Syria in 2016 (April-June)

[OUTLAW 09]

Heavy air strikes on #Huraytan in #Aleppo province around sunset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQnxfNXndg8 …

KafrHamra in #Aleppo province tonight.
Air strikes hit the town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIAnphMYQG8 …

Mahan Airlines flying more Iranian troops into Iraq and Syria....
he's not the only one!
(live image via @flightradar24)

From "not available" to "not available".
A #MahanAir A310 on a secret mission to Syria.
Didn't depart from Teheran.

US air strike map shows America -as all others- doesn't fight "against" ISIS but FOR certain parties to replace ISIS

Russian cluster and regular bomb attacks on the town of Babis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-3V7cKld3Q …

The daily Russian terrorism remains unmentioned and thus unchallenged by all EU governments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghVs5sINmOc …

And we keep acting surprised when people join those fighting this injustice in the name of Allah & not in the name of international laws ...

Footage
5 dead, 30 injured in #Russian terror attacks on #Idlib, days aftr JaF withdraws.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXTeo5S_HI4 …

And even if JaF militants still inside the city: #Russia targets hospitals and markets (see footage), not military infrastructure.

Footage
A #Russian air strike destroyed a medicine depot in #Aleppo city
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xHtq64OafA …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat.....heads up.....

Rebels claim they downed w/ MANPAD a Su-24 in S. #Aleppo & possibly was Russian as 2 pilots ejected. Waiting for Jaish al-Fateh confirmation

Local military observatories say the warplane downed with MANPAD and 2 pilots ejected . Waiting for visual confirmation.

Rebels seem to have shot down a fighter jet in South Aleppo. Nothing confirmed yet. Some saying it might be Russian.

Rebels claim downed warplane could be Russian over al-Humayra south #Aleppo.

Can u imagine if it is indeed a Russian SU-24 and 2 Russian pilots were captured, alive?
Early Xmas

Reports now that one of the pilots has been captured by rebels in al-Eis in south rural #Aleppo

Breaking Reports that rebels downed a Russian jet near Khalsa in south rural #Aleppo, #Syria

Fog of war confusion .....appears that the SU24 was possibly Syrian.

[OUTLAW 09]

For those that have never seen a MiG29 fly the "Cobra maneuver"....saw it at the Berlin Air Show for the first time "live", but was to far away for a good smart phone video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2VUqvg570Y

[OUTLAW 09]

Rebels assault on #IslamicState in their last stronghold in #Lejat area (Hawsh Hammad) only 5km west of Khalkhalah Airbase

Wow....Shia militas are not doing well in Syria right now against either FSA or IS and NOW complaining abut Fallujah.

Reuters Top News ‏@Reuters

Shi'ite militia leader voices dismay at Falluja war operations:


The leader of the largest Iraqi Shi'ite paramilitary group has criticized a lack of "precise planning" in war operations to capture Falluja, the stronghold of Islamic State near Baghdad.

Hadi al-Amiri's comments, in an interview with Al-Sumaria TV on Sunday, make him the second Shi'ite militia leader to voice dismay at efforts launched on May 23 by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to dislodge the ultra-hardline Sunni militants from Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of the Iraqi capital.

"Unfortunately there is an absence of precise planning for the military operations," said Amiri, the leader of the Badr Organization, the largest component of the Popular Mobilization, a coalition of Shi'ite militias that came together two years ago to fight Islamic State with support from Iran.

On Friday, a spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Jawad al-Talabawi, said the operations had come to a near standstill and asked Abadi to order the resumption of attacks.

Popular Mobilization has been fighting alongside the army in Falluja. Army units are also receiving air support from the U.S.- led coalition.

Abadi said on June 1 the army had slowed its offensive over fears for the safety of tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the city with limited access to water, food and healthcare.

But Amiri accused the authorities of moving military assets away from Falluja, to the frontlines of Mosul, Islamic State's de facto capital in northern Iraq.

Several calls to the Iraqi military spokesman since Sunday evening went unanswered. A government spokesman declined to comment. Under the Iraqi Constitution, Abadi is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

"I believe that sending a large part of armored vehicles and assets to Makhmour, under the pretext of Mosul’s battle, is a betrayal to the battle of Falluja," Amiri said, referring to a region in northern Iraq.

"Today the military planning and American pressure are aiming to have this major operation conducted in parallel with the operation of liberating Mosul.

"We say to them, 'Whether you helped us or not, we will win the battle of Falluja,'" he added. A spokesman of the U.S.-led coalition did not reply to an email seeking comment and could not be reached by telephone. The coalition said two weeks ago it was providing air support to Iraqi government forces only.

Abadi ordered the offensive on Falluja after a series of bombings claimed by Islamic State hit Shi'ite districts of Baghdad, causing the worst death toll this year.

Falluja would be the third major city in Iraq recaptured by the government after former dictator Saddam Hussein's home town Tikrit and Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's vast western province of Anbar.

Abadi has expressed hope that 2016 will be the year of "final victory" over Islamic State, with the capture of Mosul, their de facto capital in northern Iraq.


BUT WAIT...here is the real ground reality.....and it "ain't the planning narrative" he is trying to sell.....

Iraq'i goverment forces & allied Shiite militias losses several hundred fighters in #Falluja battle -but have not entered the city so far..

Failed assault by pro regime #IRGC-militias to regain Humayra in southern #Aleppo last night
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.076713&lon=37.052979&z=15&m=b …

ISIS suicide attacks are taking an incredible toll on #Iraq|i forces at #Fallujah. 251 dead between 2-4 June alone: security reports

They're rumored to have lost around 700 fighters

BLUF...without extensive Russian and or US CAS.....they are being badly beaten time and time again....

[OUTLAW 09]

British special forces support "New #Syria'n Army" to fortify al-Tanf border-crossing to #Iraq against permanent attacks by #IslamicState

Iranian commander killed in Syria.
http://rudaw.net/NewsDetails.aspx?pageid=221247 …

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – An Iranian commander and two members of the cuntry’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been killed in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo, Iranian press reported, days after Tehran said it would continue supporting government forces in Syria and Iraq.

General Reza Rostami Moqadam was reportedly killed on Saturday along with Qodrat Abdiyani and Morteza Mosayebzadeh during clashes with rebel groups south of Aleppo.

“The martyr Commander Rostami Moqadam was one of the combatants of eight years of sacred defense (Iran-Iraq war) who was killed by Daesh Takfiris,” reported Tasnim news, an agency affiliated with Iran’s revolutionary guards.

The number of Iranian forces killed in Syria has risen in the past few months with at least 15 reported dead in Aleppo and Khan Tuman in May alone.

“Islamic revolution is not limited to geographic borders and wherever Islam is in danger believers must protect it,” Morteza Kashkuli, an Iranian Revolutionary Commander, said on the death of his three comrades.

Tehran has long insisted that its military personnel in Syria function as advisors to regime forces and have no combat role.

“Iran will proudly and firmly carry on with its advisory assistance to the serious fight against terrorism in the region,” said Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian last week.

“Had it not been for Iran’s assistance and the effective measures of the army and popular forces in Iraq and Syria and in the fight against terrorism, there would have been no safe spot in the sensitive West Asia region,” he claimed.

Thousands of volunteer fighters and Iran-Iraq war veterans are believed to have traveled to Syria to assist government forces against rebels in various parts of the country.

A special Iranian volunteer group is also said to be protecting the shrine of Sayydah Zainab—a holy Shiite site—in the capital Damascus.

General Hassan Ali Shamsabadi was the last Iranian commander to be killed in Syria. He was killed early March while, according to an Iranian press report, undertaking an "advisory mission" in the war-torn country.

They were evidently killed in this massive blast caused by a single ATGM.......there had been rumors that three senior commanders had been killed in the ops center.
A massive explosion.....
Fateh #Aleppo claims destruction of Regime operations room in Tell Sheikh Yussuf + ammo warehouses.
Must Watch: gigantic explosion by #Kornet ATGM, wiping out whole Regime area w/ ammo depots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOaLfgFgZck …

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
#Madaya last night.
#Assad and his allies at their best ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9trGtBeiV8 …

Leader in Iranian revolutionary guard Murtada Museeb Zada killed by rebels in Aleppo

Assad regime General Ali Shaban Mara'a killed in Deir Ezzor

Syrian fed up of Hezbollah killing his ppl stabs Hezbollah fighter Hussain Taha in Beirut

SYRIA - Civil Defence members search for survivors following reported Russian air strikes on Idlib

Manbij Repairing QareQowzaq bridge.

[OUTLAW 09]

Cyber Justice Team ‏@CyberJusticeT · Jun 4

'كتائب حزب الله' - 'Kataib Hizbollah'
war criminals hacked leaked
https://gist.github.com/anonymous/27a0b5132dfe94c8fd4565c102e19fa2/raw/355796843872cc4246e3d1efb5801372f8ac00c7/gistfile1.txt …

[OUTLAW 09]

Islamic State fighters have been leaving the Syrian city of Manbij with their families as U.S.-backed groups advance to within 6 km (4 miles) in an attack that has killed more than 150 jihadists, a spokesman for the U.S.-backed forces said on Monday.

Sharfan Darwish, spokesman for the Manbij Military Council, told Reuters more than 50 of their bodies were in the possession of the U.S.-backed Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) that is leading the campaign that got under way last week.

He said there were a number of dead among the U.S.-backed forces and the number would be announced later.

"There are many, many homes in Manbij that Daesh (Islamic State) had seized and were living in that are now empty. They took everything they could and left the city," Darwish said, citing reports from the city.


This reflects what I posted towards the end of last week...that top and middle management IS Emirs had pulled themselves and families out and headed to Raqqa.

Manbij SDF found ISIS warehouse to produce fake weapons in an attempt to mislead coalition aircraft, in Abu Qalqal.

[OUTLAW 09]

Next time you sit thru a 30-slide powerpoint plan remember Monty planned D-Day on one sheet of paper

No truer statement has come out of the Russian FM...finally the "truth"......
At a media forum in Moscow, Russian MFA spokesperson Mariya Zakharova's just said "I'm a propagandist who believes in objective journalism"

[OUTLAW 09]

In addition to Awn al-Dadat, SDF has also captured Khirbat Hasan, Safia & Mala Sa’ad near Manbij from #ISIS yesterday.

Heavy clashes in #DeirEzzor city amid lots of airstrikes

Calshes btw #Assad-forces & #IslamicState in eastern farm areas of #Palmyra
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=34.576903&lon=38.389406&z=14&m=b …

SDF advance also now from NE axis toward #Manbij (~10km away)

Rebels launch (limited) battle in triangle of death #Quneitra/#Daraa
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=33.146032&lon=35.940228&z=13&m=b …

[OUTLAW 09]

Assad celebrates #Ramadan in #Daraya as every year.
No food. Only bombs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NeAJDBX3gI …
BUT WAIT Russian declared a 72 hour ceasefire......????

[OUTLAW 09]

Breaking French national planning attacks in #France in lead-up to Euro Championship arrested in Ukraine while trying to smuggle explosives

The suspect was attempting to smuggle explosives from #Ukraine to #Poland according to the head of #Ukraine intel services

Gregoire M. was arrested on May 21 at the border, admitted planning attacks against Mosques, Synagogues & government building

Some unconfirmed reports suggest he is a far-right extremist

Ukrainian security forces are searching for a possible accomplice, French police already raided his house

He was arrested with 125 kg of TNT (!!!)

Where did he get the money to buy so much explosives ? This & the fact that he was planning 15 attacks in #France suggest broader cell

So many weapons, he can not have been the only one involved in this plot

ANOTHER possible false flag attack with IS being blamed??????

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Tu-142 over Syria for the 1st time (the day after USN launched strikes from the Med)
https://wp.me/p2TYIs-a87

Raqqa operation - Suqur al Sahara's T-90A and T-72B

Typically poorly done Iranian info warfare......
Iraq Badr fighters claim they found this Saudi colonel insigna in Al Karama, Fallujah.

Hard to believe a Saudi colonel would freely walk in IS territory with his insignia.

Given the camo, either it's a leftover Saddam-Saudi love story during the war vs Iran or pure propaganda.

[CrowBat]

Here the announced article explaining why is the Russian Airspace Force (VKS) doing what it does in Syria:

Here’s the Key to Understanding the Russian Air Force’s Actions in Syria (https://warisboring.com/heres-the-key-to-understanding-the-russian-air-force-s-actions-in-syria-68aa3e4f8d0d#.tonmwltgw)

I know that the WIB is not considered 'particularly authoritative', so let me observe that this feature is acutally a much compressed variant of a research paper about the VKS' doctrine and tactics - and a comparison of these with what we've got to see during its expeditionary operations in Syria of the last nine months.

Many might now wonder about sources of reference. Except for about 30 years of research about 'Arab' air forces at war with Israel, including affairs like training and equipment provided to various of 'Soviet customers' in the Middle East and Africa, these were such like:

- Russian Military Doctrine (http://kremlin.ru/supplement/461) (in Russian)

- Russian Military Doctrine, 2014 (http://www.ndc.nato.int/download/downloads.php?icode=457) (PDF file in English)

- KBP IA FA-2012 (that's the Russian acronym for 'Combat Training Course for the Fighter Aviation of the VKS'; sorry, it's not available online)

- very useful was also Russian Air Power at Crossroads (http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA319850)

Anyway, the essential message of the entire VKS' operation in Syria is: when Russia gets involved in this fashion, then methods are irrelevant. All that matters is the achievement of political aims.

[OUTLAW 09]

Some details of Kataib Hezbollah's new Al Oqab rocket in this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Fr9XEQDBc …

Despite Aleppo, Reg. forces focused on Raqqa op. with recently delivered arms - T-72B, T-90A, RPO-A Shmel.
https://youtu.be/yuf7gFQqBQI

Nusra Front's top ideologue Sami Oreidi calls for genocide of Alawis in #Syria
Ar txt https://justpaste.it/uyfe
Ar vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54nmglgahaY …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia helped Kurds to seize northern Aleppo towns from rebels, but not a single airstrike that help Kurds against IslamicState

4 dead & at least 10 wounded in Russian airstrikes on Kafrhamra in north rural #Aleppo today
https://youtu.be/mS7mw2jAF38

If only Russian airstrikes pound ISIS as much as they pound rebel held towns I think ISIS would have evaporated ages ago

Over a dozen civilians killed including women & children in Russian airstrikes on #ISIS held al-Ashara south of Mayadin in #DeirEzzor

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat....is there anything to this?????


Commander of new rebel group Alwiat Al Nasr arrested by rebels for coordinating with Russia with US knowledge

[OUTLAW 09]

Assad forces launching an IRAM rocket at the besieged #Damascus suburb of #Daraya today.

Assad forces firing cluster munition rockets at Jabal Akrad villages in rural #Latakia, #Syria
https://youtu.be/znx6s00JHYo

Rebels have liberated the town of al-Doha from the regime near Tal Krom in #Quneitra, #Syria

Idlib rescuers @SyriaCivilDef dig bodies out of rubble as Ramadan starts
https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567069-idlib-rescuers-dig-bodies-out-of-rubble-as-ramadan-starts …

Russian airstrikes targeting Hraytan & Anadan in north rural #Aleppo again today with cluster munitions

ISIS back at Um-Autham near Manbij, heavy clashes reported with SDF

[OUTLAW 09]

Assad barrel bombs on Deirkhabiya in western Ghouta, rural #Damascus, a daily procedure now

Syria Clashs btw #FSA & #IslamicState near #Marea & south of #Azaz in northern #Aleppo

Rebels target IRGC ops center in Khan Touman with a massive car bomb #Syria - @aboyosha3homs

[OUTLAW 09]

Putin's lie press: pretext for #Russia'n ground forces?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qcMTdQZYR0 …
Al-Nusra seized this army bases
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.130388&lon=37.084436&z=14&m=b …

East #Aleppo - #SDF offensive continues - #Manbij access cut from 3 sides / HD :
http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/787

#DeirEzzor 20+ dead after airstrikes on Al-'Asharah town -held by #IslamicState
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=34.920282&lon=40.561180&z=14&m=b …

SDF advance also now from NE axis toward #Manbij (~10km away)

[OUTLAW 09]

@OrientNewsEn
Media and politics’ very short memory on Assad
http://www.orient-news.net/en/news_show/114305/0/Media-and-politics-very-short-memory-on-Assad …

“The artillery celebrating #Ramadan hasn’t stopped yet," Matar says sarcastically & sends @AFP audio of huge booms of shelling on Daraya
Whatever ever happened to that UN food convoy that was supposed to follow the Mosquito net convoy?

Footage
Large fires near #Damascus after #Assad regime air strikes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwlngpQAhZA …

Footage
Heavy air strikes on towns N and N-W of #Aleppo today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnxVHUlTnn0 …

Footage
Clear view of the large IRAMs the regime is firing at #Daraya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx0SqmKIbnM …

[OUTLAW 09]

Rus FM Lavrov 3 months after Russia 'withdrew' from #Syria: 'We will provide "the most active" air support in & around the city of #Aleppo'.

As long as Putin and his regime rule Russia, its political leadership's words and promises are worth less than sand in the desert ...

[OUTLAW 09]

Al Arabiya English 
‏@AlArabiya_Eng
#UN warns #Manbij battle could uproot more than 200,000 Syrians
I guess some pro-YPG guys will call the UN pro-ISIS now ...

RussiaToday - Spreading lies beyond imagination since 2005.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzSJWEIB-ck …
RT seems to declare all FSA groups basically as JaN even though the groups insignia is totally different from JaN.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Breaking French national planning attacks in #France in lead-up to Euro Championship arrested in Ukraine while trying to smuggle explosives

The suspect was attempting to smuggle explosives from #Ukraine to #Poland according to the head of #Ukraine intel services

Gregoire M. was arrested on May 21 at the border, admitted planning attacks against Mosques, Synagogues & government building

Some unconfirmed reports suggest he is a far-right extremist

Ukrainian security forces are searching for a possible accomplice, French police already raided his house

He was arrested with 125 kg of TNT (!!!)

Where did he get the money to buy so much explosives ? This & the fact that he was planning 15 attacks in #France suggest broader cell

So many weapons, he can not have been the only one involved in this plot

ANOTHER possible false flag attack with IS being blamed??????

Terrible: Still unclear who wants to blow us up more at @UEFAEURO: Fascists or Islamists.
Even worse: Answer to that Q is crucial to the EU.

[OUTLAW 09]

Iraqi sectarian Shia militia committing war crimes on Sunni civilians both in Iraq and Syria......
This is the sectarian Shia Hashd militia that tortures Sunnis for fun. This is the alternative to ISIS you want?
Disturbing images from near Fallujah as nurse says they're treating stream of civilians tortured by Shia militias:

Aleppo: Syrian Rebels regain Khan Touman warehouses
http://eldorar.com/node/99136

"Little black men " ...
Russian off. ("JTAC") & PSDs among Syrian forces heading to Raqqa

Syrian Rebels capture 2 areas in Quneitra, Al Doha & Farms
http://fb.me/89OgTG72s

Deir Ezzor: Assad regime lose territory to ISIS including Thirda mountain
http://fb.me/1h3be126N

Assad/Putin collectively kill 65 civilians in Syria on Sunday, mostly in #Aleppo
http://en.eldorar.com/node/2457

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria #Hezbollah lost commander Khalil Ali Sayyed Hassan from the town of Aytaroun on road to #Raqqa

Interesting re: Kremlin's lack of faith in potential deals w/ KSA. KSA using talks to interfere w/ Iranian deals
https://twitter.com/yurybarmin/status/739855763393417216 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Here the announced article explaining why is the Russian Airspace Force (VKS) doing what it does in Syria:

Here’s the Key to Understanding the Russian Air Force’s Actions in Syria (https://warisboring.com/heres-the-key-to-understanding-the-russian-air-force-s-actions-in-syria-68aa3e4f8d0d#.tonmwltgw)

I know that the WIB is not considered 'particularly authoritative', so let me observe that this feature is acutally a much compressed variant of a research paper about the VKS' doctrine and tactics - and a comparison of these with what we've got to see during its expeditionary operations in Syria of the last nine months.

Many might now wonder about sources of reference. Except for about 30 years of research about 'Arab' air forces at war with Israel, including affairs like training and equipment provided to various of 'Soviet customers' in the Middle East and Africa, these were such like:

- Russian Military Doctrine (http://kremlin.ru/supplement/461) (in Russian)

- Russian Military Doctrine, 2014 (http://www.ndc.nato.int/download/downloads.php?icode=457) (PDF file in English)

- KBP IA FA-2012 (that's the Russian acronym for 'Combat Training Course for the Fighter Aviation of the VKS'; sorry, it's not available online)

- very useful was also Russian Air Power at Crossroads (http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA319850)

Anyway, the essential message of the entire VKS' operation in Syria is: when Russia gets involved in this fashion, then methods are irrelevant. All that matters is the achievement of political aims.

CrowBat.....many thanks.......

[OUTLAW 09]

VBIED attack near Khan Tuman
http://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2016/6-june-vbied-attack-near-khan-tuman …
pic.twitter.com/6si6lqeeTr via @aboyosha3homs
Rebels target IRGC ops center in Khan Touman with a massive car bomb

Report Ahrar al-Sham has taken the IRGC ops center east of Khan Touman in a counterattack
https://twitter.com/akhbar_thawra/status/739831261460631552 …

Ramadan’s first day 5 Children Victims by the Russian bombing of Palmyra Countryside
http://en.eldorar.com/node/2456

“Iran has given instructions to Amiri and al-Muhandis to copy the Lebanese model"
http://thebea.st/2122CuM
via @michaeldweiss

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia+Syria propaganda media forum declares "end of mainstream journalism"– for 75th anniv of Soviet Info Bureau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHbRjkzFGRo&feature=youtu.be&t=2701 …

Iranian media reports IRGC troops located in Aleppo suffered huge casualties #Syria #Iran
http://www.syrianobserver.com/EN/News/31131/Another_IRGC_Massacre_Aleppo_Quds_Force_Commander_ Reportedly_Dead …

[OUTLAW 09]

MFA Russia 
‏@mfa_russia
#Lavrov: Russia believes that those still in terrorist-controlled areas in Syria should blame themselves – John Kerry was clear about this

Here we have Lavrov's ministry deferring to the State Department to justify indiscriminate bombing:

Russia is 'paving the way' for a major re-escalation in Syria http://read.bi/1tbWuWt

An Iraqi Sunni leader thinks the US is acquiescing to the "Hezbollah-ization" of his country:
http://thebea.st/2121APr
Already happening in Syria....

[OUTLAW 09]

MFA Russia 
‏@mfa_russia
#Lavrov: Russia believes that those still in terrorist-controlled areas in Syria should blame themselves – John Kerry was clear about this

Here we have Lavrov's ministry deferring to the State Department to justify indiscriminate bombing:


MFA Russia
✔ @mfa_russia #Lavrov: We are ready to coordinate our military efforts with the US in Syria, but oppose delays that enable terrorists to attack

NOTICE the Obama WH does not push back on this info warfare in the least....OR actually they in fact agree with Russia and yet are afraid to come out and admit it to NATO and Europe.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Attack of the Russian Troll Army: American Websites Targeted By Russian Trolls
https://lnkd.in/eWdVRS9

[OUTLAW 09]

SDF advance on Karsan from N-E-S-axis
#Manbij
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.541295&lon=38.090887&z=14&m=b …

[OUTLAW 09]

With the events in eastern Ukraine, Syria and Iraq...especially though Syria has the UNSC reached it's "end of life" as an organization that anyone takes seriously any more...a very valid question.

Kyle W. Orton
‏@KyleWOrton
Sheer disgrace. UN drops proposal for air drops to besieged areas in #Syria altogether, asks #Assad for land access.

There is something surrealistic about UN statements on aid. Stew of "risks", "permission", "costs", "deadlines." even in the face of three UNSC Resolutions especially 2254.

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat.....at what point does Turkey make a move after stating publicly they will not allow a strip of land to exist between the Turkish border and Syria?? After making this issue one of national security how can the US with their US SOF simply overlook it? For that matter as so called "advisors" they should be stopping this is in fact it is occurring.

