with mass murder.

Remarkably, five years after the outbreak of the uprising against him, in which over 450,000 people have been shot, bombed, and gassed for the crime of not wanting to be ruled by a genocidal dictator, Assad is being cheered by many in the West as a protector of endangered minority groups—not to mention as a savior of archeological artifacts. “Hooray,” wrote London Mayor Boris Johnson following the assault by Assad’s allies that retook the city of Palmyra, “Bravo—and keep going.” Sure, Johnson said—mainly for reasons of etiquette—Assad is a monster, a killer and a dictator who, like his father, has ruled through torture, violence and terror, but let’s not have that get in the way of cheering him on.

Not only is Assad being lauded as the spearhead of the fight against jihadist terrorism, but the Obama Administration has been notably lax recently in repeating its insistence that he leave power. Behind the scenes, administration heavies like Rob Malley, President Barack Obama’s favorite regional troubleshooter; Brett McGurk; and others have been moving heaven and earth to ensure that the regime prevails militarily in Aleppo and elsewhere on the Syrian battlefield. In fact, as Russia and its allies on the ground appear to be mobilizing for a push on Aleppo, the administration’s response has been to give them full cover, falsely claiming that the city is being held primarily by the Nusra Front. Then on Monday, State Department spokesman John Kirby practically advised rebel groups in Aleppo to move out of their positions in the city lest they “get hurt.”

And if the Assad regime is now seen as a bulwark against ISIS and the Nusra front, the administration makes no bones about the fact that there can’t be an Assad regime without Assad. Commenting on Sec. of State John Kerry’s recent visit to Moscow, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted saying that Russia “found understanding in Washington” that “the future of Syria’s president should not be on the agenda at this stage.”

Recent reporting in the Arabic press claims that Malley has been negotiating with Russia’s special presidential envoy, Alexander Lavrentiev, over the shape of a political settlement in Syria. Malley and Lavrentiev have reportedly been discussing a plan that draws somewhat on the Lebanese model of power sharing, whereby Assad and whatever amenable “opposition” would “share” executive, security, legislative, and judicial authority. U.N. Special Envoy Staffan De Mistura explained what such an arrangement might look like in a surprise proposal to the opposition delegation in Geneva. Assad would remain as president, while appointing three vice presidents picked by the opposition who would have unspecified authority—presumably, to do whatever Assad told them, at the risk of their lives. Malley reportedly briefed President Obama on his talks with the Russians, which the president may have carried with him on his recent tour to the Gulf.

While Obama’s Syria policy might appear like a response to recent events, it is continuous with a long-standing White House position. Proposals that would leave Assad as president, but with supposedly limited authorities, have been regularly floated since 2012, the year of Obama’s famous red line. By 2013, the White House was already publicizing its regrets about having ever called for Assad to step aside and was briefing media surrogates that it was “not seeking to help the opposition win a civil war.” In 2014, after being briefed by the White House, two pillars of what’s left of the American foreign-policy establishment, Leslie Gelb and Frank Wisner, called for “sharply and publicly” redefining U.S. objectives, arguing for collaborating with the Assad regime against “jihadi extremism.” Gelb and Wisner relayed the view—presumably shared by the White House—that the U.S. president, having been “too quick off the mark and too absolute” in calling for Assad’s removal, “perhaps now” was “prepared to entertain a transitional working arrangement,” which has since been formalized by the series of Geneva conferences on Syria.

John Gotti could only marvel at how willing the Obama Administration and its claque in the press have been to ignore the river of blood that Assad continues to leave in his wake, which would appall even the most hardened Mafia boss. Nor is Assad’s blood lust confined to Syrian civilians who oppose his rule—he murders plenty of other people too, including Americans. Shortly after taking power, Assad began directing jihadists from the world over via Syria to Iraq in order to kill American soldiers following the 2003 U.S. invasion of that country. Assad’s intelligence services directed the same network to do hits and detonate bombs in Jordan and Lebanon. The bombings and murders in Lebanon continued steadily through 2013, killing or maiming over a dozen intended targets (to say nothing of the innocent bystanders). Of those, 10 were Christians—that’s not counting a series of random bombings specifically in Christian areas aimed at sending a warning to that community. In 2012 Assad tried to use a Lebanese Christian associate, Michel Samaha, to plant a series of bombs targeting both Christian and Sunni Muslim targets to raise sectarian tensions in Lebanon and then pin the bombings on jihadists. Samaha got caught, but the intelligence chief who uncovered the plot got blown up, in a scene that would have made Francis Ford Coppola smile.

Assad is hardly your run-of-the mill hitman. Where his father, an old-school boss, was known to dissolve his victims’ limbs in acid, Bashar gassed thousands of people. And he did it repeatedly over a several months while the United States watched—and did nothing. By then, Assad understood he could get away with pretty much anything, as the Obama Administration wanted to keep out of Syria at all costs. When he pushed the envelope further with a major chemical attack in August 2013, everyone thought that was it. But Obama, with help from Vladimir Putin, got him off the hook with a sweet deal that allowed him to keep on killing people—but with chlorine gas, instead of sarin.

Assad has been getting away with murder for years. Only now, he is regarded as a critical partner against terrorism—even as he partners with Hezbollah on the battlefield. Not only that, he is a hero for “liberating” the ancient ruins of Palmyra. “The victory of Assad is a victory for archaeology,” Boris Johnson gushed. Sure, his goons chopped off the genitalia of a 13-year-old boy and sent his bloated, scarred, and bruised body to his parents, but at least he believes in a “degree of civilization.”

And now, with near half a million dead, millions of refugees, many deliberately ethnically cleansed, he gets to be part of a “political transition” in Syria and help draft a new “constitution” and run in “elections” that he will organize. As per the principles of U.N. envoy De Mistura, there will be donor conferences to pay for the reconstruction of Syria, which Assad and his friends bombed to rubble, while the world also pays for the millions of refugees lucky enough not to be buried under that rubble. And since Assad will be part of Syria’s indefinite “transition,” few if any of those refugees will be able or willing to ever return home.

Let John Gotti top that. The most he could hope for, aside from the front page of the Daily News or the cover of People magazine, was to get cheered at a Fourth of July block party in Queens. But Obama has business that’s important with Ali Khamenei. He doesn’t want it disturbed. And since Assad is backed by Obama’s deal partners in Tehran, he shouldn’t be touched.

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 06:09 PM

Former Chechen rebel leader detained in Turkey, suspected of helping Russia assassinate ex-rebels
http://www.kommersant.ru/doc/2973459

UN sees Assad staying, post-conflict
http://buff.ly/1SPOkhq

If you're Mideast ruler would you rather be US or Russian ally, these days?

Amazing footage from ISIS fighter's headcam peaks behind the curtain and into the ####show
https://news.vice.com/video/what-its-really-like-to-fight-for-the-islamic-state …

FSA strategy in N. #Aleppo: Ayn Daqnah seizure will secure last lifeline for #Marea, increasingly attacked by #ISIS.

After seizure of Ayn Daqnah from #YPG/#SDF, Rebels pushing now southwards to storm city of Tal Rifaat. N. #Aleppo.

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 06:34 PM

At least 2 Air Tractor AT-802 possibly armed surveillance planes since 2 weeks over Jordan
https://fr24.com/data/aircraft/n30694#9898f5c …

These AT-802 http://www.802u.com arrived from TSTC Waco Airport (TX) where the Platform Integration division of L-3 has its HQ

These aircraft were originally headed for Yemen, but pushed to Jordan after US stopped aid to Sana'a

The Pentagon Rushes Tiny Spy Planes to Jordan

By JOSEPH TREVITHICK

The Pentagon plans to send tiny spy planes originally purchased for Yemen to Jordan, according to official contract documents. In the face of threats from Islamic State and other militants, Jordanian forces “urgently” need the aircraft.

In June 2014, the U.S. Air Force approved plans to send four heavily modified AT-802 crop-dusters to Yemen. The 645th Aeronautical Systems Group — often referred to by its nickname Big Safari — and defense contractor L-3 Communications planned to fit powerful cameras and other gear onto the planes, turning them into aerial spies. The deal also included spare part and a training program for Yemeni crews.

On Oct. 21, the U.S. Air Force released a so-called Justification and Approval document announcing that the planes were actually heading to a new home with the Royal Jordanian Armed Forces.

Necessary whenever a U.S. government agency wants to award a contract to a particular company without having to run a competition, the “J&A” outlines the “unusual and compelling urgency” for the plan:

The Kingdom of Jordan faces a myriad of nationwide threats requiring specially trained United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces to assist conducting Counter Terrorism (CT) missions.

These four aircraft are urgently needed to eliminate a combat capability deficiency, which is likely to result in combat fatalities. This effort is a follow-on to contract FA8620–14-C-3020 that was for the procurement and modification of four Green AT-802 Aircraft, training and initial spares for USCENTCOM to deliver to the U.S. Security Cooperation Organization in Yemen originally directed by SAF/AQ [the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition] in a Letter of Direction (LOD) from SAF/AQ received on 2 Dec 13. [Editor’s note: Nearly four full lines redacted.]

As a result, a Letter of Direction from SAF/AQ was signed and received by 645 AESG on 21 May 15 re-directing the 645 AESG to continue contractual actions for the modification of four JSR fixed-wing aircraft and deliver to Jordan in lieu of Yemen in order to bolster CT efforts. Additionally, the LOD stated that this [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] initiative is a counter-terrorism priority for USCENTCOM. The final congressional approval to proceed with this requirement was received 19 Aug 15.

While vulnerable to ground fire on an open battlefield, the AT-802s are well suited to patrolling borders and other remote areas. These aircraft will join six other upgraded AT-802s Jordan received from the United Arab Emirates in 2013.

Modified by North Carolina-based company IOMAX, those earlier aircraft also had the ability to carry guided missiles and smart bombs.

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 06:57 PM

Breaking...not confirmed......

Reports Turkish army planning an operation to push ISIS from area 18km wide and 8km long at its southern borders opposite of Kilis.

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:01 PM

Really worth reading ...concerns Russian SOF.......

Russia|n #Army #SOF:
http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=45360&cHash=d0fc14bbbdb13a9ebae760dddd6257f6 …

Syria SOF
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoin

One in three questions posed to President Vladimir Putin during his recent annual live phone-in show covered issues of national security. Public interest in events in Donbas has apparently shrunk substantially, and the only concerns expressed about the Islamic State (IS) were limited to worries about fighters possibly returning Russia. Putin clarified that the Syria withdrawal was never intended to mark a pull-out of all Russian forces, adding that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is capable of further successes. The level of air power Russia deploys and uses in Syria depends on the success of its military advisors in conducting the intense train-and-equip program for the SAA. Some of these advisors are personnel belonging to Russia’s most secretive military organization: the Special Operations Forces Command (Komandovaniye Sil Spetsial’nykh Operatsiy—KSSO). These forces are acclaimed for their roles in seizing Crimea and, more recently, for their involvement in operations in Syria. They constitute an important force multiplier in the Kremlin’s efforts to apply small numbers of military personnel and assets to achieve maximum impact toward political-military objectives (Voyenno Promyshlennyy Kuryer, April 19).

The KSSO—probably numbering no more than 1,000 personnel in total—is a relatively new organization in Russia’s military toolkit, but a recent article in Voyenno Promyshlennyy Kuryer sheds fresh light on its origins, development and purpose. The received narrative about the creation of the KSSO attributes its formation to the new defense leadership in early 2013: Defense Minister Army-General Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff (CGS) Army-General Valeriy Gerasimov. Indeed, announcing the creation of the KSSO in March 2013, Gerasimov confirmed that it resulted from extensive study of the experience of the structure of special forces in foreign countries, with Russia’s defense ministry forming such a command in addition to the existing various types of special forces across the power ministries. However, Gerasimov’s predecessor Nikolai Makarov had also expressed this interest much earlier, with an experiment in 2009 to create an office of special operations subordinate directly to the CGS. By early 2012, Makarov was talking about forming a KSSO, with plans for up to nine special-purpose brigades and expansion of the existing system of military intelligence special forces (GRU Spetsnaz) (RIA Novosti, March 6, 2013).

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:09 PM

Pentagon Report Shows Key International Waterways And Airspace Are Under Threat
http://trib.al/amoeGe5

This is what happens when you have a president who willingly concedes US power on the global stage.

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:20 PM

I have pointed out here that DoD, Obama and Kerry comments SEEMINGLY allow Putin and Assad to completely bomb Aleppo to dust under the guise of Aleppo is controlled by JaN.....WHICH would in fact reinforce the ME image that Obama and Putin have done a handshake on Syria and Assad.....

In which the White House @PressSec brushes off Iran-backed mass starvation of city.
"Obviously"
Refers to Fallujah.....

John Kirby set the stage for the same in Aleppo.
http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/200941/assad-the-teflon-don …

State Dept using mob threats with US-backed rebels: if you don't give up, who can tell what Assad will do to you?

Journalists in disbelief that State Dept spox is trying to defend this statement inside press briefing right now.

For 2nd day in a row, State spox pushed on why admin seems to be pushing Syrian rebels to surrender Aleppo to Assad and the Russians

The State Dept cancelled the visa of this emergency response group's leader, then Assad bombed them.
Unexpectedly.

State spox: "appalled" by Assad attacks on emergency response building and then on first responders in Aleppo.
That should do it.

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
US using threats of Russian war crimes to pressure #Syria's opposition into accepting Assad's terms becoming a habit
http://ow.ly/4nauwp

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
#Russia/#Assad want to use the notion of al-Nusra tangled throughout the whole #Syria rebellion to put it down; U.S. cooperating in message.

SO is Obama and Kerry actually carrying out Russian FP....in both eastern Ukraine and Syria.......

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:24 PM

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
In the file with: "The U.S. really means it about supporting the moderate rebels this time". #Syria

Refers to the unconfirmed Turkish moves into Syria.....

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:34 PM

Really really worth reading this long article.....concerns Iran and the failed Obama Syrian FP.....

How the Iran Entente Caused the Syria Crisis

Kyle Orton

The White House’s desire to empower Iran as a way to extricate itself from the Middle East has led to predictable—and disastrous—consequences.

When you start viewing Iran as a partner in stability and begin handing it countries as spheres of influence, while doing nothing to deter or raise the cost of Russia intervening to enforce this imperium, the devastation witnessed in Aleppo in February is the result: gains for Western adversaries, a humanitarian crisis, and destabilization not only of the Middle East but Europe.

The United States has reoriented U.S. policy away from containing Iran in alliance with traditional allies—the Gulf states, Turkey, and Israel—and toward a partnership with Iran on some issues, specifically defeating the Islamic State, and more broadly creating an equilibrium in the Middle East (which by definition means empowering Iran), the prime goal being to allow the withdrawal of U.S. resources from the region.

Unfortunately, Iran did not want to be a “very successful regional power,” as President Barack Obama described his hopes for the Islamic Republic in 2014. Instead, it saw in the U.S. withdrawal a chance for hegemony. In alliance with Russia, Iran has pressed this intention, most obviously in Syria, where the U.S. has tacitly ceded the country as an Iranian protectorate, but in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and increasingly Afghanistan, too.

The ongoing tragedy in Syria is the logical outcome of this policy. Without a policy reversal there will be many more Aleppos. For the high price of moral complicity in such crimes, the proposed pay-off for détente with Iran—the elimination of threats like ISIS and other Sunni extremists—will never be realized, and could not be even if Iran wanted it to be.

At the beginning of February, as the Iranian-led ground forces advanced on Aleppo under the cover of Russian airstrikes, encircling the city from the east and north, cutting off the rebels’ final supply line into Turkey, it had seemed plausible that this was the beginning of the end of the Syrian revolution and the victory of Syria’s ruler, Bashar al-Assad.

70,000 Syrians fled almost immediately from Aleppo. The population had good reason to fear a regime siege. Of forty-six sieges currently ongoing in Syria, forty-three of them are imposed by the regime, including the six most severe, which have starved people to death.

As in so many civil conflicts, Lebanon being a notable case, the tipping point never arrived, and instead the inherent limitations of the factions—in this case the limited manpower of the Assad regime—reasserted themselves.

By February 21, ISIS and some al-Qaeda-linked forces attacking from the opposite side blocked the regime’s supply line in southern Aleppo, which was enabling the offensive further north, ending the momentum for the pro-regime coalition. Several days later the regime retook Khanaser, before reportedly losing it again several days after that. The regime had lost Khanaser to ISIS once before, last October.

What this shows is that the regime cannot sustainably hold new territory without endangering the territory it already has in western Syria, even with the massive assistance of outside powers. The territorial gains in northern Aleppo, while incredibly strategic, were physically modest, and the regime could not defend them. The notion that Assad was or ever will be close to a position where he could march on ISIS’s capital in Raqqa—an idea doing the rounds again after the fall of Palmyra—is a fantasy. Assad himself conceded as much in an important speech on July 26, 2015. “Everything is available for the army, but there is a shortage in manpower,” Assad said. By the next month, Russia was building up forces on the Syrian coast; by the month after that, Iran had brought in thousands more troops and Russia had begun conducting direct airstrikes in Syria. This was the last in a series of escalations by Iran and Russia.

The ongoing tragedy in Syria is the logical outcome of the Obama administration’s desire to create a regional equilibrium between Iran and the Gulf states, allowing the U.S. to withdraw from the region.

In the summer of 2012, Aleppo City and Damascus became fully embroiled in the rebellion and several senior members of the Assad regime were killed. The regime appeared to be reeling. In late 2012, the Quds Force—the expeditionary wing of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), charged with spreading the revolution—and soon units of the regular IRGC were in Syria to reorganize, train, and lead Assad’s various sectarian militias, folding them into the ostensibly-unified National Defence Forces (NDF).

“As a strictly volunteer force, the NDF immediately gained a reputation…for its steadfast loyalty to Assad,” writes Charles Lister in his new book The Syrian Jihad. “This ultra-loyalism and the dominance of Alawite and Shia members also encouraged the NDF to become an organization founded largely on sectarian principles.” The Alawi commanders of the NDF, indeed, said the organization was meant to “kill the Sunnis and rape their women in revenge [for rebelling].” IRGC officers were “embedded within individual units,” Lister adds, and Iran allegedly wanted a more hearts-and-minds-focused counterinsurgency program. But when the NDF matched ISIS cruelty-for-cruelty—including burning alive whole families, never mind single captives—the Iranians did nothing to stop or punish the NDF.

The NDF was constructed to “play a predominantly defensive role, thereby freeing up the army to go on the offensive,” as Lister notes. But the Syrian Arab Army—the “official” army of the government—was deeply depleted by late 2012. The regime had ostensibly started the conflict with nearly 300,000 troops, but it deeply distrusted the Sunni conscripts—and not without reason, since many defected and led the early Free Syrian Army-branded rebel groups—so confined Sunni soldiers largely to barracks and over-relied on several elite, Alawi-dominated units, which not only locked in sectarian dynamics but restricted the regime to a trusted force of about 38,000. With an insurgency of more than 50,000, this was a problem. One solution was to disperse these elite forces among the rank-and-file as effectively barrier troops, but that had severe limits. As Syria’s sovereignty was ceded to Iran, another solution was adopted.

Concurrent with its creation of the NDF, Iran orchestrated a full-fledged international Shi’a jihad to give Assad’s battered army some offensive capability, bringing in men from Afghanistan to the Ivory Coast. At any one time there are perhaps 20,000 Shi’a holy warriors fighting in defence of the regime, including from designated terrorist groups like Lebanese Hezbollah and Kataib Hezbollah. These Shi’a jihadists spearheaded the latest offensive in Aleppo and Palmyra—as they have all recent regime offensives, north and south.

The immediate trigger for the regime offensive in Aleppo was the Geneva III peace process. After negotiations in Saudi Arabia in December, the rebels formed the Higher Negotiating Committee (HNC), which includes armed opposition groups, political oppositionists, and activists, bringing together for the first time something that could reasonably be said to represent the broad majority of the Syrian opposition.

In theory, the HNC would then sit down with the Assad regime and negotiate a political settlement in Syria. The agreement would have to involve the resignation of Assad personally and his senior lieutenants, but would also fuse the rebels with much of the regime’s security apparatus, including the effectively imprisoned conscripts, in order to restore order and defeat ISIS. The rebels are unable to do so at the present because the government keeps bombing them, especially when ISIS is attacking them.

The problem was that after Russia intervened directly in September, the regime was simply too secure on the ground; it saw no reason to negotiate. Instead, Russia enabled the largely-Iranian-controlled regime to go on the offensive under the cover of negotiations: while engaged in diplomacy, the United States and allies were de-escalating—restricting access to weaponry for the rebels in early January, for example—and ostensibly expected that Russia would soon follow suit. While Russia has lowered the tempo of its attacks since the “cessation of hostilities” began on February 27, its war continues in areas where it feels it is necessary, without even the pretence it is fighting “terrorists”—a loophole in the ceasefire that many observers had expected Moscow to exploit since it labels all opposition to Assad as “terrorist.”

The problem with the peace process from the start was that with facts on the ground as they were and the U.S. unwillingness to change them, the HNC had little to bargain with. The U.S. would have to either abandon the process, which President Obama and especially Secretary of State John Kerry had invested political capital in, or keep the process by forcing their own ostensible side—the rebels—to agree to the regime’s conditions. The U.S. chose the latter.

The HNC arrived in Geneva on January 29, and by February 4—the day after the Assadists captured the territory that choked off rebel supplies in Aleppo—the conference was suspended until February 25, and was then put off again until March 7. Why did the opposition refuse to sit with Assad? Because the pro-Assad coalition continued to bombard and starve civilian areas. And what was the American reaction to this? Kerry said—agreeing with Assad and his allies—that the cessation of war crimes and access to food should be something that was negotiated about, not imposed as a precondition.

Continued.........

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:47 PM

Video of rebels capturing some #ISIS fighters in a small village in Southern Syria. #Daraa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLxv8WS69GE …

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:51 PM

Really really worth reading this long article.....concerns Iran and the failed Obama Syrian FP.....

How the Iran Entente Caused the Syria Crisis

Kyle Orton

AND Obama, Kerry and the DoD in fact did not give Putin and Assad a "green light to kill civilians in Aleppo"......THINK again they most certainly did give a "green light" to kill civilians......

So is now Obama, Kerry and DoD part and parcel of the Russian FP and carrying out Putin's wishes????

Aleppo: Heavy #Assad airstrikes on #Aleppo City tonight. Al-Quds Hospital in Sukkari District was hit, 14+ civilians killed, dozens wounded

Assad terrorists bombed the al-Quds hospital in #Sukkari District, many were killed (including the last pediatrician of Aleppo).

