Iraq: Out of the desert into Mosul (closed)

[CrowBat]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...source=twitter

seems like we almost bombed our own allies

We're discussing this 'campaign' (total of 66 USAF/USN and 23 strikes by all of the RJAF, RSAF, UARAF, RBAF and QEAF in one week!) in the 'air power...' thread, and it's nothing but a tragicomedy.

Perhaps I should send my wife to help CENTCOM with targeting?

She definitely knows more about Syria and all the factions involved in fighting there...

And we get no help from the Iraqi AF.

NBC reports Iraqi air force mistakingly dropped food, water and ammunition to #ISIS militants. Great intelligence

They flew 2.160 combat sorties the last month: if USAF can make as grotesque mistakes as described on the link above, then Iraqis can do some too.

[OUTLAW 09]

Has anyone seen the SAA use the UR-77 Meteorit before---when and who supplied it?

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=810536442324623

[davidbfpo]

Civil wars are never clear cut, in Europe Bosnia is a good example and Syria today is exceptionally confusing - on both "sides". Linked here is an analysis of the jigsaw of groups fighting each other and then changing tack:http://www.joshualandis.com/blog/pro...jr-al-hurriya/

[OUTLAW 09]

Appears the Syria moderate Islamists captured a Russian SIGINT facility that was monitoring all insurgent ops for Assad. Probably one of their most important sites outside of Russia these days.

Embarrassing to say the least for Russian SIGINT types.

Many had not know it was even in Syria.

BIG - #Syria rebels captured Russian SIGINT facility in Tel al-Hara, #Deraa
http://spioenkop.blogspot.com/2014/1...y-reveals.html … (v @oryxspioenkop)
pic.twitter.com/dbYQ3y7g4f

On the 5th of October 2014, the Free Syrian Army captured the Центр С or المركز س 'Center C or Center S' SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) facility (logo on top) jointly operated by the Russian Osnaz GRU radio electronic intelligence agency (logo on the right) and one of the Syrian Intelligence Agencies (logo on the left). Situated near Al Hara, the facility was of vital importance for the Assad regime as it was responsible for recording and decrypting radio communications from every rebel group operating inside Syria, making it likely the Russian-gathered information at this facility was at least partially responsible for the series of killings of rebel leaders by airstrikes.

Translation from 3:08; ''A directive issued by the surveillance office on May 31 to eavesdrop and record all radio communications of the terrorist groups, directive signed by brigadier-general Nazir Fuddah, commander of the first center''

The facility was recently upgraded and expanded by Russia to provide Syria and Iran with situational awareness of the Middle East. After the upgrade, which took from January to mid-February, it reportedly covered the whole of Israel and Jordan and a large part of Saudi Arabia.[1] According to the report, the upgrade was a reaction to Iranian concern of the facility being too much focused on the Syrian Civil War, neglecting espionage on Israel. New equipment and additional personnel was thus added to the base.

It is unknown if the facility is named Center C or Center S ('S' for Syria or special), it is known there's at least one other Russian-Syrian SIGINT facility around, which likely has a similar name.

The Russian operator of this facility was the Osnaz GRU, responsible for radio electronic intelligence within Russia's Armed Forces.

[JWing]

Over the weekend most of Anbar fell to the insurgents including Ramadi. ISF totally collapsed there in just three days. Here's a link to my article.

[OUTLAW 09]

http://iswiraq.blogspot.de/2014/10/i...-4-5-2014.html

[OUTLAW 09]

Appears the Russian Islamist problem is coming back home to roost.

@MoscowTimes: Kadyrov Calls Suicide Bomber Lone Wolf, Extremist Social Media Paints a Different Picture

http://tmt-go.ru/508513