Worrying reports that SDF forces are kicking civilians out from the areas they captured from #ISIS in rural Manbij & not letting any back in

[OUTLAW 09]

Civilian casualties reported in a car bomb explosion near the national hospital in Ma’arat al-Nouman in rural #Idlib, #Syria

3 women were killed in airstrikes (unknown if Russian or Assad) on Castello road, #Aleppo a little while ago

In Masakin Hanano area in #Aleppo at least 17 Assad barrel bombs were reported today

First day of Ramadan & after fast was broken relentless Russia/Assad airstrikes & barrel bomb attacks all across #Aleppo, #Syria

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat...something for your knowledge lane......

RUAF bomber HF voice net noted active 1734Z

@AlRFORCEFREAK #RUAF OCHISTKA comms check with bomber c/s 63331. That´s 3rd plane airborne

RUAF c/s 13524 to OCHISTKA: 755 538 452 495 122 688 987

RUAF c/s 63333 to OCHISTKA: 477 775 482 915 702 826 029

RUAF strategic air ground station c/s OCHISTKA comms check with bomber c/s 13524

RUAF ground station OCHISTKA has difficulties contacting bombers.

SO just cheap radios OR flying under the radar and transponders off??

Also appears the RUAF has never left their old Soviet AF four digit numbers one time message pads for comms.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia'n airstrikes with White Phosphorus bombs on #Aleppo city last night
40 plus civilians killed being reported
https://youtu.be/v59gjCVWiRY

BUT WAIT the Russian FM stated yesterday that it was OK to kill civilians because it was their fault as per the Kerry statement.....

IslamicState allows residents to leave #Manbej
& clashes approaching to the city
Now exodus of ~100.000 residents

[OUTLAW 09]

ISIS-held #Manbij in sight of the #SDF.
Bloody weeks ahead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knJIFReHfJ0 …

The only thing Russia delivers on in Syria is its promise to kill more people.
White Phosphorus and Cluster Bomb attacks last night.

Breaking
An attack in #Istanbul hit a police bus near a public bus station
Initial reports of 11 killed...numerous wounded....

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Syrian Express movements......

ВМФ #ЧФT.Kunikov returned to Bosphorus 9days after its homebound transit.

LST158 en route to #Tartus
AnotherDayAnotherRopucha 158 Tsezar Kunikov makes her southbound passage through Istanbul

[OUTLAW 09]

Islamic State supporters having a field day with:
- Iranian militia atrocities in #Fallujah
- Iraqi Ikhwans' support for that offensive

Many Iraqis will see the US as complicit in Shia militia atrocities in Fallujah, fine distinctions of air support notwithstanding.

Raqqa_SL

Surprisingly all the world is interested in taking #Raqqa where are u in Mar 2013 when the city is taken by #FSA why u didn't help #US #RUS


Syrian Sunni's are seeing the same sort of Shia atrocities being carried out by YPD/PKK as well as Iranian troops.....there is no difference between the two of them towards Syrian Arab Sunni's.

[OUTLAW 09]

Islamic State supporters having a field day with:
- Iranian militia atrocities in #Fallujah
- Iraqi Ikhwans' support for that offensive

Many Iraqis will see the US as complicit in Shia militia atrocities in Fallujah, fine distinctions of air support notwithstanding.

Raqqa_SL

Surprisingly all the world is interested in taking #Raqqa where are u in Mar 2013 when the city is taken by #FSA why u didn't help #US #RUS


Syrian Sunni's are seeing the same sort of Shia atrocities being carried out by YPD/PKK as well as Iranian troops.....there is no difference between the two of them towards Syrian Arab Sunni's.

[CrowBat]

CrowBat.....many thanks.......
You're welcome.

Would like to observe, that the point of the entire exercise was trying to find out, and then explaining how the Russians think - i.e. how are their top political and military leaders thinking in regards of their air force - and why they do things the way they do. Not to acuse anybody.

Anyway, this resulted in a write-up of about 30,000 words, then in a 1.800 words 'resume', from which a 1.000-words article was distilled.

So, sadly, few useful explanations are missing, as are all the references. In turn the latter is now used by an entire brigade of Russo-trolls to (literaly) bitch about it.

Particularly interesting is that nobody serious is actually complaining about the message and content of that article as such (on the contrary, several representatives of various NGOs active in Syria concluded that there's nothing good they can expect coming their way in the next few days, weeks etc.). The 'pearl' of an exception was Sergey Chernyshov (https://medium.com/@sergey4chernyshov/i-have-stopped-reading-after-the-following-sentence-this-unit-used-to-have-four-kamov-ka-52-7f3e292c9aa8#.ejp24yamd), who's complaining,

I have stopped reading after the following sentence:
“This unit used to have four Kamov Ka-52 helicopter gunships, but these were all destroyed in an accident at Tiyas air base on May 14, 2016.”

We have all seen satellite images that shown 4 burned-down Mi-24 gunships on a base near Aleppo. All except the author, who doesn’t care about fact-checking before publishing.

Actually, the only one who didn't do any fact-checking is he, then Tiyas AB is half-way between Homs and Palmyra, but certainly nowhere near Aleppo.

Plus, not only that earliest reports cited destruction of Ka-52s, and that it's 'Mi-24s' only since publication of STRATFOR's article: ever since that accident (it was no attack) there are no Russian Ka-52s to be seen anywhere around Syria.

In another instance (Twitter) a well-known IRGC-troll (banned from several aviation forums after declaring himself a 'part of elite rulling over undereducated masses'), complained I've been paid by Qatari and Turkish think-tanks. ...until somebody from Turkey advised him there's not a single Turkish think-tank capable of running such studies... then the 'Messiah' deleted all of his related posts.

After such experiences, can't but admit: sometimes I find it really scarry to see in what sort of 'world' are we living nowadays.

[OUTLAW 09]

WHILE US/SDF is racing to Raqqa...Assad and Putin are racing to Aleppo......

Russia & #Syria'n regime have a daily beat rate of 70-120 airstrikes on #Aleppo & suburbs
Now half of their airpower concentrated here

One wonders just what kind of US intelligence Obama WH is getting AND OR ignoring....???

Not WP but other Russian incendiary ordnance (pics via @MarkHiznay and @Arms_Research)

Assad-forces with their new #Russia'n T-90 tanks on road toward #Raqqa

SDF advance from south toward western entrence of #Manbij -probably to reach al-Bab road

Daesh cut off road #Hama -> Ithriya crossing this morning but #Assad-forces convoy still advance on road toward #Raqqa

IS claim destroyed regime tank & Chilka at Altnahj barrier on road to #Raqqa

Tour in Qalaajiyah village in southern #Aleppo after regime retreated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXkhrX7ahs4 …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.083026&lon=37.029161&z=15&m=b …

1st Regiment targeted with a #TOW a tank in Sheikh Said, #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR9mNVRWh50 …

A 4th #ATGM strike by Faylaq Al-Sham on Humayra front takes out a pick-up w/ 14.5 mm gun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEldN6a3vhk …

Russia'n carpet bombing on western #Aleppo suburbs last night
https://youtu.be/aJRwBUDzOY8

Rebels destroyed tank in southern outskirts of #Aleppo with TOW

Assad-forces now 25km away from former Tabqa Airbase near #Raqqa Seems #IslamicState in #Syria cut in 2 halves soon
REALLY do think Assad is after the AF not Raqqa.......needs it for the RUAF

[OUTLAW 09]

breaking
russia today account hacked!!!
Ukrainian hackers post ridiculous gif animations of putin now.

[OUTLAW 09]

This is the second time Assad has stated this in a public speeches...the first time the Russians reined him in...now it appears the Russians just did it to mislead the US and the UN into believing they really wanted to make Geneva work and Putin was not interested in "recapturing the entire anti Assad and IS held areas"......JUST as he claimed he was going to rebuild all of Syria that he and Putin have completely destroyed.....sure......

Syrian president #Assad says "our war against terrorism" will continue until it is uprooted - televised speech

Cessation of Hostilities?
Regimes of Silence?
Forgot about it!
Putin,Rouhani & Assad want to recapture all of Syria.

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
Syrian rebel group destroys pro-#Assad BMP near #Humeira with ATGM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjVQCimEubc&feature=youtu.be …

And another one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQCEnHMnEGo …

Kurdish TV: 300 civilians killed by Shiite militias in school yard near Fallujah after fleeing the ISIS-held town.

Adding to multiple reports of mass torture and revenge killings of civilians.

And the US bombs for one of the sides in that sectarian war.

Syrian Rebels in Aleppo kill Reza Kharmi a leader in the Iranian revolutionary guards

Rebel group "New Syrian Army" denies presence of British troops in their ranks
http://bit.ly/1XyEouu #Syria

Daraya: Assad regime repelled & lose 2 tanks, a Shilka & 8 soldiers
http://bit.ly/1XyDPkp

[OUTLAW 09]

This is the most perfect example of just how hard western MSM is working or better yet not working......

Ukraine SBU arrested those involved and prevented 15 terrorist attacks in France but planners were not Muslim so it's not newsworthy

Just your simple everyday run of the mill proRussian neo fascists hard at work....planning on carrying out a "false flag" series of attacks.....

[OUTLAW 09]

SO Russia finally admits it is deliberately targeting and killing civilians......

Russia: "All civilians getting killed in airstrikes have themselves to blame"
https://www.rt.com/news/345552-lavrov-syria-aleppo-support/ …

Every time Russia kills civilians it makes a statement denying that it did & everyone just forgets about it
http://tass.ru/en/world/880407

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage Destruction in #Aleppo after several air strikes today. 3 injured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oXz8AlANLA …

News Multiple air strikes by the #Assad and #Putin air forces hit rebel-held areas throughout #Syria today.

Rebels captured 16 locations from #ISIS in south #Damascus province,

Destruction in #Aleppo after several air strikes today. 3 injured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oXz8AlANLA …

Different Syrian news human rights organisations report between 65 and 93 people killed across #Syria on Monday.

The regime used incendiary ammunition against urban areas in #Waer near #Homs city.

Ahrar Al-Sham positions overlooking strategic M4 highway (Latakia-Aleppo) in Jebal Al-Akrad, N. #Latakia.

After Quneitra, Furqan Brigades widened support for Daraya & shelled Nayrab Airbase w/ Grads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnbuDc8Pgk0 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Remains of ZAB- 2.5 incendiary submunitions found in Heritan, Aleppo via @yasseralhaji1

Another Fateh #Aleppo #Kornet ATGM strike on 130 mm cannon to stop shelling on Castillo road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77HqqcX5x4k …

Since 1st April, Rebels fired 31 #ATGMs on S. #Aleppo front, mainly vs Tanks/BMPs (26%), Infantry (23%) & guns (20%)

Remains of a missile (ID?) fired on Qaljiyah after its seizure by Jaish Al-Fateh, S. #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXkhrX7ahs4 …

Remote VBIED against an Assad loyalist checkpoint in #Homs in response to Assad's terror raids on Aleppo

T-90 was involved during yesterday's failed attempt by pro-Regime militias to seize back Humayra, S. #Aleppo.

[OUTLAW 09]

Some of these TOW or ATGM videos might have alreadfy been posted......

Furqan Brigades targeted with a #Fagot a Shilka in Tell Kroum, #Quneitra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXgOtkrCNKw …

Ahrar Al-Sham (#JaF) blew up with an #ATGM a pick-up with 23 mm gun in Qarassi, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTcL0GJhXJU …

JaN used a previously seized Iranian Safir with 106 mm cannon to repel Iranian-led militias assault E. of #KhanTuman

After Humayra, Jaish Al-Fateh claims it repelled another counter-assault from pro-Regime militias trying to seize back Khan Tuman ammo depot

Afghan commander Seyed Hakim Hosseini, of #IRGC's Fatemiun brigade killed today by an IED in Tadmur,Syria.

A shift? Last #ISIS videos show heavy artillery like Gvozdika & Tanks used only in Syria (E. Homs) & no more in Iraq
http://historicoblog3.blogspot.fr/2016/06/tactiques-militaires-de-lei-synthese-4.html …

FSA Fagot ATGM destroys a technical on the al-Qarrasi front
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPLCvKW1DDY …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.095892&lon=37.083149&z=15&m=b … South #Aleppo #Syria

Faylaq Al-Sham took out a tank (or BMP) with an #ATGM on Humayra front, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQCEnHMnEGo …

Faylaq Al-Sham wiped out with a #Kornet a BMP, again on Humayra front (S. #Aleppo).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQCEnHMnEGo …

A 3rd #ATGM launch by Faylaq Al-Sham takes out a tank on Humayra front, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5LGm7Ue4vE …

A 4th #ATGM strike by Faylaq Al-Sham on Humayra front takes out a pick-up w/ 14.5 mm gun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEldN6a3vhk …

[OUTLAW 09]

What’s left of the Sahib Bin Sinan al-Roumi mosque in Layramoun, #Aleppo after it was bombed by Russian jets today
NOT much actually.....

At Iftar Russia/Assad airstrikes & barrel bombs on Hraytan, Anadan, Kafrhamra, Hayan, Bi’idin, Ma’arat al-Artiq & Castello Rd in #Aleppo

Russia/Assad airstrikes also targeted Ma’arat al-Nouman in #Idlib a little while ago, civilian casualties reported

Furqan Brigades launching Grad rockets at the Assad Nayrab airbase in south eastern #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/BnbuDc8Pgk0

Russian airstrikes again targeting Latamna in rural #Hama
https://youtu.be/xipv7qeji0Y

Dozens of Russia/Assad airstrikes/barrel bomb attacks targeting non-ISIS rebel held towns/villages across #Aleppo today.

SCD collecting #RUSSIA Cluster Bombs aftermath it's airstrikes on #Yaqed_Adas #Aleppo cs #Syria JUN 7

[OUTLAW 09]

Rumors that head of Assad’s NDF in Mazeh area in #Damascus Colonel Mohammed Ali Khadour was assassinated by rebels

Reports of heavy clashes between YPG/SDF under intense US air cover & #ISIS south of #Manbij, #Aleppo

Civilian casualties reported in Russian airstrikes with cluster munitions (becoming the norm now) in Yaqid al-Adas in north rural Aleppo

Rebels advancing slowly in rural #Quneitra, clashes continue with Assad forces/militias around Tal Krom & Jaba

Latakia: Syrian Rebels destroy regime SUV in Jabal Turkmen

Aleppo: Syrian Rebels kill Assad regime first Lieutenant Khaldun Ibrahim Debol from Tartous.

Leader of Najba'a militia ran away from Syria after forces were crushed in Aleppo & now in Fallujah

[OUTLAW 09]

Any idea about plan "B" regarding Assad's removal proclaimed by Saudi leaders after recent threats to Turkish/KSA backed rebels?

Russia warned US in a press conf not to surprise them with a "Plan B" as they will take more drastic action.

I have to laugh at Assad saying "Aleppo will be Erdogans grave" when Aleppo has been the grave of Assad & Iran 😂

27 Assad forces known as "Suqour Al Sahra" were killed by ISIS on Ithriya/Raqaa road. How's that taking back every inch of Syria going? 😂😂😂

Another Shia terrorist ID'd as a refugee......
Ahmed Jaber quit #Iraq's elite Golden Division (the "dirty brigade") & is philandering his way across #Finland.

ISIS defector spills the beans, they were trained to kill Sunni "apostates" first & foremost, then Shia & Jews
http://fb.me/5h1b9xkyM

[OUTLAW 09]

Found the bodies of 40 displaced killed by Hashd in Fallujah district http://www.sotaliraq.com/newsitem.php?id=335600#axzz4AkteMUt9 …

Shia sectarian killing being supported indirectly by US CAS......and FSA gets nothing against IS.......

[OUTLAW 09]

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5eebda1510c94d83ae3ad8d3270f3a23/latest-turkey-no-kurdish-force-west-syrian-river

Turkey: No Kurdish force west of Syrian river

Jun. 7, 2016 10:06 AM EDT


ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkey's top diplomat said Kurdish rebels may provide logistical support in the fight against IS in Syria but warned their presence would not be tolerated west of the Euphrates River.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said "if the YPG want to provide logistical help east of the Euphrates that's different, but after the operations end, we don't want a single YPG member west of the Euphrates."

The YPG, or People's Protection Units, is a Kurdish faction within a mixed coalition of Kurdish and Arab groups fighting alongside U.S. special forces against IS in northern Syria.

Ankara, unlike Washington, views the YPG as a terrorist organization.

Turkey is seriously trying to get the attention of Obama that in fact a "red line" has been crossed and now crosses into Turkish national security concerns and they have repeated they will act.....

AND the UN has not tilted towards Russia.....if confirmed expect Turkey to not come as well as KSA and the FSA as well.
SYRIA: PYD confirms that Kurds have gotten an invite to the next round of #Syria peace talks from UN envoy Mistura -

[OUTLAW 09]

#Aleppo : Rescue teams free three civilians trapped under the rubble in #Sakhur.

[OUTLAW 09]

MFA Russia
✔
@mfa_russia
Sergey Lavrov & @JohnKerry continued coordinating the two countries' approaches to fight terrorist groups in Syria
http://sptnkne.ws/byVR


MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Lavrov and Kerry hold telephone conversations on the situation in Syria on a regular basis to exchange view on the country's political settlement and the fight against terrorism.

"The heads of the Foreign Ministries continued to coordinate the two countries' approaches to fighting Daesh, al-Nusra Front and other terrorist organizations operating in Syria," the ministry said in a statement

[OUTLAW 09]

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1114968673436&ca=82bca325-0819-469a-a21a-0e45f0178912

Russian Airstrikes in Syria:
May 13 - June 2, 2016


The tempo of Russian air operations has dramatically escalated in Syria. The rate and breadth of Russian airstrikes nearly tripled from May 29 - June 2 in comparison to the previous five day period. ISW was able to assess a total of 29 Russian airstrikes with low and high confidence beginning on May 29 and only 10 locations from May 24 -28. This escalation marks a dangerous shift in the Russian airstrike pattern to levels only seen prior to the brokering of the Cessation of Hostilities agreement in late February 2016. This expansion of the Russian air campaign coincides with the further breakdown of Geneva negotiations, including the resignation of Chief Opposition Negotiator Mohammad Alloush on May 30 due to a reported lack of political progress and continued bombardment of civilians in opposition-held terrain.

Russia is clearly demonstrating its freedom of action in Syria. It has pivoted its air operations towards mainstream elements of the armed opposition across Western Syria. An anonymous U.S. intelligence official confirmed on June 3 that "Russia and [Syrian President Bashar al-] Assad have "primarily targeted the moderate opposition," despite their claims to the contrary. Russian air operations against the Syrian opposition expanded beyond the targeting of critical frontlines in Aleppo and once again began to target deep within opposition-held terrain in Idlib Province from May 30 - June 2. ISW was also able to assess two Russian airstrikes with low confidence in Dera'a Province on May 31, marking the first assessed Russian strikes in the province since February 25. The strikes targeted terrain largely held by factions within the U.S.-backed Southern Front coalition. Russia also continued its intense bombardment against the opposition in Aleppo in a likely condition setting effort for the pro-regime encirclement of Aleppo City, targeting key locations along the opposition's last remaining supply route into the city.

[OUTLAW 09]

https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/is-the-islamic-state-about-to-kill-itself/

Is the Islamic State About to Kill Itself?

By Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) on June 7, 2016


The Associated Press reported on Sunday that after a senior Islamic State (IS) commander was struck down by the international coalition in March it set off a witch-hunt inside the organization that led to the killing of thirty-eight IS jihadists at the hands of their own leaders. By AP’s account, IS is now consumed with internal suspicion. The story has some problems, however.

Speaking to “Syrian opposition activists, Kurdish militia commanders, several Iraqi intelligence officials and an informant for the Iraqi government who worked within IS ranks,” AP reports the 30 March drone strike, which killed an IS commander, Abu Hayjaa al-Tunsi, in northern Raqqa, was the trigger for the internal hunt for spies. It is not inconceivable that there are spies within IS—indeed, ever since Fadel al-Hiyali (Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, Haji Mutazz) and Junaid Hussain were killed in August 2015 it has seemed rather likely IS was penetrated by the Coalition.

Abu Hayjaa was killed as he drove from Raqqa to Aleppo, presumably under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s instructions, to take up the post of military emir of northern and eastern Aleppo—covering Azaz and IS’s strongholds of al-Bab and Manbij, which is now under attack by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the front group for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). When Tarkhan Batirashvili (Abu Umar al-Shishani), the photogenic Chechen whose centrality to IS had been much-exaggerated, was hit by a U.S. airstrike on 4 March, which killed him ten days later, he was travelling to Shadadi to bolster IS against the SDF in that area. Given that the SDF is the U.S.’s primary ally in the anti-IS war, this is suggestive.

The other recent losses for IS: the caliph’s deputy Abd al-Rahman al-Qaduli (Abu Ali al-Anbari, Abu Alaa al-Afri), Abu Sarah al-Ansari, Shaker al-Fahdawi (Abu Waheeb), and the inexplicably-unmentioned Amr al-Absi (Abu al-Atheer) likewise suggest that there are traitors in the ranks.

What it doesn’t suggest is what is claimed by SOHR’s director, Rami Abdurrahman, that “some IS fighters began feeding information to the coalition about targets and movements of the group’s officials because they needed money after the extremist group sharply reduced salaries in the wake of coalition and Russian airstrikes on IS-held oil facilities earlier this year.” It is unlikely that IS fighters have decided to supplement their income by helping kill some of their comrades; they have to know IS’s internal security apparatus would detect such a thing.

Likewise it is dubious that “after [al-Fahdawi’s] killing, IS killed several dozen of its own members in Anbar, including some mid-level officials, on suspicion of informing on his location, and other members fled to Turkey, the two intelligence officials said. … Some of the suspects were shot dead in front of other IS fighters as a lesson, the Iraqi officials said.” The Iraqi government is by now notorious for spreading disinformation about IS, and this fits very much into that mould. A random massacre of its members is not how IS is going to respond to the real problem of infiltration.

Both Abdurrahman and a Syrian opposition activist, Bebars al-Talawy, claim—more plausibly—that, after Abu Hayjaa was killed, IS sent Iraqi and Chechen security officials to investigate, which led within days to the arrest and killing of twenty-one IS members, including a senior North African commander, and the arrest and transfer of more fighters to Iraq, where seventeen of them were killed and thirty-two expelled from the organization. This seems much more like a targeted purge, and could well be related to counter-intelligence, actual or potential, or it could be a religio-political matter.

According to AP, non-IS members were also caught up in this wave of killings, Abdul-Hadi Issa among them. Issa was taken into the main square in Tabqa on 8 May, accused of spying, stabbed in the heart, and then shot in the head while the knife was still in his body.

Paranoia leading to internal cannibalization is exactly how a group like IS would die. A historical precedent would be Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal), who killed off his own organization in a frenzied panic about spies. AP quotes Sherfan Darwish as saying that this process has now begun within IS: “There is chaos [in IS-held areas]. Some members and commanders are trying to flee.” Darwish was the spokesman for Burkan al-Firat, which has now been folded into the SDF and is thus saying what would be expected of him. There is no evidence that IS is approaching collapse because of these internal suspicions, and certainly not because of the decapitation strikes.

The speech by Taha Falaha (Abu Muhammad al-Adnani) on 21 May asked:

Were you victorious when you killed Abu Musab [al-Zarqawi], Abu Hamza [al-Muhajir], Abu Umar [al-Baghdadi], or Usama [bin Ladin]? … No. … Or do you, O America, consider defeat to be the loss of a city or the loss of land? Were we defeated when we lost the cities in Iraq and were in the desert without any city or land? And would we be defeated and you be victorious if you were to take Mosul or Sirte or Raqqa or even take all the cities and we were to return to our initial condition? Certainly not!

Falaha was correct. IS’s strategic depth is in the deserts, where it survived and plotted its revival after the Surge-and-Sahwa: from their bases out of reach of the government IS could wage the campaign of assassination against the Sahwa—the “war of the silencers“—and the shift in politics in Baghdad toward sectarian authoritarianism gave IS a cause it could use to return to the Sunni population centres and become, within five years of its defeat in 2008, stronger than ever. The occupation of Sunni cities by the PKK and IRGC-run Shi’a militias will give IS the ability to return sooner than that this time around, even if they can be dislodged.