OUTLAW 09

04-27-2016, 07:57 PM

Maybe the Virginia State Senator needs to get out into the filed to see exactly how Assad/Putin are killing his own population........BUT again the good Senator is not a Sunni......

BREAKING
HEROES @SyriaCivilDef Rescue children ALIVE after #RUSSIA airstrikes on #Haydariyeh
#Aleppo #Syria APR 27

"Black is co-chair of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign in Virginia"

https://twitter.com/CraigMWhitlock/status/725411072275038208 …

AND we have Trump as a raving Putin supporter......how strange is this????

CrowBat

04-27-2016, 09:20 PM

CrowBat.....what do you think of this development that happened today...??

Breaking
After the collapse of the #FSA's line of defence, #ISIS stands 7 kilometers from #Azaz.

At least some #USA A-10 Thunderbolt attack the islamists.
By far not enough sadly ...
Have just chatted with somebody who 'spent some time in the area', lately.

Word is, there's a gang of Christian Intruder Apes (if you know what I mean..) BS-itting around and sticking their noses wherever they only can. Turks asked for lease of Reapers and similar stuff, they said 'nyet'; but then deployed 15 of 'wild things' at Incirlik; only to make next to no use of them: they're just flying around the whole day, burning fuel for nothing, more disturbing than providing any kind of help.

Lately 'they' came to the idea to 'offer' deployment of US Army's HIMARs systems, which Turks never asked for (why should they? they're perfectly capable of hitting back on Daesh). But nah, 'must be'.

Ironically, to call patterns of Daesh's rocket attacks on Turkish border-towns/villages 'quite interesting' would be an understatement. At least it leaves one bamboozled about who's actually collecting intel on whom, there...

And of course, after all the success of the Mare'a OR, 'they' impressed themselves upon the place. Ever since, it's a total screw-up, mildly experessed: now the people and units are sent each other direction, just not where they would make sense...

Bottom line: this stinks after some megalomaniac who thinks he must impress himself upon everybody else, and 'be there'... if for no other reason, then 'for the f... of it'.

Worst yet: it could be that things were developing so well, that the DC simply can't tollerate that. Just imagine the 'shock and awe' at the Capitol Hill if it turns out the same 'farmers, pharmacists, doctors' that were the first of all to fight - and to defeat - the Daesh, turn out are better anti-Daesh fighters than all the beloved Kurds combined...

So, as said: women and children first. It's Syrians, and they're all Jihadist rats. Who cares...

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 04:55 AM

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:04 AM

Yesterday front of a public audience in Moscow the Russian General of the Russian Military Staff stated that the Russian military does not target hospitals, schools, marketplaces, or mosques EVEN if empty and used by terrorists......

THAT is what he publicly stated and it is on record as such.

THEN a highly precise night time air strike hit a hospital in Aleppo THAT Kerry and virtually all of DoS and YES even the spokesperson for CENTCOM has given Russia a "GREEN LIGHT" to bomb Aleppo WITH the false statement JaN controls Aleppo thus you can bomb JaN thus you are free to bomb the entire Aleppo.......ALSO repeatedly and publicly stated.......BTW just as the highly precise night time air strike hit SCD....the organization that DHS refused their leader entry to the US after issuing him a correct visa.....in order to receive a public award for recusing civilians from both sides of the conflict.

Aleppo: Death toll of the #Russia|n/#Assad Al-Quds hospital bombing has risen to at least 55.

I think, I don't need to say who is the main suspect of a "night time precision air strike" on a hospital in Syria.

Only the Russian AF has the ability to conduct highly precise night time air strikes....

SO when will Kerry, his DoS and CENTCOM FINALLY admit that what they are stating publicly is in fact killing deliberately civilians......

WHEN will Obama and Kerry FINALLY admit that they are working with a "handshake" with Putin in Syria as well as eastern Ukraine.....MEANING Putin's FP is in fact the Obama FP..thus we do not need a DoS any more....

For over seven years all Obama and Kerry have talked about is..."the rule of law, transparency and good governance"....the so called US "values".....

There was a time in American FP that actually cared about the words "invasion, genocide, ethnic cleansing, protecting a civil society from starvation and war crimes"...those were supposedly also the American "values".

BUT now with Obama and Kerry and that actually now includes DoD the attitude changed to "who gives a flying flip anymore".......

There was a time that the US sworn that if there was ever a genocide again anywhere on the planet the US would stand up and push back against it and make those responsible stand in front of the Hague.

NOW seven years later we have a US government that only cares about it"s "legacy" and nothing more...AND this from a so called Nobel Peace Prize winner....

Yesterday was the height of a sad five years of Obama Syrian FP or better said no FP.....if there can even be a height in Syria...Russia just finishes publicly stating they bomb no hospitals THEN they deliberately strike and kill civilians in a hospital...

AND not a single comment out of the Obama WH.....has the so called American "values" come to a point in time ....that they simply are a faade and all US politicians just go through the motions because they feel that they have to....JUST how sad it that....?

Pediatrician Mohammed Maaz before and after the suspected #Russian jet hit the al-Quds.

He was the last pediatrician in all of Aleppo....

AND not a word from the Obama WH other than threats against the anti Assad HNC because they walked away from Geneva after constant air strikes and ground offensives.....just how great the US support is for Putin now in eastern Ukraine and Syria...ASK Putin ...his is smiling all the way to the bank......

This has got to be the worst President, NSC and DoS....and lately even DoD in the last 70 odd years....

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:12 AM

Pictures show female #Assad regime "journalist", taking selfies in a concentration camp.

"Hail Assad secularism!"

What happened to Saudi foreign minister statement "if the political process in Syria fails, #Assad will have to be removed by force".

Death toll from the air strike on Aleppo's Quds hospital is at 55 civilians including 13 women & 15 children.

It's graphic and hard to hear this blood-soaked baby screaming for its life. While the world plugs its ears.
https://twitter.com/conflicts/status/725403319045337091

Seems the #Assad regime is trying to satisfy supporters by always killing more 'hostile civilians' than the opposition. #Syria irrelevant

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:15 AM

If @mfa_russia's words are to be taken seriously then @mod_russia's hospital massacres marks RU MoD as terrorists especially after yesterdays Aleppo attack.

From the Russian FM Lavrov.....

"If it looks like a terrorist, if it acts like a terrorist, if it walks like a terrorist, if it fights like a terrorist, IT is a terrorist......

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:27 AM

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
"Fighting terrorism": #Russia bombs al-Quds hospital in #Aleppo; over 100 reported casualties. Just the beginning.

Another bad Obama WH foul up this week which indicates absolutely no leadership on anything concerning the ME and or Syria.....OR IS.....

How embarrassing......ESPECIALLY after DHS refused entry this week to the leader of SCD who was to received an award for their impartial first responder work and who had a valid US Embassy Damascus entry visa...and then DHS sent him back to the ME.

U.S. Embassy Syria 
‏@USEmbassySyria
We commend the heroic members of @SyriaCivilDef, who have saved over 40K ppl by serving as impartial emergency responders on the front lines

THIS statement was not issued after the SCD leader was refused entry into the US for which he had a valid visa....BUT After Russian night time precise air strikes on their HQs followed by a SS21 TBM strike right after the two bombs hit their HQs......killing five first responders...

SO did the refusal by DHS give the Russians "a green light" to attack SCD as they were being viewed by the US as "terrorists" since the US refused him entry so "they must have been terrorists if the US did not let him in"???

A very valid question.....

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:50 AM

Just more unintended effects of the Obama tilt to Iran in his Iran Deal that was suppose to produce more "moderates"...instead of increasing their war capacity.....

Russia to sell electronic warfare systems to Iran - Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/apr/26/l-todd-wood-russia-sell-electronic-warfare-system-/ …

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:52 AM

CrowBat...what do you think...?

The Jordan Times ‎@jordantimes
Jordan, S. Arabia establish joint coordination council
http://owl.li/4nbu8R

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 03:48 PM

YPG parading dozens of bodies of #Syria|n rebels who were killed near #Azaz yesterday.

The air strikes on #Aleppo from a bit further away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtpDeNp0hiU …

The next stage.
#ISIS destroys three Turkish tanks/T-155 inside #Turkey from #Syria.
Nothing in Turkish media.

One would say that by destroying three T-155s Fırtınas IS will soon find itself on the receiving end of more T-155s. https://twitter.com/Conflicts/status/725692971648180224 …

Rocket attacks against Kilis, counter-offensive vs Turkish-backed group and now this. #ISIS is trying to prompt a Turkish response in #Syria

From the Russian 100% owned propaganda outlet...Sputnik International...
Happy @SputnikInt reports on useless @ICRC "condemnation" of #AleppoHospitalMassacre, not calling the perpetrator.

SYRIA: Al-Watan says army prepping major offensive to retake Aleppo city & province. Battle "will not take long to begin, nor to finish."

In German......Politicians talk about "ceasefire holding in Syria"....
Politiker reden von #Waffenruhe in #Syrien.
18+ Bilder von HEUTE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiVPLd-3Wn8&oref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DU iVPLd-3Wn8&has_verified=1 …

South #Hasakah / North Deir Ezzor situation map (April 28, 2016)
http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/756

Footage
Entire streets pulverized by war planes in #Aleppo today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rReSOlPdLLE …

The world says clearly today:
"No human rights for Syrians!"

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 04:02 PM

News activists' hashtags to highlight the ongoing massacres in #Aleppo and their intl. ignorance

#حلب_تحترق
#AleppoBurning

Please share.

Aleppo this morning after the #AleppoHospitalMassacre.
Air strikes continue,no one defends the civilian population.

Iran announced the deaths of 2 more fighters in #Syria in Wednesday.

Carter re troops in Iraq, Syria & (I think, might have misheard) Afghanistan: "They are in combat & we need to say that clearly."

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 04:13 PM

Extremely graphic
#Assad/#Putin war planes seem to further aim at ambulances in #Aleppo now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R-puLu-cak …

Hilarious @RedCrescentSY statement re #AleppoHospitalMassacre, not blaming the regime or #Russia, but "all" parties.

New bombardments, shellings kill at least 34 in Aleppo - Syrian Observatory:
http://reut.rs/1SSo328

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 04:16 PM

Russia is now supplying weapons the Lebanese after the Kurds......

Russia DefMin moving towards providing LAF w/ helicopters, kornet missiles, manpads

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/208028-report-lebanese-army-to-receive-boost-from-russia …

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 04:44 PM

Ahrar official complains to Asharq al-Awsat that the coalition didn’t provide support in al-Rai when ISIS launched counterattack.

KSA comments are now starting to ramp up in clarity......
Dr Jaber Alsiwat
‏@jsiwat
A genocide is being carried out in Syria under the watchful eyes of the UN.

More casualties reported in Assad airstrikes on Khan al-Subl in rural #Idlib as well…death and blood everywhere

Nothing but destruction in Kalaseh & Bustan al-Qasr in #Aleppo following #Russia/Assad airstrikes today
http://youtu.be/-R-puLu-cak

There are 10 civilians still under rubble and SCD is still trying to get to them.

By slaughtering the people of #Aleppo with impunity #Putin will show the West to be both powerless & grossly hypocritical

4 dead known so far inc children in Assad airstrikes on Bustan al-Qasr. +40 airstrikes have targeted #Aleppo today

7 dead so far in Assad airstrikes on the al-Kalasah district in #Aleppo, #Syria today

Last night Assad & Russia dropped 250 bombs on Aleppo. This is the Chechnya policy & no western leader is saying a thing & public is silent

Civilian casualties reported in Assad airstrikes on Ma'arat Nouman, al-Rakaya, Madaiya, Kafrsajna & Tarmala in rural #Idlib this morning

Tens of Failaq fighters have reportedly defected & joined JaI following the latest skirmishes in E. Ghouta

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:21 PM

Barbaric Assad/Putin attacks on Aleppo continue to spread terror & force opp's accept Assad's political settlement.

The blood in Aleppo today is a direct result of Obama's veto blocked any efforts to provide rebels with decent weapons to defend their areas

Efrin Kurds long associated with Assadis, Shabiha, Alawites of Latakia & Hatay, and the long-established Russians in Latakia.

Seriously a bad day in Syria. With all the massacres of human beings & no outrage. Once again Syria has exposed all the evil hypocrites

The PYD / PKK atrocities in the streets of Afrin ...
http://www.haber7.com/ortadogu/haber/1921533-afrin-sokaklarinda-pydpkk-vahseti …

Never forget this massacre by PKK YPG terrorists against the Syrian ppl. Look how happy they are

Turkish retaliation on ISIS shelling kills 11 ISIS fighters on the Syrian side of the border
Aleppo: Syrian Rebels destroy YPG tank in Ayn Diqnah.

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:22 PM

This is an extremely interesting development......

African mercenaries hired by Iran to fight in Yemen have been captured

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:27 PM

Jaish Al-Izza takes out a sniper nest (Dushka) with a #Fagot #ATGM in Tal Maleh, N. #Hama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u0k4fzYwus …

Rebels seized (again) Tel Battal from #ISIS in N. #Aleppo. It is located ~5 km East of strategic Dudiyan.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.645559&lon=37.342529&z=13&m …

In #Syria, all sides claiming 2 fight Jihadists use shameless same methods: "SAA" beheads Rebels/#IS & now #YPG parade w/ dead Reb. fighters

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:36 PM

This is exactly why the Obama WH has totally failed in fighting IS......

Charles Lister ‎@Charles_Lister
Here, our YPG allies parade the corpses of our other FSA allies in N Aleppo

What a mess.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27MhszfaW1U …

One US proxy supported by the CIA and CENTCOM fighting against another US half way supported proxy...BUT NOT against IS which is the core reason YPG was to be supported....BUT in this case YPG is revealing their terrorist closeness to the PKK......

AS YPG has been largely fighting totally against FSA supported by Russian CAS and IS in combined attacks on FSA.....

NOW explain that to the American public....as a major win against IS...

Top #Kurdish official Aldar Xelil condemns display of dead rebel bodies in #Efrin.

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:38 PM

Charles Lister ‎@Charles_Lister

#Aleppo quite literally being destroyed in regime/#Russia airstrikes. Extraordinary scenes & no reaction from West:

Remember the Obama WH was the one constantly beating the drums of "rule of law, transparency and good governance".....

BUT runs from the words; "invasion, war crimes and genocide".....

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 06:47 PM

Can any SWJ reader/commenter really explain this to me.....

Reuters Top News
✔ ‎@Reuters BREAKING: U.S. military to take disciplinary action against 16 service members over 2015 Afghan hospital bombing - officials

YET ABSOLUTELY SAY nothing when Russian and Assad air strikes are hitting hospitals killing nurses and doctors, churches, schools and market places....

.@SenRichardBlack do you think you'll have time to visit the ruins of the MSF hospital just bombed where children and doctors were killed?

Assad bombed a hospital during #Geneva in front of us the same way he used Sarin in #Ghouta when #OPCW was there. https://twitter.com/alarabiya_eng/status/725741485816188930 …

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:00 PM

US Sending More Troops To Syria, But IS Already Preparing For The Storm
http://www.rferl.mobi/a/27704378.html
My latest for @RFERL

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:03 PM

WHEN the Russians get caught with their hands in the cookie jar..."it ain't us" is always their answer........

Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation

‪#‎SYRIA‬

Russian Ministry of Defence refutes report of Western media about strike against a “hospital” in Aleppo carried out by Russian Aerospace Forces.

“Within last days, Russian Aerospace Forces have performed no flights near Aleppo.
According to our data, an aircraft of so-called anti-ISIS coalition member-
state was performing tasks in the air space over Aleppo in the evening of April 27 for the first time after a long interval.”

Leading Western media had spread information with reference to representatives of “Médecins Sans Frontières” about alleged strike against a “hospital” in Aleppo carried out by Russian Aerospace Forces, which had caused death of civilians.

BUT this is the reality.....
Six days of air strikes and rebel shelling in Syria's Aleppo kill 200 people
http://www.unian.info/world/1333673-six-days-of-air-strikes-and-rebel-shelling-in-syrias-aleppo-kill-200-people.html …

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:18 PM

Michael Weiss
✔ ‎@michaeldweiss Recall Soleimani was reported to have traveled to Moscow again, what, two weeks ago? Likely prepping Aleppo battle during "ceasefire".

One Obama WH mistake after another in Syria....it just keeps on getting worse day to day......is there any leadership at all at the WH?

Kyle W. Orton ‎@KyleWOrton

Even Russia admits the Southern Front, our close allies, aren't "terrorists". Still bombs them; no U.S. response.

https://twitter.com/south_front_sy/status/725661389096902657 …

Issam Al Reis
‏@south_front_sy

Regime planes have hit these civilian areas in #Daraa today with airstrikes:
- alSad road
-Grain warehouses E.Daraa
-alSamn Hill near Tafas

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:25 PM

Al-Watan: time for Aleppo battle "complete" and ops will "cleanse" city of al-Nusra and "grassroots" armed groups
http://alwatan.sy/archives/51505

If US doesn't have a plan to roll out just after official end of CoH (and Obama's comments suggest it), perception of collusion will grow

OUTLAW 09

04-28-2016, 07:42 PM

Kremlin outlet @RTarabic reports about civilian casualties by rebel shelling but video of @SyriaCivilDef responding
https://arabic.rt.com/news/821003-9-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AD%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9/ …

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 05:06 AM

131 civilians killed by Assad/Putin in Syria on Thursday according to LCC. They're not westerners, it's ok
http://fb.me/7TuydwpvL

Michael Weiss ‏@michaeldweiss
US ally Syrian Democratic Forces posing for selfies with corpses of (kinda/sorta US ally) FSA. Charming:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=243758776013044&set=p.243758776013044&type=3&theater …

You didn't know YPG were cutting Castilo supply route & attacking opposition from behind as they advanced on ISIS?

Crazy #YPG is claiming that every piece of Arab land under #Syria|n rebel's control is "their territory".

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 05:22 AM

This yesterday is the most perfect example of the total failure of the Obama WH IS/Syrian strategy if there was ever one to begin with and needs no further explanation.....

Charles Lister ‎@Charles_Lister
McCain: If US-trained forces are attacked by Russia or regime, can they respond?

Dunford: Yes

McCain: With surface-to-air?

Dunford: No.

WHAT THE HECK .....are they to be just bombed as the Syrians are daily or maybe they could throw rocks?????

When you are the Commander-in-Chief and place troops in harm's way THEN you protect them at all costs....WITH everything at your disposal.

AND Obama......??

This exchange in the Senate is telling in many ways......

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:00 AM

ANOTHER air strike today on a hospital in Aleppo.......after condemnation by the UNSC and the Us for the last hospital bombing WHER Russia blamed the US....

Middle East Eye
‏@MiddleEastEye
Health centre reported destroyed in Aleppo as Russia, US agree 'regime of silence'
http://ow.ly/4netBw

The US and Russia agreed a “regime of silence” to come into effect in Syria at midnight on Friday, Russian sources said on Friday after a previous ceasefire deal effectively broke down.The deal will be implemented in suburbs of Damascus, the coastal city of Latakia and Aleppo, Russian sources told Sky News Arabia.The source did not specify which groups will be included in the ceasefire deal - the previous deal excluded Islamic State and the Nusra Front, both of which are considered "terrorist" by the UN Security Council.The "regime of silence" will last for 24 hours in Damascus and 72 hours in Latakia, diplomatic sources told the Russian RIA news agency.The source did not mention how long a ceasefire could last in Aleppo, which is divided between government and rebel control and is currently the scene of some of the country's fiercest fighting.The new deal comes after UN envoy Staffan de Mistura warned on Thursday that a previous ceasefire that came into force in February was “barely alive” amid an escalation of violence in the northern city of Aleppo.Civil defence units in the city said on Friday morning that a fresh round of air strikes had killed a child and two women in a rebel-held district.During the past week, air strikes on rebel-held areas of the divided city have killed over 123 civilians, while at least 71 civilians were killed by rebel shelling on government-held districts, according to the British-based monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Government officials told AFP this week that they had been planning a "huge" offensive on Aleppo in the coming days, hoping to encircle the city and repel the "terrorists" in control of large areas of it.The “regime of silence” deal announced on Friday morning will be overseen by Russia and the US, which are backing opposite sides in the entrenched war.Ahead of the deal coming into force, violence appears to be continuing in Aleppo with Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting 20 air strikes on Friday morning.A community health dispensary in the east of the city was reportedly destroyed in Friday morning's fighting.News of the fresh ceasefire deal comes after the US on Thursday called on Russia, a key supporter of Syria's President Assad, to rein in its ally after a deadly strike hit a hospital in Aleppo.The UN on Thursday slammed the attack - blamed on government forces - as "inexcusable” after the strike killed as many as 27 people, including the most qualified paediatrician in the city.“There must be accountability for these crimes,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.Washington on Thursday condemned what it said was a “deliberate strike on a known medical facility". -

The US and Russia agreed a “regime of silence” to come into effect in Syria at midnight on Friday, Russian sources said on Friday after a previous ceasefire deal effectively broke down.The deal will be implemented in suburbs of Damascus, the coastal city of Latakia and Aleppo, Russian sources told Sky News Arabia.The source did not specify which groups will be included in the ceasefire deal - the previous deal excluded Islamic State and the Nusra Front, both of which are considered "terrorist" by the UN Security Council.The "regime of silence" will last for 24 hours in Damascus and 72 hours in Latakia, diplomatic sources told the Russian RIA news agency.The source did not mention how long a ceasefire could last in Aleppo, which is divided between government and rebel control and is currently the scene of some of the country's fiercest fighting.The new deal comes after UN envoy Staffan de Mistura warned on Thursday that a previous ceasefire that came into force in February was “barely alive” amid an escalation of violence in the northern city of Aleppo.Civil defence units in the city said on Friday morning that a fresh round of air strikes had killed a child and two women in a rebel-held district.During the past week, air strikes on rebel-held areas of the divided city have killed over 123 civilians, while at least 71 civilians were killed by rebel shelling on government-held districts, according to the British-based monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.Government officials told AFP this week that they had been planning a "huge" offensive on Aleppo in the coming days, hoping to encircle the city and repel the "terrorists" in control of large areas of it.The “regime of silence” deal announced on Friday morning will be overseen by Russia and the US, which are backing opposite sides in the entrenched war.Ahead of the deal coming into force, violence appears to be continuing in Aleppo with Al Jazeera's correspondent reporting 20 air strikes on Friday morning.A community health dispensary in the east of the city was reportedly destroyed in Friday morning's fighting.News of the fresh ceasefire deal comes after the US on Thursday called on Russia, a key supporter of Syria's President Assad, to rein in its ally after a deadly strike hit a hospital in Aleppo.The UN on Thursday slammed the attack - blamed on government forces - as "inexcusable” after the strike killed as many as 27 people, including the most qualified paediatrician in the city.“There must be accountability for these crimes,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.Washington on Thursday condemned what it said was a “deliberate strike on a known medical facility".