[OUTLAW 09]

Jabhat al-Nusra religious official Abdul Razzaq al-Mahdi accuses #IS of protecting #Assad in Damascus.

[OUTLAW 09]

You're welcome.

Would like to observe, that the point of the entire exercise was trying to find out, and then explaining how the Russians think - i.e. how are their top political and military leaders thinking in regards of their air force - and why they do things the way they do. Not to acuse anybody.

Anyway, this resulted in a write-up of about 30,000 words, then in a 1.800 words 'resume', from which a 1.000-words article was distilled.

So, sadly, few useful explanations are missing, as are all the references. In turn the latter is now used by an entire brigade of Russo-trolls to (literaly) bitch about it.

Particularly interesting is that nobody serious is actually complaining about the message and content of that article as such (on the contrary, several representatives of various NGOs active in Syria concluded that there's nothing good they can expect coming their way in the next few days, weeks etc.). The 'pearl' of an exception was Sergey Chernyshov (https://medium.com/@sergey4chernyshov/i-have-stopped-reading-after-the-following-sentence-this-unit-used-to-have-four-kamov-ka-52-7f3e292c9aa8#.ejp24yamd), who's complaining,

Actually, the only one who didn't do any fact-checking is he, then Tiyas AB is half-way between Homs and Palmyra, but certainly nowhere near Aleppo.

Plus, not only that earliest reports cited destruction of Ka-52s, and that it's 'Mi-24s' only since publication of STRATFOR's article: ever since that accident (it was no attack) there are no Russian Ka-52s to be seen anywhere around Syria.

In another instance (Twitter) a well-known IRGC-troll (banned from several aviation forums after declaring himself a 'part of elite rulling over undereducated masses'), complained I've been paid by Qatari and Turkish think-tanks. ...until somebody from Turkey advised him there's not a single Turkish think-tank capable of running such studies... then the 'Messiah' deleted all of his related posts.

After such experiences, can't but admit: sometimes I find it really scarry to see in what sort of 'world' are we living nowadays.

CrowBat.....You should see sometimes the mass of Trojan attempted hacks my system intercepts daily and sometimes hourly and I work Tor heavily and why I do not tip toe into the Twitter world....or anything on social media outside of here. I have had two attempted breakins in the last few weeks which is concerning especially since most absolutely do not know my home address and I am not in the German Police Residence Register compliments of the German government---so it was not some crazy teenagers out for a lark and my neighbors defintely watch my residence since we have had many a beer together and the closest one is a senior German cop and they were all surprised by the attempts.....

It is brutal "out there these days"....

I recently read a Russian article that Russia now views social media as part and parcel of their "political war with the West" and that says alot.

Really do value your input ......

Right now we really have a massive multi fronted war ongoing with multiple players and it is getting hard to maintain the overview.....AND IMHO we are not to far from this thing exploding into a major Sunni Shia conflict as the players are positioning themselves nicely for one....and if one of the players makes the wrong move the West is in some serious trouble....even Putin as well has his internal jihadist weakpoint....

[OUTLAW 09]

Michael Weiss ‏@michaeldweiss

Some of us warned about the Avigdor factor in Israeli politics a while back:
http://www.the-american-interest.com/2013/12/13/russias-return-to-the-middle-east/ …

Haaretz.com Verified account
‏@haaretzcom

Putin: Will start talks to add Israel to Eurasian Economic Union's free trade agreement

[OUTLAW 09]

Mocking Putin Got Me Sent to Twitter Gulag
http://thebea.st/1tdIFH6

[OUTLAW 09]

AND what are the massive statistics for their support to FSA that is heavily involved in fighting IS and Assad on multiple fronts NOT just one....?????

Latest @CJTFOIR tally for #Manbij offensive vs #ISIL #ISIS: 108 fighting positions, 31 vehciles, 17 hvy wpns, 2 wpns caches destroyed

[OUTLAW 09]

My latest: Footage surfaces of Iranian IRGC fighter embedded with Iraqi forces near Fallujah
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/06/footage-of-iranian-irgc-fighter-embedded-with-iraqi-forces-near-fallujah.php …

[OUTLAW 09]

AleppoIsBurning At least 40 #Russia|n airstrikes hit Hayan, Hraytan & Anadan in the last several hours! They’re burning everything!

Intense #Russia|n airstrikes with cluster, incendiary & standard bombs targeted Anadan in north rural #Aleppo after sunset today

More footage of criminal #Russia|n airstrikes targeting Anadan in north rural #Aleppo w/ incendiary munitions today
https://youtu.be/dKOujwgO-sc
https://youtu.be/AluobzMpchQ

The LCC documented 94 martyrs in #Syria today, including 12 children & 10 women
38 martyrs in Aleppo
34 in Deir Ezzour
8 in Daraa
6 in Idlib
5 in Homs
3 in Hasaka

Aleppo: Despite endless airstrikes Syrian Rebels inflicts losses on Assad regime
http://fb.me/1lA0A6h3x

There you have it, documented evidence that Shia militias are torturing & even killing Sunnis fleeing Fallujah
http://bit.ly/1RWbn3a

“@ForeignPolicy: Hamas is ready for war with Israel. @dpatrikarakos reports.
http://atfp.co/1t5U4Iv
pic.twitter.com/VlAUWJDr1C”

Helicopter drops "explosive barrels" on the Hanano suburb of Aleppo today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im4bU8siE_s …

First video of a barrel bomb shoved out the rear of a helicopter for a while, Russia claimed they stopped it
https://twitter.com/JohnArterbury/status/740256432990359552 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Huge explosions heard & reports #Israel|i airstrikes targeted Assad/Hezbollah ammo warehouses near 19th Reg in Qutayfah, #Damascus, #Syria

SDF has captured Mankubah on outskirts of Manbij after #ISIS withdrew, clashes now reported inside Manbij

SDF control Almankubah bridge clashes reach the city from northern side

Assad-forces in #Aleppo's Handarat moved again into IED ambush

Syrian Reporter on ground Shadi Hulwe DENIES ANY REPORTS of #SAA advancing to #Infantry_School

ISIS militants handed #Aleppo Infantry School to Regime forces, and withdrew toward Fafin & Tall Shair.

It was a TOS-1 the rocket launcher destroyed by an ATGM a few days ago?
http://en.censor.net.ua/video_news/392115/russias_tos1a_flamethrower_destroyed_in_syria_powe rful_ammo_detonation_video …

Russia warplanes raining Opposition-held cities in #Aleppo with deadly/banned phosphorus bombs.

Fires rage in Anadan, a suburb of north Aleppo, following an incendiary bomb attack this evening

Iran announces the deaths of 3 more IRGC members near #Aleppo.

It's 10 days now that Turkish-backed rebels are not able to retake 2 tiny villages between #Azaz & #Marea from #ISIS

And this while #ISIS lost 50 villages to #SDF and #Assad's allies 2 hours drive away.
Something is rotten in the state of Syria.

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat...how in the heck did the CENTCOM and US SOF fall for this.....


Pro-#Assad/#Iran Al Mayadeen TV embedded with #SDF at the #Manbij front ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap2LHkB8Suw&feature=youtu.be …

US and friends insist, SDF push is led by Sunni Arabs.
Pro-YPG tweeps claim, 90% YPG forces.
Who fools us here??

[OUTLAW 09]

Romantic pic?!
Anadan, north of Aleppo.
A mosque, a water tower and a Russian WP attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKOujwgO-sc …

Another perspective on the same attack on the Idlib province town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqzEHv-3EHo …

MaaratAlNuman
Girl killed, several ppl wounded in suspected #Russian cluster bomb attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YZqMyiatAA …

Reports saying #ISIS militants withdrew from Hudhud village toward Tall Yasti, due to #SDF advances.

Hama: ISIS kill 7 Assad regime fighters in surprise attack
http://bit.ly/1Ux1n23

SDF now capture Mankouba from ISIS. Looks like ISIS hoping they will eventually stall or overstretch themselves

Quneitra: Rebels destroy Assad regime bulldozer
https://youtu.be/X4wf8XWMP7k

Assad regime Brig General Ghassan Beshara killed by rebel TOW in Latakia. He was killed with a number of fighters

Assad regime general Mader Jouriya killed by rebel TOW in Latakia

Opposition "Furqan Brigades" announce to start new battle to control new areas in #Quneitra, South of Syria.

HashdShaabi militias flags + pro-#Iran sectarian posters found in Qal'ajiyah, after #HashdShaabi militias withdrew.

[OUTLAW 09]

On the left is Abu Ilyas Shishani of Ajnad al-Kavkaz killed recently in #Latakia #Syria, right is Abu Bakr

AND Iran is not pushing an sectarian agenda....in both Syria and Iraq....
Iran has also dispatched Ayyub al-Rubaie (Abu Azrael) to #Fallujah, militia commander who burns and carves bodies.

Iraqi FM: Qassem Suleimani (US-designated terrorist) is "advising" Baghdad's troops, world should be grateful.

[OUTLAW 09]

Main Areas Where Russian Air-forces attacking by deadly bombs in North of #Syria
HD https://goo.gl/fJtXLr

YPG/#Kobane-scenario" now for #FSA in #Azaz/northern #Aleppo pocket:
nearly wiped out by #Daesh- then the resurrection

Rebels finishing off #ISIS pockets around #Marea this morning, N. #Aleppo. Note DIY armour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhSdMkCMb3Y …

Kafr Ghan under FSA control

Yahmul,Jarez,Kafrah has been taken by FSA,after ISIS withdrew

Seems #Daesh abandon entire Quweiq Plain in northern #Aleppo
So far only #FSA fill the vacuum

ISIS withdrew from Sawran,Talalin,Yani Yaban,Barisha,Ghazl,and unconfirmed reports that FSA reached Ihtimalat

Breaking. Acc. to activists, Rebels are for the first time at the gate of major #ISIS town of Ihtimalat, N. #Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.567564&lon=37.247257&z=13&m …

Daesh retreated from a dozen villages in northern #Aleppo so far
Tactical withdrawal to reinforce #Raqqa & #Manbij front ?!

Daesh drive vehicle bomb into regime-convoy on road to #Raqqa
btw Khirbet Zeidan & Anbaj villages
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=35.519373&lon=38.306236&z=12&m=b …
Anti-Isis rebel group in Marea, Mu'tasim Brigade, received another shipment of US supplies:

So ya ... looks like SDF/YPG withdrew from Sheikh Issa without a fight.
Politics politics politics ...

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat....here is the move you indicated would happen...coming out of Turkey......

Here we go.
Rebels just retook 3 villages with minimal force.
+ hundreds of fresh rebel forces arriving fr. Turkey.

Daesh retreated from 6 villages in northern #Aleppo since morning

FSA reconnected Azaz and Mare towns after exelled #IS from Kaljinrin, Kafr Kalbin, Niyara, Qarah Kubri and few other positions north Aleppo

FSA retook Qarah Kubri & Yani Yaban (Al-Judaydah) from #Daesh i northern #Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

CowBat..this hit seemed to have triggered that recent massive explosion that took out a major ammo dump and one HDQs....

Seems rebels destroyed TOS-1 (+Regime-HQ) in #Aleppo some days ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkS7vNFoEpI …

Just after the explosion one saw a number of missiles cook off....

[OUTLAW 09]

Syrian rebels break Islamic State siege in northwest - monitor
http://reut.rs/24yDmgD

Airstrike hit makeshift hospital in city center of #Aleppo
10 dead so far
https://youtu.be/EtVYJvNFk_U

Two thirds of ~3,000 Regime/Russian strikes on N. #Aleppo last 2 weeks focused on Haritan & Kafr Hamra

Failed #Russia'n airstrikes hit #Assad-forces positions in Cement factory in southern #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.151425&lon=37.144368&z=16&m=b …

Putin drop Phosphorus bombs on #Syria's #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Jc0QOOJ6w …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plKIlR7L7Lg …

Footage
Terror beyond imagination.
#Russia burns residential area in #Anadan with WP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Jc0QOOJ6w …

All Rebels in #Marea (besieged since 2 weeks by IS/SDF) merge under Moutasem leadership. 2nd US ammo airdrop last night

[OUTLAW 09]

Daesh drive vehicle bomb into regime-convoy on road to #Raqqa
btw Khirbet Zeidan & Anbaj villages
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=35.519373&lon=38.306236&z=12&m=b …

Footage
Happy rebels after pushing #ISIS out of #Jibrin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p2V6yn-t9w …

East #Aleppo - #SDF #Manbij offensive situation map (8 June 2016) / HD map :
http://www.agathocledesyracuse.com/archives/790

First reports: #FSA re-entered #Dudiyan.
All towns north west of #Dabiq expected to be under #FSA control by tomorrow (if it's no trap!!!).

Footage
#Huraytan shortly ago.
Heavy air strikes on the almost-emptied town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UDr6kwdQ1k …

Current #FSA / rebels area north of #Aleppo after #ISIS withdrew thousands of fighters.
Expect it to grow.

Footage
Cluster ammunition used by #Assad/#Russia in #Hayyan, some km N-W of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NIr65f3dds …

Footage
Cluster ammunition used by #Assad/#Russia in #Hayyan, some km N-W of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NIr65f3dds …

The White Helmets
‏@SyriaCivilDef
2 unguided bombs (suspected barrel bombs) in Al Shaar area. 15 killed & a hospital destroyed

Footage
Horror in #Aleppo city after several #Assad regime barrel bomb attacks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFTIJYzp_nI …

Footage
(Empty) school in #Huraytan hit by air strikes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD4xQNF43_0 …

Big things to happen as #ISIS collapses.
Report of 7 FSA factions uniting under "Pentagon project" Mutassim Brigade.

Breaking
Massacre in #Aleppo's Sha'ar neighbourhood as #Assad choppers drop barrel bombs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPKswj02HOQ …

BREAKING
#ISIS withdraws from more than 10 villages and towns around #Sawran!!
All fighters on the way to #AlBab, #Manbij and #Tabqah.

Footage
Happy children in village, liberated by #SDF from #ISIS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8U2KJmL9aQ …

The luxury when you have US special forces on your side: Just look at something long enough.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahq-X_KqeRA …

Burning #inferno after #Aleppo suburb hit by #Russian WP attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A6NDvwP4TY …
(ignore the logo)

[OUTLAW 09]

NO WORD by #EU / #US governments on #Russia's ongoing WP terrorism around #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Jc0QOOJ6w …

Footage
More #Russian White Phosphorus attacks on rural #Aleppo towns.
Every few hours now!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIYvt68m00E …

[OUTLAW 09]

Map. Today's update of the situation in #Manbij as #YPG/#SDF continue their offensive.
HD - http://www.mediafire.com/convkey/831b/d7jcjff24dg4617zg.jpg …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat....did you catch this.....??

Russian nuclear plane flies over rebel-held Idlib in Syria miles from Turkey
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-nuclear-warplane-filmed-flying-8141259#ICID=sharebar_twitter …

[OUTLAW 09]

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
I urge *everyone* -
Please take 2mins of your day to watch this @BBCNews video from #Aleppo, #Syria:
https://youtu.be/d3uFPyXZMi0

Every person in this picture was killed today in Latakia including Siham Al Shabal ex commander of female brigade and regime fighters
now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567076-high-ranking-regime-officers-killed-outside-latakia …

Rebels flowing into KalJibrin after its seizure from #ISIS this morning, N. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p2V6yn-t9w …

FSA captured a Ram 1500 Pick-up truck from ISIS in N. Aleppo as #ISIS withdrew from multiple villages.

This Russian air force IL-62M is almost 24/7 in the air to reach the Latakia airbase every day.
Never uses call sign.....

[OUTLAW 09]

The Video with English subtitles: Major massacre in Shaar dist, #Aleppo after helicopters targeted Bayan hospital
https://youtu.be/3UKMnRaoQUE

Allegedly Israel distributed humanitarian aid to civilians in rebel-held parts of Quneitra south #Syria in #Ramadan

Civilians and supplies are returning to Mare' in N. Aleppo after the lifting of the siege on the Azaz-Mare' road.

SDF, with US-led coalition air support, has IS-held Manbij in eastern Aleppo under siege from three directions.

Syria Baath PM Khaled Aboud"we will fight #YPG after getting rid of #ISIS with all we have"

If the reports of #FSA seizing Sawran were confirmed, this would be the biggest setback for #IS north Aleppo since al-Ra'i.

FSA-branded al-Jabhat al-Shamiya (The Levant Front) entering Kaljibrin, north Aleppo, after its liberation from IS.
https://youtu.be/3p2V6yn-t9w

[OUTLAW 09]

Qais Khazali, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq head already prepared his grave allegedly to signal his readiness for martyrdom.

Qais was involved in murder of five US soldiers in Karbala, JAN 2007; his militia is now in #Fallujah with US CAS.

[OUTLAW 09]

YPG fighter: "..after liberating Rojava we'll carry on & liberate the other parts of Kurdistan"

Surely this can’t be true - I thought the YPG/J are focused *only* on #Syria?

Another #Hizballah jihadi killed in Syria, Abu Alaa Bosna, had also fought in Bosnia.
http://bit.ly/1VgDJsw

Hizballah acknowledges the death of Khalil Ali Hassan, a founder, says he was killed on "jihadi duty…against the mercenaries of…Wahhabism."

[OUTLAW 09]

Daesh took over missile battalion near #DeirEzzor airbase
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=35.248388&lon=40.188932&z=15&m=b …

Assad army resumed bombing besieged Daraya with explosive barrels after short CoH announced by Russia
https://youtu.be/duumCFKZ98o

U.S. Embassy Syria Verified account 
‏@USEmbassySyria
Bashar al Asad's remarks show once again how delusional, detached and unfit he is to lead the Syrian people. #Syria

Apparently Assad & allies Russia/Iran/Hezbollah are taking serious steps to make this "delusion" come true unlike US …

[OUTLAW 09]

The US, Russia and the Assad regime are working together to coordinate attacks in Syria.
https://www.afp.com/en/news/824/russia-backed-syria-regime-bears-down-transit-town …

14 dead in heavy air strikes over rebel-held Aleppo today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPKswj02HOQ&feature=youtu.be …
doctor tells me another 2 hospitals forced out of service.

10 people were killed by air strikes in Shaar neighborhood in Aleppo. Graphic video. #Syria
http://youtu.be/EtVYJvNFk_U

Russia scorching Anadan in Aleppo with internationally banned white phosphorus. #Syria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6Jc0QOOJ6w …

Syria: photo claiming to show #US helicopters flying over the city of #Manbij, supporting the #SDF in east #Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

Several Russia/Assad ballistic missiles have struck Daret Izza in #Aleppo, huge explosions reported

Reports claim #FSA attack #IS held Tal Malid south of #Marea & #YPG try to take Harbul from #IS
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.450147&lon=37.200909&z=14&m=b …

Assad barrel bombs are back in #Daraya (artillery/IRAM ongoing) https://youtu.be/duumCFKZ98o
Regime advance from west side pushed by rebels today

DeirEzzor: Heavy clashes now in Rusafa district

Night clashes at Jazal oil field west of #Palmyra & #DeirEzzor city outskirts btw #Assad-forces & #Daesh

Aleppo Ancient Simeon Monastery badly damaged by airstrikes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TsNOX4j2ew …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.331843&lon=36.844110&z=16&m=b …

Their actions as well as those of the YPG is no different in Syria....
"Iraq’s Shia Militias Accused of War Crimes in Fight Against ISIS"
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/06/08/iraq-s-shia-militias-accused-of-war-crimes-in-fight-against-isis.html …
Reports from Saqlawiyah & Karma, near Fallujah

Iraq footage pics from Saqlawiya/#Fallujah:
Shiite militia members "escort" male residents into desert
fate unknown

Explosion rock Bab al Hawa border crossing to #Turkey 50km west of #Aleppo. Reports of ballistic missile impacts along road to it

Wave of #Russia'n night airstrikes now on several towns south & west of #Aleppo

Russia'n airstrike hit civil defense center in Kafr Halab 25km SW of #Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

.@vvanwilgenburg reports "a lot of Western soldiers on the frontline" around #Manbij.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si9oDouVUHA …

Seems someone changed his mind over #Syria ...
Wings of Lebanon 737 left Beirut towards Damascus and then suddenly changed flight directions and then overflew Syria...

[OUTLAW 09]

BreakingReports
#Russia and #Assad hitting multiple towns between #Aleppo and the Turkish border tonight.
Revenge for #ISIS withdrawal?!...

Footage
#FSA "North Division" graduation video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-mFMtj8aww …

Assad and #Russia bomb them but people in #MaaratAlNuman keep protesting #Nusra / for #FSA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ8xGbxdrGY …

At least in one thing, #Assad and the #opposition agree/are equally stupid.
Both condemn #Israel for providing food.

Yep.
#Assad forces on a #US humvee.
(in Raqqa province today)

Footage
#Daraya tonight.
Still no food from #Assad.
Only barrel bombs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkgUgOock6A&feature=youtu.be …

[OUTLAW 09]

Infants in #Aleppo were taken from incubators to the basement of hospital 4 protection from #Russian airstrikes

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
Utterly, utterly heartbreaking…
This happens many times *every* day. #Assad’s killing machine must stop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdCQYA3YHiw&feature=youtu.be …

MORE Iranian Generals are biting the dust in Syria......
Both Iranian elite forces Generals Rida Rustami & Saleh Hamid killed by Syrian Rebels in south Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

Interesting to see if both the US and SDF hold to the Turkish stated concept that YPG troops are to be pulled out of all IS captured areas and turned over to SDF Arab forces......if not then we will see Turkey cross into Syria to prevent a total YPG take over of the Turkish border zone to Syria.

Manbij Military council says the rural area East of Manbij is completely liberated. via ANHA

[OUTLAW 09]

Obama, Kerry and the entire UNSC STILL say nothing do they...???

Bombs from airstrikes hit 3 hospitals yesterday in Aleppo, including a children's hospital https://www.facebook.com/TheSyriaCampaign/photos/a.608812989210718.1073741828.607756062649744/1065339010224778/?type=3&theater …

[OUTLAW 09]

Iranian regime airs sectarian propaganda clip to recruit Hazara Afghans to fight in Syria.
https://youtu.be/nAqRHG8-e3I

Shame that Iran does not also includes the ten's of Hazara boxes coming back from Syria.....

[OUTLAW 09]

From OUTLAW 09;187981: At least in one thing, #Assad and the #opposition agree/are equally stupid. Both condemn #Israel for providing food.

BUT WAIT......
1.food aid where delivered by Israeli Arab charity.
2.Syrs besieged by Assad&Jordan have no choice but 2accept Isr aid

AND UNSC begs for Assad permission to delivery aid via ground movement after dropping their demands for air drops because the of Russian AD subtle threat against them....AND the US said absolutely nothing.

BUT Putin/Iran continue their food air drops to Assad forces and besieged towns.

THEN......
Netanyahu: Assad doesn't have a future. We're coordinating with Russia & providing medical care to combatants

[OUTLAW 09]

Deir Ezzor: after ISIS captured rockets from Assad regime now using them to shell airbase. Finally using their heads
http://bit.ly/1UAHfMk

Assad regime commander Majid Mohammed Sheikh killed in Latakia

Assad regime commander of elite desert force killed today on Ithriya/Raqaa road

SDF ~30km away from al-Bab & ~65km from #Aleppo city in the west of #Manbij

In parallel with assault in S. #Aleppo, pro-Regime forces also attacking further North (from Sheikh Najar & Mallah). Without success so far.

[OUTLAW 09]

JaF claim repelled #IRGC-militia assault on Humera in southern #Aleppo - destroyed 2 tanks & 1 BMP & killed 2 dozens

Footage from Qatma SW of #Manbij
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9L93e0kpug …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.457188&lon=37.854853&z=14&m=b …

Daesh in #Manbij burning tires to hide against airstrikes
https://youtu.be/nZhq3Fp_o70

Reports: #SDF took Herbel & Maarat Umm Hawsh in northern #Aleppo from #Daesh
-not confirmed so far-
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.423078&lon=37.192068&z=14&m=b …

SDF seized Amyal hill ~12km SW of #Manbij
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.447799&lon=37.824554&z=13&m=b …

Russia'n airstrikes destroyed phone network for the northern #Aleppo countryside

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat......what do you think they are up to...????

Extraordinary meeting of the Defense ministers from #Syria, #Russia & #Iran in Tehran today about latest war developments.

What is the chance of SDF which is largely actually YPG...what is the chance of them swinging after Manbij towards attacking Aleppo together with Assad/Putin and Iran under the guise of attacking JaN/JaF???

And will they actually make a move to takeover the Syrian border crossing points to Turkey.....both serious red lines for Erdogan.

[OUTLAW 09]

Clashes in outskirts of Ain Issa in northern #Raqqa

SDF sieged ringe on #Manbij nearly closed (only NW road open)

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat......what do you think they are up to...????

Extraordinary meeting of the Defense ministers from #Syria, #Russia & #Iran in Tehran today about latest war developments.

What is the chance of SDF which is largely actually YPG...what is the chance of them swinging after Manbij towards attacking Aleppo together with Assad/Putin and Iran under the guise of attacking JaN/JaF???

And will they actually make a move to takeover the Syrian border crossing points to Turkey.....both serious red lines for Erdogan.

Reports #YPG is clashing w/ #IS in Harbul for the first time. No confirmation if this is coordinated w/ #FSA assault
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.434542&lon=37.164431&z=14&m=b …

[OUTLAW 09]

Rebel spokesman says U.S.-backed SDF forces, led by YPG/PKK, have reached the "last main road" into ISIS-held Manbij
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-manbij-idUSKCN0YU1QM …

Turkey PM says 'nothing to discuss' with PKK after attacks @AFP

[CrowBat]

CrowBat......what do you think they are up to...????

Extraordinary meeting of the Defense ministers from #Syria, #Russia & #Iran in Tehran today about latest war developments.
Hard to say. Can only guess they might want to finally bring some coordination into what are they doing, then currently, each is doing something entirely different:

- Russians, with wholehearted support from Assadists, are making themselves guilty of countless war crimes while burning down Aleppo, but

a) they are all the time either hitting hospitals or markets, or whatever else of civilian importance, 10-20km behind the frontlines (even inside eastern Aleppo city), or empty buildings (like schools), that with every new massacre they instigate it's getting ever clearer and clearer: they've got no clue where is JAN, where is JAF, where are any other armed opposition groups; and

b) they are bombing with weapons the effects of which can only make sense if there are ground troops there to exploit these; but because there are no such troops around, the entire exercise is nothing else but a big slaughter of civilians, and a military farce.

- Assadists required a week to push for 13km up the road from Ithriya in direction of Tabqa/Raqqa (and might have reached a point some 27km short of Tabqa AB), but that's a show mission with intention of grabbing a chair at the table where the future of Raqqa is going to be decided. Foremost, it's too little, too late, and I would be (pleasantly) surprised if they reach at least Tabqa.

- The IRGC is BS-itting around in southern Aleppo, and having one of its counterattacks smashed to pieces after the other.

That's three major, yet so utterly disconnected operations, that not even the Assadist air farce (yes, farce, no force) is capable of doing more but 'supporting' Russian-run massacres (and the VKS is, as described above, not even trying to provide any kind of support for IRGC troops, just for example).

This 'all for everything and everybody for himself' is making me extremely sceptic when trying to answer your second question: is the SDF going to swing around Manbij and attack Aleppo together with Assadists and the IRGC?

I wouldn't be the least surprised.

Sunni Arabs are everybody's enemy in this war.

Sunni Arabs that are self-governing themselves with help of various local councils - majority of which were meanwhile elected into their position in sort of rudimentary/primitive democratic elections - even more so.

Why is that so? Because they are clear, obvious, and undisputable evidence that all the Assadist, all the Putler's, and all the YPG's claims about 'they are all al-Qaida' are another big farce. Indeed, the biggest lie of this war.

[OUTLAW 09]

Hard to say. Can only guess they might want to finally bring some coordination into what are they doing, then currently, each is doing something entirely different:

- Russians, with wholehearted support from Assadists, are making themselves guilty of countless war crimes while burning down Aleppo, but

a) they are all the time either hitting hospitals or markets, or whatever else of civilian importance, 10-20km behind the frontlines (even inside eastern Aleppo city), or empty buildings (like schools), that with every new massacre they instigate it's getting ever clearer and clearer: they've got no clue where is JAN, where is JAF, where are any other armed opposition groups; and

b) they are bombing with weapons the effects of which can only make sense if there are ground troops there to exploit these; but because there are no such troops around, the entire exercise is nothing else but a big slaughter of civilians, and a military farce.

- Assadists required a week to push for 13km up the road from Ithriya in direction of Tabqa/Raqqa (and might have reached a point some 27km short of Tabqa AB), but that's a show mission with intention of grabbing a chair at the table where the future of Raqqa is going to be decided. Foremost, it's too little, too late, and I would be (pleasantly) surprised if they reach at least Tabqa.

- The IRGC is BS-itting around in southern Aleppo, and having one of its counterattacks smashed to pieces after the other.

That's three major, yet so utterly disconnected operations, that not even the Assadist air farce (yes, farce, no force) is capable of doing more but 'supporting' Russian-run massacres (and the VKS is, as described above, not even trying to provide any kind of support for IRGC troops, just for example).

This 'all for everything and everybody for himself' is making me extremely sceptic when trying to answer your second question: is the SDF going to swing around Manbij and attack Aleppo together with Assadists and the IRGC?

I wouldn't be the least surprised.

Sunni Arabs are everybody's enemy in this war.

Sunni Arabs that are self-governing themselves with help of various local councils - majority of which were meanwhile elected into their position in sort of rudimentary/primitive democratic elections - even more so.

Why is that so? Because they are clear, obvious, and undisputable evidence that all the Assadist, all the Putler's, and all the YPG's claims about 'they are all al-Qaida' are another big farce. Indeed, the biggest lie of this war.

CrowBat....that curious tactical decision decision by IS to take on Marea and Azaz might have been a serious tactical field blunder as it appears they over stayed and had to rush all troops and heavy equipment back towards Manbij and Raqqa.....when they should have displaced far sooner to defend Raqqa.

Russian article concerning the meeting......in Russian though...
The Russian-language Mignews bluntly stated the agenda behind the meetings in its headline: "Alliance Against American Hegemony."

[OUTLAW 09]

Manbij ISIS Emir of Manbij, Usama al-Tunisi, has been killed.

Clashes about control of Al-Mallah farms in northern #Aleppo continues
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.282544&lon=37.142715&z=14&m=b …

Damascus Regime tanks shelling Maadamiyeh & artillery hit Darayya
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=33.463382&lon=36.211023&z=14&m=b …

PalmyraRev1 ·
The continuation of Clashes between regime #SAA and #ISIS fighters around of #jazal oil field in the countryside of #Palmyra #Syria

Rebels repelled #Assad-forces assault on al-Breij area in northern #Aleppo & killed 5
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.254621&lon=37.221036&z=15&m=b …

Opposition (#JaF) advance east of Khan Tuman in South Aleppo and take control of Qarassi village.

Pics from Al-Qarassi in southern outskirts of #Aleppo
#Iran'is left behind Safir jeep

Pics from #JaF counter assault in southern #Aleppo
Al-Qarassi area

YPG & local allies have reportedly seized 2 villages north of Aleppo following IS retreat

Despite #Russia'n airstrikes #Assad-regime loosing ground in southern #Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
"Russian" air strike on #Huraytan today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUc1ymeme4g …

ISIS has repelled YPG attacks on Harbul and Umm Hawsh,with ISIS amassing forces there

Syrian rebel retract on territorial gains around #Azaz.
5 villages claimed to be captured from #ISIS yday not freed.

Unclear situation south of #Marea.
Some say, #YPG took #Harbul and #TalMalid, some say #FSA took last.
The race for #ISIS territory began.

Also last night, incendiary ammo was used vs. civilians in #Anadan by a certain air force.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywqmr3jSbCE …

A coalition of Jaish al Fatah and more moderate rebel groups captured #Qarassi and #AlHuwayz S of #Aleppo.

[OUTLAW 09]

Elite Iranian revolutionary guard fighter Ahmed Makyan killed in Syria

Aleppo: despite unlimited air support pro Assad forces got smoked by rebels

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Naval and Syrian Express were on the move today....

ЧФ BSF Ladnyy & Smetlivvy transited Bosphorus very fast, possibly one of the fastest transit times for #ВМФ ships

Russian Navy's Krivak Class Frigate Ladnyy 861 & Kashin Class Destroyer Smetlivyy 870 on the Bosphorus northbound.

[OUTLAW 09]

Faylaq al-Sham drone footage shows IRGC troops retreating from al-Humayra south Aleppo.
https://youtu.be/NlkzojVJ-Qc
You can also see in the video the Assad/Putin burning of the grain fields to force more starvation....

Sayed Hakim, Fatemiyoun deputy in Palmyra KIA in Palmyra days ago. Reportedly hit by an IS suicide drone.

[OUTLAW 09]

Hezbollah moving ‘tons of cocaine’ to fund the war in #Syria
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/8/hezbollah-moving-tons-of-cocaine-in-latin-america-/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

Now martyrdom operation inside Khalsa S. #Aleppo by #Nusra

More air strikes on #Huraytan ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H1-aC6yEL8 …

Lebanon Shuts Down More than 100 Bank Accounts Associated with Hezbollah.
http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/2016/06/09/%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84-100-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D9%86%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B2%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87.html ….
http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/211156-salameh-says-100-hizbullah-related-bank-accounts-frozen …

Jaish al-Fath now trying to storm Khalsa village after expelled IRGC from al-Qarasi today south #Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.056801&lon=37.051821&z=14&m=b …

JaF (Ajnad) pounded Zaytan with heavy artillery

Aftermath Russian/Assad airstrikes on Huraytan village #Aleppo.
https://youtu.be/wI83wigxD_M

Most of Regime fighters who were killed/captured in Qarassi are #Iraq|is from #HashdShaabi militias. #Aleppo #Syria

ISIS withdrew from +50villages (most of them with no resistance) since the beginning of the offensive.
#SDF is very close to enter #Manbij.

Nusra's quick response teams recapturing lost areas in S-Aleppo and advancing more into regime-held territory.

Syrian Rebels making their own ground to ground weapons
https://youtu.be/2Pa7JmwjRXM

Deraa: Rebels destroy ISIS SUV that was carrying ammunition to the group in Ayn Thikr

Latakia: explosions rocked Hamamim airbase today as Rebels shelled it with grad rockets

Assad regime losses today in Aleppo: 2 tanks, BMP, 2 gun mounted vehicles destroyed, at least 50 killed & 7 captured

Aleppo: at least 50 pro Assad fighters killed in Humayra & Al Qarassi by rebels

[OUTLAW 09]

Who would have thought.....?????

Минобороны России
✔ @mod_russia Rus Def Ministry refuted Turkish accusations concerning strikes of Rus Aerospace Forces on civil objects in #Aleppo http://s.mil.ru/1XcovJo

[OUTLAW 09]

Nusra is pushing back Iranian forces south of #Aleppo, even #RuAF useless. Something's very wrong with them.

The escape of #Iran lead militias from
Al-Qarassi in southern #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXzWGFScr4 …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.092806&lon=37.081432&z=13&m=b …

SDF took over Al Etihad University at western entrance
of #Manbij
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.500253&lon=37.849531&z=15&m=b …

Sayed Hakim, Fatemiyoun deputy in Palmyra KIA in Palmyra days ago. Reportedly hit by an IS suicide drone......a"drone"served as IED Booby Trap,Hakim saw it,went after it for curiosity&exploded

Looks like #Iran'i airborne patch- killed in southern #Aleppo today

Tribute to #FSA colonel Bakkur al-Salim in #Qalamoun / #Damascus, killed by #IS suicide bomber today - #Syria

Rebels regain all lost positions in al-Mallah farms in northern #Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

Hezbollah moving ‘tons of cocaine’ to fund the war in #Syria
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/8/hezbollah-moving-tons-of-cocaine-in-latin-america-/ …

Shia jihadist activities defined by "lines of coke"...love it....

[OUTLAW 09]

Pictures of Ahrar al-Sham from today
LEFT: Fighting #ISIS in #Daraa
RIGHT: Fighting #Iran in #Aleppo

Graphic!
Shiite militias leave behind hit comrades after being fired at, fleeing, by rebels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBXzWGFScr4&feature=youtu.be …

The #FSA's Central Division keeps fighting with the most islamist factions south of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT-f_f6e0eY&feature=youtu.be …

After all,we have to admit #ISIS did neither "collapse" nor "withdraw to #Manbij" in the west (near #Azaz).
Tactical redeployment.
That's it

Jaish al-Fath capture Zaytan village south Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.057842&lon=37.011309&z=14&m=b …

Unconfirmed reports that FSA took Tal Battal from ISIS

From the battle with IRGC in al-Qarasi south Aleppo today.
https://youtu.be/WfOEpOAA9d4
https://youtu.be/gyLsktXL9bQ

[OUTLAW 09]

FULL LENGTH #BBC investigation into #Iran use of #Afghan mercenaries in #Syria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WESjWZ0BzLA …

Iran Spends $1.7 Billion in U.S. Taxpayer Funds to Boost Its Military


The State Department is staying silent after Iranian officials disclosed that the Islamic Republic spent a recent payment by the United States of $1.7 billion in taxpayer funds to expand and build-up its military, according to comments provided to the Washington Free Beacon.

The Obama administration earlier this year paid Iran $1.7 billion from a U.S. taxpayer-funded account in order to settle decades-old legal disputes with the Islamic Republic.

The payment has been caught up in controversy following claims by Iranian officials and some in the U.S. Congress it was part of a “ransom payment” to secure the release of American hostages and 10 U.S. sailors who were abducted at gunpoint by the Iranian military.

Lawmakers recently launched an investigation to determine if the payment was in fact part of a secret ransom deal with Iran, the Free Beacon recently disclosed.

Iranian officials have now disclosed that officials have ordered that this $1.7 billion be allocated to the Islamic Republic’s military forces.

Iran’s military investment comes as it seeks to boost its forces stationed in the Persian Gulf region. Iran also is engaged in several controversial arms deals with the Russians, including the purchase of several warplanes and an advanced missile system.


Interesting article.....
CIA and Pentagon Bicker While Russia Wipes Out U.S.-Backed Rebels
http://thebea.st/219rCQS

[OUTLAW 09]

By Al Jazeera anchor Faisal al-Kasim: "the United States is the custodian of tyrants and the enemy of patriots"
http://www.orient-news.net/ar/news_show/114501/%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%A9%D9%88%D8%B9%D 8%AF%D9%88%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86 …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat....appears t have been a bad last few days for Assad, Iran and Putin...the Assad fronts appear to be falling apart.....


Iran/ian #Fars news agency says "Alarm, #Syria/n army may be surrounded in west Aleppo."

[OUTLAW 09]

Hassan Hassan ‏@hxhassan
Super interesting. This by Abu Sulayman (AlQaeda) is remarkably similar to what I write here
http://timep.org/commentary/jihadist-legacy-still-shapes-ahrar-al-sham/ …

Abu Sulayman's remarks are identical to those made by Ahrar al-Sham's deputy. Simply uncanny.

Shall we say then that Jabhat al-Nusra has abandoned the tenants of Salafi-jihadism? I'm set.

"The difference between Ahrar al-Sham and jihadists is that the group does more than just jihad."
http://timep.org/commentary/jihadist-legacy-still-shapes-ahrar-al-sham/ … via @hxhassan

[OUTLAW 09]

Possible Jaysh al-#Fateh strategy in South-#Aleppo to besiege W-Aleppo city based on their #Idlib campaign.

RUAF An-124 82038 from Mozdok southbound near Teheran, Iran https://www.flightradar24.com/RFF8066/9f9429a

Shoigu:Russia can't ignore terrorist threats in Syria,Libya,Iraq
http://tass.ru/en/politics/880975 …
+In Iran today
http://tass.ru/en/world/881175

Russian air force cluster raid on @SyriaCivilDef #KafrHalab.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls0PWuRUq50 …
Rescuers get hit #Nusra not...

Russian Embassy, USA
✔ @RusEmbUSA Those denying #Russia's contribution in antiterrorism, ceasefire, assistance in #Syria are either blind or paltering

Northern Division hits a tank with a TOW on the Humeira front
https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=iuFqzMWg-oI …

[OUTLAW 09]

Rebels regained control of all positions lost to regime & co around Mallah in counterattack today in north rural #Aleppo

Between all the bodies of Iraqi & Iranian militias piling up in south rural #Aleppo, has anyone seen a single Syrian Assad fighter?

Footage of Jaish al-Fateh advancing on liberated village of al-Qarrasi in north rural #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/gyLsktXL9bQ

FSA blow up tank at Humera in southern #Aleppo
ammo exploding -crew killed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuFqzMWg-oI …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia and #Iran are facing a bitter choice in #Syria now: Increase commitment heavily or get "Vietnamised" long term.

Soleimani's "surprise" and war charisma is wearing down. #Iran's war in #Syria has strengthened Sunni Islamists.

The current situation in Deir ez-Zor is best described like this: Take one hill, get one T-72 Ural for free.

UN sent letter to #Syrian gov about aid, says if no land access by June 10, will ask permission for air access "wherever this is feasible"

The absurdity would be funny if innocent civilians weren't starving to death. #Syria

Central Division blew up a Konkurs position on rooftop with a #TOW in Khakasa, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aYLfB-zMhs …

[OUTLAW 09]

As expected, the strong Jaish Al-Fateh push into Khalasah is followed by the withdrawal of pro-Regime militias from Zaytan, S. #Aleppo.

Devasting effect of #ISIS landmine vs Jaish Tahrir pick-up near Tell Battal: 2 KIA & 12 WIA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHGXsCsLGGA …

Southern_Front celebrating its last victory it had vs Regime (seizure of Brigade 52 & outskirts), 1 year ago #Daraa
https://youtu.be/8PrSz078x4Y

In parallel with assault in S. #Aleppo, pro-Regime forces also attacking further North (from Sheikh Najar & Mallah). Without success so far.

Recently, pro-Regime militias changed tactics using more tanks & BMPs on S. #Aleppo front. It explains the increase of #ATGM fired by Rebels

[OUTLAW 09]

Really not a great development for both Obama WH and CENTCOM.....

Big.
Iraqi Special forces among those killed today by Jaish Al-Fateh in Al-Qarassi, S. Aleppo.

So why are they not in Fallujah?????

[OUTLAW 09]

Situation in south #Aleppo now back to about what it was mid November 2015.

How long will countries provide the #FSA's CD w/ TOWs if it supports Nusra w/ them?!
https://youtu.be/iuFqzMWg-oI

[CrowBat]

CrowBat....that curious tactical decision decision by IS to take on Marea and Azaz might have been a serious tactical field blunder as it appears they over stayed and had to rush all troops and heavy equipment back towards Manbij and Raqqa.....when they should have displaced far sooner to defend Raqqa.
I think it was a sort of 'logical decision', after all: they are in need of good news, of a victory, so they went for the (apparently) 'weakest' opponent. That didn't quite work.

The insurgents there were temporarily weak, because they withdrew so many of their troops to Turkey for rest and training. So, once Daesh attacked, the Turkey left hundreds back into Azaz Pocket and these actually smashed the Daesh. Problem was: due to immense numbers of IEDs, they couldn't recover Kfar Kalbin (at least not without suffering inacceptable losses).

Even so, it can be said that the Daesh thus pre-empted a Turkish-supported offensive on Jarablus, which I guess would've been launched by now: instead of facing three offensives at once (Turkey-supported FSyA from the west, US-supported PYD/YPG/SDF from the east, and loyalists from the south), the Daesh is now facing 'just' two offensives.


Russian article concerning the meeting......in Russian though...
The Russian-language Mignews bluntly stated the agenda behind the meetings in its headline: "Alliance Against American Hegemony."If it's about the meeting of three MODs in Tehran...(?)... can't say I'm going to complain if they're as dumb as to go discussing politics (instead of their precarious military situation), just for example.

[OUTLAW 09]

I think it was a sort of 'logical decision', after all: they are in need of good news, of a victory, so they went for the (apparently) 'weakest' opponent. That didn't quite work.

The insurgents there were temporarily weak, because they withdrew so many of their troops to Turkey for rest and training. So, once Daesh attacked, the Turkey left hundreds back into Azaz Pocket and these actually smashed the Daesh. Problem was: due to immense numbers of IEDs, they couldn't recover Kfar Kalbin (at least not without suffering inacceptable losses).

Even so, it can be said that the Daesh thus pre-empted a Turkish-supported offensive on Jarablus, which I guess would've been launched by now: instead of facing three offensives at once (Turkey-supported FSyA from the west, US-supported PYD/YPG/SDF from the east, and loyalists from the south), the Daesh is now facing 'just' two offensives.

If it's about the meeting of three MODs in Tehran...(?)... can't say I'm going to complain if they're as dumb as to go discussing politics (instead of their precarious military situation), just for example.

CrowBat.....with the strong on the ground loses apparently everywhere involving just about every Assad supporter and now with territory regained by anti Assad forces equalling that of say just about Nov 2015 I wonder if Russia and Iran are rethinking their positions?

It is almost now like VN.....go deep and go long with far more troops or try to ditch Assad and settle with "something" worth calling a "victory". And IS is still holding on .......what Putin declared initially to be his goal..their destruction.

Right now it appears that Putin, Assad and Khamenei have been militarily checkmated in multiple locations outside of Assad's Damascus and coastal regions.

[OUTLAW 09]

For the 1st time in years, 3 aid trucks have entered #Daraya containing flour, lentils, rice & biscuits according to Daraya sources

It doesn’t look like they’re bringing in a whole lot of aid, sounds like it’s a small part of what was supposed to be delivered the 1st time

The unbelievable has happened, a small UN & Red Crescent aid convoy entering #Daraya
https://youtu.be/3fCXISoSJpM

BUT THEN......reality.......
One of the last mosques in #Daraya, al-Mustafa mosque, on fire after being hit with Assad barrel bombs yesterday

[OUTLAW 09]

Iraq Thousands of male Sunni residents arrested, tortured & disappeared during goverment assault on #Fallujah
https://youtu.be/NdXCaePnK64

Zinki brigade confirm repelled assault by #Assad-forces on Mallah farms in northern #Aleppo fully
https://youtu.be/VkCwi1iP8Rk

Lots of dead foreign Shiite militia members in southern #Aleppo today
https://youtu.be/o2FExg8nQf8
Including Iraqi SF patches and the Iraqi SWAT Tiger patches on their uniforms......

Another tank blew up with an #ATGM by Faylaq Al-Sham in Khalasah, S. #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww4bxbEel6A …

Faylaq Al-Sham blew up with an #ATGM a 23 mm gun in Khalasah, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4tU3B4dPf4 …

Liwa Thuwwar al-Raqqa part of SDF say they completely seized Osajli village from #IS SW #Manbij #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.465196&lon=37.777948&z=15&m=b …

Reports of clashes with #IS force trying to advance east #Azaz north #Aleppo.

Heroic rebels fight under intense #Rus air strikes and #Assad shelling to keep #Aleppo open.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNN-vHV1i-8 …

Jabhat al-Nusra turned this #US humvee into a land cruising battleship it seems...never knew a Humvee could carry this amount of weaponry....and still drive.

[OUTLAW 09]

I think it was a sort of 'logical decision', after all: they are in need of good news, of a victory, so they went for the (apparently) 'weakest' opponent. That didn't quite work.

The insurgents there were temporarily weak, because they withdrew so many of their troops to Turkey for rest and training. So, once Daesh attacked, the Turkey left hundreds back into Azaz Pocket and these actually smashed the Daesh. Problem was: due to immense numbers of IEDs, they couldn't recover Kfar Kalbin (at least not without suffering inacceptable losses).