Does this mean, the CoH will not include Idlib and Mount Zawiya?

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:11 AM

At least 202 civilians killed in past seven days of Aleppo violence: Syrian Observatory

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:23 AM

ProYPG commenter.......
People saying that YPG "backstabbed the revolution" when killing 60+ rebels. What they dont say is the rebels attacked them with 500 ppl.

BUT WAIT this is what YPG did a few months ago instead of attacking IS which is the US was supporting them.....and these were Arab towns not Kurdish......

Ayn Daqna, Tal Rifaat & few other Arab villages were occupied by YPG Kurdish militia supported by RuAF few moths ago

Syria Not #IslamicState-barbarism, but in Kurdish #Afrin town when #YPG militia shows killed #FSA fighters

SYRIA: #SDF spokesman condemns #YPG’s parading of rebel bodies in Afrin..REMEMBER only 20% of SDF is in fact Arabic.....80% Kurdish fighters...

Appears US has lost control over their Kurdish proxy.......

Reference Russian info war spin hard at work......
2016-04-28 Russia's @RT_com misrepresents @HadiAlabdallah's footage as an attack by JaN on #Aleppo #Syria:

Some idiots called the @TheYoungTurks suggesting #US bombed Al-Quds Hospital in #Aleppo.
THIS narrative is the same that the Russian MoD released yesterday...nice that they are at least following the Russian "narrative"......

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:28 AM

Seymour Hersh is incredibly ignorant given the idea he´s an "investigative journalist".
http://www.alternet.org/world/exclusive-interview-seymour-hersh-dishes-saudi-oil-money-bribes-and-killing-osama-bin-laden …

Under the rubric of potentially "bought" US politicians......

Seems like @SenRichardBlack is blocking folks for being critical of his #Syria trip & unabashed support for #Assad.

Wonder who paid for the trip and what hotel he stayed in???

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:31 AM

After the massive outcry concerning the precise air strike in the middle of the night on a MSF hospital in Aleppo appears that maybe both Assad AF and RuAF were in fact involved......

Russia and #Syria accusing each other of bombing Al-Quds Hospital in #Aleppo. Kind of.

BUT WAIT...the Russian MoD yesterday claimed it was the US.......maybe the Russians and Assad should at least get their stories correct.

CrowBat

04-29-2016, 11:40 AM

Shaggy's, It wasn't me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv5fqunQ_4I)....

...certainly the most popular song for Keystone Cops in Moscow these days...

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:40 AM

Regime statements.....from yesterday....

Al #Watan: "Now is time to launch the battle for complete liberation of #Aleppo". "Liberation" sounds better than annihilation

A symbolic step: the 350th #TOW fired since Sept 30, 2015 is from Suqur Al-Jebal vs YPG tank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYIL8cwNC14 …

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 11:44 AM

Under the rubric of .......Really????

YPG of Afrin has no idea of showing off dead FSA fighters that what it did will inflame the area,Ayn Daqnah and Tal Rifaat are arab towns

They knew exactly what they were doing.......

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 01:41 PM

US Urges Russia to Help Stop Strikes in Syria; Russia Blames ‘International Coalition’
http://www.interpretermag.com/april-29-2016/#13618 …

BUT WAIT.......the "other reality"....

The Obama administration is now 'giving full cover to the Russians' in Syria — and the results are 'catastrophic'
http://read.bi/1TAggTp

First batches of hacked emails from ANNA News now rolling in.
https://twitter.com/WowihaY/status/726037849103949824 …

Germany: Attack on Syrian hospital can 'be traced back' to Assad
http://read.bi/1TAfllU

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 01:50 PM

Why do Obama and Kerry believe they can trust Putin...are they that and I hate this word....stupid...?????

REMEMBER 2014 Obama stated..."we will judge Putin on his actions not his words"......AND yet they fall for his words over and over and over....WHY is that???

Russia and US announced today a silence regime (meaning a ceasefire) in three areas..........BUT NOW Assad launches a ground offensive in two of the three "silence regime areas".....SO did Putin "play" Obama and Kerry again and again and again...they seem to never learn.......OR is Putin so "weak" that he cannot control Assad......??

Second "silence regime" area was #Latakia, right?! ;-/
NEVER trust #Assad and #Putin! ...

While #Russia promises a "regime of silence" east of #Damascus #Assad and his allies proudly announce new battles.

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 05:45 PM

Aleppo #FSA expelled #IS from Qasajik & killed 15
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.634092&lon=37.349138&z=15&m=b …

Eyewitnesses from #Aleppo say airstrike campaign now the heaviest since war started

Aleppo city now "desaster area" bc Regime & #Russia'n airstrikes without break

20+ dead after airstrikes on several neighborhoods of #Aleppo today
Body Count for this week ~200 residents

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 05:47 PM

If this is correct and I am assuming it is confirmed as the source is solid...THEN we can pack in the US FP and literally go home...this is just how bad Obama has retrenched.....absolutely no leverage and that is the first time in over 70 years......

"The Americans asked for Aleppo to be included, but the Russians refused." - Security source tells @AFP #Syria

REMEMBER when Assad had his interview and he stated he would recapture the entire country...and he was not chastised by the Russians...WHY ...they both want the same end state and the Obama WH cannot see there nose if they tried.

Footage coming out of #Aleppo right now is undoubtedly one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen. Without a doubt,

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 05:55 PM

Damascus : Opposition have broken the Regime grip on #Al_Marj opening the road and allowing reinforcements to arrive

After seizure of #Khirbet_Naqus (#Ghab) by #TIP, Jaish Al-Tahrir holding frontline near Regime-held #Hakoura.

Footage from yesterday clashes between 1st regiment & #ISIS on Baraghideh front, N. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhAsMHavME …

Far from attention, village of #Kabana (NE #Latakia) & gate to #Ghab resisting since months despite endless shelling

Clashes continue in Eastern Ghouta between Jaysh al Islam on one side and Faylaq al Rahman and Jabhat al Nusra on the other side

Unless quickly solved, the clashes could move to the north where both Jaysh al Islam and Jabhat al Nusra have presence

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 06:00 PM

FSA First Coastal Division shelling pro-Regime forces in N. #Latakia with Grad rockets, T-55 & 122 mm cannon.

After Tel Battal, Rebels recaptured Qasajek (قصاجك) from #ISIS in N. #Aleppo. Located ~6 km East of Dudiyan. http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.633713&lon=37.349396&z=13&m …

1 battalion joins "New Syrian army" group in Tanf area, #Damascus province #Syria

Aleppo Bustan al-Qasr Medical Centre has been rendered completely out of service after being repeatedly bombed by Assad today

Friday prayers cancelled in #Aleppo today in fear of being targeted by Russia/Assad airstrikes

CrowBat

04-29-2016, 06:13 PM

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 06:23 PM

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 06:25 PM

Charles Lister ‎@Charles_Lister
Oh.

@CENTCOM changes #ISIS foreign fighter assessment - down to 500/month, not 200:
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews/idCAKCN0XP33K …

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 06:31 PM

Idlib: #Assad airstrikes destroyed an empty school in #Khan_Assubul village, burned face & hands of a little girl.

Footage
#Assad jets strike al-Ghantu while people stream out of the mosques.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pqiIHaRX8M …

Footage
Yellow smoke after #Assad air strike on Al-Ghantu.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuvQJMWJlM0 …

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 07:15 PM

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
Opposition HNC chief Riyadh Hijab accuses #Assad regime of "appalling massacres" & says impossible to talk peace.

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
Wonder when U.S. et al, will step up & accept that talking isn’t stopping #Assad [& #Russia, #Iran] from war crimes.

Seymour Hersh is nuts. He says Obama gave jihadis visas to #Syria & H. Clinton sent Libyan Sarin to #Syria's rebels!
http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2016/04/28/seymour-hersh-hillary-approved-sending-libya-sarin-syrian-rebels.html …

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 07:17 PM

Great 'doctrine & tactics' on the part of Russian Airspace Force (VKS): since 'Jihadists rats' wouldn't leave when one is bombing them, how about demolishing all the hospitals before attacking the area?

Russia on MH17
1. It was an Ukr jet
2. It was an Ukr Buk

Russia on Aleppo
1. It was Nusra
2. It was the West

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 07:25 PM

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
For the last time: al-Qaeda is not the dominant force in #Aleppo City; Fatah Halab is, an operations room deliberately excluding al-Qaeda.

BREAKING THIS MORNING: Fire broke out in water station in BabNeirab in #Aleppo after bombardment by warplanes!

The US & Russia are running out of vague terms to say "truce" without actually saying it (cessation of hostilities & now regime of silence)

FROM this morning.......
More than 50(!!!) #Assad air strikes so far today.
Dozens of deaths all across the country.

Fida Nazmi, from #Assad's hometown, infamous commander of the Iran-run sectarian #NDF, mysteriously killed.

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
The fallen Saddam regime (Jaysh al-Naqshbandi) rekindled the Iraqi insurgency, was then usurped and destroyed by IS.
http://ow.ly/4nfJ0kshbandi later.....
This is an interesting comment......will post something on the Naqshbandi later.

In case you were wondering, Marat al-Numan is still (for 48th consecutive day) protesting against al-Qaeda.

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 07:30 PM

CrowBat......what do you think of this....??

https://en.zamanalwsl.net/news/15208.html

Iran steers regime media and security since revolution erupted in 2011: document

(Zaman Al Wasl)- A leaked document obtained Zaman al-Wasl reveals the dominance of Iran over Syrian regime's security and media outlets.

The document that issued by the General Intelligence Directorate shows the details of security and intelligence operations of regime apparatus and the directing work to confront the revolutionary movement and foil the Syrian revolution.

The document released on 18 April-one month following the revolution in Daraa- indicates the involvement of Iranian intelligence with the regime apparatus in all security policies and the use of advanced tactics to infiltrate the revolution as well as making a counter media propaganda via special teams to delude local and international public opinion.

The document- a meeting proceeding between Iranian and Syrian officials and security leaderships- reveals that the two parties formed a work group named the Syrian Iranian Technical Committee. The committee held previous meetings which confirm its involvement in political and security decision making since day one.

Zuhair Hamad and Buthaina Sha’baan

Through analyzing the proceeding content, Colonel Zuhair Hamad might be a member of the Syrian work group since he is vice-chairman of State Security. The possibility of his being a member in the committee is enhanced by his accompanying to Iranian officers in addition to being part of the work group formed following outbreak of the revolution. He was an active actor in the group in Daraa. Zuhair has extensive experience in managing regime operations in media field and supervising media censorship and tracking down media personnel. He founded and sponsored an electronic newspaper.

He was in charge of the 255 security branch subordinate to State Security before he was promoted to a colonel and given the post of vice-chairman of State Security which was chaired by Ali Mamluk. Zuhair later on took Management of National Security as a successor to Rustum Ghazali.

General Ghassan Khalil succeeded Hamad in post of the 255 security branch. Ghassan also is involved in oppressing and tracking down of journalists. He supervised a working group to infiltrate social media websites and the arrest of many media activists and their wives during the revolution.
Also, Buthaina Sha’baan is likely one of the committee as she is Assad’s advisor for media affairs. She was mentioned as the professor in the committee meeting proceeding. She is known to have been involved in security cases like the former Lebanese minister and Assad’s advisor Michiel Samaha who was sentenced to 13 years of prison in explosives transport case on charges of executing terrorist operations targeting prominent figures in Lebanon.

Regarding the Iranians in the committee, the meeting proceeding points at two figures with al-Haj Hussein and al-Haj Muhsen names. Iranians are known to use such titles for intelligence officers and revolutionary guards’ personnel.

Iranian Demands

The proceeding which was presented to Colonel Ali Mamluk and it proposes: forming a management for psychological war, a committee to manage public opinion with security, political, media, and cultural participation, working to instill skepticism in pro-revolution public opinion, finding real justifications for the work of security apparatus.

The proceeding says the Iranians in the committee proposed giving assistance in piracy and hack operations for websites and pages described as “hostile” meaning activists websites and pages. They also proposed training a specialized staff by Iranian experts.

The Iranians in the committee also proposed that Iran invites different groups from all apparatuses to train them. In addition, they advised Bashar al-Assad to form Riot Police unit to “facilitate maneuver” and prevent people from gathering in big numbers.

Psychological war

The committee meeting proceeding recounts an Iranian official saying Iran will send two groups to surveille and infiltrate Facebook, two groups for camera as well as send an Iranian expert named Dr. Ameeri whose mission is to train and monitor the psychological war.

The Iranian official adds that individuals who will come to work from Iran should not be known and their work should be confidential. The official means that the Iranian experts who will be involved in security operations and monitoring operations as well as psychological war management and supervising installation of security cameras.

The official in response to a question from the Syrian side regarding media work, said the Iranians will form media groups to spread regime propaganda. It is obvious that security apparatuses responded to that by forming the Electronic Army from a body of students, employees, and different members of institutions.

The bogey of Al-Jazeera Channel

Syrian Iranian committee was obviously upset with Al-Jazeera TV Channel support of the Syrian revolution against Assad regime. The proceeding talks about committee members assigning a space to investigate the process of coverage the channel follows to cover the revolution and the photographing techniques. The committee accuses the channel of magnifying the protests. The channel displays four vehicles or tanks and videotapes them from the front and the side and lengthen the photo so that it appears to the audience there are a big number of vehicles and that’s what the channel does in its coverage of protests.

Conceal in agents outside Syria

The Iranian team in the security working group demands concealing in agents in countries like England, Lebanon and Iraq to conduct pro-regime TV presentations and to spread the propaganda that Syria is targeted because the objective is to break down the pro-resistance country.

The document leaked to Zaman al-Wasl makes it clear the Syrian regime followed the plans proposed by the Iranian officials since the outbreak of the events. Hence, it explains the Iranian hegemony on security decision making process and planning oppressing operations and complete involvement of Iran in Syria. Iran went far as to send Basij forces and recruit personnel in Shia militias to fight in Syria beside the Syrian regime.

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 07:58 PM

Under the rubric......Really..........

Russian MFA: "The increase in numbers of US forces in Syria is illegal"
http://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-international-20966899-oficial-rus-cresterea-efectivelor-militare-americane-siria-este-ilegala.htm …

Iran: "Sending US troops into Syria is a gross intervention and aggression." via @AlOdailH

BUT WAIT...what about all those Shia mercenaries, Iraqi Shia militias, IRGC, SF and Hezbollah...seems they do not count as foreign troops.....

Michael Weiss
✔ ‎@michaeldweiss New piece on @RTarabic theft and cynical distortion of @HadiAlabdallah's Aleppo reporting: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/29/are-russian-propagandists-manipulating-footage-of-syrian-devastation-to-save-assad.html …

IMPORTANT: Close-up footage of regime helicopter dropping barrel bomb on Bustan al-Qasr, Aleppo, 29-4-2016.
With Assad snipers targeting rescuers & civilians trying to escape, you can even hear the gunshots https://twitter.com/HadiAlabdallah/status/726115142166036481 …

Taunted at sea & at air by RuAF... played in Syria & Ukraine by Russia. I can't think of a weaker US president in history.

Hassan Hassan
‏@hxhassan
A regime loyalist serving part of the regime crowd in Geneva was a fighter & before that a local emir with ISIS
http://all4syria.info/Archive/310429

OUTLAW 09

04-29-2016, 08:15 PM

FSA Central Division blows up with a #Fagot a Regime fortification w/ infantry in N. #Hama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHFFV7K0pXw …

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:45 AM

Aleppo. Day two of hospital strikes. Day 60 of the cessation of hostilities. http://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/04/29/aleppo-airstrikes-continue-paton-walsh-dnt.cnn …

ALL the Obama WH can do is talk and that is about the only leverage they have left.....

MFA Russia
✔ ‎@mfa_russia #Lavrov & @JohnKerry discussed Syrian settlement, strengthening of Syrian ceasefire | 29/04
http://tass.ru/en/politics/873458 …

REMEMBER Obama and Kerry "asked Russian to include Aleppo" in their so called new definition of a non functioning ceasefire...."a silence regime" AND Putin said NO...so why keep talking.....?

Aleppo #IS launch assault on Tishrin Dam from south (hold by #SDF)
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.378381&lon=38.165817&z=14&m=b …

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:49 AM

Footage
No legitimate government would unleash such bombs on cities ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjlJADgLcTQ …

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 08:31 AM

Led since 8 years by a pacifist dreamer, dictators and semi-democrats around the world crawled up to take over this tiny blue ball.

2016
The formerly proud United States of America BEGS Russia to include a town in Syria into a local & temporary ceasefire.
Russia says no.

"Those who choose between war and shame. They chose shame. They will get war too." (c) W.Churchill

If you think I am harsh with the lack of a Obama WH leadership and an utter lack of strategy for anything other than his own "legacy"....I am not the only one out here in cyberspace making the same comments and they come from individuals with far more knowledge and experience than I have.

JUST as the RuAF flies loops around an American RC-135, Putin has been lopping Obama since Crimea and has not for one moment changes his tactics of confronting Obama in the first 21st century "grey war" being fought via non linear warfare supporting Putin's political warfare against the US.

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 02:24 PM

Hear all the noise from the crickets in the Obama WH, in the UNSC and from Paris and Berlin..........YOU cannot as they are being drowned out by the sound of Putin's and Assad's AFs and artillery and SS21s pounding Aleppo and the area into dust and blood and it is occurring in front of your face over the last week AND YET those crickets SAY absolutely nothing do they?????

BREAKING: For the 9th day in a row, Assad warplanes are bombing residential areas of Aleppo!

Syrian Civil Defense stats from past 8 days of regime's Aleppo assault:
189 killed (among them 43 women, 40 children)
More than 394 injured

More from Syrian Civil Defense:
260+ regime air raids
65 barrel bombs dropped
18 surface-to-surface plus dozens of artillery shells fired

A dozen airstrikes so far on #Aleppo city since sunrise

Syria'n regime/#Russia'n airstrikes target water supply for #Aleppo city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIa1ifq6V-E …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.192339&lon=37.177842&z=17&m=b …

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 02:32 PM

Syria Opposition HNC
‏@SyrianHNC_en
"Protect civilians, break sieges, release detainees & end impunity"
Dr.Hijab's letter to UN S-G Mr. Ki-moon

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 02:35 PM

Northern #Aleppo: Heavy fighting between #Syria|n rebels and #ISIS ongoing, rebels recaptured some villages.

Why Aleppo is Syria's fiercest battleground
http://read.bi/1TbGtos

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 02:49 PM

ISIS active on both sides of Saudi Arabia yesterday: bomb in al-Ahsa (injures 1) and shootout in Asir (2 ISIS dead)
http://m.alhurra.com/a/audi-bomb-police-parking/304760.html …

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 05:15 PM

Rebels expel #ISIL from Tal Shai'r village north #Aleppo today. Clashes around Tathumus and Tal Ahmar near al-Rai.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.617939&lon=37.343473&z=14&m=b …

#Russia'n Dep. Foreign Minister confirm #Aleppo city -bombing-participation. ~250 residents killed & 1500 injured the past week

Iranian supported Shia militias attempting to expand their control of Iraq just as they do in Syria.........
Heavy fighting ongoing between #ISIS and #Peshmerga + Shiite militias in & around #Bashir village in #Iraq

US/TU backed Al Hamza Brigade fighting ISIS in Northern Aleppo with M252, M120 several NSTVs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWrsYSI4wNk …

In this video you can see them actually unboxing American 81mm mortar crates for the M252
https://youtu.be/BWrsYSI4wNk?t=2m18s …

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 05:25 PM

1000s of Aleppans have fled in last 72 hours, according to local activist, who said people afraid of what's coming http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/04/30/thousands-flee-aleppo-under-cover-of-darkness-as-assad-planes-ci/ …

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
Comment from me: "The Americans have effectively signed off on Russia taking over [#Aleppo] city."

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 05:37 PM

Alleged pictures of 16th Special Purpose Brigade (GRU) in Syria

The 16th Spetsnaz was completely rotated through eastern Ukraine over the last two years...BN by BN for combat training in a live environment.....

US-vetted, #FSA-branded Turkoman rebels of Liwa al-Sultan Murad shelling #Assad's military in Ramoussa, Aleppo City.

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 05:42 PM

A case can in fact be made that the Kerry and Obama non actions in Syria are actually in full support to those actions being undertaken by Putin in Syria...case in point...both Kerry, DoD and the spokesperson for the DoS have repeatedly stated "JaN" controls Aleppo....which those that fully understand the opposition and where they are located know is a and this is hard to say....."blatant lie" on the part of the US.....

Question is just why does the US continue to make those statements when they know they are lies.....????

These statements actually gave Assad and Putin a "green light" to move on and bomb Aleppo under the guise of "we are attacking JaN"......

THIS is coming in from the ME and the comments are telling.......

As #Assad/#Russia bombard the nationalist opposition in #Aleppo City, that opposition is driving #IS from towns in eastern Aleppo Province.

Issam Al Reis ‏@south_front_sy
If regime brutality does not stop in #Aleppo our forces will respond in the south. Syrian blood is the same whether in Aleppo or #Damascus

Becoming obvious that #US is now actively engaged w #Russia in the liquidation of #Syria's oppo & rebels.
#Aleppo excluded from truce-

Obama's complicity in Asad's crimes now goes much beyond inaction, as he now deliberately enables onslaught on Aleppo

Obama admin had no obligation to parrot Russia's rhetoric about Nusra in Aleppo. They've helped Putin-Asad reshape the narrative. Complicit

The mighty resistance; Obama must be proud, again. #Iran calls for boys to fight as CHILD SOLDIERS in #Syria

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:29 PM

Hassan Hassan ‏@hxhassan
A stern vid statement by Jaish al-Islam against "our brothers who aggressed against us" re the infighting in Ghouta

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:30 PM

This is a sad and yet brutal statement concerning the total failure of the Obama FP whether in eastern Ukraine or now in Syria.....AND written on 9 FEB and where are we now in Aleppo???

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-era-of-us-abdication-on-syri...

Enough is enough — U.S. abdication on Syria must come to an end

By Michael Ignatieff and Leon Wieseltier
February 9

Michael Ignatieff is the Edward R. Murrow professor of practice at the Harvard Kennedy School. Leon Wieseltier is the Isaiah Berlin Senior Fellow in Culture and Policy at the Brookings Institution.

As Russian planes decimate Aleppo, and hundreds of thousands of civilians in Syria’s largest city prepare for encirclement, blockade and siege — and for the starvation and the barbarity that will inevitably follow — it is time to proclaim the moral bankruptcy of American and Western policy in Syria.