Even so, it can be said that the Daesh thus pre-empted a Turkish-supported offensive on Jarablus, which I guess would've been launched by now: instead of facing three offensives at once (Turkey-supported FSyA from the west, US-supported PYD/YPG/SDF from the east, and loyalists from the south), the Daesh is now facing 'just' two offensives.

If it's about the meeting of three MODs in Tehran...(?)... can't say I'm going to complain if they're as dumb as to go discussing politics (instead of their precarious military situation), just for example.

CrowBat...found this morning this to be interesting....

Kremlin lost the battle to draw the #US into some form of coop."
Very smart piece from Moscow by @ZeinakhodrAljaz
https://youtu.be/3B_S0-D3u-Q

Russia is recruiting the US's rebel allies in #Syria, promising $$$, bullets and weapons. Great @mike_giglio report.

Russia looks to step up military role in Syria
http://bit.ly/1YdLVNL

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat...continuing.......to all SWJ readers had to cut portions to make it fit...---worth reading the entire article.....as it confirms a lot of what CrowBat has been psoting.....


https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikegiglio/russia-is-recruiting-the-uss-rebel-allies-in-syria?utm_term=.xrqVQVo7Vv#.isDd6d9ad7


ANTAKYA, Turkey — The rebel commander was nervous. He had changed phone numbers and been difficult to reach before finally agreeing to meet in Antakya, a city near the border with war-torn Syria that has long swarmed with rebels, refugees, and spies. On the road to an out-of-the-way hotel, he told the driver to avoid the main route through town. “It’s better not to drive among all the people,” he said.

It was an open secret that the commander had once received cash and weapons from the CIA, part of a covert U.S. program that backs rebel groups against both ISIS and the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad.

When his battalion was eventually driven from Syria by its jihadi rivals, like a number of U.S.-backed groups, he pleaded with his U.S. handlers for better support, but it wasn’t enough. So he was, he said, “out of the game.”

Now, he said, sitting at a quiet table at the hotel, he had received an offer that could bring him back in — and potentially make him even stronger than before.

He was being recruited, he said, to work for the U.S.’s rival in Syria: Russia.

“They told me, ‘We will support you forever. We won’t leave you on your own like your old friends did,’” he said. “Honestly, I’m still thinking about it.”

“They told me, ‘We will support you forever. We won’t leave you on your own like your old friends did.’”

The commander said that five years into a war that has killed some 400,000 people and created nearly 5 million refugees, Russia is recruiting current and former U.S. allies to its side. His revelation was confirmed by four people who said they, too, had been approached with offers from Russia and by two Syrian middlemen who said they delivered them.

The moves come as Russia ratchets up its involvement in Syria with troops and airstrikes. Russia says its military campaign is designed to target ISIS — in reality it has targeted all rebels, including some who are still backed by the U.S., while also wreaking havoc on civilians.

The secret outreach shows that as it works to muscle the U.S. out of Syria, Russia isn’t just bombing the U.S.’s current and former rebel allies — it’s also working to co-opt them, launching a shadowy campaign that seeks to highlight U.S. weakness in Syria. Ultimately, Russia wants to help Assad win the war by dividing the opposition, driving a wedge between rebel groups and their traditional backers, and getting them to turn their guns on his enemies.

Years of failed U.S. partnerships have left a long trail of angry rebels, and the commander suspected that there were others being tempted: “Russian intelligence knows all the groups who were fighting ISIS and dealing with the U.S. and not getting enough support.”

The four additional rebel leaders, all with current or past U.S. ties, said they had also been approached with similar offers, either via Russian officials or Syrian middlemen.

Continued.....

One of Moscow’s main aims, each of them said, was to outmaneuver the U.S. “Their goal is to take control in Syria and kick America out,” one of these rebel leaders said, requesting anonymity to protect his reputation and because he still works with the U.S.

He said he had traveled to Egypt to speak with Russian officials but declined their offer. It included the chance to be part of a military council with the regime along with “money, bullets, weapons, and all that I ask,” he said. “But if I put my hand in theirs it means I will destroy the revolution and the Syrian people along with it.”

The Russian foreign ministry directed requests for comment to the Russian defense ministry, which did not respond.

Louay al-Hussein, a prominent politician who was a member of the regime-sanctioned opposition before fleeing Syria last year, said he had relayed offers of air support, cash, and arms to rebels from officials at “more than one” Russian embassy. “They want to win in Syria against the international countries [backing the opposition], including the U.S.,” he said of Russia. “Moscow wants to find a political solution — but first they want to win.”

Of his own motivation, he added, “I just want to stop the war.”

Russia’s intervention came at a time when the regime seemed in danger of losing, and it has regained the momentum for Assad. Hussein said he thought this gave Moscow leverage to force a potential political solution on the Syrian dictator. “The regime is now just a militia. It is no longer a political regime,” he said. “We don’t care what the regime says anymore — only what Russia says. They are the leaders in Syria right now.”

Another opposition politician who said he had acted as an intermediary, Anas al-Shamy, said that Russia had been working with “some groups that broke away from the Americans,” though he declined to name them. “This information is secret,” he said.

Spokespeople for the U.S. State Department, the CIA, and the Obama administration’s National Security Council declined to comment.

An official with another government that backs the Syrian opposition said he believed the U.S. was aware of the Russian outreach. “If I heard about it and you heard about it, you can bet the Americans also heard about it,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the subject. “This is a turf war.”

Russia’s tactic suggests that Moscow sees an opening to assert greater influence in Syria and undermine the U.S. along the way.

“I think the U.S. is less and less of an influential player in the civil war,” said Robert S. Ford, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington and U.S. ambassador to Syria from 2011 to 2014.

Ford played a key role in the last round of peace talks in Geneva, in March 2014, which were sponsored by the U.S. and Russia and ended without a deal. A new peace process that has been underway since the spring again looks on the verge of collapse, with Assad declaring on Tuesday that it had “failed,” vowing to take back “every inch” of the country.

Washington’s leverage in the talks has been limited, Ford said, as Russia steps up its involvement on the ground while the U.S. steps back. “They’ve pretty much ceded to Russian military action,” he said. “If the Americans wanted to reassert themselves in the process they would have [increased] arms supplies and encouraged the Turks and Saudis to do the same, but as far as I can tell they haven’t.”

“The Americans are showing the Russians that they are weak in Syria and not invested.”

Yet Ford added that Russia’s outreach to rebels also betrays its own weakness. “What it tells me is that the Russians don’t have an exit strategy from Syria, and they’re trying to find one,” he said. “And I think they understand that if they don’t win over some element of the moderate opposition, they’re not going to be able to get a political exit very easily.”

He added: “The Syrian war at this point has such a variety of groups and governments operating in it that there’s really not one country that can control where it’s going. I have the sense that the Russians are finding this much harder than they expected.”

Many of its Syrian allies say the Obama administration, seven months from leaving office, is only going through the motions in its efforts to end the war, and perhaps is even happy to let Moscow take charge. “The Americans are showing the Russians that they are weak in Syria and not invested,” said Obadah al-Kaddri, a Syrian politician working with the opposition’s U.S.-backed negotiating team in Geneva. “The U.S. aim is just to get the opposition to go to Geneva so they can go back and tell the American people and Congress that they tried.”

Kaddri traveled to Moscow for his own meetings with Russian officials this spring, hoping to broker an understanding between rebel groups and the Russian government. The Russians told him they had no love for Assad, he said, but wanted to keep Syria from disintegrating. He also recalled them saying that their attacks on moderate rebels had been cases of mistaken identity, pulling out a map and inviting him to show them where his rebel friends were based. He decided, in the end, that “the Russians are lying.”

Rebels should be wary of the Russian outreach, said Frederic C. Hof, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former adviser to the Obama administration on Syria. “Russia has a track record, and if I were one of these rebel commanders, that track record would neutralize some of the sweet talk coming from the lips of a Russian operative,” he said. “The Russians have used Jabhat al-Nusra as an excuse for bombing anything they please. And they’ve not been shy about committing war crimes.”

Continued......

Some rebels with U.S. ties confirmed they had been approached by Russia but said they had rejected the Russian outreach out of hand.

Continued....

“I would never do it. I would never sell my revolution,” said Abdullah Awdah, who was the military commander for Harakat Hazm, one of the most powerful U.S.-backed groups in Syria until it was driven from the country by extremists last year.

[OUTLAW 09]

Does @brett_mcgurk and the @POTUS administration slowly notice that it fights terror with terror in #Iraq?! ..AND at the same times provides US CAS to known US designated terrorists.

[CrowBat]

CrowBat.....with the strong on the ground loses apparently everywhere involving just about every Assad supporter and now with territory regained by anti Assad forces equalling that of say just about Nov 2015 I wonder if Russia and Iran are rethinking their positions?I doubt this.

Iranian-Russian relations are not that easy to explain to 'average Western observer'. For many in the USA the image of these relations is 'simple': they are considered 'allies'.

However, Iranians do not see Russians as their allies (at least none of Iranians I happen to know and has anything to say there), and Russians do not see Iranians as allies. Indeed, calling Iranians and Russians 'allies' is as wrong as calling Egyptians and Soviets in period 1955-1966 'allies'. They are none of that.

Like Russians to some degree, Iranians belong to what I call 'people with long memory': people who 'can't forget' many things from the past - even if these happened centuries ago. In their case this is starting with various affairs during the times of Czarist Russia; via Soviet invasion and occuppation of Iran in 1941-1945; Soviet support for Iraq of the 1980s; massive postponements and cost-overruns during construction of Bushehr reactors; Russian refusals to let Iranians haul their GOSPs to the Caspian Sea/Lake (via Russian river/channel-network) because of which Iran cannot exploit local oil and gas; Russians pocketing US$1 billion up-front payment for S-300s without delivering any etc., etc., etc. This list really has no end.

One Iranian with years of experience in negotiating with Russians once told me, 'They are always lying and cheating, and always screwing us up'.

Sure, I have no evidence for this, but my assumption remains that Iranians attempted to screw up the Russians, 'in return' - when they somehow managed to convince them to get involved, last year. However, that didn't work. Putin went to Syria for his own reasons (primarily related to 'scoring PR goals at home, while diverting public attention away from deteriorating economic and political situation'). However, his aims are based on a careful study of the situation, which resulted in obvious conclusions I've cited above:

- Daesh is no threat for Assad. Daesh is a threat for Iraq, for mainstream Syrian opposition, and for the West.

- JAN is no threat for Assad, but for maintstream Syrian opposition (and, more recently: for IRGC-troops in southern Aleppo).

- But, 'mainstream' Syrian opposition is a major threat for Assad: regardless how much ignored by the West (but also: precisely because it is so much ignored), it is clear and undisputable evidence of Syrians being able to organize and govern themselves without Assad; that the insurgency is still alive, and actually can tackle the JAN- and Daesh-threats as soon as it got rid of Assad.

Knowing he can't afford an all-out war, Putin thus set a limited aim for the Russian military operation: forcing the Syrian opposition out of the war against Assad.

One can now discuss if, or to what degree this aim was achieved by the 'first round'. Fact is: at least in southern Syria (Dera'a, Qunaitra), where Syrian opposition is the most powerful anti-Assad force (wastly outnumbering the JAN and the AAS), this cease-fire is firm and holding. Aim achieved.

In northern Syria, where the JAN is more successful in subverting the opposition, and it takes the (Turkey-supported) Ahrar to protect the latter, it's not holding. Aim not achieved - and thus the VKS is back to bombing opposition.

Now, Putin did his first major mistake back in February: he (or, better said: his intel) failed to pay attention at the fact that all the lasting cease-fires in Syria since 2013 were agreed between the IRGC and the opposition - and not between Assad and the opposition. Except for various arrangements with the Daesh, not one cease-fire between Assadists and any of its opponents has ever held.

So, because of this (i.e. Assadist ignorance of cease-fires), but also because this offered the JAN to present itself as 'protector of poor Syrians, the in northern Syria has collapsed. And when it collapsed, it caught the IRGC in worst possible moment: at the time this withdrew around a dozen of major Iraqi Shi'a gangs for its show performance in Fallujah.

Meanwhile, there are additional problems: emboldened by Russian actions, Assadists are day-dreaming about 'recovering every inch of Syria (http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/world/middleeast/defiant-assad-vows-to-retake-every-inch-of-syria-from-his-foes.html), while Iranians are day-dreaming about 'recovering (at least) all of Aleppo (https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567053-iran-vows-syria-army-allies-will-take-all-of-aleppo).

However: these are Assadist and Iranian, but not Russian aims.

And thus, Putin has now got his next problem: with the VKS' campaign - despite all the deafening silence of the West - failing to force Syrian opposition to negotiate on Moscow's terms and thus secure Assad's existence, he has to make a decision. Either he reinforces this campaign and thus let's Russia get sucked deeper into the war - or he finds a way to extricate Russia out before it's too late.

The former is something Putin can't really afford, and then for plethora of reasons (primarily related to costs). The latter is impossible to do without losing face, and this is something Putin absolutely can't afford.

[OUTLAW 09]

Nuruddin al Zinki posted this image of T-90 claiming it was used yesterday in battles around Mallah Farms #Aleppo

Further translations seem to indicate that they did not use but rather captured it.

Turret was hit head-on.

Optics and IR jammers damaged, multiple ERA bricks missing on top and front, mortar or RPG shower?

Photo:
https://twitter.com/ald_aba/status/741168432876556288

[CrowBat]

Yup, the Tiger Force left one behind while repeating Liwa al-Qods' exercise in running away from the battlefield in Mleha/Mallah...

[OUTLAW 09]

Yup, the Tiger Force left one behind while repeating Liwa al-Qods' exercise in running away from the battlefield in Mleha/Mallah...

But I thought Tiger Force was one of their "elite units"........:D

[OUTLAW 09]

Iran announce the killing of a colonel in #IRGC & a Basij member in #Syria

New #Daesh -"stone"-IED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oS8qkgthJ0 …

72 hours truce for #Kefraya & #Fuah in #Idlib province + #Zabadani & #Madaya in western #Damascus (mediated by #Iran)

Manbij now under fully siege- #IS-fighters did not retreat from the city
-so #SDF now is forced to urban warfare

Footage
3 dead, more injured in air strikes on civilians in #Aleppo city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdvjV0Em-Mg …

This really got the attention of the IRGC fighters yesterday.....
"Take photo!take film!"Iranians #IRGC talk in Persian,looking at JN/AQ SVBIED attack on Khalsa,southern Aleppo,Syria

Update
#Midyat car bomb claimed by PKK
#Istanbul car bomb claimed by TAK
14 more deaths, 63 injuries by Kurdish militants' terror attacks.

[OUTLAW 09]

Dozens of barrel bombs hit #Daraya hours after UN delegation finished delivering aid

Israel releases Lebanese goats taken prisoner
http://bit.ly/1Upip2d

The goats are believed to be a high-ranking Hezbollah members. Israeli spy dolphins spotted it from across the border

[OUTLAW 09]

SAA take control of Bīr Nabaj and are 5km from Sfaiyah junction & 30km from Tabqa Airbase

Location of #Daesh blast that killed leader of Ahmad al-Abdo-forces in eastern desert
https://youtu.be/MwZ4wAiCPBI

Residential building in #Aleppo northern suburb #Huraytan on fire after hit by #Russia'n airstrike with Phosphorus

Russia'n airstrikes now (by daylight!) northern #Aleppo suburbs with Phosphorus & Cluster ammo

FSA try to storm now #Daesh stronghold Ayn Dhakar in western #Daraa province

Interesting as IS appears to be ready to fight multiple fronts now and are not withdrawing from Manbij......
Seems main-forces of #Daesh for northern #Aleppo area
not withdrawn to reinforce #Manbij or #Raqqa frontlines

After departure of #UN delegation regime resume their barrel bomb airstrikes on #Daria #Damascus suburb (30+ today)
https://youtu.be/hxsY-eCRuis

Rebel commander claim they killed yesterday btw 60-70 #Iran lead militias in southern #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/ldKgpqFuLHk

Hama town protests murder of residents by pro-#Assad gunmen
http://mme.cm/CDBW00

SDF reach Arima on the half way from #Manbij to al-Bab
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.465748&lon=37.728767&z=12&m=b …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat...hear anything on your end on this comment....??

BIG IF TRUE #Iran Airforce commander Hassan Shah Safi: Asks for permission to cross 16 warplanes through #Iraq airspace into #Syria

[OUTLAW 09]

More Suheil "Tiger Hassan" obsession. The Syrian 'Steiner' who never lost a battle - besides all of #Idlib. https://twitter.com/Son_of_Damascus/status/741254755071168512 …

It used to be "successful relocation of troops" or "planned retreats". New: failed offensives are "probing attacks" https://twitter.com/Son_of_Damascus/status/741023093901119488 …

"South Aleppo" is Farsi for "bloody costly stalemate that doesn't go anywhere"

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Syrian Express......

ВМФ Project 141 Kashtan class buoy tender KIL158 returned from Med deployment in 32days & transited Bosphorus

When she was outbound to Syria she was carrying two SOF high speed gun boats under camo...Rear is empty.

WHAT is interesting is that her waterline reflects a heavy load and was at the same level on the southbound trip as now on the returning trip....not oblivious what she is carrying both ways.

[OUTLAW 09]

Tough spot for US in Fallujah: Washington wants Iran-backed militias to stay out of the city but Tehran may disagree http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/06/09/can-the-u-s-control-irans-militias-in-the-fight-for-fallujah-shiite-iraq-isis/ …

The Obama WH Iran Deal is coming back in force full to "haunt" him.......just as it is in Syria....

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian dropped WP sub munitions from today....video of them still burning.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9XV2ju382A …

Damascus accuses Turkey of supporting jihad and ethnically cleansing Christians in #Syria.
http://www.interfax-religion.com/?act=news&div=13009 …

BUT WAIT that is exactly what Assad and Khamenei have been doing for over FIVE long years....Assad starting to use the Russian disinformation tactics....blame others when you yourself do it...

Captured pro-Assad militiamen in S Aleppo are asked their name and where they come from.All answer Basra or Baghdad. https://twitter.com/HadiAlabdallah/status/741033612469014528 …

IRGC & Iraqis militiamen from Harakat Nujaba launched assault to take back Al-Qarassi seized yesterday by Jaish Al-Fateh, S. #Aleppo.

[OUTLAW 09]

Rebels on their way to try take Ayn Dhakar from #ISIS affiliates in SW. #Daraa.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.856518&lon=35.911732&z=13&m …

Embedded with Jaish Al-Fateh troops on the way to storm Al-Qarassi under #RuAF aristrikes. S. #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtS8B_DBTvQ&feature=youtu.be

SVIEDs are reaching the levels of tons of explosives......
Massive SVBIED detonated yesterday by Jaish Al-Fateh in Khalasah, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldKgpqFuLHk …
https://youtu.be/7rSH3yVHVfI

Zinki is already operating the working T-90 seized from Tiger Force in N. #Aleppo. Allegedly took also BMP & 23 mm gun

Sultan Murad shelling with SPG-9 Cement Factory in Sh. Said, #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.153227&lon=37.143145&z=15&m …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4MjXyQZMXc …

Russia/Regime deploying huge firepower to back pro-Regime forces in Mallah, N. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNN-vHV1i-8 …

[CrowBat]

CrowBat...hear anything on your end on this comment....??

BIG IF TRUE #Iran Airforce commander Hassan Shah Safi: Asks for permission to cross 16 warplanes through #Iraq airspace into #Syria
After watching different videos showing columns of armour and infantry the JAF is freely moving for attacks on IRGC-held southern Aleppo Province...I'm not the least surprised.

[OUTLAW 09]

FSA Commander of #Aleppo operations room with #Russia'n T-90 tank -seized from #SAA Tiger forces yesterday

Clashes btw #FSA & #Daesh at Tell Sad Rishah
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=33.566287&lon=37.401924&z=12&m=b …

Another Chinese FN-6 MANPADS in opposition hands - this one south of #Aleppo city, near Khan Touman.

Faylaq Al-Sham fired Katyusha rockets on Artillery base in #Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=36.160885&lon=37.119884&z=14&m …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pzI_dHG83c …

[OUTLAW 09]

Apparently tank destroyed yesterday in Malah farms was the T-90:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuFqzMWg-oI …

Over the last five weeks.....two confirmed T90s hit and either badly damaged or destroyed and TWO captured......

Appears from the TOWs that hit the 90s turret hits are deadly for the T90.

NOTE: There has been an ongoing debate on whether T90s had been used by the Russian Army inside eastern Ukraine has been resolved with a definitely YES in a major battle in 2014....a really well done OSINT article is listed below.....

Google Earth shows Russian T-90s near Lugansk Airport
http://ukraineatwar.blogspot.de/

[OUTLAW 09]

The #FSA "Operation Room" for northern #Aleppo looks more and more professional...
Based in #Azaz, I guess.

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat..something to make your day.....


Iran’s Defense minister says his country is “an anchor of stability in the region”
http://goo.gl/ddmxEm


ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—At a meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran, the defense ministers of Russia and Syria agreed with their Iranian counterpart on the need to fight terrorism in Syria and enforce a ceasefire in the war-torn country.

Iran’s Defense Minister General Hossein Dehghan claimed on Thursday that his country is “an anchor of stability and security in the region and as one of the greatest victims of terrorism has always been fighting seriously against terrorism, invasion and intervention.”

“Iran is for a guaranteed truce in Syria that doesn’t help terrorists to get more powerful,” he added, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.

Dehghan blamed the policies of the US, Gulf states and Israel for the current crisis in the region.

Syria’s Defense Minister Fahd Jassem al-Freij said his country is determined to fight terrorism in the country “with valor and determination” with the support of its allies, who also discussed their continued support for “the Syrian army forces” and outlined their “mutual programs and specified priorities” in their “fight against terrorism.”

Iran and Russia have been two staunch supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Iranian television said the three ministers agreed that there is a need for a “comprehensive ceasefire” to the Syrian war and that a “decisive” war needs to be waged against “all terrorist groups.”

Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed “priority measures to strengthen cooperation in the fight against Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groups,” according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Shoigu’s visit comes shortly after Russia stepped up its support to Syria’s offensive against the opposition-held eastern parts of the contested city of Aleppo.

The Kremlin claims it only targets Nusra, which is excluded from the US-Russian brokered ceasefire in Syria, there and has warned other groups to clearly distance themselves from that group to avoid being bombed.

Russia has deployed warplanes and special forces to Syria to bolster Assad, their decisive support has enabled him to advance on the battlefield.

Iran has sent military advisors to help the Syrian military and its militia allies. Also it has provided the Assad regime with billions of dollars in recent years to help it survive economically.

IF this is "Iranian" stability in the region REALLY would hate to see what "Iranian instability"....looks like.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria is forcing some 100-150 released prisoners to join its army, @Reuters reports, citing opposition.

They'll call them Special Shield Commando Force or something and Assad fans will say they're an elite SAA unit :))

[OUTLAW 09]

It is and has always been about the Obama "legacy"...nothing more nothing less.....so when will we see a similar press release for Syria....????

Susan Rice says US pushing for Russia-Ukraine peace deal before Obama leaves office. Wishful thinking if you ask me.

Could a Russia-Ukraine Deal be Possible by Early 2017?

By Reuters On 6/10/16 at 3:13 AM


WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The White House is pushing hard to have a Russia-Ukraine peace deal implemented by the time President Barack Obama leaves office, top national security adviser Susan Rice said on Thursday.

Rice, who coordinates foreign policy at the White House, said she saw potential for resolution in the Ukraine crisis by the end of the year, and said U.S. officials were intensifying their work with French and German counterparts on the Minsk deal, signed in February 2015.

"This is something that could get done between now and the end of the administration if the Russians in particular exhibit sufficient political will," Rice said at a Washington Post event. Obama is set to leave office on January 20, 2017.

"We are hopeful if the Russians want to resolve this—and we have some reason to believe they might—we have the time and the wherewithal and the tools to do so," Rice said.
More than 9,000 people have been killed since April 2014 in violence between Russian-backed separatists in Eastern Ukraine and the Kiev government.

The United States and European Union have stood firm on economic sanctions on Russia pending progress implementing security measures and electoral reforms included in the Minsk ceasefire deal. EU leaders are set to weigh extending the sanctions at a summit at the end of June.