Actually, it is past time. The moral bankruptcy has been long in the making: five years of empty declarations that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must go, of halfhearted arming of rebel groups, of allowing the red line on chemical weapons to be crossed and of failing adequately to share Europe’s refugee burden as it buckles under the strain of the consequences of Western inaction. In the meantime, a quarter-million Syrians have died, 7 million have been displaced and nearly 5 million are refugees. Two million of the refugees are children.

This downward path leads to the truly incredible possibility that as the Syrian dictator and his ruthless backers close in on Aleppo, the government of the United States, in the name of the struggle against the Islamic State, will simply stand by while Russia, Assad and Iran destroy their opponents at whatever human cost.

It is time for those who care about the moral standing of the United States to say that this policy is shameful. If the United States and its NATO allies allow their inglorious new partners to encircle and starve the people of Aleppo, they will be complicit in crimes of war. The ruins of our own integrity will be found amid the ruins of Aleppo. Indiscriminate bombardment of civilians is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. So is the use of siege and blockade to starve civilians. We need not wait for proof of Assad’s and Vladimir Putin’s intentions as they tighten the noose. “Barrel bombs” have been falling on bread lines and hospitals in the city (and elsewhere in Syria) for some time. Starvation is a long-standing and amply documented instrument in Assad’s tool kit of horrors.

Aleppo is an emergency, requiring emergency measures. Are we no longer capable of emergency action? It is also an opportunity, perhaps the last one, to save Syria. Aleppo is the new Sarajevo, the new Srebrenica, and its fate should be to the Syrian conflict what the fate of Sarajevo and Srebrenica were to the Bosnian conflict: the occasion for the United States to bestir itself, and for the West to say with one voice, “Enough.” It was after Srebrenica and Sarajevo — and after the air campaign with which the West finally responded to the atrocities — that the United States undertook the statecraft that led to the Dayton accords and ended the war in Bosnia.

The conventional wisdom is that nothing can be done in Syria, but the conventional wisdom is wrong. There is a path toward ending the horror in Aleppo — a perfectly realistic path that would honor our highest ideals, a way to recover our moral standing as well as our strategic position. Operating under a NATO umbrella, the United States could use its naval and air assets in the region to establish a no-fly zone from Aleppo to the Turkish border and make clear that it would prevent the continued bombardment of civilians and refugees by any party, including the Russians. It could use the no-fly zone to keep open the corridor with Turkey and use its assets to resupply the city and internally displaced people in the region with humanitarian assistance.

If the Russians and Syrians sought to prevent humanitarian protection and resupply of the city, they would face the military consequences. The U.S. military is already in hourly contact with the Russian military about de-conflicting their aircraft over Syria, and the administration can be in constant contact with the Russian leadership to ensure that a humanitarian protection mission need not escalate into a great-power confrontation. But risk is no excuse for doing nothing. The Russians and the Syrians would immediately understand the consequences of U.S. and NATO action: They would learn, in the only language they seem to understand, that they cannot win the Syrian war on their repulsive terms. The use of force to protect civilians, and to establish a new configuration of power in which the skies would no longer be owned by the Syrian tyrant and the Russian tyrant, may set the stage for a tough and serious negotiation to bring an end to the slaughter.

This is what U.S. leadership in the 21st century should look like: bringing together force and diplomacy, moral commitment and strategic boldness, around an urgent humanitarian objective that would command the support of the world. The era of our Syrian abdication must end now. If we do not come to the rescue of Aleppo, if we do not do everything we can to put a stop to the suffering that is the defining and most damaging abomination of our time, Aleppo will be a stain on our conscience forever.

Talk is cheap with the Obama WH.......

U.S. denies abandoning Aleppo in Russian ceasefire deal, @John_Hudson reports
http://atfp.co/1SDuLDQ

So after the last 72 hours of constant deliberate bombing against civilians and hospitals and an ever increasing loss of civilian life including women and children.....WOULD the Obama WH stand by this article....???

As I stated..talk is really cheap inside the Obama WH....

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:42 PM

Renewed Assad airstrikes in #Aleppo now & barrel bombs in Atshan east rural #Hama, #Syria

Meanwhile it looks like rebels have captured al-Ahmadiya from #ISIS in north rural #Aleppo, #Syria

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:44 PM

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 06:48 PM

The mighty resistance; Obama must be proud, again. #Iran calls for boys to fight as CHILD SOLDIERS in #Syria [/B]

Iran State TV Airs Video Encouraging Children to Fight in #Syria: ‘I Am Wearing My Martyrdom Shroud’

"To defend the Shia shrines in Syria........"

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 07:32 PM

Russian-delivered 2B14 Podnos mortar used by SyAA in Latakia. First sighting in Syria I believe.

Syria'n regime/#Russia'n airstrikes target water supply for #Aleppo city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CSWEGHdGAQ …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.192339&lon=37.177842&z=17&m=b … …

CCTV footage from inside the Aleppo hospital that was bombed this week
https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/30-april-channel-4-news-has-obtained-cctv-footage-from-inside …

Fox is now taking their stories from the Russian propaganda outlet Russian Today........
Fox News uses a photo of @SyriaCivilDef at an Assad air strike aftermath in Aleppo, & labels it "Rebel shelling".

OUTLAW 09

04-30-2016, 08:01 PM

Russia says it will NOT pressure Assad to stop bombarding Aleppo. At least they are honest.

And Obama and Kerry........?

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 06:14 AM

Russia says it will NOT pressure Assad to stop bombarding Aleppo. At least they are honest.

And Obama and Kerry........?

Here is the perfect counterbalance to Putin's actions....

REMEMBER 2014 Obama stated publicly....."we will judge Putin on his actions not his words"......well the above is his actions and killing civilians is his goal namely the total destruction Grozny style of the anti Assad opposition and he is getting massive help from Obama along the way.

NOW this is the US response.....yesterday

U.S. says working on 'specific initiatives' to de-escalate Syrian violence
http://reut.rs/1O5i0jo

BUT WAIT...Kerry stated over and over they have a PLAN B if the Cessation of Hostilities failed....IT has failed and failed badly so instead of a PLAN B we have only more words....this time...."Specific Initiatives"..

HOPE he has checked in with Putin for Putin's approval.......

Just as in eastern Ukraine with the totally failed Minsk 2 agreement which Putin demands Ukraine fulfill all 11 points and his mercenaries and troops have yet to fulfill a single point YET Kerry and Obama state the "ceasefire is largely holding".......

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 06:27 AM

Syria #Aleppo_is_burning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uD0iiH1jl_8 …

Reports of Assad airstrikes & barrel bombs on Kafrnaboudeh & Tamana’a in north rural #Hama

As people are being killed by Assad in #Aleppo heavy clashes are taking place bet. rebels & #ISIS on outskirts of Tilalayn & Jarez in north

Multiple casualties reported now including a child in an Assad rocket attack on al-Amryia district in #Aleppo

CRITICAL development if confirmed over the next day or so...as it would appear that the LAF are now siding with Hezbollah against the Syrian refugees....

Unconfirmed reports a Lebanese helicopter dropped explosives onto a field hospital for refugees in Arsal

Followed by heavy artillery shelling & rocket fire. Several doctors killed know so far

Reports Leb Army helicopters bombed the only medical facility that treats Syrian refugees in Jroud Arsal, #Lebanon & in W. Qalamoun, #Syria

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 06:34 AM

Past 7 days International coalition stepped up support for Rebels vs #ISIS in N. #Aleppo taking out 47 ISIS targets.

Rebels continue to advance vs #ISIS & take back Tel Shaer, halfway between strategic Dudiyan & Al Rai, N. #Aleppo. http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.616079&lon=37.342529&z=12&m …

New Syrian Army blows up #ISIS VBIED near Al #Tanf border crossing with #Jordan. #Syria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4oD-lHH_Yg …

MAP. The situation in N #Aleppo, rebels focusing on border despite threats to Azaz.
HD - http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/9916/odob01qeurq8jtvzg.jpg …

AND just what is the SDF/YPG/PKK doing in their US supported proxy war against IS only 2kms, 6kms and 10kms from their positions.....NOTHING except attacking FSA positions.......using RuAF and Assad AF CAS and artillery....AND in coordination with IS attacks on FSA...

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 06:39 AM

Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets reported in the last 24-28 hours in and around Aleppo........

260 airstrikes, 110 missile strikes, 18 rockets, 65 barrel bomb attacks

AND all Kerry and Obama can think of are "specific initiatives for de-escalation"..?????

Assad and Putin are on a military roll right now so why does Kerry and Obama ASSUME they will stop???

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 07:03 AM

Statement released by 42 FSA-linked groups refusing local truces & pledging to retaliate for Assad's attacks #Syria

FSA answer to both Putin and Obama/Kerry is very clear this time......

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 07:05 AM

#Iran's #IRGC Colonel Hassan Akbari former guard of #Khamenei killed in southern #Aleppo #Syria

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:10 PM

After each outrageous incident: #Aleppo now or #Mariupol in Jan '15, Russia pulls back, pretends to seek peace. https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/726796714225598464 …

Syria Mass protest in #Damascus suburbs -condemn #Aleppo -bombardment & dispute btw rebels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-JKiNv7PZo …

Reuters: Russia says talks to extend Syrian lull in fighting to Aleppo
http://uatoday.tv/politics/reuters-russia-says-talks-to-extend-syrian-lull-in-fighting-to-aleppo-641564.html …

BUT WAIT....then this occurs...all Russia does with talking is to distract from what he is doing on the ground....he will talk and talk and yet the fighting goes on at the same time.....

News
#Assad helicopters and war planes are attacking #Handarat and the #Castillo road right now.
The last entrance into free #Aleppo.

Footage
#Assad's killers bombed civilians in #Hayyan near #Aleppo from a #MilMi24 today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24K9OpcBtMU …

Featured in the Islamic State's latest release, another slat-armoured T-72. Will do a post on these conversions soon

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:17 PM

Footage
#Assad helicopter bombed Khan Alsheh S-W of #Damascus today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZP_r2f5t3M …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IddMuMxBoI …

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:21 PM

BreakingNews
7 civilians have been injured in ongoing #ISIS rocket attacks on #Kilis, this morning.
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/more-cross-border-isil-rockets-hit-turkish-city--.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98560&NewsCatID=509 …

#Kilis is a clear case of Turkish appeasement towards #ISIS.

Turkey: Turkish media do not report that ISIS bomb Kilis city. Instead, they claim the missiles hit Kilis by mistake and killed 18 so far.

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:27 PM

Orient News English
‏@OrientNewsEn
#BREAKING : #Russian Foreign Ministry: #Damascus eastern countryside's truce to extend 24 hours

BUT WAIT Putin has never fulfilled a single agreement he has signed.... Minsk 2 and now CoH....

Assad is advancing in the area under heavy artillery fire and massive troops deployment!!

Lesson learned (since 2014 at least): What ever #Russia promises you in negotiations: Expect the opposite to happen.
CC: Western Nations

Reports of Russia/Assad airstrikes targeting Castello road in #Aleppo with cluster munitions

BRK
#Assad troops took several points in #Rikabiyah, #EastGhouta during heavy offensive in the #Russian-promised "regime of silence" area.

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:30 PM

BreakingReport
A MQ-1 Predator drone hit an #ISIS car bomb factory near #Dabiq shortly ago.

Report
46 civilians were killed by the #Assad regime and its allies across #Syria on Saturday.
- LCC

Another #Assad/#Putin air strike on #Aleppo targeted a medicine storage in the town
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJKO0y4jFLg …

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:31 PM

Eliot Higgins
‏@EliotHiggins
Syrian activists are in the unenviable positions of having spent the last 5 years waiting for the massacre that will trigger intervention.

LETTER FROM #ALEPPO
The last doctors beg the world to take action vs. the #AssadGenocide.

Aleppo today.
The USELESS @UN members not even try to hold an emergency session for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC0ssq1D12Y …

IslamicState at gates of Jubb al Jarrah in eastern #Homs after clashes with #Assad-forces
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=34.833532&lon=37.323647&z=13&m=b …

Remember Dr. Hassan Mohammed al-Araj:
A "targeted killing" by #Russia'n? airstrike on his car rural #Hama

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:42 PM

Lie or truth?............just another statement from that Putin that no one can honestly believe any more.....

BREAKING: Russia says work under way to agree 'regime of silence' in Aleppo - via @AFP

NOTICE the wording...."work underway to agree"...that can take literally days and Putin knows that ...in the meantime the Assad attacks and ground offensive rolls on AND that is all WHAT Putin wants.....typical Russian tactic..when one is talking one tends to forget the ground reality...

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:47 PM

Aleppo: Syrian Rebels kill dozens of Assad forces & destroy 2, 130mm cannons inside Ramouseh tank base

ISIS kill dozens of PYD forces in Hasakeh in an ambush
http://o-t.tv/iDz

Homs: ISIS capture Hosees from Assad forces in East Homs

Aleppo: Syrian Rebels capture Al Ahmadiyah & Sandara in clashes against ISIS

Syrian Islamic Council proposal for a stop to the infighting & Jaish Al Islam responds positively

Aleppo: looks like Rebels recaptured Tel Sha'ir from ISIS

Turkish airstrikes on ISIS inside of Syria
http://bit.ly/1r8Oi7S

IS forces reportedly capture the town of Huwaysis and 5 government checkpoints in eastern Homs countryside today

Map shows Assad/Hezbollah/PLA encircling of the southern part of E. Ghouta after taking large parts of Rukabiyah

Faylaq & Nusra withdrew from Marj to Bayt Nayem & Mohamdiya with claims that they’re preventing reinforcements from reaching southern part

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 04:58 PM

In April, 10 Rebel groups fired #TOWs in Northern #Syria, 81% in #Aleppo province

Main targets (28x Regime, 9x #ISIS & 4x #YPG) are logistics (20%) & cannons (15%). Armored vehicles only 12%.

Rebels fired 41 #ATGM (56% are #TOW) in April, mainly in N. #Aleppo (34%), N. #Latakia (20%) & Aleppo city (15%)

Assad+Russia alliance want a ceasefire in #Latakia and other provinces in order to put more pressure on #Aleppo. Opposition rejected

Assad+Russia want ceasefire in non-residential military areas, but refused ceasefire in civilian populated areas.

Today on Reddit: Syrian Civil Defense is part of Jabhat al-Nusra. Jesus Christ.
https://www.reddit.com/r/syriancivilwar/comments/4h90fv/how_long_will_the_west_let_the_russiasyria/d2ogryj …

Opposition fighters in Tal Sha'ir near the Turkish border. Recaptured after clashes with #ISIS

Military power can, and should, destroy #ISIS
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/04/destroy-isis-as-state/480531/ …

Seems production of homemade mortars and IRAMs in rebel-held Aleppo has ramped up recently

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 05:25 PM

Syria is RuAF providing CAS to SDF/YPG ? 4 Mi-24P allegedly over Sarrin, east of Manbij.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQphf700XPk …

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 06:11 PM

Aleppo: Crazy #Assad regime cleric Hassun calls for extermination of civilians in rebel held areas of #Aleppo City
https://twitter.com/ShirazMaher/status/726758886577987585 …

IS forces claim to advance in the Tahtouh neighborhood of Deir Ezzor city

At least 4 Mi-24P were deployed to Al-Shayrat AB early April. But Al Shayrat is too far for Sarrin. Possibly relocated to Aleppo AB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQphf700XPk …

About 20 barrel bombs were also dropped by Assad helicopters on Khan al-Sheeh in rural #Damascus today

Assad barrel bombs on Muhandisin, Awejel, Urum al-Kubra, al-Rashidin & Kafr Da’el in west rural #Aleppo

Assad barrel bombs now on Khan al-Asal & Kafrnaha in #Aleppo

FSA factions sign a statement calling for a ceasefire that covers all of Syria, not just local truces.

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 06:28 PM

Free Aleppo City Council workers fixing sewage, water system destroyed by regime bombing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDz_I9aGMao&feature=share …

OUTLAW 09

05-01-2016, 07:01 PM

More signs of RuAF increasing activity in Syria. What was this An-124 carrying ? Mi-35 ?
RUAF An-124 82038 returning from #Latakia
https://www.flightradar24.com/RFF8067/993ff17

A glimpse into the catastrophic deterioration of Aleppo after its 9th consecutive day of deadly bombardments:
http://read.bi/1WzWV7j #Syria

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:46 AM

If there is no US veto on arms supply to rebels, why dozens of Aleppo civilians are killed daily by Assad airforces?

Casualties reported in an Assad barrel bomb attack on al-Husayniyah in west rural #Aleppo

Reports 2 Assad ballistic missile have landed between Bashnnatra & Hawar in west rural #Aleppo

Reports of an MLRS attack as usual by pro-Assad militias in al-Zahra targeting the village of Majbina in west rural #Aleppo

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:11 AM

CrowBat......my Arabic is not so good but in this news article it appears the Jordanian MOC called all groups except Homs and South and evidently JaI and Arar were present as well....to Jordan.

There seems to be two demands placed on the groups in order to keep getting aid and weapons...

1. allow Assad to freely leave and no IC court for war crimes
2. no dismantling of the current Assad security/intelligence structures

International community are willing to remove Assad with a pre-condition that the factions will not ask any legal charges against Assad and 250 individuals who will leave with him and that they were also told that after Assad's departure to be ready to join back to the SAA.

They were told that if they did not accept those conditions aid and weapons flow would stop.

Appears that both JaI and Arar rejected those demands...

Puzzles me as these demands have been Putin's not the US and if the US then in fact they are fully supporting Putin's end state goals in Syria.

The wording to me strikes this offer being from Putin not the "International community".....so I am surprised is it coming via Jordan.

Article was found in:
SyrianMirror
http://goo.gl/9VIfua

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 10:03 AM

Syria Opposition factions took control of Sandarah, Shabaniyah and Raghbiyah villages. Clashes going around Tathumus and Tal Ahmar.

FSA has taken Sandra and Shabaniyah from ISIS

Turkey says its artillery killed 34 #IS militants in north #Aleppo countryside

Assad-forces launch assault & advance in #Damascus' in south of eastern #Ghouta despite "silence regime so called ceasefire"

BUT WAIT did not Putin state there was to be a "silence regime"....
Intense Russia/Assad airstrikes on Castello road, Layramoun, Kafrhamra & Halk area in #Aleppo, #Syria

BUT WAIT Putin then stated he might consider extending it to Aleppo AFTER telling Kerry "NO"......

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 10:24 AM

So again all of Kerry's words are nothin but hot air for the press and nothing
more........

Hassan Hassan ‏@hxhassan
".. forgetting his previous talk of a Plan B, Mr. Kerry returns to the Russians with another appeal for...

Nothing but talk out of Kerry and Obama...just killing nine months of time so they can get out of Dodge......

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 10:30 AM

Aleppo Airstrikes on Al-Layramoun -location for next attempt by #Assad-forces to cut rebel supply road?!
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.235620&lon=37.115722&z=16&m=b …

Another area of the Russian so called "silence regime".....
Assad forces mortar shelling multiple areas in Qaboun, #Damascus today

Reports tens of men & women have been arrested by the regime today in raids across Baniyas, #Latakia

Activists reporting that JaI has targeted Hmaymim airbase in #Latakia with Grad rockets & heavy artillery today

Airstrikes on #Aleppo continue today & reports of civilian casulaties in Assad artillery shelling on Kafrhamra in north rural #Aleppo

The usual, #ISIS has taken Doudyan, Tal Shier, Ikda from rebels again following clashes & Mare’a hit multiple times by #ISIS rockets today
NO US CAS support whatsoever even when asked....

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 10:35 AM

Kyle W. Orton ‎@KyleWOrton
The "stable" Arab tyrants were mafia dons: creating demand for their services [EG v jihadis]
http://bit.ly/24ipB7A

Deadly drone, artillery strikes launched against IS from #Turkey: report @AFP

JWing

05-02-2016, 02:22 PM

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:00 PM

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
Officials sound increasingly confident re. #Aleppo being added to truce or CoH re-agreed.
What would #Russia & #Assad be getting in return?

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:03 PM

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-syria-time-for-plan-b/2016/04/29/024c9b04-0e2b-11e6-bfa1-4efa856caf2a_story.html?postshare=6401462149774876&tid=ss_tw

The bombing of an Aleppo hospital should spur the U.S. to change its policy in Syria

THE DEVASTATING bombing of an Aleppo hospital on Wednesday night — which killed at least 50 civilians, including six medical staff and a number of children — was not an accident, and it should not have been a surprise to promoters of the Syrian “cease-fire.” For weeks the regime of Bashar al-Assad has been proclaiming its intention to recapture the rebel-held eastern side of Aleppo, with help from “our Russian partners,” as the prime minister put it. The bombing of hospitals and food markets, in turn, is a standard component of Mr. Assad’s military campaigns, intended to drive civilians out of rebel-held areas.

By Saturday, the Aleppo offensive was in its ninth day; according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 226 civilians had been killed by bombing and shelling through Friday, including 50 women and children. Yet U.S. and U.N. officials were still clinging to the fiction that the “cessation of hostilities” they said began on Feb. 27, and which the Assad regime never fully observed, was still somehow alive. “I think we would still maintain that it had largely held,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said Thursday, as rescuers pulled children from the ruins of the hospital’s pediatric ward.

U.S. policy in Syria has devolved into a sickening routine. Secretary of State John F. Kerry negotiates with Russia on steps to end the violence, while insisting that the United States will turn to a “Plan B” if they fail. Russia and the Syrian regime then make a mockery of the agreements, continuing to bomb civilians and attack Western-backed rebels. Mr. Kerry duly denounces the atrocities, as he did on Thursday, when he pronounced himself “outraged” by the “deliberate strike on a known medical facility.”

Then, forgetting his previous talk of a Plan B, Mr. Kerry returns to the Russians with another appeal for cooperation. That’s what happened after the hospital bombing: The State Department recommitted to the “political process,” according to Mr. Kirby, who went so far as to describe Plan B as “mythical.” On Friday, a new, partial cease-fire was announced, beginning Saturday in the Damascus suburbs and the coastal area of Latakia. Aleppo, where the regime’s offensive is taking place, was excluded.

In fact, there does appear to be a U.S. Plan B, according to the Wall Street Journal, which recently reported that it involved supplying more powerful weapons to the Syrian rebels, possibly including missiles that could shoot down Syrian planes and helicopters. It has been widely reported that Mr. Kerry himself has lobbied for more aid to the rebels as a way of gaining leverage over the Assad regime and Russia. And yet action has been held up, as throughout the Syrian civil war, by President Obama, who, fearing U.S. intervention will make the situation worse, rejects any steps that could make it better.

The latest atrocities should prompt Mr. Obama to reconsider. Measures to strengthen the rebels, and ground the government’s air force, are not only the morally right response to the deliberate bombing of hospitals and food stores. Pragmatically, they offer the only way to force the Assad regime and its allies to negotiate seriously about Syria’s future. The president still has the chance to mitigate his past mistakes and create a path toward peace in Syria. He should seize it.

BUT WAIT....Kerry never did have a Plan B...it was just all talk as the US virtually has no leverage at all in the ME....

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:11 PM

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
In other words, Coalition is providing the rebellion defensive fire in northern #Aleppo but no offensive capacity.

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
#Iran has lost 280 soldiers in #Syria since the Russian intervention in SEPT.
http://bit.ly/1Tq5Xio

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:14 PM

Just published a new interview with journalist Wladimir van Wilgenburg about the relationship between Syria and Iraq's Kurds. Despite having similar histories they are also political rivals and have divergent strategies. Here's a link (http://musingsoniraq.blogspot.com/2016/05/iraq-and-syrias-kurds-divergent.html).

Hassan Hassan
‏@hxhassan
The US distinguishes not only between the Syrian YPG & the Turkish PKK but also between YPG-Aleppo & YPG-elsewhere

http://aranews.net/2016/05/us-dont-support-kurdish-forces-aleppo/

ARA News

AMUDE – The United States on Sunday clearly stated that they do not support the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo province, where there have been clashes between the Kurds and rebel groups. The US called on the Kurds and FSA rebels to stop fighting each other.

“While we haven’t provided any support for the Kurds in Afrin , we do continue to express publicly and privately our serious concerns when the YPG and Syrian forces – opposition forces come into conflict west of the Euphrates,” said Mark C. Toner, the Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department.

Dr. Nasser Haji Mansur, a political advisor to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) also confirmed this in an interview with ARA News. “You can practically see this. The areas which the US air strikes cover, do not cover Efrin [Afrin],” he added.

The US spokesperson also condemned the parading of rebel bodies in the city of Afrin. “No, we’ve seen the video, obviously, and while we can’t authenticate it 100 percent, we, without hesitation, strongly condemn this kind of behavior that it depicts, and believe that it only serves to heighten tensions between those groups in western Syria,” Toner said.

“This fighting has to stop. It’s destabilizing, to say the least; it’s counterproductive, and I’ll leave it there,” he stated.

The General Command of the People’s Protection Forces (YPG) –leading member of SDF– has also condemned the incident and promised an investigation last Friday.

“This act doesn’t represent our morals, and revolutionary ethics. The ones who carried out this act will be held accountable and we assure all that we will not allow such acts to happen again,” the YPG said.

[I]It kind of reminds me of the saying..we will pay the biker chief in the kitchen but we do not "see" his enforcers in the living room.....

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:18 PM

BREAKING: Shiite cleric Muqtada al-#Sadr has flown to Iran, according to a top aide, a day after his supporters left the Green Zone.

Sadr has always been tied to Iran...remember whern the US Army was chasing him Sadr City...he fled then to Iran.......

So did he in fact attempt an Iranian coup to block the US even though his supporters were shouting Iran out??

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:18 PM

#SYRIA #AjnadSham Claims Prisoners Take Over #Hama Prison, They Will Fire Rockets On #Mahardah To Support.

Unknown fate awaits Hama prison as regime forces are about to storm it in order to end the inmates rebellion

Syria #Assad-forces storm #Hama Central Prison with gunfire & gases to knock down revolt

Revolt in #Hama Central Prison -take over of tracts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSvH_IlQzl8 …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=35.133997&lon=36.778445&z=18&m=b …

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:24 PM

Several civilians killed & wounded inc. Ahrar judge (wounded) in a car bomb explosion in Salihin district in #Aleppo

Regime airstrike targets ambulance & crew on their way to rescue injured in al-Hulik district, Aleppo.

New FSA tactic against IS.......
Ikdah in north rural #Aleppo back in rebel hands after #ISIS captured it for a few hours, over a dozen #ISIS fighters killed

It can be argued that rebels are feigning retreat, luring ISIS in & striking back, a never ending war of attrition if you will

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:27 PM

Iranian #IRGC Mostafa Arefi killed in southern Aleppo,Syria.

Iranian #IRGC Mostafa Mousavi in US Humvee, southern Aleppo,Syria. He was killed there, in Al-Eis town,12 Nov 2015.

Looks like the #ISIS claim of the recapture of Tal Sha'ir is wrong.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.614890&lon=37.343570&z=17&m=b&show=/29332056/Tal-Sha-ir&search=%20%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBMviJMy0c …

#Iran parachuted supplies into Fuah/Kafarya-enclave in #Idlib today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MCta9POgyE … (older vid.)

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:31 PM

Kilis now. .again under IS rocket fire...just minutes ago.....

So is IS now firing rockets in support of PKK attacks on Turkey...???
Footage Heavy fighting between #Turkish ground forces and #PKK troops in #Nusaybin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qartZ1IAtQ …

Infographic & Analysis: How #Iran's troops wage #Assad's most decisive battles More here:
http://www.levantinegroup.com/#!Infographic-Analysis-How-Irans-troops-wage-Assads-most-decisive-battles/c21xo/572757f80cf224950abbbb59 …

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:32 PM

More than 4000 civilians have been killed since the adoption of @UN #Res2254 acc. to the @snhr.

AND NO..Putin again lied Aleüppo is not included in the "silence regime" as the US and Kerry had asked for.......
#Footage #Assad jets and helicopters circle over #Aleppo, bombing the outskirts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbBKISv7_jk …

AND Assad is still terror bombing IDP camps AND Obama and Kerry SAY absolutely nothing do they....????
BreakingFootage A war plane bombed an #IDP camp in rural #Idlib province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBR159jSbT0 …

Footage Mortar attack in #Qaboun, the "regime of silence" is not at all observed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsuIEL4TQpo …

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:38 PM

ProAssad and Russian trolls hard at work over the last days.....

Just for the record. This guy (@EjmAlrai) is spreading pro-#Assad propaganda.

And ya ... "counting bombs from twitter activists" gives you a much more accurate picture than spreading propaganda.

The troll was referring to this comment.......
Footage #Assad helicopter bombed Khan Alsheh S-W of #Damascus today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZP_r2f5t3M …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IddMuMxBoI …

ALSO part of the so called Putin..."silence regime"......

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:41 PM

ProAssad media propasganda hard at work...article in German......

Propaganda Pro-#Assad(NDF-affiliated) news site says #Turkey & #Qatar are bombing #Aleppo.
http://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/baschar-al-assad/majed-aus-aleppo-45608560.bild.html …

They are claiming Turkey and Qatar are bombing Aleppo......

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 04:45 PM

Footage Rebels also used a 2S1 to shell Baath City in #Quneitra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBqEn4tQfjc …

From yesterday.......
Footage Air strike on rural #Aleppo yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqGG4Xs1AAE …

BreakingFootage A surface to surface missile hit rebel-held #Aleppo tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGLas89Z1U …

MSF stops sharing #Syria hospital locations after 'deliberate' attacks
AT least they are learbning to not trust Putin and Assad ...BUT WAIT both claimed it..."was those Americans.....that did it....

#Syria regime drone busy over #Aleppo
WAS Iran'ian Shahed-129 drone it's been over Aleppo since early morning

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:08 PM

MSF International ‏@MSF

Update #Syria: Ambulances, medical items & fuel destroyed. @MSF ready to help with new donations. Healthcare is #NotATarget

US/Turkish backed #FSA in N #Aleppo with #Thuraya IP+ satellite broadband terminal which gives internet access

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:11 PM

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:12 PM

While leaders try to extend ceasefire to Aleppo w/ last minute phone calls, it’s been a week of massacres there:

13 civilian centers were targeted by regime/Russian strikes from 4/20-/29
http://sn4hr.org/blog/2016/05/01/21272/ …

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:14 PM

Syria: Islamic State Releases Images Of Battles East Of #Hama (another weapons haul)
https://beyondthelevant.com/2016/05/02/syria-islamic-state-releases-images-of-battles-east-of-hama/ …

Aamaq claims IS forces take a fourth barrier in the vicinity of Shaer gas field in eastern Homs

Aleppo : Regime helicopters drop barrel bombs on #Bustan_Basha and the town of #Layramon.

FSA 1st Regiment firing on #IS positions with multiple M2 Browning technicals
https://youtu.be/ectpBop4fSA

New Syrian Army #FSA announce intent to take Al-Bukmal from #ISIS through graffiti by sleeper cells and social media posts #

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:17 PM

AFP news agency
‏@AFP
Syrian conflict 'in many ways out of control', Kerry warns
http://u.afp.com/Zui9

GENEVA (AFP) -
Syria's civil war is "in many ways out of control" US Secretary of State John Kerry warned Monday, vowing to work hard in the "coming hours" to salvage a tattered truce.
Speaking after talks with UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, Kerry said he would call his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov later Monday to press for the ceasefire to be restored.
But, in some of his most downbeat comments yet on the effort to end the deadly five-year-old conflict, Kerry warned that he did not want to promise success.

Standing by de Mistura, he thanked him for supporting a political process in the midst of "a conflict that is in may ways out of control and deeply disturbing to everybody in the world, I hope." Kerry said a ceasefire mediated by Russia and the United States in February was still holding in parts of the country, but he singled out the situation in Aleppo.

There, he said, Bashar al-Assad's regime had deliberately targeted three clinics and a major hospital, killing doctors and patients and threatening the truce.
"The attack on this hospital is unconscionable," he said. "And it has to stop."

BUT WAIT...it was Kerry's own spokesperson and the DoD spokesperson who openly stated repeatedly that Aleppo was under JaN control THUS giving Putin and Assad a "green light to destroy Aleppo under the guise of destroying JaN who allegedly "controls" Aleppo.....DID Kerry forget this...??????

If Mr. Kerry is suggesting that, in some way, the Syria crisis is under control, that, too, is an idea with disturbing implications.

BUT WAIT.......
Did Russia bombing hospitals under guise of ceasefire or Hezbollah raising it's flag on enemy mosques clue him in?

WELL so much for his liking Merkel...........
Al Arabiya English @AlArabiya_Eng
#BREAKING: White House says #Obama does not believe 'safe zones' a practical alternative in #Syria right now

NOTHING BUT talk is all he and Kerry can do......

Aleppo: civilian casualties in Assad regime bombing of Castilo

BUT THIS is what Obama and Kerry call....."specific initiatives".......

A commander of one of the opposition groups working in the Countryside of Idleb and associated with the operations room of the International military support, MOC, told the Syrian Mirror that MOC has summoned delegates of the factions working under its instructions from various fronts in Syria, except those of Homs and the Southern region, and presented a set of conditions to be met if they wanted the military support to continue.

According to the military commander, a Colonel, who refused to be named, revealed that the meetings were held in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and not in Turkey.

About the nature of these meetings, the colonel said that the MOC presented a set of ideas, first and foremost was that opposition factions must understand that destroying the military and security structures in Syria is a RED LINE to the international community, they can however remove Assad from the picture, preserving the same structure of the regime. Also the opposition factions must NOT demand a trial for Assad along with 250 people ho will escort him out of the country, explaining that this was this condition is a Russian demand to end the war in Syria.

"The representatives of MOC made it clear that opposition factions must prepare themselves to join the ranks of the Syrian Army in his fight against Nusra Front and all the armed groups that refuse to join the Army", the commander added.

The source pointed out, Islam Army and the Islamic Movement of Ahrar al-Sham, also received these conditions through separate meetings that were held with representatives of MOC, without indicating the nature of the responses of the two big factions on this proposal.

He concluded that most of the opposition factions are worried after these meetings, for they can not comply to such conditions because of the wide public disapproval and rejection of fighters these same factions, and if they refused, the military and financial support will be cut and these factions will collapse.

It's worth mentioning that MOC operations room is the western military support group that includes representatives of many countries such as USA, Britain, France, UAE, and Jordan, it provides financial and military support for the "Moderate" opposition factions, where TOW missiles are the most important weapons it provides.

IF confirmed THEN Obama and Kerry are in fact carrying out the Putin FP for Syria.....

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:25 PM

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 05:50 PM

Prisoners of Hama calling out for help, they rose up took control of prison
http://eldorar.com/node/97648

Inmates in Hama prison capture guards & take control of prison Assad regime using tear gas

Aleppo: clashes between rebels & Assad forces in "Family House"

Syria Daily: 6 #Aleppo doctors write open appeal to US and #Russia to act to stop bombing
http://eaworldview.com/2016/05/syria-daily-regime-of-calm-russia-regime-bombing-of-aleppo-continues/#doctors …

Doctors who call 4 end to bombing n #Aleppo immediately threatened & called "heretics" & "pro-jihadi" on pro-#Assad @SyrianperNews |

Fact. #Assad air strikes on #Aleppo, #YPG artillery on #Azaz, #ISIS rockets on #Kilis.

Protesters in #Idlib’s Marat al-Numan take down Jabhat al-Nusra’s flags & replace them with the 13th Division’s -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGfjTsGrwQ4 …

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 06:00 PM

Kilis is under #ISIS rocket attack. #Turkey will have to fight, if it wants it to stop.

BreakingNews At least 1 killed, 32 injured in #ISIS evening attack on #Kilis. #Turkey still not responding beyond artillery attacks.

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 06:14 PM

ISIS It controls 5 points in the vicinity of a Sha'ar gaz fields. Near #Palmyra in east of #Homs #Syria

Shiite militiamen loyal to #Assad, expropriate a number of houses in #Palmyra, after the theft and the expulsion of their respective owners.

A Camp and medical points. Established by #Russia|n forces of aggression inside the archaeological area in #Palmyra

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 07:24 PM

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
New documents reveal yet more evidence of #Assad regime collusion with #ISIS in #Syria:
http://news.sky.com/story/1688756/is-files-reveal-assads-deals-with-militants …

The #Assad regime allowed #ISIS to withdraw its heavy weaponry from #Palmyra before #Syria’s Army attacked the town in March 2016.

The #Assad regime allowed #ISIS to withdraw its heavy weaponry from #Palmyra before #Syria’s Army attacked the town in March 2016.

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
As well as de facto funding #IS and assisting in various ways v rebels, #Assad provided #IS fertiliser (bomb-making substance) for terrorism

The Assad Regime’s Collusion With ISIS and al-Qaeda: Assessing The Evidence
By Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) on March 24, 2014
https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/assessing-the-evidence-of-collusion-between-the-assad-regime-and-the-wahhabi-jihadists-part-1/

Really really worth reading this long article in light of the Sky article......

OUTLAW 09

05-02-2016, 07:31 PM

Overheard at the Pentagon: "Is it so bad that I basically side with Sadr at this point?" #IraqiParliament protests

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
Anyone have any good info (numbers, leadership, etc) on Ajnad al-Sham [the northern Salafi one, not the Sufi group in Eastern Ghouta]?

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:23 AM

Kyle W. Orton ‎@KyleWOrton
The "stable" Arab tyrants were mafia dons: creating demand for their services [EG v jihadis]http://bit.ly/24ipB7A

Moderator adds: Linked article was also posted on a wider themed thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/showthread.php?t=17692

Deadly drone, artillery strikes launched against IS from #Turkey: report @AFP

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:43 AM

Eastern_Ghouta territorial control #map May 3 during the extended truce
http://edmaps.com/html/syrian_civil_war_in_maps.html …

Battle of Quweik Plain - March 6 - May 2, 2016 #Aleppo #Syria
#Rebels vs. #IS
HD GIF: http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img923/6592/Y3ewTw.gif …

Rebels targeting regime positions in #Qunitra SW #Syria,notice the wind turbines on the Israeli side of #Golan

Jaish al-Fath Resumes Activity against Regime Forces in North of Syria
http://tinyurl.com/za5jotk

CrowBat

05-03-2016, 06:17 AM

CrowBat......my Arabic is not so good but in this news article it appears the Jordanian MOC called all groups except Homs and South and evidently JaI and Arar were present as well....to Jordan.

There seems to be two demands placed on the groups in order to keep getting aid and weapons...

1. allow Assad to freely leave and no IC court for war crimes
2. no dismantling of the current Assad security/intelligence structures...Don't worry: my Arabic is less than basic. But, I've got two gentlemen from the area that help (as and when they've got the time to do so).

In essence, yes: the Amman MOC has got that offer and the order to distribute it to its commanders. These have turned this offer down, knowing there is no way their own fighters would accept any kind of 'Assadist regime stays' - with or without Assad.

That said, the entire affair is just another Russian sham, used by Kerry to impose conditions upon insurgents, and is actually not worth talking about.

...even more so, because Kerry is meanwhile showing clear indictions of not having a trace of clue what is he talking about (see: either senility or complete overload resulting in confusion). See this (http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/05/256774.htm):

...The cessation of hostilities that we were able to negotiate and put in place over the Christmas holiday and into January...
What 'cessation of hostilities' was put in place 'over the Christmas holiday and into January?

You discussed it at that time, Mr. Mentalist, that's right, but there was no cease-fire before 28 February - and even then: fighting never stopped.

davidbfpo

05-03-2016, 10:52 AM

Cited in part:
Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
New documents reveal yet more evidence of #Assad regime collusion with #ISIS in #Syria:
http://news.sky.com/story/1688756/is-files-reveal-assads-deals-with-militants …

The #Assad regime allowed #ISIS to withdraw its heavy weaponry from #Palmyra before #Syria’s Army attacked the town in March 2016.

Last night there were several critical responses to the Sky News report on Twitter, particularly over the alleged veracity of the document(s).

[/URL]Aymenn J Al-Tamimi translated the Arabic text:
It has come from Sheikh Abu Mus'ab al-Suri (may God protect him): it is requested to remove heavy artillery and anti-aircraft guns entirely from the surrounding of the Palmyra desert and inside Palmyra towards Wilayat al-Raqqa in order for them to be re-prepared and for some of them to be redeployed to Qalamoun as the brothers need them there to strike the fortresses of the Rafidites and Nusayris....You will be informed of all the military orders bit by bit at the hands of Sheikh Abu Hafs al-Uzbeki...
Link:[URL]https://justpaste.it/skynewsdocumentqalamoun (https://twitter.com/ajaltamimi)

He also tweeted:
Be wary of stories that aim to use IS documents to prove polemical points: the regime and Russia do this to prove Turkey-IS collusion too.

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 11:01 AM

Reference the above mentioned SKY s documents.....regardless of twitter comments the ground reality clearly indicated IS knew what was being thrown at them and outside of a short and intense firefight which allowed IS to pull out...most of the loses were on the Russian and Hezbollah side and if one rechecks the photos and videos there were no heavy IS weapons and or munitions captured at all..nor lots and lots of dead IS bodies laying around.

What is interesting though is that there have been a number of recent IS/Assad and Russian contact points where IS does not seem to appear to be the target of anything from Assad and or Putin so taken together with the released documents there is a clear pattern to be seen in the interactions of IS/Assad/Putin......against the FSA......and for that matter Turkey in the IS shelling's of Kilis.

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 11:29 AM

Top #Syria regime officer threatens #Homs governor
http://mme.cm/N8AW00

Syria Airstrikes hit market in #Aleppo's Hellok neighborhood

Regime shelling eastern parts of #Aleppo city with heavy rockets

~15 airstrikes hit #Aleppo city neighborhoods since morning
BUT WAIT Kerry was suppose to e talking with the Russians who also stated they were thinking of including Aleppo into the "silence regime".....BUT WAIT Kerry got sandbagged again by Putin.....typical eastern Ukraine tactic...Putin claims he wants to talk and all the talk does is allow him more attack time.....Kerry just does not seem to "get it"??????

Regime shelling eastern parts of #Aleppo city with heavy rockets

Helicopter dropped barrel bombs on Dahret Awwad neighborhood in east part of #Aleppo city

Top #Syria regime officer threatens #Homs governor
http://mme.cm/N8AW00

Assad-forces failed so far to retake #Hama Central Prison from detainees
Revolt continues in tear gas

5 Afghans of IRGC's Fatemiun brig Hossein Khavari,Enayat Ahmadi,Zakerali Jafari, Reza Akbari, Madadi killed in Syria

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 11:38 AM

Another pic from huge tunnel bomb under regime building in western #Aleppo

Russian "claiming" it was a tunnel bomb hitting a regime hospital.....they would like to at least be able to say one of their hospitals were hit......

From what I see, there was 1 explosion in front of the hospital, 1.6 km from every front.
+ a car was ripped apart.

Initial explosion was in that white car, I would estimate.

Interesting.
The two parts of this white care in front of the hit #DabbitHospital lie more than 20 meters apart...

BUT first Russia Today claims it was a rebel rocket attack...naturally......

First Russian-circulated picture of the "hit hospital" is ... old.

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 11:42 AM

Another person in #Kilis was injured this morning in ongoing #ISIS rocket attacks on the town.

Aleppo today.
Here we go again ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YXWc8XWkm0 …
GRAPHIC!

Pictures by a Syrian rebel.
Air strikes on #Huraytan (N-W of #Aleppo) yesterday.

The #FSA destroyed an #Assad 23mm gun West of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtCWo_N9IRQ …

Footage
#Assad air force choppers dropped bombs on #KafrHamra & other towns W of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCl5qNfPryU …

Footage
Several people wounded, others fleeing #SDF/#YPG artillery attack on #Azaz yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldHdF7otMwE …

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 11:44 AM

The death of 1041 civilians by the influential parties in Syria in Apr 2016.
http://goo.gl/XWcPQZ

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 12:46 PM

Syria Rebels destroyed 57mm cannon mounted on truck in western #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFZOsTU8iBg …

Breaking. Report Rebels took "Family House" near Zahraa Artillery Base, #Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.216822&lon=37.075682&z=15&m …
Aleppo: #Syria|n rebels advancing now, captured Family House Amusement Park and parts of the #Zahraa District.

Syria Rebels blow up regime tank in western "New #Aleppo"

Meanwhile #Assad- forces publish pic from rebel tunnel blast in western #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.228290&lon=37.102407&z=17&m=b …
Iraq IRGC Col. Ali Reza Shamsipoor was killed by an IED in Kani Manga, Penjwen. Was part of MIA Search Committee.

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 12:54 PM

How the Curse of Sykes-Picot Still Haunts the Middle East. @wrightr reflects on #SykesPicot's destructive legacy:
http://tinyurl.com/z3trh6p

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 12:58 PM

BEIRUT – A rebel cell based in the Syrian capital has claimed it conducted another assassination, this time in retaliation for the intense regime bombardment of opposition-controlled quarters of Aleppo.

https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/566943-damascus-assassins-strike-for-aleppo

The Deterring the Oppressors Brigades announced Tuesday that it killed an officer in General Security Directorate, the regime’s civilian intelligence apparatus.

“One of the heroes of the Deterring the Oppressors Brigades managed to assassinate Captain Ali Khoder… in the heart of the capital Damascus,” the statement claimed.