Rice said she would not put odds on whether it would happen, and acknowledged that time could run short, noting "there are no sure bets" that the Ukrainian parliament would be able to ratify electoral reforms that are part of the agreement.US is pushing Germany and France to pressure Ukraine to unilaterally cave to Russian demands with absolutely no reciprocal moves by Russia....EXACTLY the same moves Kerry is making in attempting to pressure the FSA to cave to Assad and Putin demands.

BUT WAIT...appears Susan Rice did not calculate this occurring did she........???

[OUTLAW 09]

SDF took over Arima town on half way to al-Bab city (25km)
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.471270&lon=37.721558&z=13&m=b …

Iranian media recognised deaths of at least 280 fighters in Syria in last 6 months
http://en.eldorar.com/node/2487

Jaish Fateh capture Assad regime cell stationed on outskirts of Fua.
http://en.eldorar.com/node/2484

92 Vital Centres for civilians hit during May by Russia and Assad
http://en.eldorar.com/node/2490

Iranian commander Mahdi Nazari shown here pretending to know what he's taking about killed by rebels in Syria

Iranian elite officer Ali Mansouri killed by rebels in Aleppo

3 sectarian "elite" Shia Iraqi militants killed by rebels in Syria

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat..any idea why?????

Disappointing to see @hasanalhamada & @faresbauosh70 falling out.
@101st_Infantry has left FSA's Northern Division:

[OUTLAW 09]

“An army of dogs led by lions will fight like lions & an army of lions led by dogs will fight like dogs"
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/iraqs-army-is-still-a-mess-two-years-after-a-stunning-defeat/2016/06/09/0867f334-1868-11e6-971a-dadf9ab18869_story.html# … -


BAGHDAD — In the days before his death last month, Col. Ihab Hashem al-Araji confided that his battle against the Islamic State too often felt like a suicide mission, despite the more than $1.6 billion in U.S. arms and training that has flowed to the Iraqi army over the past two years.

He had even begun taking a white funeral shroud to the battlefield with him.

To support his forces advancing on enemy-held Fallujah, Araji had requested a U.S.-supplied M1 Abrams tank but said he was asked to pay $2,000 in bribes to secure it. Instead, he was given a run-down Russian one, which arrived without a driver trained to use it.

Continued........

[OUTLAW 09]

YPG with camoed M4A1 equipped with EOTech EXPS2/3 sights, loaned for the pics?
https://twitter.com/DrPartizan_/status/741220207675461633 …

US Chinook and Apache(?) took off from Rumelan airbase headed to #Manbej area

More videos of FN-6 in Aleppo #Syria if IrAF join the party, expect even more MANPADS
Since the MANPADs have starting showing up...notice the RuAF is not flying low level copter attacks like they did before the MANPADs showed up.......

90th day of daily protests against al-Qaeda and Assad regime in Maarat al-Numan

Ahrar al-Sham fighters/supporters in N. Aleppo not happy with the recent merger of all Mare' groups into the US backed al-Moutasem Brigade

[OUTLAW 09]

https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/iran-and-global-terror-from-argentina-to-the-fertile-crescent/
Iran and Global Terror: From Argentina to the Fertile Crescent
By Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) on February 27, 2015


https://kyleorton1991.wordpress.com/2016/05/06/whose-side-is-america-on-in-aleppo/
Whose Side is America on in Aleppo?
By Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) on May 6, 2016

[OUTLAW 09]

New High Score: Regime dropped 68 barrel bombs on #Damascus suburb #Daria today

Started immediately after UN aid delivery

[OUTLAW 09]

East #Aleppo : An access to #Manbij is still open via Farat and Jamusiyah that were recaptured by #IS Yday NW of the city

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat.....how crazy is this comment from the IRGC side....

Al Masdar: the problem w/ the T-90 is responsible for the Tiger Forces' failure in Mallah.
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/islamist-rebels-capture-first-t-90-tank-syrian-army-aleppo/ …

Al Masdar: T-90 seized yesterday by Zinki is from Tiger forces, left behind bcz complete power cut & dropped grenades inside to destroy it.

BUT WAIT....it was fully functioning as FSA drove it all the way back to their operations center.........

Nothing like being caught in a blatant attempt to cover up their own operational failures by BLAMING a "tank"....

[OUTLAW 09]

Damascus Regime dropped +70 barrel bombs on besieged #Daraya y'day after that small amount of aid was let in, how is this not terrorism?

Because @UN pays themselves to work with Assad legitimizing a process that leads civilians to aid that then gets bombed.

[OUTLAW 09]

Multiple regime airstrikes & rocket attacks targeted Kafrbatna & Jisrin in eastern Ghouta, #Damascus today

Russian airstrikes continue in #Aleppo & rural areas; Malah, Muwasalat, Kalaseh, Oram, Bustan, Qaterji, Kalaseh, Bab al-Nasr, Einjara, etc..

4 civilians including women & children killed this morning in Russian airstrikes on Oram al-Kubra in west rural #Aleppo

Russian airstrikes this morning targeted Kaljibrin which was recently liberated from #ISIS in north rural #Aleppo, #Syria

Damascus At least a dozen killed at Sayeda Zeinab in 2 explosions this AM, car bomb & suicide says regime at Teen strt & Dhiyabiya entrance

Reports: #Assad-forces took over T3 Pumping station east of #Palmyra
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=34.526924&lon=38.747406&z=11&m=b …

ISIS militants tried to cross into #Turkey 6 km N-E of al-Rai. Not clear if for attack or to flee.
Fighting erupted when Turkish border guards spotted them and opened fire.
Most reports say, ISIS members withdrew after firing back at some Turkish army positions.

Report
#Turkey shelled #ISIS positions around al-Rai last night.

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
Su-24 bombing #Aleppo city today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP9FxAQwYIA …

Footage
For the (what, 25th?!) time, the #FSA recaptured #Dudiyan from #ISIS today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5WE4kQnoX4 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Assad regime warplanes bombed Kurdish town of Qabasin north of Al bab. Many kurds died.

Tone out of Turkey is getting a tad and I mean a "tad" sharper as the days go by and the Russian/Assad and Iranian aggression is getting more brutal towards civilians.....

BREAKING: Turkish President says Assad is a 'killer' engaged in 'state terrorism'

[OUTLAW 09]

Exclusive: Iranian&Iraqi Shia militias inside US Humvee in southern Aleppo,Syria. Full video:https://www.facebook.com/persian.war.news/videos/1745812025676027/ …

@alEtihad_Press rep on Israeli airstrikes that targeted 4th Div, vehicle admin bldg & Hezbollah warehouse in #Homs
In Arabic..
http://aletihadpress.com/2016/06/11/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Lots of regime airstrikes on al-Mohamadiya & Jisrin today in eastern Ghouta, #Damascus

Several Assad's militiamem killed and injured as fighters of #AlRahmam_corps foiled their attempt to advance in #AlMohamadiya sector

[OUTLAW 09]

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/06/11/pentagon-investigating-friendly-fire-that-killed-syrian-allies.html

Pentagon investigating friendly fire that killed Syrian allies


Published June 11, 2016
· The Wall Street Journal



The U.S. military bombed a Syrian rebel unit it had trained and equipped in a friendly-fire incident in late May, prompting an internal investigation and raising questions about renewed Pentagon efforts to build local forces to battle Islamic State.

The military didn’t disclose the incident until asked about it by The Wall Street Journal. It is the most serious setback to date for the Pentagon’s recent efforts to work with Sunni Arab forces in northern Syria.

The Pentagon said it conducted a series of airstrikes in and around the Syrian town of Ma’ra on May 27 and May 28. The Pentagon-backed Mutasim Brigade said one of the airstrikes hit the brigade.

A statement issued by the U.S. military at the time said three strikes were carried out near Ma’ra that “struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL tactical vehicles and an ISIL vehicle,” using the Pentagon’s preferred acronym for Islamic State.

But leaders with the brigade in interviews said a U.S. airstrike hit brigade members while they were fighting Islamic State militants. Mustafa Sejry, the head of Mutasim’s political office, said 10 of the brigade’s fighters were killed in the U.S. strike.

A spokesman for the U.S. military’s Central Command acknowledged the incident, saying in a written statement that the U.S. military had launched an investigation.

“Initial reports were that four counter-ISIL personnel may have been killed in the strike,” said Col. Patrick Ryder, who is based in Tampa, Fla. It wasn’t immediately clear why there was a discrepancy in casualty figures.

“An investigation into this incident has been initiated. We will continue our support to counter-ISIL forces and will apply any lessons learned derived from the investigation to improve our operations in the future,” Col. Ryder added.

The errant airstrike is the first apparent friendly-fire event acknowledged by U.S. Central Command involving U.S. forces in Syria. The only other such incident in the fight against Islamic State happened in Iraq and was publicly disclosed by Central Command in December 2015.

It is unclear why the U.S. military didn’t disclose the Syria incident earlier. Col. Ryder said that the “dynamic and complex nature of the battlefield” contributes to a lag time in reporting from local forces on the ground.

“In this case, several days transpired before coalition forces were made aware of the potential friendly fire incident,” Col. Ryder said.

The incident comes as the U.S. military has stepped up efforts to help local forces in northern Syria clear Islamic State from a crucial stretch near the border with Turkey.

Mr. Sejry said the U.S. airstrike hit Pentagon-backed forces when they were 400 meters from Islamic State positions during an intense period of fighting near Ma’ra.

After the strike, a representative of the U.S. military told Mr. Sejry that U.S. aircraft accidentally hit the brigade’s fighters and offered an apology, according to Mr. Sejry.

“They apologized and stated that it was by mistake,” Mr. Sejry said. “And we have no other choice than to say maybe it was mistake.”

Members of the brigade were vetted by the U.S. military before receiving weaponry and equipment under the program, according to Mr. Sejry.


BUT WAIT...social media had already reported this air strike and had actually questioned whether it was indeed the US that was involved......but on the same day ...crickets from the US MSM and really big crickets from CENTCOM......

BUT remember this is the same CENTCOM, DoD and IC that cannot ever seem to figure out who bombed hospitals accurately in the middle of the night which can only be either the US or RuAF.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Daesh send again car bombs to Shiite Set Zaynab from their nearby stronghold -but regime only bomb rebels

Footage
#Assad and his allies resumed air strikes on #Daraa city.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZWxLnEbKF8 …
AFTER the UN delivered minimal aid yesterday fro the first time since 2012.....

Footage
Just another day of heavy air strikes on #Aleppo city.
World keeps silent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5bZ7fKjA2U …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat....looks like SDF/YPG is getting a taste of IS battle tactics that FSA has seen for the last four years......

Daesh launched counter assaults against #SDF & regain villages
W & N/W of #Manbij
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.472926&lon=37.755718&z=14&m=b …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.557705&lon=37.791424&z=14&m=b …

Counterattack by infiltrates of the "caliphate cubs" on countryside #Tabaqa &regime awaiting for reinforcement
http://www.syriahr.com/en/2016/06/11/47295 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia'n airstrike destroyed main bridge on
#Aleppo -> #Raqqa highway
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=35.795260&lon=38.276367&z=14&m=b …

Jaish al Fatah repelled another attack on Alqrasi in southern #Aleppo

The Russian air force attacked #Jibrin which was just recaptured by rebels from #ISIS.

@SyriaCivilDef cope with another #Russian air strike on #KafrHamra west of #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2BtWYgqhzY …

Assad regime air strikes on many towns in #EastGhouta.
Kafr Batna here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwap25DIMn0 …

The #Assad air force launched air strikes on rebels in Masharah, #Quneitra prov.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rfnx3EwOSU …

So were are really back to this! ...
Masharah is 11 km away from the border with #Israel.
Thought, #Assad stopped this dangerous game ...

[OUTLAW 09]

Is Assad now running out of "barrel bombs"???????

Regime helicopters dropped hosepipes stuffed with tnt on Aleppo. This one did not explode

Wow....."outraged"...what does "outraged" look like.....????

France outraged 'beyond words' at government bombardment of Darayya shortly after aid delivery.

"Beyond words"...words is actually all the West has been saying and doing since 2012 in Syria.....and the UNSC.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Jaish Al-Fateh says it has repelled assault from pro-Regime militias in Al-Qarassi, S.

In the first 2 weeks of #Manbij offensive (27th May-9th June), US-led coalition destroyed 265 #ISIS targets (~19/day). E. #Aleppo.
BUT WAIT even with 265 targets destroyed IS is still in Manbij and Raqqa are they not????

At least 8 Iran & Afghan IRGC fighters reported killed in combat in S. Aleppo, Syria in 3 days, via @warreports

Multiple regime airstrikes targeted residential areas in Kafrbatna in eastern Ghouta, #Damascus today
https://youtu.be/NysynGNleEk

[OUTLAW 09]

More civilian homes destroyed by regime airstrikes on Ma'arshmarin in rural #Idlib, #Syria today
https://youtu.be/BPdZTYxRKfE

Aftermath of Assad airstrikes on al-Hara in #Daraa, #Syria today
https://youtu.be/xG_viMcGEEQ

Damascus The sad & usual footage of Assad barrel bombs falling on #Daraya, more than 10 hit the besieged town today
https://youtu.be/JBCNT9BmVgU

7 killed in Russia/Assad airstrikes on Oram al-Kubra in west rural #Aleppo in the early morning today
https://youtu.be/fgKpMv8-XpU

Multiple regime airstrikes targeted residential areas in Kafrbatna in eastern Ghouta, #Damascus today
https://youtu.be/NysynGNleEk

2nd air attack on the outskirts of the town of Hammyuriya
https://yallasouriya.wordpress.com/2016/06/11/syria2nd-air-attack-on-the-outskirts-of-the-town-of-hammyuriya …

Aleppo Assad's warplanes target the neighborhood of #Qatirji a little while ago

AhrarSham fighting off assadis from advancing to Hadadah #Lattakia

FSA took over also Kamaliya from #Daesh in northern #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.613633&lon=37.304657&z=16&m=b …

Iranian #IRGC Abbas Daneshgar killed in southern Aleppo, Syria.

Iranian #IRGC Mehdi Eshaghian killed in southern Aleppo, Syria.

Iranian #IRGC Hosseinali Pour Ebrahimi killed in southern Aleppo, Syria.

[OUTLAW 09]

Even US so called Syrian subject matter experts are getting it wrong over and over......

Joshua Landis
‏@joshua_landis
Syrian Army has taken Tabqa Air field. ISIS has retreated to base houses in the compound. Russian rockets are pounding it accord to sources


Your source must be drunk......
You've mistaken Tabqa/Sfayieh crossroads with Tabqa airfield... Still 20km left.

[OUTLAW 09]

Is Assad now running out of "barrel bombs"???????

Regime helicopters dropped hosepipes stuffed with tnt on Aleppo. This one did not explode



Full vid here, it does look like a mine clearing line charge
https://youtu.be/Ds9Ch8Mvdxs

Sources claim #Syria Army has redeployed a new UR-77 mine-clearance vehicle to #Aleppo. Seen here in Jobar #Damascus:

As @bm21_grad spotted, they’re very similar, if not the same, as those used for #Russia's UR-77/83 ‘Meteorit’ -
Looks like UR-77/83 cable
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPcn9VSVvj4 …

Sure, DKRP-4 (ДКРП-4) detonating cable marking is comfortably readable at 0:52

The next line is the filling: PVV-7 plastiс is 71.5% RDX + 17% Al + 11.5% PIB.

Air dropped would be incredibly silly and rob it of efficiency.

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria: Exchange of prisoners in #Daraa:
4 pro regime mercenaries from #Afganistan <=> 5 anti-regime political prisoners incl. a women

FSA took over Yani Yaban (Al-Judaydah) in northern #Aleppo
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.617560&lon=37.266655&z=15&m=b …

Fierce clashes ongoing between rebels & regime forces/militias trying to advance on the Bala front in eastern Ghouta,

[OUTLAW 09]

AND Iraqi Shia militias in Syria are no different........
Anbar Governor: Shia militias have committed mass-crimes nr. #Fallujah that are "sectarian in every sense … tainted…the overall operations."

Curious:
May 27: IS takes Kaljibrin et al, besieges Marea
June 8: rebels kick IS out
June 11: #Russia/#Assad hit Kaljibrin with airstrike

Russia simply taking over for #Assad: during the rebel offensive v. ISIS in early 2014, the regime only bombed places once FSA took over.

Faylaq al-Rahman on a reconnaissance mission in Jobar, the most advanced rebel point toward central Damascus

After US designating LSY, they merge with Harakat al-Muthanna al-Islamiya to "Army of Chalid ibn al-Walid".

Complex #ISIS suicide attack (2 SVESTs, 1 SVBIED) targets Sayyida Zaynab Shrine in Damascus

FSA has captured Jakkah and Yani Yapan from ISIS

Assad's regime are still blocking aid access to Al Wa'er & Zabadani - de Mistura wrong to say approval for all 19 besieged areas was granted

[OUTLAW 09]

Daesh launched new assault on Jazal oil field west of #Palmyra

The White Helmets ‏@SyriaCivilDef
An SCD hero has fallen today, firefighter and incident commander Yaser Hussein. Killed in double-tap Airstrike in Orem Al Kubra-Aleppo.

[OUTLAW 09]

Playing Tic-Tac-Toe with Putin

http://atfp.co/25Swld3


Among many obstacles to the West’s effort to stop the carnage in Syria and alleviate the refugee crisis, probably the largest and the hardest to overcome is a colossal disjoint in the depth and breadth of commitment to the conflict between the United States and Russia.

There is little mystery as to the level of interest on the U.S. side. Despite what you might hear, for the Obama administration, Syria is but an annoying contingency, forced on the White House by circumstances, and with no consonance whatsoever with the president’s strategic agenda. For Vladimir Putin, it is an important part of a long-term ideological and geopolitical project, rooted in deeply held beliefs, a self-imposed personal mission, and domestic political imperatives of his regime’s survival.

The Russian president is not the easiest man to read. They have taught him well in the KGB Intelligence School and the Yuri Andropov Red Banner Institute (formerly the Foreign Intelligence Academy). But after 16 years of policymaking, there are at least two interrelated tenets in Putin’s credo we can be fairly certain of:

1. The end of the Cold War was Russia’s equivalent of the Versailles Treaty for Germany — a source of endless humiliation and misery. The demise of the Soviet Union, in Putin’s words, was “the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century.”

2. The overarching strategic agenda of any truly patriotic Russian leader (not an idiot or a traitor or both, as Putin almost certainly views Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin) is to recover and repossess the political, economic, and geostrategic assets lost by the Soviet state.

And so, not surprisingly, after his return to the Kremlin in 2012 after place-holding by his former aide Dmitry Medvedev, Putin turned sharply to the recovery of geopolitical assets, that is, the foreign policy part of the doctrine.

There was also a powerful domestic political imperative for this pivot to an activist foreign policy. Because of the country’s toxic investment climate, economic growth was slowing down even with oil prices at historic highs. Russian economists inside and outside the government warned that the Russian economy would no longer deliver the 8 to 10 percent growth in real incomes, as it had between 2000 and 2008, securing Putin’s astronomic popularity. In the words of Putin’s personal friend, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Alexei Kudrin, the economy had hit an “institutional wall.”

Although Russia recorded the highest annual oil revenues in its history between 2010 and 2014, increases in the country’s gross domestic product grew progressively smaller, capital flight intensified, and investment came to a standstill. Public opinion polls consistently revealed people’s perception of the authorities at every level as deeply corrupt, callous, and incompetent. Most troubling for the regime, Putin’s popularity, which was and continues to be the foundation of the regime’s legitimacy, dropped by almost one-third between 2008 and 2011.

Kudrin called for a change of the country’s “economic model.” This is Putin’s nightmare: Gorbachev’s perestroika — an effort at economic liberalization — led to an uncontrollable political crisis and regime collapse.

Unwilling, therefore, to undertake liberalizing institutional reforms, Putin made probably the most fateful decision of his political career: He began to shift the foundation of his, and thus the regime’s, support and legitimacy from economic progress and the steady growth of incomes to what might be called patriotic mobilization.

The new policy rests on two interlocking propaganda meta-narratives. One, that the West — first and foremost the United States — unhappy that Russia is rising from its knees, has declared war on Moscow in order to preserve their diktat in world affairs. Two, although threatened on all sides by implacable enemies, Russia has nothing to fear so long as Putin is at the helm: Not only will he protect the motherland, he will recover the Soviet Union’s status of being feared and therefore respected again. On national television, where an overwhelming majority of Russians get their news, foreign policy has become a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of breathtaking initiatives and brilliant successes.

There followed the annexation of Crimea and the hybrid war in Ukraine.

A patriotic fervor at the sight of the motherland besieged yet somehow victorious, mightily shaping world events while acting as a moral and strategic counterweight to the United States, has obscured for millions of Russians the increasingly bleak economic reality and repression of dissent. As the great Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov put it in the poem “Ismail-Bey,” “Yes, I am a slave but I am a slave of the master of the Universe!”

Putin has saddled the tiger of patriotic fervor and made it trot at his command. The problem with this mode of transportation is that the tiger requires more meat, and the bloodier the better.

Thus when the war in Ukraine began to lose much of its propaganda flesh, Putin turned to Syria. On Oct. 20, 2015, in the Kremlin and on national television, Putin shook hands with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — and overnight Syria replaced Ukraine as Russia’s main battlefield. Assad, as a New York Times reporter in Moscow put it, was “lionized” on Russian television. The survival of the old Soviet Union’s client, under deadly fire from the pro-democracy opposition and the Islamic State, became a domestic political imperative.

Given these stakes, it is no surprise that Russia’s presence in Syria is open-ended — and allocated as many resources as necessary to accomplish its objectives.

Hence, Russia’s so-called withdrawal from Syria amounted to little more than maintenance rotation and operational adjustment. In the words of the former head of the Russian Air Force, Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov, “We are not withdrawing all our forces [from Syria] but only the ones we don’t particularly need for the present state of the operation.” And such personnel and military hardware that has been taken out, could, as Putin put it, be returned “in a matter of hours.” Russia continues to provide Assad’s army with close air support and precision strikes, including with Iskander tactical missiles, artillery support, intelligence, and targeting.

It is in this context that we must view the utter futility of President Barack Obama’s calls to Putin and Secretary of State John Kerry’s trips to Moscow in search of “common ground.” It’s worse than useless. Played ad nauseam on Russian state television, every such call, every clink of champagne glasses with Obama at the U.N. General Assembly, every visit by Kerry, boosts the regime’s domestic legitimacy. If the leaders of the United States — which is ultimately the only nation that counts to Russians (just as it was in the Soviet days) — call you, come to see you, beg you, then surely it reaffirms that you are the most important nation in the world. “It does not matter what they [Putin and Obama] talked about nor what was the result,” wrote a leading independent Russian political analyst. “More important is that they themselves call ours [Putin].

The media have feasted on Kerry thanking Putin for the “privilege” of being in his, that is Putin’s, presence, as he did at the news conference after his trip to the president’s Black Sea residence in Sochi last year. Russian TV replays Putin slapping Kerry on the shoulder and addressing the U.S. secretary of state as “ty” — which is the informal “you,” used to address close friends — but also children and subordinates.

And then there is the bizarre charade of the Ceasefire Task Force of the International Syria Support Group. Meeting most recently in Vienna, this august gathering of foreign ministers tied itself in knots over the strikes by Assad’s planes on Syrian cities and the inability to deliver humanitarian aid. All the while, sitting next to Kerry was the group’s co-chair, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose president could stop the carnage with a 30-second phone call to Assad. Instead, Russian planes, along with Syrian bombers — supplied, maintained, and targeted by Russian forces — are reducing Syria’s largest city, Aleppo, to Stalingrad-like rubble, just as Putin did to Chechnya’s capital, Grozny, in 1999-2000.

In Syria, the West wants peace. But Putin needs victory. And so it will look like this: The secular, pro-Western opposition will be either decimated or forced to disarm as part of a U.S.-Russian “peace process.” The West will be confronted with the repugnant choice between Assad and a combination of the Islamic State and the Nusra Front, an al Qaeda affiliate. And so Assad’s regime will survive. Meanwhile, Russia will be restored to the Soviet Union’s position as an indispensable international player and key actor in the Middle East.