The shadowy group addressed the people of Aleppo in its statement, saying that “this is what we were able to do to retaliate for your blood,” a reference to the dozens killed since April 22.

“We know that [killing] the entire tyrannical regime is not sufficient to redeem one drop of your blood, but before God, we promise our people in [Syria] that we’re going to achieve all your demands.”

Rebel-held sectors of western Aleppo have been buffeted by heavy airstrikes , while opposition factions have responded with their own rocket strikes against regime-controlled areas of the Syria’s second city.

Deterring the Oppressors Brigades

The Deterring the Oppressors Brigades announced their formation on April 14, explaining that their “mission was to knock out and destroy the pillars of the ungodly and unjust regime [by] targeting its cronies in various ways.”

“We say to the [regime] that we will force you to taste woes… what you are about to see is far more [dangerous] than what you imagine,” the group warned.

Hours after issuing its opening statement, the Deterring the Oppressors Brigades uploaded a video on its Facebook page purporting to show an officer it had killed.

The targeted man is shown in the video slumped over on a couch with a large blood spot over his heart where he was seemingly shot. For a second, the assassin filming the death scene moves his hand across the camera, revealing a pistol.

Deterring the Oppressors identified its victim as Lieutenant Said Badran, saying that he had been “lured” to the site of his death by one of the unit’s operators.

In a subsequent statement to a pro-rebel outlet, a spokesperson for the group claimed that Badran was an officer in Syria’s Political Security intelligence service.

Days later the Deterring the Oppressors Brigades claimed a second hit in the heart of Damascus, saying it “managed to assassinate Sergeant Abdul Hamid Kauwa… on the evening of [April 18] by stabbing him to death on Jalaa Street.”

The group said that Kauwa was serving in Syrian military intelligence’s notorious Brigade 235, commonly known as the “Palestine Branch.”

“Sleeper cells across Damascus”

A Deterring the Oppressors spokesperson spoke to Zaman al-Wasl about the group, claiming that it had sleeper cells distributed across the “heart of the capital.”

“All areas of the capital, without exception, are a theater for the Brigades’ operations,” the spokesperson, identified as Mohammad al-Shami, said.

The spokesperson further claimed that his faction has “cells in most [Syrian] provinces, but [the group’s] work currently focuses on Damascus.”

Shami stressed that the Deterring the Oppressors Brigades was independent, and does “not receive any funding at the moment or follow any faction.”

He also hinted that the Deterring the Oppressors Brigades has conducted more operations, but that they have been kept secret due to their sensitive nature.

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:01 PM

Russian FM Lavrov says he hopes that "in the next few hours" agreement will be reached on cessation of hostilities in Aleppo.....more Russian lies as usual as they could have stopped Assad days ago but did not....but this is the "news" he was not waiting for by giving Assad more time to attack Aleppo.....

Aleppo : the rebels have reportedly broken the first line of loyalist forces defense in Jameyat al #Zahraa and are advancing

A dozen airstrikes hit western #Zahraa district of #Aleppo
-another dozen on several other neighborhoods

TOW take out 14,5mm gun in southern #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmm2Tgm1ch0 …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.158788&lon=37.089608&z=16&m=b …

Regime very busy above #Aleppo today- 9 helicopters in the air at once

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:12 PM

Don't worry: my Arabic is less than basic. But, I've got two gentlemen from the area that help (as and when they've got the time to do so).

In essence, yes: the Amman MOC has got that offer and the order to distribute it to its commanders. These have turned this offer down, knowing there is no way their own fighters would accept any kind of 'Assadist regime stays' - with or without Assad.

That said, the entire affair is just another Russian sham, used by Kerry to impose conditions upon insurgents, and is actually not worth talking about.

...even more so, because Kerry is meanwhile showing clear indictions of not having a trace of clue what is he talking about (see: either senility or complete overload resulting in confusion). See this (http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/05/256774.htm):

What 'cessation of hostilities' was put in place 'over the Christmas holiday and into January?

You discussed it at that time, Mr. Mentalist, that's right, but there was no cease-fire before 28 February - and even then: fighting never stopped.

CrowBat...if you recently saw an article where Clinton actually did not trust Kerry when he was "leaning forward" as a Senator trying to get the back channel conversations going with Iran via Oman....She was highly concerned he was agreeing to things he could not deliver on nor actually state.

If you then knowing this watch Kerry since then he is IMHO one of the weakest Sec of State we have had as he has been basically struggling with eastern Ukraine and now Syria and has been constantly played by both Larvor and Putin and in the case of Iran did things that were not actually told to Congress and are just now coming out....

This multiple threats against the HNC and FSA are just a reminder of how weak he really is and this goes even further.....

Kerry's whirligig "CoH" diplomacy does 2 things:
1. Gives rgm/RU time to strike
2. Producs an agrmnt they can ignore

Just in the last two years he has made a total of eight major mistakes that only a beginner would make...truly think he is in it for the "benefits" and glory and that he is seriously lacking a true intellectual approach to international relations...AND he is not all that comfortable in front of the press as he as shown a marked weakness in freely speaking in front of the press....

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:13 PM

Ahrar al-Sham foils Assad advance attempt towards al-Sirmaniya in Sahl al-Ghab yesterday, reports many killed/wounded. #Idlib

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:19 PM

EU Interpol ‏@EU_Interpol
Dearest @FBIDetroit @FBI @CIA ,
Why is "Leith Fadel" , a U.S citizen standing next to an Assad Regime official?

Interesting that Hezbollah is a US named terror organization BUT then looks the other way when they immigrate to the US.....

Hezbollah in America ,
Circumnavigating the U.S Criminal Justice System
A MUST READ VIA @EU_Interpol

EU Interpol ‏@EU_Interpol
Dearest @TheJusticeDept
How is it that a dual U.S citizen supports Hezbollah terror & retains citizenship ?

EU Interpol ‏@EU_Interpol
The awkward moment @FBI realizes it hasn't been doing its job & @uscensusbureau was infiltrated by Hezbollah in 2010

American Citizen Leith Fadel who fled Michigan , U.S.A to provide material support to Hezbollah .

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:27 PM

As Rebels destroyed also a tank in New #Aleppo, clashes are now taking place on whole Western frontline (~9 km).

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:30 PM

Qassem Suleimani just concluded a speech honouring 12 'defenders of the shrines' from Gilan Province killed in #Syria

Heavy emphasis on martyrdom, sacrifice, and importance of Islamic governance in his speech. Talks of 30 years continuous war against enemies

Suleimani criticises those who rule in the name of Islam but corrupt the religion for their own benefits. Lauds purity of Islamic Republic

Suleimani says dignity & independence must be preserved. "What use is it if they start accepting Iranian passport but show us no respect?"

Suleimani criticises those claiming #Turkey a more successful Islamic country, saying #Iran has made unprecedented advances since revolution

So just how did the Obama WH and Kerry assume the "Iranian moderates" would be taking over in say the next 20 years.....The Islamic Revolution is alive well in Iran.....Khomeini would be proud....

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:34 PM

Aleppo Battle Update: Rebels managed to breach Regime first defense lines in W. (Family House) & N. Zahraa (association quarter). NOW Confirmed

W #Aleppo Battle: "Revenge for Aleppo martyrs" (معركة الثأر لشهداء حلب). Many groups involved: Jaish Tahrir, Nasr, Mujahideen, Sham Front,..

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 01:38 PM

Perfect example of just how western MSM in this case the German MSM "bought into the Assad propaganda" that a regime hospital in Aleppo had been shelled by the FSA......WHEN social media open source analysis had already proven it was in fact a car bomb.....SAD......in German.

Wow!
Schner Reinfall @tagesschau/@ARD_Presse,die Regime-Propaganda als Fakten zu verkaufen.
https://twitter.com/JulianRoepcke/status/727459081842221056

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:15 PM

Regime going mad, reports of intense rocket fire targeting western #Aleppo in addition to barrel bombs by helicopters

Assad's forces fail to storm the western neighborhoods of Aleppo.

Close view of tunnel bomb annihilating the remains of Air Force Building in Zahraa, #Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.229302&lon=37.107160&z=17&m …

Location of tunnel bomb was Air Force intelligence building.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.227874&lon=37.106216&z=17&m=b&show=/24966505/Air-Force-Intelligence-Building …

Aleppo: dozens of pro Assad regime fighters killed in rebel tunnel bomb
http://fb.me/4mtvV8kz6

So, the 4th tunnel bomb (22 months) got rid of Air Force Bldg in Zahraa (#Aleppo), major Regime base.

Video of Syrian rebel tunnel bomb attack vs. #Assad regime air force intel building in W #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHD2b98xnZU …

Reference the regime hospital that the Assad media claimed was hit by rebel rockets......

Entire western side of hospital defaced. Only car bomb can do that. Quite obvious.

If the rebels could have sent a car bomb into regime areas they would have detonated it by one of the security HQs

Manager of al-Dabit hospital say explosion was a blast not shelling as regime media promoted.

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:23 PM

Faylaq Al-Sham fighters storming Mahna Housing in Zahraa, Aleppo
https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/3-may-faylaq-alsham-fighters-storming-mahna-housing-in-zahraa …

Toys, blood & rubble on the roof of a Kilis orphanage. 4 kids killed by an IS rocket as they played here last week:

Doha Institute: Damascus doesn't have the resources to take Aleppo even if that's the only front it's fighting on http://www.dohainstitute.org/release/c0c9fc8f-38a5-4c35-a746-f998ef7c90e0 …
What about the 100s of Iranian Brig 65 landed in Aleppo airport recently. Iran can defiantly support the attack.

Syria fierce clashes between rebels&regime forces in al-Rashdeen district in #Aleppo

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:28 PM

NOW Kerry is going from bad to worse as he fully does not understand just how intermingled the various anti Assad forces are and trying to separate the "good guys from the bad guys" is one of sheer stupidity .......that is like yelling in a burning movie theater ALL men to the left and ALL women to the right and the children and old people just fend for yourselves......

AND that in the middle of a knock down drag out fight that is going on .......

SO when will Kerry and Larvor say to IS...just leave Syria and Iraq and we will forget we ever fought you........

Kerry says powers seek to separate "moderate" militias from Jabhat al-Nusra, which is not covered by the cease-fire

BUT WAIT....NOW Kerry is truly working for Putin as THIs was and is the Russian proposal.......since when is the FP of the US driven by a Russian????

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:43 PM

NOW we are starting to see the KSA FP unfold after they have come to the conclusion that Obama and Kerry have no intention in stopping Assad and Putin from killing Sunni civilians by the 100s......

UN Report on #Syria w new stats: 2.3 mil, 11.5% of country’s population dead or wounded
https://www.unescwa.org/sites/www.unescwa.org/files/publications/files/escwa_report_2016_syria_at_war.pdf
…

MAY 2:
Saudi Foreign Min. al-Jubeir said "Assad would be removed from power either through a political process or by force"

Jubeir: KSA favors supplying rebels w ground-to-air-missiles, “We have said: rebels should get all weapons they need

Jubair: “We believe introducing surface-to-air missiles in Syria is going to change the balance of power on ground

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:45 PM

Noureddine Zinki storming "Family House" in Zahraa backed by several BMP. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eFHHFpp8SE …

Faylaq Al-Sham's been releasing videos on this assault as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIoYJy9ERUg …

Syrian rebels took two regime barriers from on the N-W outskirts of #Aleppo's Zahraa district.

Death toll from MSF al Quds hospital in Aleppo has more than doubled as bodies pulled from rubble

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 05:49 PM

Aleppo: Rebels destroy Assad regime 14.5 cannon in Al Kartoon using SPG-9 RR.

President of International Committee of Red Cross: after 5 years of war, Al Rastan in Homs only has 1 doctor treating 250,000 ppl

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 06:03 PM

Breaking
Air strikes on adv. rebel forces during the preemptive offensive in N-W #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyh614As16A …

ISIL declares all-out war against #Turkey ; "Gaziantep, Kilis, Nizip, Karkamış our targets. People in these areas will become refugees soon"

Footgage
#Assad artillery targets the town of #Talbisah in #Homs province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3GZ8l24ZL4 …

Rebels are seemingly re-purposing unexploded Russian AO-2.5RT submunitions into grenades in rebel-held Aleppo

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 06:13 PM

Michael Weiss
✔ ‎@michaeldweiss Syrian opposition negotiators believe the US and Russia are colluding to help Assad. That ain't good:
http://www.orient-news.net/en/news

US administration left no room to doubt the impartiality of its verbal performance practically closer to the Russian position on the Syrian issue when it called with Moscow the Syrian opposition and Assad regime yesterday to commit to the “Regime of silence”.

The US administration thus has put the Syrian opposition and Syrian people who are being massacred in Aleppo at the same level with Assad regime.

The American attitude which was expressed in Geneva yesterday through Kerry’s meetings and contacts focused on forcing the opposition to go back to the talks. Meanwhile, Aleppo has been bombarded by Assad forces for the 11th day amid news about an imminent understanding that will pave the way before a temporary ceasefire.

In this respect, Assad forces have declared on Tuesday an extension of “Regime of silence” around the capital Damascus for 48 hours. On the same story, Russian news agency Interfax reported that a Russian military official statement said the talks to include Aleppo to the “Regime of silence”.

Politically, US foreign secretary discussed with his Saudi counterpart the Syrian issue in a meeting in Geneva. Kerry said in a press conference that he held many meetings since Sunday in order to stop the military operations in Aleppo and to go back to the “cessation of hostilities” pointing out that the US along with Russia have developed a closer understanding about Syria adding that there are more to be in done in the Syrian issue.

On his side, Saudi foreign minister stressed that what is going on in Aleppo is a violation of UNSC Resolution 2254, adding that the regime’s airstrikes have so far killed many civilians and workers in relief and health sectors repeating that Assad will be removed by military force if he refuses the political solution.

In reaction to the new developments, Syrian opposition said that it doesn’t expect to hold a fourth round of talks with Assad regime soon unless the old reasons which caused the suspension of the previous round are removed.

In this respect, the head of the HNC delegation, Asaad al-Zo’bi, ruled out the possibility of resuming the negotiations after Kerry’s meetings. Al-Zo’bi added that what is Kerry suggesting can’t be accepted by the Syrian people.

Al-Zo’bi continued saying that both sides – the US and Russia – are trying to limit the whole story to Aleppo pointing out that both countries are “trying to cheat the Syrian opposition.”

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 06:20 PM

ISIS fired 4 rockes towards Bab al Salama border crossing north of Azaz

OUTLAW 09

05-03-2016, 06:43 PM

MAP. The military situation in #Aleppo city showing recent opposition gains.
HD -
http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/247c/x7e1g4ainw9a3wizg.jpg …

VIDEO: Footage claimed to be from Hama prison shows government forces gathering outside the prison.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8QhoDXJs0I&feature=youtu.be …

Syria: time for UN Security Council to act as 100s s killed in Aleppo. Hospitals and civilians are #NotATarget. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/05/syria-un-security-council-must-step-up-pressure-to-end-attacks-on-hospitals-as-hundreds-killed-in-aleppo/ …

Raised to 18,toll of killed Afghans&Pakistanis of #IRGC(Fatemiun&Zeinabiun)in Syria,buried during last 2days in Iran

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 05:47 AM

Ford: "as long as Assad is in power in Syria, there is no prospect for a political solution that would produce a united front against ISIS"

Assad army trying to recapture lost positions west #Aleppo under heavy artillery & air cover. Pro #Assad media claim positions taken.
HAS not been confirmed as this is coming from Assad propaganda media outlets....

Oh come on...WHEN will Kerry finally pack it in ........he has no creditability and has falsely misstated a number of statements lately.........first threatening on two occasions the HNC...then misstated that Iran was pulling out their troops and then PLAN B, then "specific initiatives" and on and on...........

Kerry warns Syria's Assad of 'repercussions' if truce, transition fail
http://reut.rs/1X72Scz

UNLESS Obama and Kerry are ready to use force to down the Syrian AF and force to stop his missile, rocket and artillery attacks and force to setup "safe zones" for civilians AND allows humanitarian aid to flow......it is just all talk.

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:08 AM

Footage
The #FSA destroyed a regime D-30 artillery piece in New #Aleppo w/ the TOW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDKxAJwzk7s …

BreakingFootage
#Assad regime forces seems to have started an offensive in #Daraa city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF9b1umJe94 …

Footage
Syrian rebels seize #ISIS SVBIED before it could deliver its deadly cargo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ7JtTUQ3bE …

Footage
Another #Assad helicopter attacked #Zorba S-W of #Aleppo yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibRhyS-4_o8 …

Footage
The murderous #Assad regime shelled #Talbisah last night, injuring several civilians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ldi1IYyE1E …

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:10 AM

Footage
Low-flying #Assad jets & helis hit rebels W of #Aleppo. They have nothing to reply with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KJ7_KVptdU …

YET Kerry and Putin just keep on talking which allows Assad ever more time to terrorize civilians as most of his targets have in fact been against civilians NOT against IS......

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:14 AM

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:18 AM

Article on @OrientNewsEn to consider:
"Contrary to what Assad media claim, Aleppo hospital attacked by the regime"
http://www.orient-news.net/en/news_show/111114/0/Contrary-to-what-Assad-media-claim-Aleppo-hospital-attacked-by-the-regime …

IF in fact this had been a rebel attack using an IRAM...first of all it would have been one of the greatest firings of a very inaccurate indirect IRAM attack from a distance of 1.7km...one rocket at a maximum distance of 1.7km from a highly inaccurate weapon.....and that "accidently hit the hospital".....??

It really does appear as if the Assad regime is copying the Russians and or the Russians "suggested it"....this was indeed a false flag attack via a car bomb...notice not even IS claimed it....and they use extensively car bombs.

Resembles the recent car bomb attacks inside the supposedly secure Damascus regime zones.....

BTW the Russians have carried out a total of six distinct "false flag" attacks in eastern Ukraine attempting to paint the Ukraine government as being responsible for them..BUT all were discredited by social media open source analysis just as was this false flag attack.....

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:37 AM

DAY 12.........Kerry is still talking and living well in a Geneva 5 Star hotel at US taxpayers expense and YET achieving nothing that justifies the cost.......

Day 12 of the merciless #Assad air strikes on civilians in #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi9eG4tQy9s&feature=youtu.be …

Appears US foreign policy has now reached the levels of just going through the motions until January 2017...then Kerry should be honest and head home as Assad and Putin are not interested in a political settlement.....it has reached what Bismarck called...."a decision point based on blood and iron".....

When will Kerry and Obama finally learn.....it is a standard Russian tactic to both talk fight and negotiate ALL at the same time...thus keeping the Us completely off balance as Putin knows and fully understand that both Obama and Kerry really just want to talk as they have no action plans.......

Obama and Kerry have failed badly in understanding the battlefield progress totally supports your negotiation position and vice versa....BUT when there is nothing but talk and no military action behind it...then you might as well go home....

THIS is the most perfect example of this Russian tactic as this is ongoing in an are of Russian defined "silence regime"....AND notice not a single comment by either Obama nor Kerry...

25 regime airstrikes counted so far on southern part of E Ghouta this AM + artillery & rocket fire focusing on Deir al-Assafir & Shaba'a

Reports of regime forces/militias amassing near Shaba'a to try & advance into Deir al-Assafir under heavy artillery & air over

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:39 AM

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:45 AM

ISIS controls 10-points from Syrian regime #SAA in the vicinity of Shaer field in eastern #Homs today.

Regime airstrikes this morning in Shaba'a south of eastern Ghouta in rural #Damascus, #Syria

Let's see after Kerry making himself a joke in the Syrian talks...now the UNSC has decoded to join him....this is the fifth UNSC resolution passed by the UNSC on Syrian and nothing has been done and or fulfilled.....what a waste of time...

Farcical -- the Security Council instead of condemning Assad, it passes a res reaffirming standing international law

Especially 2254 which called for immediate ceasing of targeting civilians and immediate humanitarian aid to flow...both of which we can see totally failed....Since "ceasefire" has been in place in Syria, hospitals, schools, markets were shelled/bombed by Assad. Why? no consequences whatsoever

The regime released 32 prisoners from central prison of #Hama after negotiations:
https://www.facebook.com/LCCSy/posts/1383217198372079 …

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 07:51 AM

Russian Syrian Express back on track .......

ВМФ Ropucha class LST #Cф NF A.Otrakovsky completes 5th Syrian deployment of 2016 & returns to the BlackSea 05:30Z

CrowBat

05-04-2016, 09:11 AM

...In essence, a cease-fire in Syria exists only in Kerry's dreams.

Jabhat ash-Shamiyah, Jaysh al-Mujahideen, Faylaq ash-Sham, Harakat Noureddin az-Zenghi, Jaysh at-Tahrir, Jaysh an-Nassr, Firqa 16 and Liwa Suqour al-Jabal have all launched an all-out attack on a wide front of the Zahra District, all the way down to the Tank Battalion Base in NW Aleppo.

This attack began with a detonation of a mine under the Air Force Intelligence Building in Zahra, that should've killed dozens of regime thugs. Regime fans report 'no casualties, building evacuated on time', but at least the District CO of regime forces in Zahra, Ahmed Bakkar Abu Samy, was WIA there. He and plenty of others - many badly injured - were 'evacuated', but to local hospitals. Nobody really knows how many were killed.

The attack continued with insurgents pounding 'regime' (see below for how much is that description fitting any more) positions with everything they've got, from MRLS', via RCLs to MBTs and technicals with light flak. Then the infantry - often supported by BMP-1s - went in.

Advances reported so far appear incremental: Faylaq ash-Sham and Liwa Suqour al-Jabal might have captured the Fun Park and Family House Park. Hezbollah-Syria's Liwa Imam al-Bakr was the first to counterattack there, and seems to have recovered some of these areas. Faylaq ash-Sham confirmed a loss of 22 combatants so far, including 'four commanders'.

Other 'regime' units deployed there are including the PFLP-GC's Liwa al-Qods (which was re-deployed all the way from Hindarat, in northern Aleppo, to this part of the city, apparently indicating the regime got a clue about insurgent offensive), and - reportedly - the 106th Brigade RGD. The latter was lately fighting in Zabadani area, which is a part of Kerry's cease-fire.

This in turn means: despite another 'surge' by Iranians, the regime is meanwhile so short on troops, it can only hold areas by re-shuffling its units from 'non-crisis/cease-fire' areas, to where it urgently needs them.

Talking about Iranian 'surge': while I'm sure Kerry is ready to repeat this urban legends on 'Iranian withdrawal from Syria' until this becomes truth of sort, photos like the one attached below are talking entirely different language. The shot came into being this morning - and then at Russian-held Hmemmem AB: it shows rows of fresh Iranian troops brought to Syria on board IRGCASF's An-74 transports (background)...

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 12:09 PM

Propaganda
Russian army TV creates its own #DabbitHospital attack version w/#AlQuds footage
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201605031805-hpsh.htm …
Footage
Regime pushes forward east of #Damascus, no signs of a truce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mFi5uONIsc …

WHAT "Russian silence regime"...appears they are just talking to gain time for more Assad attacks and YET Kerry sits in a 5 Star hotel talking and talking and talking.......does he realize he is just a complicit in these attacks as he should know what that the Russians are playing him......

Footage
#EastGhouta this morning
The #Assad air force further ignores the #Geneva ceasefire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiWOvSKwsb4&feature=youtu.be …

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 12:32 PM

Kurdish rebels in #Iran have killed 10 Iranian soldiers(IRGC). #Iran army using helicopters, heavy artillery and rocket launchers now.

Clashes reported between #Iran's IRGC and Kurdish forces near the border with #Iraq
https://twitter.com/PDKIRAN/status/727774965123133440 …

IRGC was trying to push troops across the border into Kurdish areas.....

FSA launch offensive against #IslamicState-offshoots in south western #Daraa province

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 12:51 PM

AFP news agency ‏@AFP
#BREAKING At least 22 air strikes near Syria capital as fighting 'freeze' ends:

Some of the regime airstrikes on Deir al-Assafir in eastern Ghouta this morning
https://youtu.be/FiWOvSKwsb4

Turkey set up armed watch towers on #Syria'n border

IslamicState took over Shaer gas/oil fields west of #Pamyra after clashes with #Assad-forces

So much for that so called major Russian victory in Palmyra........

Syria First batch of 32 prisoners from #Hama Central Prison arrived to rebel held Qalaat al Madiq town

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 12:55 PM

Can any SWJ reader/commenter please find out just where Kerry's head is these days.....

He states this.........

U.S. Embassy Syria Verified account 
‏@USEmbassySyria
#SecKerry: We have made progress, particularly in Latakia & Eastern Ghouta, where there has been meaningful decrease in violence since Sat.

BUT Assad and Putin do this at midnight when the so called "regime of silence ran out".....

AFP news agency ‏@AFP
#BREAKING At least 22 air strikes near Syria capital as fighting 'freeze' ends:

Some of the regime airstrikes on Deir al-Assafir in eastern Ghouta this morning
https://youtu.be/FiWOvSKwsb4

BUT hey at least he got to spend the weekend in Switzerland in a 5 Star hotel on the taxpayers dime......in order to utter the above "We have made progress"....NOT exactly sure where there was "progress" but at least in his head he made "progress"......

CrowBat

05-04-2016, 01:09 PM

Can any SWJ reader/commenter please find out just where Kerry's head is these days.....

He states this.........

U.S. Embassy Syria Verified account 
‏@USEmbassySyria
#SecKerry: We have made progress, particularly in Latakia & Eastern Ghouta, where there has been meaningful decrease in violence since Sat.
...sigh... this gentleman belongs being quietly removed from his office, brought back home, sat on some comfortable chair, covered with blanket, reached a cup of tea, and then left to retire.

There is a whole bunch of reports about renewed air strikes, artillery shelling and Hezbollah's attacks on Dayr al-Asafir area (south-eastern side of IF-held Eastern Ghouta).

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 01:11 PM

BBC News - Syria conflict - Aleppo's destruction seen from above
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35921164 …

OCHA Syria ‏@OCHA_Syria
Violence in #Aleppo has led to the death of hundreds of people, damaged schools, hospitals & hindered humanitarian operations

ISIS claims capture of Al-Azatiyah, Tel Battal and Aḩmadīyah from #FSA in latest map.

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 03:56 PM

Another #FSA TOW hits an #Assad 23 mm gun position on top of a building in #Zahraa district.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HUOLDfhbkU …

Footage
#FSA TOW hits (near) #Assad position on the western #Aleppo front.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIwAXR6XQd0 …

Footage
#Assad regime forces also attacked #Damascus's #Jobar quarter today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxFoQ1kh1UQ …

Footage
#FSA hits BMP in #YPG-occupied Maraanaz w/the TOW
Again fr. hospital ruin it seems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGk6bQKeKGg …

NO ONE can tell me, #Turkey couldn't do more to help the #FSA vs. #ISIS ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM9KkIUuiPc&feature=youtu.be …

After dozens auf air strikes yesterday, the regime is back in control of the "Family House Amusement Park".

16th Div. blows up a gathering of Regime soldiers & pick-up with a #Fagot #ATGM in #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4Qak5lp-9w …

IS captured Metis and Konkurs missiles and their launchers, 10 23mm guns, 3 tanks and 2 BMPs in their fighting around the Shair Gas Company

CrowBat

05-04-2016, 04:09 PM

Footage
#FSA hits BMP in #YPG-occupied Maraanaz w/the TOW
Again fr. hospital ruin it seems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGk6bQKeKGg …
Related to this affair (continuous YPG's atttacks on the western side of Azaz Pocket): seems the rest of the DOS is eager to present themselves in similar - completely confused - condition like Kerry.

In that sense: US supports YPG faction not operating around Aleppo (http://aa.com.tr/en/politics/us-supports-ypg-faction-not-operating-around-aleppo-official/523152)

The YPG group the U.S. supports in northern Syria is not part of the YPG that is seizing additional territory around Azaz and Afrin, an American spokesman said Wednesday.

"The YPG groups that we're supporting, there are various parts of the YPG on the ground in Syria. And the ones -- the groups that we're supporting are actually not the same groups," according to State Department spokesman Mark Toner.
...
Ahem... and how comes significant parts of the US-supported, Sunni-Arab SDF were transferred via Turkey (in violation of that country's sovereignity, and against its clear and obvious interests) in order to bolster the YGP (which is an outgrowth of the PKK, a terrorist organization not only for Turkey but the entire NATO too) to the Afrin enclave - and launch attacks on the FSyA in Azaz Pocket?

They beamed themselves over 300 kilometres with help of Capt Kirk's Starship Enterprise...?

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 04:12 PM

76 civilians killed by regime & Russian strikes across #Syria yesterday

Clashes continue between rebels & #ISIS affiliate Liwa Shuhada Yarmouk around Ayn Thikr & Sahm al-Jolan in #Daraa

Issam Al Reis ‏@south_front_sy
#FSA #Southern_Front begins big offensive against #Daesh today in SW#Daraa province to free Syrians from the grip of these terrorists

Issam Al Reis ‏@south_front_sy
Soon as we began the operation this morning regime started preparing to attack our forces in the area helping its allies #Daesh

Homs: ISIS almost capture all of the oil fields in Al Sha'ir & destroys 3 Assad regime tanks

Homs: Instead of giving #Syria|n refugees the #UNHCR tents, #Assad militias using them.

Homs: #ISIS fighters on #Shaer gas field with destroyed #Assad tank & captured weapons.
http://amaqvideos.press/v/ar04052016-360.mp4 …

Eastern #Homs: #ISIS has killed 30 #Assad militias from Alawite neighborhood of Al-Zahraa in #Homs on #Shaer gas field today.

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 04:46 PM

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 05:37 PM

Russian lies again......the Assad air strikes never stopped even during the so called Russian "regimes of silence"..........

Russia says Nusra attacks stopped 24-hour Aleppo truce
http://on.wsj.com/23puJ7t

Next Russian lie ...was and is....there was never a ceasefire approved for Aleppo and that is why Kerry was in Geneva trying to get Russia to allow one.....

Two lies in one statement... a new record.....

BREAKING: US officials say agreement reached with Russia on extending Syria truce to Aleppo, although clashes persist.

BUT WAIT...how can this be when since the Feb 2016 agreements the CoH applied to all parts of Syria thus a ceasefire was actually supposedly in effect also for Aleppo...BUT then when Russia stated certain areas had an "extra regime of silence" from 24-72 hours suddenly Aleppo was "forgotten" then now we have Russia stating the 24 hour silence regime for Aleppo is off...BUT then today we have also a US statement stating it is on for the very first time.

Exactly what altered states of reality are the US and Russia in right now....??

Assad & #Putin game in #Aleppo : Launch sudden crushing attacks on rebels then propose cease fire when rebels begin counter attack

Already hearing calls from the recently revived Jaish al-Fath to ignore any ceasefire deals and continue fighting

Putin/#Assad killed around 300 civilians in #Aleppo in 2 weeks and #UN and western nations crying: "We need another non existing ceasefire"

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 05:50 PM

For those that really do believe IS and AQ are on the same sheet of music in Syria........

Dogs of Hell-Fire, IS khawarij execute a JN leader in Yarmouk camps

NOW watch Jan beat up on IS and again who stated they are allies.....???

OUTLAW 09

05-04-2016, 06:21 PM

This is exactly the same fear former DoS Clinton had when she learned about Kerry going behind her back and talking back channels with Iran when he was a Senator......

I'm afraid if Kerry and Lavrov stay in the room too long Kerry will give Alaska back to Russia,"

UN says that #Assad's bombing of Aleppo is some of the worst of the entire #Syria-n war. Watch live:
http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/security-council-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-7687th-meeting/4823172045001 …

Syria From battle in al-Zahra Association in western #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Iu6G6DzdU …

Anybody see any actual evidence yet that Russia withdrew 30 aircraft & all their Su-25s?
http://bbc.in/1SZ13vg

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:05 AM

BREAKING: US officials say agreement reached with Russia on extending Syria truce to Aleppo, although clashes persist.

BUT WAIT...how can this be when since the Feb 2016 agreements the CoH applied to all parts of Syria thus a ceasefire was actually supposedly in effect also for Aleppo...BUT then when Russia stated certain areas had an "extra regime of silence" from 24-72 hours suddenly Aleppo was "forgotten" then now we have Russia stating the 24 hour silence regime for Aleppo is off...BUT then today we have also a US statement stating it is on for the very first time.

Exactly what altered states of reality are the US and Russia in right now....??

Assad & #Putin game in #Aleppo : Launch sudden crushing attacks on rebels then propose cease fire when rebels begin counter attack

Already hearing calls from the recently revived Jaish al-Fath to ignore any ceasefire deals and continue fighting

Putin/#Assad killed around 300 civilians in #Aleppo in 2 weeks and #UN and western nations crying: "We need another non existing ceasefire"

PERFECT EXAMPLE of the Kerry failures in fully understanding the Russian negotiation tactics.....he urgently and badly "wants" to be seen as this great negotiator ego wise but in reality he is played time and time and time....

THIS are was suppose to be under the first ceasefire called a CoH, then excluded then included as the area of "regime of silence for 48 hours...BUT THEN this occurs which Kerry should now finally see is a failure of the Russians to hold to anything they state....

Just as they have utterly failed in implementing a single point of the 11 points of Minsk 2 and we are going into a full year on that agreement...

So when will Kerry finally admit he really is a poor negotiator????

Assad army air and artillery attacks on Khan Tuman and al-Eis villages south #Aleppo spite the 48 hrs ceasefire started this morning.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:11 AM

The drone filming the #Aleppo tunnel bomb also had a close shave with a passing #IRAM

Night clashes with #ISIL outside Mare village north Aleppo -

Regime tried attacking near Handrat, Aleppo but were repelled losing 15 fighters

Many regime army soldiers killed by rebels in a failed attack on Dair al-Asafir #EastGhouta #Damascus

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:16 AM

Under the rubric of "to much vodka".....

MFA Russia
✔ ‎@mfa_russia #Lavrov: The actions of Turkey as the main instigator of “security zones” talks betray its expansionist motives not only as regards Syria

BUT WAIT...and the Russian military annexation of Crimea and their invasion of eastern Ukraine is under exactly what rubric????..."expansionist motives"....??

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:30 AM

CrowBat...something for you ...confirms your previous comments on the fact that the USAF is actually doing little to nothing in Turkey...definitively not attacking identified IS positions.....

Turkish Army: U.S refused to attack #ISIL positions targeting Turkey inside Syria

BUT WAIT did not the Us state there will be a HIMARS positioned along the Turkish border in May?????

Both a serious and at the same time interesting question..why are both the US and Putin so not wanting to attack IS in Syria???

It is like you must drag them into a fight with IS.....??

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:37 AM

IslamicState killed #SAA Brigade General Qusai Ibrahim at Shaer gas/oil fields NW of #Palmyra

Aleppo Kurdish #YPG forces shelling #Azaz with Anti-Aircraft guns last night

30 Alawite militiamen from Alzahra neighborhood in Homs have been killed in Shaer gas field clashes

The Still acts of theft and looting. Sustained by the elements #Assad and his militia in #Palmyra #Syria

FSA launched new assault on #IS-offshoots in south western #Daraa province https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83wxAIl6tdM …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=32.802426&lon=35.914907&z=14&m=b …

BREAKING: Syrian military confirms 48-hour cease-fire in northern city of Aleppo after U.S.-Russian agreement - AP

BUT WAIT Aleppo was suppose to be as well as the rest of Syria covered under the previous US/Russian cessation of hostilities agreement in Geneva 2??????

So why did not Assad and Putin hold to it?????

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:18 PM

CrowBat........any ideas as to this comment....??

Turkey unable/unwilling to stop daily rocket attacks by #IslamicState across #Syria'n boder on #Kilis town

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:22 PM

PERFECT EXAMPLE of the Kerry failures in fully understanding the Russian negotiation tactics.....he urgently and badly "wants" to be seen as this great negotiator ego wise but in reality he is played time and time and time....

THIS are was suppose to be under the first ceasefire called a CoH, then excluded then included as the area of "regime of silence for 48 hours...BUT THEN this occurs which Kerry should now finally see is a failure of the Russians to hold to anything they state....

Just as they have utterly failed in implementing a single point of the 11 points of Minsk 2 and we are going into a full year on that agreement...

So when will Kerry finally admit he really is a poor negotiator????

Assad army air and artillery attacks on Khan Tuman and al-Eis villages south #Aleppo spite the 48 hrs ceasefire started this morning.

BUT WAIT has not Kerry and the Russian FM announced the 24 hour so called ceasefire for Aleppo......

Seems to not be occurring BUT who would have thought otherwise....certainly not Kerry.....who is in it for the travel at taxpayers expense and the 5 star hotels and that is about it....

Assad regime helicopters have dropped several barrel bombs on outskirts of Tawman & southern al-Rashideen in Aleppo.

From what I see,rebels in #Aleppo have enough of the UN, Geneva 1,2,3, "cessation of hostilities" & "silence regimes"...
Fighting continues.

Assad never stopped his attacks.
They have been the stupids so many times by not launching preemptive offensives & so on.
Not this time.

HOW is it that a bunch of rebels fighting for the rule of law, transparency, and good governance dodging IS/YPG/Iranian ground attacks and Assad and Russian air strikes fully understands Assad and Putin's every move BUT the so call US Sec of State who is living in 5 star hotels and traveling at the US taxpayers expense SEEMS to be hard pressed to understand anything Putin says and or does BUT WAIT just maybe he and Obama actually do support the Russian foreign policy as something to emulate.....

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:25 PM

BUT WAIT....did not Russian verify to both the US and the UNSC that Assad regime was CW free....then just how does Putin explain this.....?????

Report that Assad regime used CWs against ISIS, likely Sarin. Would be first time Sarin was used since '13 massacre
http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/1.717294 …

APPARENTLY Putin lied to both the US and the UNSC...but what the heck it is just IS....so that is OK....so the Russian lie does not count does it...???

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:37 PM

Footage
#Assad choppers over #Houla today
No attacks so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvFnwboKU2Q …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDLA8VYj5aY …

Rebels lost Khirbat Tel Sha‘īr, Khalfatli, Baghidin, the gas plant, Qarah Mazr'ah, Qarah Kubri, Dalhah and Al-Mazra'ah as-Suda since yday.

Situation for rebels along the Syr-Tur border is catastrophic.
Map shows #ISIS gains during last 24 hours.

NOT a single effort by both Turkey and the US to assist FSA in pushing back against a strong IS counter offensive.....high number of IS targets are available BUT it appears that Turkey and especially the US is not interested in damaging IS....

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:49 PM

FSA D-30 artillery fire vs. #ISIS in S-W #Syria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf3AHk9ViS8 …

Rebel mortars and #Assad air strikes west of #Aleppo (picture).
Unclear if today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL2wRLark-c …

#News
2 civ got killed by #Assad artillery while traveling in their car west of #Aleppo.
Happened 8 hrs after "regime of silence" started.

The inhabitants of #Kilis protest the #ISIS rocket attacks last night.
http://tv.sozcu.com.tr/2016/haber/video/kilise-roketatarli-saldirilara-tencere-tavali-protesto?utm_source=sm_tw&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=tv_haber …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:54 PM

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
Re #pt: not exactly clear which Asala (Authenticity and Development Front) unit is operating in western Aleppo. Suggestions welcome.

Kyle W. Orton ‎@KyleWOrton
#Syria: Looks fairly clear now that the Jabhat al-Nusra-led offensive (under the Jaysh al-Fatah banner) is underway in southern #Aleppo.

Rebels piling on the Jaysh al-Fatah offensive: Asala attacking #Assad's forces in Zahra, Western Aleppo city.

Ajnad al-Sham (the Salafi Jaysh al-Fatah-north one, not the Sufi one in East Ghouta) confirms ops begun in S #Aleppo

Note: al-Qaeda built this power-base in southern Aleppo during #Russia's intervention, which bombed hospitals in the north instead.

Insurgents started on Khan Tuman, seems moderates pushing out from city as Nusra-led forces approach from the south.

Syria: Looks fairly clear now that the Jabhat al-Nusra-led offensive (under the Jaysh al-Fatah banner) is underway in southern #Aleppo.

Al-Qaeda appears to be beginning its offensive in southern #Aleppo. Jund al-Aqsa and #TIP (both dependent on AQ) have been seen moving in.

Jund al-Aqsa pops up again today -- in southern Aleppo

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 01:58 PM

How is it possible that Is fully understands exactly where to attack Assad and Putin in order to completely resupply themselves.....there is literally no need for IS for any outside resupply efforts.....they attack and simply rearm themselves via Assad when they need to......

JUST how is that possible....WITHOUT prior planning between the two????

al-Sha'er,IS claims to capture:
20 T55/T62s
9 122/130 howitzers
1 57mm AA
Konkurs/Kornet missiles and launchers
Lots of ammo/weapons

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 02:02 PM

Truly worth reading...by someone who knows AQ and the ME.......

Kyle W. Orton ‏@KyleWOrton
Al-Qaeda prepares to "come out" in #Syria; only the rebellion can stop them.
http://atfp.co/1Tu71lh
via Charles_Lister

Actually a quite accurate assessment......BUT WAIT we know that the Obama WH really does not care as they are heading out the door in Jan 2017.....

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 03:32 PM

A defector offers more details on al-Qaeda's extensive relationship with #Iran |
http://bit.ly/1SPBzy4 v @DavidADaoud + @thomasjoscelyn

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 03:35 PM

We have seen FIVE such Russian shelling and artillery strike false flag attacks in eastern Ukraine SO why not in Syria……AND yet western MSM fell for it again…….

http://eaworldview.com/2016/05/syria-analysis-how-assad-regime-may-have-staged-rebel-attack-on-aleppo-hospital-and-fooled-worlds-media/

Syria Special: How Regime May Have Staged “Rebel Attack” on Aleppo Hospital…and Fooled World’s Media

On Tuesday morning, Syria’s State media added an important story to its claims of rebel attacks on civilians in regime-held areas of Aleppo city.

For the first time, the outlets proclaimed that a medical facility had been hit, declaring that “terrorist rockets” had struck the al-Dhabeet Maternity Hospital in west Aleppo. Three women had been killed and 17 women and children wounded, said State news agency SANA. Photographs showed damage to the front of the hospital, with windows blown out, and destroyed cars in the street.

But the narrative immediately ran into trouble. Analysts quickly noted that the pictures did not point to a rocket attack but to a vehicle bomb, given that one of the cars had been blown into pieces and that the hospital showed the widespread effects of a bombing rather than the more direct impact of a rocket. Witnesses, including the hospital director, spoke of a “blast” rather than a strike from the air.

So State media shifted the story. By afternoon, it was a shell that had hit a military vehicle, causing an explosion that fit better with the photographs.

Even later, some accounts began speaking of a “missile” that had been fired on the hospital, the first time that the rebels would have carried out that type of attack on a civilian target in Aleppo.

None of this, however, dealt with the problems that the witnesses had not heard the whistle associated with a rocket or missile. Nor did it explain why the car which had been blown apart appeared to be that of a civilian, and not the armed forces.

Perhaps unwittingly, the Assad regime’s outlet had raised the propaganda stakes. Initially, their hope was to take attention away from the surge in Russian and regime airstrikes and missiles that had not only killed more than 250 civilians in and near Aleppo since April, but had destroyed a major hospital, a clinic, a medical warehouse, and a civil defense center.

Those attacks had prompted a UN Security Council session on Tuesday which unanimously called for an end to the attacks and protection of all medical personnel. The regime’s hope may have been to divert attention from itself and onto the “terrorist” rebels, often framed — inaccurately — as the jihadists of Jabhat al-Nusra.

The exposure of a car bomb would not only undermine that effort but raise a bigger PR problem for regime officials. Given the high level of security in the area of the hospital — and given that rebels have never penetrated that security, even if they had sought to do so — the most plausible explanation is that the car was planted in the area. Put bluntly, the Assad regime had staged a “false flag” operation, killing some of the civilians that it claims to protect.

How to escape that possibility? Well, there is always the glimmer that the world’s media will run your original story, even with all its flaws.

And so far the Assad regime has that security, with international outlets — from The New York Times to Reuters — sheltering it with lead paragraphs about rebel “rockets” and “missiles”.

THE LOCATION

The al-Dhabeet Hospital is well to the south of the area where all the claimed “terrorist rockets” had previously landed in west Aleppo. It is not close to any of the sites that have been named by Syrian State media. It is distant from the current fighting between rebels and regime forces in the northwest of the city.

AL-DHABEET MAP

(Map: Julian Roecpke)

The distance — put at 1.6 km from the closest rebel line — is significant because it places the hospital out of reach of the rebels’ firing positions for “hell cannons” and mortars, blamed for most of the attacks on west Aleppo. The longer-range Grad rocket can travel up to 20 km, but its lack of precision would mean — if it was used — that the hospital was not deliberately targeted.

Moreover, the location of the hospital hinders the possibility of a howitzer, artillery, or tank shell. With all the tall buildings surrounding al-Dhabeet, it would be close to a miracle trajectory for a shell to have caused the supposed impact on the street in front of the hospital.

That leaves the idea of a pinpoint missile strike — the belated explanation by some pro-Assad outlets — but no one has established the likely path of such an attack, especially given that rebel forces have not previously attempted such a launch in the Aleppo battle.