Make no mistake, Putin will stay and fight until these goals are achieved — unless the costs of the campaign exceed it benefits. And right now, that’s extremely unlikely given the Obama administration’s views on the Russian involvement. As Kerry put it at the end of March, “I see no threat whatsoever to the fact that Russia has some additional foundation in a Syria, where we don’t want a base, where we are not looking for some kind of a long-term presence.” For Putin, the war in Syria is low-risk, high-reward — and there is little chance that Washington has any ability or desire to tip the scales in the other direction. And Europe already seems to be agonizing about the sanctions imposed in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the proxy war on Ukraine.

Russia is playing chess in Syria. To say that the United States is playing checkers would be to grossly overestimate the intellectual, moral, and military commitment. Tic-tac-toe is about right.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian airstrikes on Anadan & Hraytan in N rural #Aleppo last night with incendiary munitions
https://youtu.be/Mm8aYS-1nl0

Rebels have taken Yani Yaban, Jakkah & Kamaliyah from #ISIS in north rural #Aleppo following fierce clashes today

FSA pushes out ISIS from villages just to be bombed by putin' air-force.

Aleppo Clashes between #Turkey army & #Daesh near
Mulla Ya'qub
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.664082&lon=37.500372&z=14&m=b …

[OUTLAW 09]

For those that do not believe there is a connection between Russian activities in eastern Ukraine and Syria....this is the exact same military tactic being used in eastern Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2014...EXACTLY the same tactic..
AND the West not led by the Obama WH says nothing...


Russia destroy entire infrastructure & industrial facilities in western #Aleppo #Syria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZcTZuUAol0 …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.155341&lon=36.990623&z=14&m=b …

Footage
More #Russian "air strikes on ISIS "oil" hit civilian factories west of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caW1mvT70fY …

[OUTLAW 09]

DO not think for a moment that Russian non linear warfare in support of their political war against the West especially the US does not cover sports.....

Russian propaganda is justifying / even PROUD of violence of Russian fans at the #EURO2016.
https://life.ru/t/%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82/418906/drama_v_marsielskom_portu_ili_chto_znachit_razbudi t_russkogho_miedviedia …

LIFE title page......"Drama in Marseille port, what it means to awaken Russian Bear"
UNQUOTE

There are around 10.000 reasons why #Russia should NOT be allowed to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
#RUS hooligans are not one of them.

RU hooligans is another endearing Russian term for straight up "tattooed covered neo Nazi's"...Russian FSB/Interior Ministry uses them to break up anti Putin demonstrations inside Russia.

NOTICE just how Russian propaganda uses the term "provoked"...Putin uses it a 1000 times since Crimea.....

Russian media now: Yes, ours attacked, but we were provoked.
Where did I hear that before?!
https://life.ru/t/%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8/418933/rossiiskiie_bolielshchiki_atakovali_siektor_s_fana tami_sbornoi_anghlii_poslie_matcha …

[OUTLAW 09]

Daraya yesterday
#Assad's revenge for being forced to let in some food is merciless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdJyfTD9t5A …

AN outside of an "enraged France" whatever that means...the entire West led by Obama WH did nothing nor said anything.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Abu Omar and his antique cars, a target for Regime airstrikes on #Aleppo.
By @MohAlkhatieb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPS236X6rYg …

NOTICE Kerry has basically stopped calling the Russians and begging for them to stop targeting civilians..so is he complicit in suspected Russian war crimes????

ClusterBombs and #incendiary ammo...
Suspected #Russian war crimes west of #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncpgm0yfH9g …

Huraytan tonight.
#Russia/#Assad drop more incendiary bombs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8aYS-1nl0 …

[OUTLAW 09]

AND Hezbollah a US named terrorist organization is not an ethnic cleansing machine inside Syria......???? Think again.....

Hezbollah terrorists oblige Syrians to evacuate houses in #Madaya
http://ow.ly/UTRN3019I9Z

[OUTLAW 09]

DO not think for a moment that Russian non linear warfare in support of their political war against the West especially the US does not cover sports.....

Russian propaganda is justifying / even PROUD of violence of Russian fans at the #EURO2016.
https://life.ru/t/%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82/418906/drama_v_marsielskom_portu_ili_chto_znachit_razbudi t_russkogho_miedviedia …

LIFE title page......"Drama in Marseille port, what it means to awaken Russian Bear"
UNQUOTE

There are around 10.000 reasons why #Russia should NOT be allowed to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
#RUS hooligans are not one of them.

RU hooligans is another endearing Russian term for straight up "tattooed covered neo Nazi's"...Russian FSB/Interior Ministry uses them to break up anti Putin demonstrations inside Russia.

NOTICE just how Russian propaganda uses the term "provoked"...Putin uses it a 1000 times since Crimea.....

Russian media now: Yes, ours attacked, but we were provoked.
Where did I hear that before?!
https://life.ru/t/%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8/418933/rossiiskiie_bolielshchiki_atakovali_siektor_s_fana tami_sbornoi_anghlii_poslie_matcha …

This Muslim Guy Mocked Soccer Hooligans And Made A Great Point About The Media
https://www.buzzfeed.com/davidmack/soccer-riots-twitter-parody?utm_term=.gq5DLBGGy …

[CrowBat]

After striking Kfar Kaljibrin yesterday (the place was liberated from the Daesh only three days ago), Russians flew another air strike on the Azaz Pocket, this time on Kfar Kalbin (https://twitter.com/archicivilians/status/741960427467333632), today.

Guess, Putin has something against Syrians that kill Russians citizens the FSB sent to Syria to fight for the Daesh (http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/russia-militants/)...

...therefore, here the Russian 'revenge in style': Dozens of casualties reported following (https://twitter.com/michaelh992/status/741960462724661248) multiple air strikes (https://twitter.com/sakirkhader/status/741950252194861056) on a vegetable market in Idlib city (https://twitter.com/sakirkhader/status/741960215206232064). Number of casualties is already at more than 20...

Now imagine if CENTCOM would start bombing Essam Zahreddine's heroic head-choppers at Dayr az-Zawr AB... :roll:

[OUTLAW 09]

Civilian deathtoll of the Assad airstrikes of the veg market in #Idlib today is 13 with over 2 dozen wounded, number likely to rise

DOZENS OF CHILDREN KILLED BY #RUSSIA TERRORISTS AIRSTRIKES ON POPULAR MARKET OF #IDLIB
#SYRIA JUN 12

After the record setting Assad barrel bombs on Daraya of 68 we are off and running again today....

How many Assad barrel bombs do you think have been dropped on #Daraya so far today? Count up to 32 now

[OUTLAW 09]

So the US CAS backed Iranian Iraqi Shia militias...otherwise known as the US proxy fighting IS in Fallujah.....AND led by Iran

'Our guy'?!
#US-backed Shiite fighter burns & mocks Sunni man near #Fallujah.
Maybe he was an #ISIS fighter.
Maybe.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian air raid on az-Zakah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toWppx6QTHY … http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.342715&lon=36.581726&z=13&m=b … #Hama #Syria
https://youtu.be/toWppx6QTHY

Air raid on #Morek
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw9x49PjUAA … http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=35.372850&lon=36.689615&z=15&m=b … #Hama #Syria

Fires burn in a 4th Division ammunition depot overlooking Moadamiyah al-Sham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMmbcMmJ9iw …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat

Aleppo Reports now of Russian airstrikes w/ incediary & cluster munitions targeting Mansoura, Babis, Ma’arat al-Artiq, Kafrhamra & Anadan

Russian airstrikes continue in #Aleppo & Assad airstrikes targeted Morek & Kafrzita in rural #Hama today.

Intense bombardment of #Daraya today, Assad dropped over a dozen barrel bombs in addition to IRAM rockets, heavy artillery & mortar shelling

[OUTLAW 09]

Civilian deathtoll of the Assad airstrikes of the veg market in #Idlib today is 13 with over 2 dozen wounded, number likely to rise

DOZENS OF CHILDREN KILLED BY #RUSSIA TERRORISTS AIRSTRIKES ON POPULAR MARKET OF #IDLIB
#SYRIA JUN 12


Incredibly graphic images appear to show aftermath of Syrian government attack on a vegetable market in Idlib.

WHAT does it take to move the Obama WH to declare in front of the entire world that Russia/Assad are state sponsors of terrorism....

BUT WAIT...now with a Russian/Assad air strike in broad daylight the entire US Intelligence Community will AGAIN STATE they cannot figure out who bombed the marketplace and killed a large number of children and women JUST as they could not figure out who bombed a total of 59 hospitals throughout Syria in the last six months.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia is burning Aleppo to the ground and the Obama WH simply no longer cares if it ever did in stopping war crimes and genocide...

Incredible picture of #Aleppo tonight after phosphorus attack by Russian Warplanes on residential areas.

Russian airstrikes on Anadan & Hraytan in N rural #Aleppo this PM with incendiary munitions
https://youtu.be/Mm8aYS-1nl0

Grozny all over and in the 21st century and Obama/Kerry remain silent...WHY is that????

English Interview @BILD w/@KyleWOrton

'Incendiary weapons r intended
to terrorise people.'

http://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/syrien-krise/aleppo-forbidden-ammunition-46224780.bild.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria Jaish al-Fatah captured 3 more members of #Iraq'i Harakat #Hezbollah al-Nujaba in southern #Aleppo

Aleppo's Castillo Highway -most dangerous road in the world
(airstrikes, artillery, sniper...)
https://youtu.be/3YOMZxJdnoA

[OUTLAW 09]

This goes to the heart of what I have been writing here...the perception that US SF is being used to push a Kurdish agenda to the detriment of the Syrian Arab Sunni's without standing back and challenging the decisions being made by the Obama WH....this will in the end kill any long term ability for US SF to work in the ME....

Obama only wants a short term solution instead of the long term as he is out of office Nov 2017....

So it now appears that the US Obama WH FP is exactly that of Assad and Putin...the destruction of a civil societies' attempt to overthrow a genocidal dictator......

Sad time in US FP history if that is in fact what this WH is doing.....

AND it is being supported by US SOF.....

US-backed #SDF spokesperson in short: We have no problem with #Assad and will not fight him
https://twitter.com/Ahmad_primo/status/741949622885711872 …

BTW......we are seeing this exact same problem in Fallujah where US SF and CAS is supporting the attack there and Iranian led Iraqi Shia militia are committing atrocities and massacres of the local Sunni population....WITHOUT a single comment out of this Obama WH...

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
Ground zero in the centre of #Idlib.
Giant bomb/missile hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX3kdZiDAtg …

Footage
More air strikes on the town of #KafrZita (#Hama), just some minutes ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TquGxB9c4Qg …

Syrian activists report multiple #Russian air strikes on the northern #Hama province front since the morning.

[OUTLAW 09]

An #Assad regime ammunition depot exploded in Muadamiyat.
Reason unknown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMmbcMmJ9iw …

[OUTLAW 09]

To help some pro-YPGs with geography, claiming rebels trying to recapture Sheikh Issa are "attacking #Afrin Canton".

Sheikh Issa is not in Afrin Canton and never has been on any Syrian map....

Sheikh Issa is STILL occupied by #SDF & rebels claim to have destroyed a bulldozer w/TOW in it

SDF BTW received Russian CAS in taking Sheikh Issa to begin with and apparently YPG and the US seems to have forgotten that small point.....

[OUTLAW 09]

AND that Obama WH "fatal fatalism" was again exactly WHAT??????

Utter silence out of this WH.....

Also in #MaaratAlNuman the #Assad/#Putin coalition destroyed children
Only watch if you can!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFrV0xzGAKE&feature=youtu.be …

Very Graphic.......

[OUTLAW 09]

Counting the days it takes the US MSM and the Obama WH to pick up on this....

Update
36 people killed, most of them totally burnt, 70 injured, in just another Idlib market massacre.

Death toll of Russia/Assad airstrikes on #Idlib city & Ma’arat al-Nouman today has risen to 41, +80 wounded

Only thing you get to choose in Syria is how you go drown, starve or burn thanks to friends who promised peace but didn't deliver the means

Assad regime news reporting that scores of terrorists were killed in the airstrikes on #Idlib today, all terrorists

3 Russian airstrikes in 1 week targeted warehouses containing school books in #Idlib, school books for god sakes!
https://youtu.be/Z30G_iJUvwc

I wonder if the #US & #Russia are still working together uncovering who’s mass killing #Syria|n civilians everyday

This particular kabuki dance actually provides cover for Russia/regime operations.

[OUTLAW 09]

Several people killed in Russian airstrikes with cluster munitions in Oram al-Kubra, west rural #Aleppo, #Syria

Since aid arrived to #Daraya 118 barrelbombs have been dropped by the regime, preventing the aid from being distributed to the people

Heavy clashes in AynDhakar (W. #Daraa) where Rebels advancing vs #IS
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.861511&lon=35.909371&z=16&m …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnClNkimYoY …

As Rebels seized recently 3 villages from #ISIS, the latter launched 1st assault on #Marea since the end of the siege 4 days ago. N. #Aleppo

[OUTLAW 09]

Counting the days it takes the US MSM and the Obama WH to pick up on this....

Update
36 people killed, most of them totally burnt, 70 injured, in just another Idlib market massacre.

Death toll of Russia/Assad airstrikes on #Idlib city & Ma’arat al-Nouman today has risen to 41, +80 wounded

Only thing you get to choose in Syria is how you go drown, starve or burn thanks to friends who promised peace but didn't deliver the means

Assad regime news reporting that scores of terrorists were killed in the airstrikes on #Idlib today, all terrorists

3 Russian airstrikes in 1 week targeted warehouses containing school books in #Idlib, school books for god sakes!
https://youtu.be/Z30G_iJUvwc

I wonder if the #US & #Russia are still working together uncovering who’s mass killing #Syria|n civilians everyday

This particular kabuki dance actually provides cover for Russia/regime operations.

Only difference between Assad & #ISIS is the use of Airforce to maximize civilian casualties

In reaction to the massacre perpetrated in #Idlib despite local truce, Jaish Al-Fateh is shelling #Fuah & #Kefraya with artillery.

[OUTLAW 09]

Abu Mohammed @Raqqa_sl1
Attempt to assassinate the Syrian activist Ahmed Abdulkader by silenced gun in #Urfa #Turkey and he is in hospital


Free Syria Media Hub @Free_Media_Hub
http://www.stopthebombs.com/so/cLL5Dj2_?cid=518f9d77-273d-4a1d-87e5-fc94f038f8ac#/main … Feed news letter 18+

GRAPHIC.....

[OUTLAW 09]

BREAKING #Beirut explosion targeted #BLOM Bank one of Those banks that shut down #Hezbollah Accounts

At a time when banks are closing Hezbollah accounts, a reminder that Hezbollah can push back, and hold the banks hostage.

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage of Russian airstrike targeting road between Inkhil & Jasem in #Daraa, #Syria today
https://youtu.be/oKtD4KNwbDU

FSA Liwa al-Mutasim rebels repelling #ISIS advance attempt from southern Mare'a in north rural #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/0SaAfr1TY6o

APPEARS US SF and SDF/YPG have having a serious problem with IS.....
ISIS claims it killed 10 SDF fighters & captured 4 E. of Tishrin Dam in E. rural #Aleppo in addition to attacking SDF positions N of Manbij

Rebels (special operations) take responsibility for destroying regime division 4 warehouses in Moadamiat Al-Sham
http://slnnews.co/?p=46183

Food markets, bread lines, hospitals - all targets of Assad/Putin. That's what an extermination campaign looks like

This is what a 3rd day of constant regime barrel bombs in #Daraya looks like. Not news apparently: https://twitter.com/paradoxy13/status/741981791209295872 …

Some Harakat Nujaba's Iraqi militiamen captured by Jaish Al-Fateh in Al-Qarassi, S. #Aleppo.

[OUTLAW 09]

PalmyraRev1
Seyyed Hosseini, a top #IRGC #Fatimiyoun Afghan militia commander, killed in #ISIS ambush near #Palmyra #Syria


OP-ED @OrientNewsEn
ISIS is not finished, yet
http://www.orient-news.net/en/news_show/114822/0/ISIS-is-not-finished-yet …

[OUTLAW 09]

Heavy clashes between rebels & regime militias trying to advance again on the Mallah front in north rural #Aleppo

Assad helicopters also dropping barrel bombs on Khan Sheikhoun, Skeik & around Tamana’a in south rural #Idlib

Bab al-Nayrab, Qaterji & Salahudin areas also targeted by Russia airstrikes in #Aleppo a little while ago

Another attempt by #Assad-forces to storm Mallah farms in northern #Aleppo repelled

While we are enjoying the #EURO2016, #Assad and #Putin keep slaughtering children in #Syria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk_t4fsJszA …

[OUTLAW 09]

ISIS loses in northern Syria, but grows in the south.
http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/isils-long-game-is-revealed-by-syrias-south …

[OUTLAW 09]

Heavy clashes between rebels & #ISIS affiliate Liwa Shuhada Yarmouk & Harakat Muthana since early AM around Sad Kawkab & Ein Dhikr in #Daraa

Regime attacking E. Ghouta from multiple directions, JaI says +18 regime forces killed & BMP destroyed on Hawsh al-Farah front

Former Syrian parliamentarian Ahmed Shallash to the Syrian Democratic Forces: "Obey or be barrel-bombed."

On the Mallah front in north rural #Aleppo, rebels reversed all the gains made by regime forces/militias last night

Russian airstrikes continue this morning in #Aleppo; Sukkari, Karam al-Tarab, Jisr al-Haj area hit with multiple airstrikes

Regime starts the day with multiple airstrikes on the #Damascus suburb of #Douma this AM
https://youtu.be/gfPuWU8hfrA

At least a dozen regime airstrikes targeted Douma, Hawsh al-Farah & al-Bahariya this morning in eastern Ghouta, #Damascus, #Syria

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia|n officers. Oversee the assembly of explosive hoses (mine clearing) Where #Syria|ns killed in #Aleppo and #Idlib @MH17_Ru

Rebels are shelling Regime barriers in #Hakoura (#Ghab) in retaliation for yesterday's Idlib & Maarat Numan bombing.

[OUTLAW 09]

Possible second Russian T90 tank is captured...unconfirmed as of yet....


Sham Front fired at least 3 #Fagot (night launches) to take out a tank, a 23 mm gun & bull. Unconfirmed report Rebels seized a 2nd T-90.
Debate as to if the destroyed tank was also a T90....awaiting videos...

Pro-Regime forces launched fiercest night attack so far in Mallah (N. #Aleppo) backed by massive bombing. Rebels regained all lost positions

Yesterday......
Rebels blew up with a #TOW a #SDF bulldozer erecting barriers between Sheikh Issa & #Marea, N. #Aleppo.

SDF actually YPG with US SF assistance and CAS both US and Russian use these barriers to slowly ease forward towards Marea.

[OUTLAW 09]

Interesting video from Ajand al Sham of them shooting down a pro-regime drone in #Darayya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTLwq1jT8ao …

Failed #YPG assault:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVIIi2ObSZA …

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat...something for you.....

How vulnerable are Russia’s air assets in Syria?
http://www.offiziere.ch/?p=28052

[OUTLAW 09]

Free Alawite Brigade claims bomb attack on a brigade HQ of the 4th Division near Damascus

The US didn't just refuse creating safe-zones over rebel-held areas but also actively cutting off support for Syrian rebels fighting Assad.

The world wants Syrian rebels focused on fighting #IS while Russia/Assad rains airstrikes and barrel bombs on them!

Remember Putin said Russia was withdrawing from Syria? Nave western leaders believed him! This is #rus airbase yday https://twitter.com/mod_russia/status/742055626172420097

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat.....anything to this comment???


U.S. Chief Fire Officer Thaddeus Mithcheel Borowicz found dead in his Garden in Adana. Borowicz worked at Incirlik Military base

If I understand it right, he was leading the fire department at the base&living in #Turkey since 25 years plus married with a Turkish wife.

[OUTLAW 09]

Actually something to this....

Russia commits the equivalent of an Orlando attack every single day in Syria.
https://twitter.com/rightsinrussia/status/742242483141251072 …

AND the West says nothing....as if Arab Sunni's do not count....

[OUTLAW 09]

Despite claims of gains vs #IS, Rebels are still visibly in AynDhakar E. outskirts, W. Daraa
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=en&lat=32.861488&lon=35.909693&z=18&m …

Official Zinki statement on #Mallah: all lost points restored, armored bulldozer & tank destroyed, ~50 pro-Assad KIA

Daraya: Assad helicopters drop 4 barrel bombs on residential areas 12/6/2016
https://youtu.be/aC3JlqML96s

Children wounded & destruction of houses & Masjed aftermath #SAA airstrikes on #Douma
#Damascus cs #Syria JUN 13

URGENT
#RUSSIA TERRORISTS airstrikes targeting:
#alSukari
#alAnsari
#alMashhad
#alHaidariyya neighborhoods so far
#Aleppo cs #Syria JUN 13

US_Coalition warplanes carried out airstrikes targeting the Agricultural High School of #Manbej
#Aleppo cs #Syria JUN 13

RUSSIA TERRORISTS carried out White Phosphorus AIRSTRIKES again on #Haraytan #Andan & #Kafr_Hamra so far
#ALeppo cs #Syria JUN 13
You might find it is ZAB-250 incendiaries using thermite. Just as lethal just as illegal

2 people killed and 15 injured after an Airstrike targeted civilian homes in Salah Eldin - Aleppo city.
https://youtu.be/4tS5b91wB4k

Trapped with his mother under rubble at 6AM, after an Airstrike hit their home - Douma today.
https://www.facebook.com/SyriancivildefenseinDamascusCountryside1/videos/1271694462855860/ …

Father cries as @SyriaCivilDef retrieve his 4Children UnderRubble
Victims of #Russia airstrks
#Idlib cs #Syria JUN12

An Airstrike targeted a fire engine in Haritan, injuring 4 of our volunteer firefighters.

[OUTLAW 09]

Reports Hezbollah & regime are targeting Zabadani in rural #Damascus with rockets & heavy artillery

Aleppo Battle: pro-Regime forces and YPG/SDF launched c. a dozen assaults from 4 axes to try to besiege Rebels since 2 months.

Armed men assaulted Kafrzita hospital staff y’day, stole equip. & kidnapped Cent. Div. chief Col Abdulghani al-Swaid

Rebels in southern #Syria busy fighting #ISIS affiliates
https://youtu.be/BOFRetW4T1c

FSA gathered a lot of heavy gear to battle #Daesh
in western #Daraa province
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2MICgpJGBY …

East #Aleppo : #IS continues its counter offensive and regain control on Jaqal and Masraniyah villages West of #Manbij

Syria #Assad-forces dropped these $ leaflets on #Tabqa near #Raqqa

Damascus Regime assault at several frontlines in eastern Ghouta today
https://youtu.be/u2Xpozcwui4

[OUTLAW 09]

Deadly #FSA artillery attack on #ISIS sniper nest in Ayn Dhakar water tower.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqCqccBF6o4 …

FSA indiscriminate shelling of #ISIS-held Ayn Dhakar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iL4SiUzS2k …
Can only hope,civ are gone..

Battles between the #FSA and #ISIS in S-W #Daraa province.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHvamHNnxFQ …

Douma this morning after air strikes
See world,what u allow #Assad to do!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRMbzYI2dNM …

More bombs in #Daraya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCbfDfiCyL8 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Heavy battles ongoing in #Mallah, and heavy artillery attacks by #YPG in Sheikh Maqsud & Regime in #Handarat targeting Castello Rd.

After raining Anadan & Hurytan by Phosphorus+Cluster Bombs by #RuAF for days, Regime+allies try to advance.

A large-scale #Assad regime, #Iran|ian-backed militias and #YPG offensive started north of #Aleppo.

Hayyan N-W of #Aleppo was hit by multiple incendiary bombs before the regime push started.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCo8KFVflqs …

BUT WAIT...why is the US Kurdish proxy YPG/SDF/PKK attacking FSA positions AND IS positions?????

AND why is a US Kurdish proxy YPG/SDF/PKK fighting together with Assad, Iran and Putin all against FSA....AND not a single attack on IS positions near YPG front lines?????

[OUTLAW 09]

FSA arrested an #IS suicide bomber wearing this explosive vest was planning to blow a Mosque in Nasib south Syria.

More bombs in #Daraya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCbfDfiCyL8 …

132 Assad barrel bombs have been dropped on Daraya since the small UN aid delivery this last Friday....AND outside of France announcing they are "enraged" not much has come from the rest of the major western leaders ie Obama and Kerry....

ISIS forces launched counterattacks in order to break #SDF siege of #Manbij. #Aleppo #Syria

[OUTLAW 09]

Jaish al-Fath rebels coalition announced #Idleb free of any military presence 10 days ago didn't stop daily Assad/Russia attacks on the city

BREAKING: #Assad jets kill 7 civilians and injure 20 in new massacre in #Idlib

Daraya today.
#Assad and #Russia destroy the entire country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQCcGtC2r5k …

[OUTLAW 09]

Syria: US MH-47G and MH-60 over Manbij
http://isis.liveuamap.com/en/2016/13-june-syria-us-mh47g-and-mh60-over-manbij …
pic.twitter.com/SY8amrlXGW

At least 2 killed & dozens injured this evening so far by regime air strikes on Mash'had, Kalasa, Imadi districts of Aleppo.

[OUTLAW 09]

Well so much for the vaulted CENTCOM US SF and USAF CAS.......support...AND meanwhile FSA battles Assad, Iran , IS and Putin...BUT nothing for their support BUT WAIT I thought the US was supporting YPG/SDF/PKK because they were attacking IS..........

Manbij: #YPG militias "delay operation of #Manbij to avoid civilian casualties". The truth: They have not the strength to capture #Manbij.

In the meantime IS has started a series of counterattacks which will eventually drive this much vault Manbij and Raqqa offense backwards .....again after the first failed SDF/YPG Raqqa offense ALSO with much fanfare......

Really great way to win friends among the local Syrian Arab Sunni's and the support from FSA......especially after five years of war crimes, starvation and genocide against Arab Sunni's as well as the massive Assad and RuAF bombing campaign on them right now....

Al-Masdar News
‏@TheArabSource
US backed rebels declare neutrality with the Syrian Arab Army
http://bit.ly/1Ymrn6j

BUT WAIT...that so called "Syrian Arab Army" is now made up of just Hezbollah, Iraqi/Afghan Shia militia's and the IRGC ...not many Syrian Arabs left in the SAA

[OUTLAW 09]

NEW MAP: #Aleppo City | #Syria
Another failed Regime offensive to besiege #Aleppo.
HD https://goo.gl/PUAT5B

[OUTLAW 09]

US #TOW missile hit #Syria Democratic Forces...
http://fb.me/49TVvkxZd

So shocking what has been going in #Daraya over the last few days, and so little media coverage:
https://youtu.be/DbLEc1l8yWY

Russian airstrikes with incendiary munitions continue across #Aleppo at night, vid from Kafrhamra
https://youtu.be/poww_ecWo8w

Footage
Sultan Murad Brigade supports Jaish al Fatah south of #Aleppo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Otofg8ZWak …
#Turkey makes no diff

Footage
#FSA (Sultan Murad Brigade) destroys #Assad heavy machine gun in #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe9zgUCG3Zs …

Footage
Turkish-backed #FSA brigade shells #Assad-held #Zahraa with 128 mm rockets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SuqEwFUYFI …

News
#Iran announced the deaths of 2 more #IRGC troops and 1 army trooper in #Syria today.

Footage
Air strikes by #Assad and / or #Putin on women and children in #Aleppo tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfIwsUOICqA …

[CrowBat]

CrowBat...something for you.....

How vulnerable are Russia’s air assets in Syria?
http://www.offiziere.ch/?p=28052
Can't help myself but conclude this article is something like missing the point.

On one side, yes: Russian aircraft and helicopters deployed in Syria are actually quite vulnerable to any kind of a serious attack.

However, what happened so far didn't show anything of this. For example: Ahrar ash-Sham has rocketed Hmemmem AB at least 5-6 times already by mid-October last year. Its first two attacks have forced Russians to scatter their aircraft down the runway, and cover them with camouflage nets, for example. Further attacks (up to 12 in total) have taken place ever since.

Another example is that with Tiyas: this wasn't 'overrun' by the Daesh. It was Russian ground crews that set on fire empty wooden casings for ammo, piled next to the tarmac, that caused the conflagration. This gutted four Ka-52s, and then spread to the ammo dump further north, blowing up about 30 trucks etc.


CrowBat.....anything to this comment???


U.S. Chief Fire Officer Thaddeus Mithcheel Borowicz found dead in his Garden in Adana. Borowicz worked at Incirlik Military base

If I understand it right, he was leading the fire department at the base&living in #Turkey since 25 years plus married with a Turkish wife.Nothing. But, I'll ask around.

[OUTLAW 09]

GRAPHIC.......
Syria Airstrikes on al Harra town in southern #Daraa province
18+ bc bodyparts
https://youtu.be/SpqnBWhbkgI

Morning from #Syria. What better way to start the day than with Assad airstrikes/barrel bombs on Douma in Damascus, Hara in Daraa & Idlib

Russian airstrikes on non-Assad/ISIS areas in Aleppo haven't stopped of course

SDF took Al-Hatabat at southern entrance of #Manbij
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.485901&lon=37.949352&z=14&m=b …

[OUTLAW 09]

ProAssad/Putin twitter account hard at work......

Tonight's videos demonstrate how @IvanSidorenko1 steals them (even w/logo) to change their meaning to pro-#Assad ...

[OUTLAW 09]

Well worth reading......
Musings On Iraq Who Was Al Qaeda In Iraq’s Abu Omar al-Baghdadi? Interview Naval War College’s Prof Craig Whiteside http://musingsoniraq.blogspot.com/2016/06/who-was-al-qaeda-in-iraqs-abu-omar-al.html?m=1 …

Now balance this with several articles I have written......

Monday, July 28, 2014
How Iraq’s Civil War Broke Out In Diyala Province Interview With Former Interrogator Richard Buchanan
http://musingsoniraq.blogspot.de/2016/06/who-was-al-qaeda-in-iraqs-abu-omar-al.html?m=1

Buchanan, Richard, “Rural versus Urban Insurgency: How We Missed the Enemy’s Center of Gravity in Iraq and Why It’s Important,” Small Wars Journal, 1/2/12

- “What we saw, but failed to understand, about the Iraqi insurgency in 2003-2005,” Best Defense, 1/31/12

Note.......in the still largely untranslated handwritten journal by Ahmed Abdullah Hussein aka Abu Qitadah, aka Jasim Mhammed ‘Abid Salih’ Ali al-Mashhadani (potentially true name) you will Abu Bakr and Abu Omar often mentioned as "company officials"....and that in early 2003.

[OUTLAW 09]

7th consecutive night: #AleppoIsBurning (literally) after #Russia/#Assad use of possible incendiary weapons.

New Syrian Army #NSyA raided #ISIS positions south of Al-Bukamal yesterday and captured rockets, mortars and weapons

Rebels blew up with a #TOW a #SDF bulldozer erecting barriers between Sheikh Issa & #Marea, N. #Aleppo.

CIA vs DoD warfare... Policy gone completely mad.:confused:

Sultan Murad blew up with a #TOW a Regime position near Al-#Zahraa, N. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbWQC7A19Fk …

Sultan Murad #TOW strike on Regime rocket launcher in S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Otofg8ZWak …

[OUTLAW 09]

Reports #YPG/#SDF shelled #Azaz & clashing with Rebels in the outskirts, N. #Aleppo.

CIA vs DoD warfare... Policy gone absolutely and completely mad.

NOT so sure either CIA nor DoD really understand anything in Syria outside of trying to do something that the Obama WH has no interest in even if genocide and war crimes are involved.

[OUTLAW 09]

Jaish Al-Izza's #Fagot night launch destroyed a bulldozer in Masasinah barrier, N. #Hama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaXnXi9Sugw …

Heavy clashes in N. #Latakia as pro-Regime forces try to advance on several fronts under intense shelling, from Ain Issa to #Kabanah.

Jaish Al-Mujahideen shelling a Regime fortification with SPG-9 in #Aleppo.
youtu.be/wtwaBZ7at-I

Rebels from Jaish Al-Tahrir preparing to storm #ISIS-held Tell Battal, N. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSY9LDwBRrI …

Sultan Murad wiped out with #TOW a 23 mm gun in Zahraa, #Aleppo.
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=fr&lat=36.213286&lon=37.088492&z=18&m …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oe9zgUCG3Zs …

[OUTLAW 09]

Charles Lister ‏@Charles_Lister
224+ civilians (incl. 67 children & 28 women) were killed in #Syria in 1st week of Ramadan.
166 of those were killed by the regime/#Russia.


And yet the world talks about Orlando....how strange is that......

[OUTLAW 09]

CrowBat........

It appears to me that right now the fighting in Syria resembles that of WW1 aerial dog fighting with masses of planes fighting everywhere in large and small aerial battles....

Not even sure the US, Putin and Iran really know what the heck up and down is anymore......meanwhile Turkey and KSA are remaining rather quiet.

[OUTLAW 09]

DeirEzzor: #ISIS advancing at Panorama Checkpoint, southwest of #DeirEzzor. Heavy clashes with pro-#Assad forces.

Unimaginable Horrors: The War-Crimes Lawyer Hunting Syrian War Criminals
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/david-crane-is-creating-database-of-assad-war-crimes-a-1095735.html …

Suspected #Russian warplanes targeted hospital in Majbeina in #Aleppo, rendering it inoperable, Jun 13.

[OUTLAW 09]

Aleppo #FSA launched assault on #Daesh in Tel Battal after failed yesterday
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSY9LDwBRrI …
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.648313&lon=37.342873&z=14&m=b …

Seems #Germany's KSK special forces now in #Syria near #Turkey border
-to support #SDF/ kurdish #YPG forces against #Daesh

Assad army propaganda leaflets dropped on al-Tabqa #Raqqa says "we're coming" and asking "Syrians" to ditch #IS.

After dropping yesterday fake 100 USD bills with the message that the US started IS against Assad....

Hadi alAbdallah and Khaled alIssa injured during a RUssian air attack on Jisr alHaj in Aleppo #Syria
https://twitter.com/aboalhodaalhoms/status/742709485089792001 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Dozens of dead residents after #Russia'n airstrikes on #Aleppo & suburbs

JaF destroyed regime vehicles in Khalasah & advance inside town http://wikimapia.org/#lang=de&lat=36.057426&lon=37.049847&z=14&m=b …

Jaish al-Fatah try to advance now in southern #Aleppo

Mystery blast outside #Damascus #Syria
http://mme.cm/MDBW00

The White Helmets ‏@SyriaCivilDef
An airstrike targeted civilian areas in Slalah ElDin - Aleppo City, killing 2 civilians and injuring 15.

SDF gives coordinates to U.S. Coalition forces, A-10 does a gun run:
https://youtu.be/Rr2suoqIT6I
Now just why cannot an A10 support FSA....??

Syria Pulse ‏@TheSyriaPulse
A group of young Syrians has been documenting and exposing violations and other activities by al-Nusra in #Syria

SCD: Khaled Khaled ‏@995Khaled
26 civilians were killed after many air strikes targeted 12 areas in Aleppo today.

Syria conflict: World 'turning a blind eye' to carnage in Aleppo, says Medecins Sans Frontieres
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-14/medecins-sans-frontiers-says-world-turning-blind-eye-to-syria/7510654 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Southern Front factions could reach Darayaa and Ghouta in 1 month if they wanted to. Commanders are traitors.
Looks like fighting Assad is not allowed.

Daraa, Jordanian intelligence and the MOOC

There are many rumours going round that issue in Daraa. According to below report, there are sharp disagreements and splits and expulsions and exclusion between Horan factions, and the Jordanian intelligence and the MOOC room are the reason.

MOOC is attempting to create a new force to protect Druzes and IS. Several factions refuse to join the new group thus were thrown out and refused further aid and weapons....Amud Horan Brigade was tossed out...

Appears Jordan is more interested in protecting IS and the Druzes than in fighting against IS and Assad......

The Southern Front is just sitting in the desert not doing much of anything lately except counting and painting rocks.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Moment @HadiAlabdallah & KhaledalEisa targeted by #SAA BarrelBombs
#Aleppo #Syria JUN14
FULL:https://www.facebook.com/hmf5h/videos/2051809168376830/?permPage=1 …

Michael Weiss ‏@michaeldweiss
One of Syria's bravest journalists nearly bit it right here.

Children crying after his brother killed by #ASSad Terrorist Barrel Bombs in #alFirdaous
#Aleppo #Syria JUN 14

5 Martyrs including 1 child, victims of #RUSSIA TERRORISTS airstrikes in #Jisr_alHaj
#Aleppo #Syria JUN 14

SAA terrorists carried out airstrikes targeting alShfouniyah in Eastern_ghouta Damascus cs Syria JUN 14
https://youtu.be/Mt8UN1MTppg

Destruction aftermath #ASSad terrorists barrel bombs over #alBara
7 Martyrs
#Idlib cs #Syria JUN 14

[OUTLAW 09]

Breaking. Jaish Al-Fateh just launched the battle to control Khalasah in S. #Aleppo after wide pre-emptive shelling.

Aleppo JaF took sand barriers of Khalsah

JaF-sniper killed the commander of Shiite forces in southern #Aleppo's Khalsa

Khalasah Battle: Faylaq Al-Sham pounding Regime foreign militias with Elephant missiles & rockets. S. #Aleppo

FaylaqSham hell cannons leveling Khalsa before the advance. S. #Aleppo

Khalasah update: Jaish Al-Fateh combing eastern parts of the village. Report commander of pro-Regime foreign militias killed. S. #Aleppo

Nusra artillery pounding pro-Regime militias in Khalasah in S. #Aleppo. #JaF

Faylaq Al-Sham contribution to the battle of Khalasah in S. #Aleppo led by Jaish Al-Fateh.

Jaish Al-Fateh has breached 1st defense line of pro-Regime militias, heavy clashes ongoing inside village. 14.5 & 23 mm guns blew up by ATGM

[OUTLAW 09]

Breaking. Jaish Al-Fateh just launched the battle to control Khalasah in S. #Aleppo after wide pre-emptive shelling.

Aleppo JaF took sand barriers of Khalsah

JaF-sniper killed the commander of Shiite forces in southern #Aleppo's Khalsa

Khalasah Battle: Faylaq Al-Sham pounding Regime foreign militias with Elephant missiles & rockets. S. #Aleppo

FaylaqSham hell cannons leveling Khalsa before the advance. S. #Aleppo

Khalasah update: Jaish Al-Fateh combing eastern parts of the village. Report commander of pro-Regime foreign militias killed. S. #Aleppo

Nusra artillery pounding pro-Regime militias in Khalasah in S. #Aleppo. #JaF

Faylaq Al-Sham contribution to the battle of Khalasah in S. #Aleppo led by Jaish Al-Fateh.

Jaish Al-Fateh has breached 1st defense line of pro-Regime militias, heavy clashes ongoing inside village. 14.5 & 23 mm guns blew up by ATGM

BreakingNews
Syrian rebels took #Khalasa, expelled all Iranian IRGC forces and Iraqi militias.

[CrowBat]

CrowBat........

It appears to me that right now the fighting in Syria resembles that of WW1 aerial dog fighting with masses of planes fighting everywhere in large and small aerial battles....

Not even sure the US, Putin and Iran really know what the heck up and down is anymore......meanwhile Turkey and KSA are remaining rather quiet.
Not really.

It's actually so that
- Russians are running one operation (theoretically: 'interdiction of insurgent re-supply routes into Aleppo', and 'softening insurgent positions north-west of Aleppo'),
- regime is running another operation (advance on Tabqa)
- and the IRGC is running... well, actually running away in southern Aleppo.

So, each of them is doing something entirely different, and nobody is supporting the other party. Makes me wonder what was the point of that meeting of three MODs in Tehran, five days ago...

The US-supported PYD/YPG/SDF conglomerate is fighting its own battle against Daesh in NE Aleppo, which is entirely disconnected from what's going on further south. If at all, it acted as a good distraction: the massive regime concentration of forces trying to race to Tabqa and Raqqa could've proved much more useful somewhere else (whether in NW Aleppo or in southern Aleppo).

[OUTLAW 09]

FSA took out group of #Assad-forces in #Latakia mountains with ATMG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPdW4Rmn3Kg …

Iranian #IRGC Said Shamlu killed in southern Aleppo, Syria.

DeirEzzor: #ISIS has killed dozens of pro-#Assad forces and captured several regime positions in #DeirEzzor today.

Claim: Hezbollah moving 100s of fighters to Syria, following tripartite meeting in Tehran. (Ar.)

Hassan Hassan ‏@hxhassan
IS ideology: a product of a slow hybridization between doctrinaire Salafism and Islamist currents
http://carnegieendowment.org/2016/06/13/sec
A must read.......
Until the interplay of Salafi and Islamist ideas is recognized, ISIS's ideology will continue to be misdiagnosed.

The price of tolerating Assad: An opening for #IslamicState in south #Syria http://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/isils-long-game-is-revealed-by-syrias-south … by @hxhassan
IS spreads into southern #Syria, revealing an organic, tribes-based model that could be its future

[OUTLAW 09]

Not really.

It's actually so that
- Russians are running one operation (theoretically: 'interdiction of insurgent re-supply routes into Aleppo', and 'softening insurgent positions north-west of Aleppo'),
- regime is running another operation (advance on Tabqa)
- and the IRGC is running... well, actually running away in southern Aleppo.

So, each of them is doing something entirely different, and nobody is supporting the other party. Makes me wonder what was the point of that meeting of three MODs in Tehran, five days ago...

The US-supported PYD/YPG/SDF conglomerate is fighting its own battle against Daesh in NE Aleppo, which is entirely disconnected from what's going on further south. If at all, it acted as a good distraction: the massive regime concentration of forces trying to race to Tabqa and Raqqa could've proved much more useful somewhere else (whether in NW Aleppo or in southern Aleppo).

It does appear that the combat dynamics have shifted back to FSA/JaF

[OUTLAW 09]

FSA 13th Brigade blow a groups of IRGC seems like Hezbollah fighters in south Aleppo with TOW missile.
https://twitter.com/SharefSarmada/status/742803510891282433?s=09 …

Rebels launch offensive on southern parts of east ghouta Damascus lost to Assad army and allied militias recently.

DeirEzzor: Another massive #ISIS VBIED has hit pro-#Assad forces at 137th Artillery Brigade south of the Airport, the second in 24 hours.

Heavy clashes in Zaytan village as a group of Shiite militiamen were uncovered hiding, now being taken care of

After fall of Khalsah and Zaytun today, regime lines in South #Aleppo nearly back to what they were in Nov. Jaysh al-Fatah making impact.

[OUTLAW 09]

Aleppo death toll rises to 31 yesterday +40 Russia/Assad airstrikes & +60 barrel bombs targeted over 25 areas today

TOW destroyed technical with 23mm gun in southern #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/zdIAgzI_07w

ATMG hit another tank in southern #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/qHhfbMxa2kE

Damascus #SAA Brigadier Abdul Aziz Saqer- commander for southern part of eastern Ghouta killed

Reports saying Opposition factions (mainly Faylaq Rahman) took control of Hatitat Jarash village and several positions near #Mleha town.

Reports saying that Opposition #JaF trying to encircle Regime+allies inside Birnah village. Heavy clashes still ongoing in Khalsah. #Aleppo

Footage from #JaF assault today in southern #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/_PXwWUPuy4E

[OUTLAW 09]

Not really.

It's actually so that
- Russians are running one operation (theoretically: 'interdiction of insurgent re-supply routes into Aleppo', and 'softening insurgent positions north-west of Aleppo'),
- regime is running another operation (advance on Tabqa)
- and the IRGC is running... well, actually running away in southern Aleppo.

So, each of them is doing something entirely different, and nobody is supporting the other party. Makes me wonder what was the point of that meeting of three MODs in Tehran, five days ago...

The US-supported PYD/YPG/SDF conglomerate is fighting its own battle against Daesh in NE Aleppo, which is entirely disconnected from what's going on further south. If at all, it acted as a good distraction: the massive regime concentration of forces trying to race to Tabqa and Raqqa could've proved much more useful somewhere else (whether in NW Aleppo or in southern Aleppo).

CrowBat.....appears to me that many of the FSA units are now working closely with JaF meaning each group is supplying it's own particular strength's into the operations...meaning one has artillery, one has TOWs and ATGMs, one has foot soldiers, another has armor and they then divide up the elements of the operation........and apparently field coordination has improved vastly to allow for sudden shifts in moves by the Assad/Iranian side where JaF is exploiting them immediately.

We saw this work very effectively for AQI, and the Iraqi Sunni insurgent groups Ansar al Sunnah, Islamic Army of Iraq and Revolution 1920 up through 2009 in Iraq.

[OUTLAW 09]

Appears that for the last several days, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are deleting videos and accounts from those supporting the anti Assad side BUT somehow are "overlooking" proAssad and proRussian trolls who are just as active....amazing how Russian oligarch black money and the Russian bot info war network has control of US social media....

US social media falls for it every time......or do they just answer to the black money??

[OUTLAW 09]

Jaish Al-Fateh announced it has full control of Northern section (hill) of Khalasah village, S. #Aleppo.

Central Division blew up with #TOW a tank firing on JaF ~100 m away in Khalasah, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyRHwc4nUqY …

Central Division blew up with a #TOW an ATGM position on rooftop in Khalasah, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Thuwar Al-Sham targeted with a #Fagot an entrenched tank on Khalasah front, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHhfbMxa2kE …

As clashes continued amid intense airstrikes 4 control of Khalasah, Jaish Al-Fateh blew up w/ a SVBIED the main pocket of foreign militias.

JaN used another US Humvee with DIY armour during storm of Khalasah, S. #Aleppo. #JaF.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PXwWUPuy4E …

ANOTHER possible ATGM hit on an alleged T90......this new Russian MBT is not holding up well when ATGM and TOWs are being used against it... from the smoke trail or lack thereof...appears to be TOW that was fired.

Faylaq Al-Sham #ATGM strike on a tank (claimed T-90) in Khalasah, S. #Aleppo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFPthbMxIh8 …
Tank profile as it moves in two directions before being hit in fact confirms T90.....hit was solid and destructive.

Should make purchasers of this Russian MBT a little nervous about their investment....

[OUTLAW 09]

Report from battlefield in southern #Aleppo
https://youtu.be/toBp4vNDV_k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCGii9WJrLM … (Faylaq Sham)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_B-v6HWvm8 … (JaN)
From fighting in southern Aleppo which has been hard and heavy with high Assad loses especially IRGC and Hezbollah.

[OUTLAW 09]

Results of to much "vodka"........

Assad's Political Security Chief in #Syria fell from high building
-too much Sympathies with separatist kurds?
http://en.eldorar.com/node/2528

Or maybe he was just "sleep walking" and made the wrong turn????

[OUTLAW 09]

Iran announced the death of
1 Iranian soldier
1 Basij militia man
2 Afghan Fatimiyoun members
3 Pakistanj Zainabiyoun men
in #Syria.

[OUTLAW 09]

Regardless of what the West thinks about AQ in Syria (JaN) they have earned in the eyes of the Syrian anti Assad forces a high level of respect for their fighting abilities against Assad forces and YES even against their declared near enemy IS......

Footage
Crazy head-to-head fighting of Syrian rebels and foreign militias in #Khalasah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCGii9WJrLM …

Same scene from another (this time Nusra) drone.
Dense air space ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_B-v6HWvm8 …

AND as someone who has been following jihadi battle videos since 2003 for the OSINT JaN and company produce some of the best drone videos on their fighting...you could even use them in West Point to highlight armored infantry attacks as they are classics in the use of armor and infantry in a fast urban warfare fight.