THE DAMAGE

The photographs of the attack clearly showed the destruction of cars in front of the hospital.

AL-DHABEET HOSPITAL ALEPPO 03-05-16

A closer look identifies one vehicle which appears to have been blown apart from the inside, not from an external strike:

AL-DHABEET CAR

Assad’s ally Russia unwittingly added questions with raw video of the destruction from State broadcaster RT:

And another Russian outlet, ANNA News, features an outpatient who speaks (2:48 mark) of a “big bomb”, matching the account of the hospital’s director and other witnesses:

Both photographs and video also show the damage across the hospital, including shattered windows and pockmarked faced, pointing to the widespread impact associated with a car bomb.

So far there has been no evidence of any canister associated with a rocket.

THE CHANGING EXPLANATION
Witnesses at the site claimed that Syrian intelligence officers quickly moved into the area after the blast, not only securing the area but setting up the “rockets” explanation. State media immediately put out the story of 3 dead and injured, and some accomplices — such as Murad Gazdiev of Russia’s RT — went farther with inflated casualty figures:

State news agency SANA did not go as far as to put out the “two dozen” number, and it soon faced pressure over the photographs challenging the rocket narrative. So the line changed to the “missile on a military vehicle”.

However, when even that proved difficult, SANA reverted to the vague “terrorist organizations’ attacks”, although the Foreign Ministry wrote letters to the UN which continued to declared that “terrorists fired large rocket shells”, and SANA’s brief update on Wednesday referred to “rocket shells”.

THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

Given all the questions around the attack and the inconsistencies in State media, one might have expected some caution in international coverage of the incident.

But, fortunately for the Assad regime, there has been no scrutiny. Reuters is blunt: “Rebel fighters…fired rockets on a hospital.” Al Jazeera follows with “a rebel rocket attack”.

Anne Barnard of The New York Times, one of the best correspondents on Syria, is more cautious; however, she fails to pick up on the significance of the images challenging the official narrative: “Insurgent shelling hit a maternity hospital in the government-held section of the Syrian city of Aleppo on Tuesday, according to state media and footage from the scene.”

And The Washington Post, rather than pausing for a careful settlement, runs a banner headline: “Rebel Shelling Hits Aleppo Hospital Amid Cease-Fire Efforts”. It asserts in the lead paragraph:

A Syrian rebel assault on government-held parts of Aleppo killed as many as 19 people, activists and Syrian state media said Tuesday, in attacks that included a deadly rocket strike on a hospital.

Part of the challenge is that journalists are unable to get into regime district of Aleppo to verify stories. Declan Walsh of The New York Times finally was able last week to enter the area to carry out some interviews, but he departed for Damascus before Tuesday’s events.

But part of the media’s difficulty is self-imposed, with reliance on limited and far-from-reliable channels. Reuters, for example, draws almost all their information — not just on Aleppo but on developments across Syria — from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the organization founded by a Syrian shopkeeper in Britain which often recycles chatter as confirmed facts. In turn, Al Jazeera relies on Reuters for much of their output, and The Huffington Post reprints the Reuters article under the headline, “Aleppo Hospital Hit By Rebel Rockets“. Other outlets, as in Tuesday’s case, are dependent on transmitting whatever claim is circulated by Syrian State media.

ASKING QUESTIONS

But perhaps the biggest challenge is just asking questions, rather than printing without critique. Given the demand to publish quickly, combined with the difficulty of a complex situation, the easiest option is to put out the narrative as confirmed.

And, of course, that is what the Assad regime will have known going into Tuesday. It does not want questions asked. It wants questions deflected — notably over the Russian-regime attacks in and near Aleppo on civilian targets, including on medical facilities. It wants to change the narrative, as it tries to hold out against meaningful political transition, especially one that puts President Assad at risk of a future trial.

The media is still citing last week’s Russian-regime assaults that killed doctors, rescuers, patients, and other civilians, but today it is almost always coupling this with the supposed tragic “balance” of the al-Dhabeet incident.

Soon — at least until the next Russian-regime attack that leaves scores dead at a medical facility which is supposed about the saving of lives — all the incidents will disappear.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 03:45 PM

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2016-05-03/calling-hassan-khomeini-and-other-iranians-moderates-is-a-misnomer

Moderation Is a Misnomer in Iran

Why is American media labeling hardliners in Iran as moderates?

By Emaneule Ottolenghi | Contributor
May 3, 2016, at 3:10 p.m.

Proponents of a nuclear deal with Iran have expressed hope that it would put Tehran on a more moderate course. President Obama, on the eve of the deal, suggested that it could "strengthen the hand of those more moderate forces inside of Iran." Yet no matter how moderate these forces may be compared to their more radical opponents, their policies are not significantly different from those of the so-called hard-liners. A representative example is Seyed Hassan Khomeini, the 44-year-old grandson of the founder of the Iranian revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

The young Khomeini briefly stirred excitement in the West last December when he ran for a seat in the Assembly of Experts, a clerical council tasked with selecting Iran's next supreme leader. (He was later disqualified.) A Financial Times journalist noted that "by Iranian standards, Mr. Khomeini is a moderate senior cleric." The New York Times' Iran-based reporter dubbed the younger Khomeini "a moderate Iranian cleric." Once disqualified for running, the Associated Press concluded, "The barring of moderates and reformists is seen as a hardline tactic to limit Rouhani's moderate allies after the nuclear deal."

But moderate by Iranian standards bears little resemblance to moderation as understood in the West.

Months before Khomeini announced his candidacy, Tehran dispatched him to Latin America as part of its ongoing efforts to export its Islamic revolution in the Western Hemisphere. In a highly publicized trip to Brazil, Khomeini visited Shia mosques, schools and cultural centers in the cities of Sao Paulo and Curitiba, and in Foz do Iguacu, the town at the confluence of the Argentine, Brazilian and Paraguayan frontiers. That tri-border area has for more than a decade been the Latin American center of money laundering and terror finance for Iran's Lebanon-based proxy Hezbollah.

Khomeini toured Brazil accompanied by Iran's ambassador, underscoring the official, Tehran-approved character of his visit. His host in Sao Paulo was Sheikh Taleb Hussein al-Khazraji, whom the slain Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman named in his 2013 report on Iran's Latin American networks as "an employee of the Iranian government" who recruited "highly politicized believers to get them close to Tehran."

Khomeini's visit also included stops in Curitiba and Foz do Iguacu, both hubs of Shia radicalism and Hezbollah terror finance where local Shia families keep close ties to their ancestral homes in South Lebanon. Brazilian police arrested a suspected Hezbollah financier in Curitiba in May 2013 – an indication that illicit finance activities on the group's behalf are still ongoing. In June 2014, Curitiba Muslims attended a memorial service for a young Hezbollah fighter killed in Syria, which was led by family members clad in a Hezbollah scarf. Foz, the city on the Brazilian side of the tri-border, is home to many Shias of Lebanese origin who work in Paraguay's Ciudad Del Este, including some whom the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned since 2006 for illicit finance on Hezbollah's behalf.

While in Foz, Khomeini described Israel as "a cancerous growth" in the region – an echo of his grandfather's own rhetoric – and called for its immediate destruction. In Sao Paulo, he met with Seyed Mohsen Bilal Wehbe, a local Hezbollah cleric and financier according to Treasury's 2010 designation.

These are not the associations a genuine moderate seeks. Here, then, is the crux of Western confusion over labeling the young Khomeini and his fellow travelers "moderates." As the chief American nuclear negotiator Wendy Sherman recently noted, "There are hardliners in Iran, and then there are hard-hardliners in Iran." After all, with "moderates" like Khomeini and his ilk, who needs hardliners?

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 04:01 PM

Allegedly the commander of Liwa Tawhid al-Janoub (Southern Unity Brigade) of the #FSA's Southern Front has been killed in Deraa,

Russia 2 TOS-1A, 3 TZM-T resupply vehicle and Mil Mi-28 #Latakia airbase #Syria

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 04:03 PM

BUT WAIT has not Kerry and the Russian FM announced the 24 hour so called ceasefire for Aleppo......

Seems to not be occurring BUT who would have thought otherwise....certainly not Kerry.....who is in it for the travel at taxpayers expense and the 5 star hotels and that is about it....

Assad regime helicopters have dropped several barrel bombs on outskirts of Tawman & southern al-Rashideen in Aleppo.

From what I see,rebels in #Aleppo have enough of the UN, Geneva 1,2,3, "cessation of hostilities" & "silence regimes"...
Fighting continues.

Assad never stopped his attacks.
They have been the stupids so many times by not launching preemptive offensives & so on.
Not this time.

HOW is it that a bunch of rebels fighting for the rule of law, transparency, and good governance dodging IS/YPG/Iranian ground attacks and Assad and Russian air strikes fully understands Assad and Putin's every move BUT the so call US Sec of State who is living in 5 star hotels and traveling at the US taxpayers expense SEEMS to be hard pressed to understand anything Putin says and or does BUT WAIT just maybe he and Obama actually do support the Russian foreign policy as something to emulate.....

Aleppo: #Assad regime attacking #Aleppo City with barrel bombs now.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 04:07 PM

Ajnad al-Sham artillery "before the battle" today -- note the nasty sky
http://www.mgm.gov.tr/en-us/forecast-sds.aspx …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 04:10 PM

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 05:19 PM

Reports Jaish al-Fath coalition launch a new offensive south Aleppo to take Barnah, Khan Tuman & Khalsa villages from Assad & IRGC militias.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 05:22 PM

Well Kerry can now pack it in and leave his 5 Star hotel in Geneva......his so called "Aleppo ceasefire" is DOA.........

Russia'n warplanes bombing a dozen villages in southern #Aleppo now

Syria 15 Pro-regime (asian) mercenaries captured by rebels in southern #Aleppo outskirts today- some captured

JN with what seems to be a captured Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun fighter (#Iranian proxy) in southern #Aleppo.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 06:42 PM

Assad forces and allied militias now trapped in Khan Tuman south Aleppo requesting air cover to retreat.

So what does Kerry say now........??
Video from the IDP camp housing mostly women and children targeted by Assad/Russia warplanes
https://youtu.be/dMnOCgWCFvg

The moment a suspected #Assad jet hits a @Refugees camp in #Idlib province today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CREhxuyCXns …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 06:44 PM

Assad forces and allied militias now trapped in Khan Tuman south Aleppo requesting air cover to retreat.

So what does Kerry say now........??
Video from the IDP camp housing mostly women and children targeted by Assad/Russia warplanes
https://youtu.be/dMnOCgWCFvg

Warplane reportedly Russian attacked IDP camp outskirts Sarmada village near Turkish borders killed at leat 4 ppl.

Airstrikes on #refugee camp in Sarmada #Idlib today
70+ dead

Jund al-Aqsa claims large parts of Khan Touman taken

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 06:47 PM

Vid of rebels storming family house Aleppo 2days ago. Regime airstrike missed them by meters
https://youtu.be/6AHdm2uwynI

Jabhat al-Nursa suicide attack inside Khat Tuman village held by Iranian militias south #Aleppo.

Aleppo rebels in control of "bulgur factory" one of the most important points from #Assad's forces in #KhanThoman

Reports from battle at southern outskirts of #Aleppo today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0cYnLC04OY …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98xE2n6OjGU …

Russia'n warplanes bombing a dozen villages in southern #Aleppo now

Rebels claim entire control of Khalidiya in southern #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.124045&lon=37.044182&z=15&m=b …

FSA retook Dudiyan from #IS in northern #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.632818&lon=37.289228&z=14&m=b …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:05 PM

From the #RussianArmy (via #Assad) to #ISIS:
A #KamAZ-5350 General Utility Truck.

Just a note....JaN really does understand how to use armor in a major assault.....

Jabhat al-#Nusra T-55, T-72 and BMP-1 that took part in the offensive on #KhanTuman today.

Footage
#Assad heli drops bombs on rural #Aleppo. Only field hit this time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zc1msumXDfw …

FSA TOW vs. #Assad regime BMP-1 in #Hama province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XZX0QurhqY …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:08 PM

The #Saramada #IDP shortly ago.
#Assad is like #cancer for #Syria.
#ISIS the metastasis ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seRhM9zipyQ …

BreakingFootage
At least 30 killed in #Assad air force massacre in the #Sarmada #IDP camp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBP5ugAI1B0 …

Footage
Suicide car bombing vs. #Assad position in #KhanTuman south of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOKbthoap0A …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:09 PM

Looks like Assad knows that the only way for him to stay is if he keeps the conflict going.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:16 PM

SyriaCeasefire +30 dead in Assad airstrikes on IDP camp in #Idlib + airstrikes in Hraytan, Khan al-Asal, Kafrhamra & Castello Rd. in #Aleppo

Syrian Rebels capture Khalidiyeh village after clashes with Assad regime killing dozens

Syrian Rebels repel ISIS from Gara village on border with Turkey killing at least 10

Syrian Rebels have recaptured Dudyan from ISIS.
ISIS tried to target them with suicide bomber

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:23 PM

Irony: @RT_com propaganda uses @infowars psuedo-analyst to proclaim US propaganda conspiracy over #Aleppo
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/341934-syria-tuce-agreement-carter/ …

Remember when Zarif claimed that Khamenei doesn't deny Holocaust?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=s7BOJ6A9v4Q …

Watch Iran's SL #Khamenei doubts Holocaust happened: "It's not clear whether it's real or not"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHcnCFM8VNw …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:27 PM

So what does Kerry say now........??
Video from the IDP camp housing mostly women and children targeted by Assad/Russia warplanes
https://youtu.be/dMnOCgWCFvg

The moment a suspected #Assad jet hits a @Refugees camp in #Idlib province today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CREhxuyCXns …

#Idlib: Brave #Syria|n man curses #Assad, #Russia and #Iran after the #Sarmada Refugee Camp massacre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urm6YdLbhls …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:41 PM

Amazing Assad resupply run for IS......

Regime losses of gear to #IS at Shaer gas company NW of #Palmyra
Footage:
http://amaqvideos.press/v/sr05052016-720.mp4 …

While Russia captured Palmyra IS took the gas and oil fields...where was Putin???

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 07:51 PM

Detainees at Hama's central prison are calling for help, saying they fear Assad forces will soon invade the prison and massacre them all.

Southern #Aleppo: Reports that #Syria|n rebels have captured #Abu_Ruwayl village from pro-#Assad forces.

RuAF Mi-8AMTSh with "Vitebsk" IR CM system now also flying over southern Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibRhyS-4_o8 …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 08:02 PM

The moment Jaish al-Fath trapped and captured IRGC militant near Khan Tuman south Aleppo
https://youtu.be/RrMrCrcS4NI

JaF (Ahrar) claims they destroyed multiple artillery pieces and vehicles in Khalsa front in reef South Aleppo

Unconfirmed reports Jaish al-Fath captured Abu Ruwayl village and few other nearby positions from IRGC south Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.912167&lon=37.129154&z=15&m=b …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 08:29 PM

Aleppo Rebels cut off #Assad-forces in Khan Touman at former "Ammunition Depot"
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.118828&lon=37.058280&z=16&m=b …

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 08:34 PM

No amount of "messaging" can cover up the massive killing of IFPs today in Syria....WHICH reflects a total Obama FP failure as the safe zones were recommended to him years ago ..AND he said no then and again this week.....then the massive killing of defenseless civilians in an IDP camp.........

Obama: Syria safe zone is a "practical problem".
Couple of days later..
White House: no excuse for air strike on Syria refugee camp.

OUTLAW 09

05-05-2016, 08:51 PM

Go back to the SWJ WaPo article where the Obama WH argued that in fact their Syrian/IS strategy was working...it was just you and me we "did not get it" and you and me "just needed MORE messaging" in order to "get it".....

When it is all said and done and the historians get their hands on the Obama period you will be wondering just "how much messaging we have been fed by this WH".....and we are the people who put him in office.....

REFERENCE this messaging campaign of the Obama WH.....directed against US citizens......

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/magazine/the-aspiring-novelist-who-bec...

IT is critical that one read the entire long article.......

The Aspiring Novelist Who Became
Obama’s Foreign-Policy Guru

How Ben Rhodes rewrote the rules of diplomacy for the digital age.

By DAVID SAMUELSMAY 5, 2016

Picture him as a young man, standing on the waterfront in North Williamsburg, at a polling site, on Sept. 11, 2001, which was Election Day in New York City. He saw the planes hit the towers, an unforgettable moment of sheer disbelief followed by panic and shock and lasting horror, a scene that eerily reminded him, in the aftermath, of the cover of the Don DeLillo novel “Underworld.”

Everything changed that day. But the way it changed Ben Rhodes’s life is still unique, and perhaps not strictly believable, even as fiction. He was in the second year of the M.F.A. program at N.Y.U., writing short stories about losers in garden apartments and imagining that soon he would be published in literary magazines, acquire an agent and produce a novel by the time he turned 26. He saw the first tower go down, and after that he walked around for a while, until he ran into someone he knew, and they went back to her shared Williamsburg apartment and tried to find a television that worked, and when he came back outside, everyone was taking pictures of the towers in flames. He saw an Arab guy sobbing on the subway. “That image has always stayed with me,” he says. “Because I think he knew more than we did about what was going to happen.” Writing Frederick Barthelme knockoffs suddenly seemed like a waste of time.

“I immediately developed this idea that, you know, maybe I want to try to write about international affairs,” he explained. “In retrospect, I had no idea what that meant.” His mother’s closest friend growing up ran the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which then published Foreign Policy. He sent her a letter and included what would wind up being his only piece of published fiction, a short story that appeared in The Beloit Fiction Journal. It was titled “The Goldfish Smiles, You Smile Back.” The story still haunts him, he says, because “it foreshadowed my entire life.”

It’s the day of President Obama’s final State of the Union address, Jan. 12, and the news inside the White House is not good. Luckily, the reporters on the couch in the West Wing waiting room don’t know it yet. The cream of the crop are here this early p.m. for a private, off-the-record lunch with the president, who will preview his annual remarks to Congress over a meal that is reported to be among the best in the White House chef’s repertoire.

“Blitzer!” a man calls out. A small figure in a long navy cashmere overcoat turns around, in mock surprise.

“You don’t write, you don’t call,” Wolf Blitzer, the CNN anchorman, parries.

“Well, you can call,” shoots back his former colleague Roland Martin. Their repartee thus concluded, they move on to the mutually fascinating subject of Washington traffic jams. “I used to have a 9:30 hit on CNN,” Martin reminisces. “The office was 8.2 miles from my home. It took me 45 minutes.” The CBS News anchor Scott Pelley tells a story about how members of the press destroyed the lawn during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and were told that they would be allowed back once the grass was replanted. The National Park Service replanted the grass outside the White House, but the journalists weren’t allowed back on the lawn.

Unnoticed by the reporters, Ben Rhodes walks through the room, a half-beat behind a woman in leopard-print heels. He is holding a phone to his ear, repeating his mantra: “I’m not important. You’re important.”

The Boy Wonder of the Obama White House is now 38. He heads downstairs to his windowless basement office, which is divided into two parts. In the front office, his assistant, Rumana Ahmed, and his deputy, Ned Price, are squeezed behind desks, which face a large television screen, from which CNN blares nonstop. Large pictures of Obama adorn the walls. Here is the president adjusting Rhodes’s tie; presenting his darling baby daughter, Ella, with a flower; and smiling wide while playing with Ella on a giant rug that says “E Pluribus Unum.”

For much of the past five weeks, Rhodes has been channeling the president’s consciousness into what was imagined as an optimistic, forward-looking final State of the Union. Now, from the flat screens, a challenge to that narrative arises: Iran has seized two small boats containing 10 American sailors. Rhodes found out about the Iranian action earlier that morning but was trying to keep it out of the news until after the president’s speech. “They can’t keep a secret for two hours,” Rhodes says, with a tone of mild exasperation at the break in message discipline.

As the deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, Rhodes writes the president’s speeches, plans his trips abroad and runs communications strategy across the White House, tasks that, taken individually, give little sense of the importance of his role. He is, according to the consensus of the two dozen current and former White House insiders I talked to, the single most influential voice shaping American foreign policy aside from Potus himself. The president and Rhodes communicate “regularly, several times a day,” according to Denis McDonough, Obama’s chief of staff, who is known for captaining a tight ship. “I see it throughout the day in person,” he says, adding that he is sure that in addition to the two to three hours that Rhodes might spend with Obama daily, the two men communicate remotely throughout the day via email and phone calls. Rhodes strategized and ran the successful Iran-deal messaging campaign, helped negotiate the opening of American relations with Cuba after a hiatus of more than 50 years and has been a co-writer of all of Obama’s major foreign-policy speeches. “Every day he does 12 jobs, and he does them better than the other people who have those jobs,” Terry Szuplat, the longest-tenured member of the National Security Council speechwriting corps, told me. On the largest and smallest questions alike, the voice in which America speaks to the world is that of Ben Rhodes.

Like Obama, Rhodes is a storyteller who uses a writer’s tools to advance an agenda that is packaged as politics but is often quite personal. He is adept at constructing overarching plotlines with heroes and villains, their conflicts and motivations supported by flurries of carefully chosen adjectives, quotations and leaks from named and unnamed senior officials. He is the master shaper and retailer of Obama’s foreign-policy narratives, at a time when the killer wave of social media has washed away the sand castles of the traditional press. His ability to navigate and shape this new environment makes him a more effective and powerful extension of the president’s will than any number of policy advisers or diplomats or spies. His lack of conventional real-world experience of the kind that normally precedes responsibility for the fate of nations — like military or diplomatic service, or even a master’s degree in international relations, rather than creative writing — is still startling.

Part of what accounts for Rhodes’s influence is his “mind meld” with the president. Nearly everyone I spoke to about Rhodes used the phrase “mind meld” verbatim, some with casual assurance and others in the hushed tones that are usually reserved for special insights. He doesn’t think for the president, but he knows what the president is thinking, which is a source of tremendous power. One day, when Rhodes and I were sitting in his boiler-room office, he confessed, with a touch of bafflement, “I don’t know anymore where I begin and Obama ends.”

Standing in his front office before the State of the Union, Rhodes quickly does the political math on the breaking Iran story. “Now they’ll show scary pictures of people praying to the supreme leader,” he predicts, looking at the screen. Three beats more, and his brain has spun a story line to stanch the bleeding. He turns to Price. “We’re resolving this, because we have relationships,” he says.

CONTINUED............

Have a high opinion of this writer as I had met him in Iraq were he was war reporter in the thick of things.... and have published two articles via him in the past........and he still writes his column for FP.....

tom ricks ‎@tomricks1
If Obama is as smart as he thinks he is, Ben Rhodes will by Monday leave his job to spend more time with his family.